Once cramped and constricted with a wall between the living area and kitchen, this space required some strategic thinking. By removing the wall, the two rooms now had to integrate together seamlessly. This was achieved by using neutral colors to flow with the adjacent areas, integrating all of the appliances with wood panels and, hiding the cooktop and downdraft behind the second level of the island to create a furniture feel. In addition, open display areas at different levels give the kitchen a more furniture-like feel. The microwave drawer and oven were placed in the island to be hidden from the living area. The Blanco Silgranit sink color was selected to blend in with the countertop and be seamless in that area. Wide wall cabinets, accessories in every cabinet, drawer dividers, a 30” deep 3-drawer cabinet for pots and pans, and additional storage in the Dry Bar make up for the lost storage in the existing kitchen.

The goal for this Point Loma home was to transform it from the adorable beach bungalow it already was by expanding its footprint and giving it distinctive Craftsman characteristics while achieving a comfortable, modern aesthetic inside that perfectly caters to the active young family who lives here. By extending and reconfiguring the front portion of the home, we were able to not only add significant square footage, but create much needed usable space for a home office and comfortable family living room that flows directly into a large, open plan kitchen and dining area. A custom built-in entertainment center accented with shiplap is the focal point for the living room and the light color of the walls are perfect with the natural light that floods the space, courtesy of strategically placed windows and skylights. The kitchen was redone to feel modern and accommodate the homeowners busy lifestyle and love of entertaining. Beautiful white kitchen cabinetry sets the stage for a large island that packs a pop of color in a gorgeous teal hue. A Sub-Zero classic side by side refrigerator and Jenn-Air cooktop, steam oven, and wall oven provide the power in this kitchen while a white subway tile backsplash in a sophisticated herringbone pattern, gold pulls and stunning pendant lighting add the perfect design details. Another great addition to this project is the use of space to create separate wine and coffee bars on either side of the doorway. A large wine refrigerator is offset by beautiful natural wood floating shelves to store wine glasses and house a healthy Bourbon collection. The coffee bar is the perfect first top in the morning with a coffee maker and floating shelves to store coffee and cups. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring was selected for use throughout the home, offering the warm feel of hardwood, with the benefits of being waterproof and nearly indestructible - two key factors with young kids! For the exterior of the home, it was important to capture classic Craftsman elements including the post and rock detail, wood siding, eves, and trimming around windows and doors. We think the porch is one of the cutest in San Diego and the custom wood door truly ties the look and feel of this beautiful home together.

Margaret Kois Photography
Example of a country dark wood floor family room design in New York with white walls

Minimalist yet exciting space. The expanses of white are strategically broken up by unexpected pops of vibrant color
Trendy bedroom photo in New York

Malibu Glass Box House by Klopf Architecture Following the devastating Woolsey Fire of 2018, the site in Malibu offered a unique opportunity to rebuild not just a home, but a new architectural composition that highlighted the property’s potential while navigating strict fire-rebuild codes in the area. Designed by Klopf Architecture, this project embraced a set of limitations and translated them into an architectural asset. The city’s fire-rebuild process required the new structure to remain close to the original footprint, size and bulk, a constraint that ultimately clarified the architectural direction. Perched near the front of a long, narrow lot, the new home frames and overlooks a private, park-like rear expanse, an uncommon luxury especially in this part of Malibu . Without a fixed program, the design process allowed for a different kind of creative focus allowing Klopf Architecture the opportunity to explore how a modernist home could best respond to this site. The team approached the project not with a list of requirements, but with a question: How might a modernist live here? What spatial qualities would inspire calm, connection, and a sense of wonder in this setting? The process became less about problem-solving and more about architectural storytelling—letting the site, the light, and the principles of modern design guide the form and flow of the home. The response emerged in the form of a glass-box pavilion, an open, Mid-Century Modern inspired living, dining, and kitchen space that floats at the edge of the property’s natural descent. Connected to the more enclosed, private areas of the home by a glass-walled hallway, the living pavilion becomes a distinct centerpiece of the design. It opens on all four sides to the landscape with decks and patios on the flanks, an internal garden and water feature to the north, and a dramatic unguarded view of the expansive backyard and ocean horizon to the south. Because of the mandated footprint, careful planning was required to ensure every space could still engage with light, landscape, or both. Strategic voids in the form of atriums and courtyards allow daylight to filter deep into the home’s core, while offering moments of surprise and retreat. These design gestures allow natural light to filter deep into the interior, creating a sense of brightness and openness throughout the day. At the same time, they expand the perceptual boundaries between inside and out, making the home feel more expansive while anchoring its connection to the surrounding landscape. The siting of the house is what gives it its unique character. Rather than receding into the backyard like the neighboring homes, the house holds a slight prominence. From the central living pavilion, stepping down into the landscape feels more like entering a secluded park where a separate existing accessory structure, trail, and recreational areas await. The home’s modest street presence gives way to this unfolding drama of space, view, and nature. Fire-resilient materials and assemblies are integrated seamlessly throughout including triple-pane glazing, under-slab and roof insulation, and locally sourced fire-rated cladding ensure the house not only meets Calfornia’s rigorous wildland-urban interface (WUI) standards, but feels effortlessly aligned with them. While technical decisions like fire-hardening and mechanical systems presented some construction challenges, particularly around the cantilevered glass box, the team found a functional compromise that preserved the integrity of the design. Inside, a restrained palette and exposed post and beam design celebrate the ethos of mid-century modernism. A central circulation spine extends from the entry to the rear glass wall, offering a continuous visual link from street to ocean. Spaces such as the library and office, though more intimate in scale, are never cut off from nature as each opens to its own unique courtyard or garden view. Though born out of a strict regulatory framework and developed without a specific client, the rebuild design unfolded with remarkable clarity. Grounded in site logic, refined by limitations and an emphasis on timeless spatial relationships – light, proportion, and a strong connection to nature, the resulting design feels both effortless and uplifting. The home lives lightly on the land, opens generously to its surroundings, and strikes a careful balance between privacy, openness, and calm. For Klopf Architecture, it stands as a compelling case study in how site, code, and circumstantial constraints can inspire enduring, modernist architecture. With years of experience reimagining mid-century modern design for how people live today, the firm took the project’s limitations as an opportunity. The result is a home shaped by open, flowing spaces, strong indoor-outdoor connections, and a calm, clear sense of structure. It’s a good reminder that even with strict constraints, there’s still room for architecture to breathe—and for modernism to keep moving forward. Klopf Architecture project team: Geoff Campen, John Klopf, AIA, and Sherry Tan Structural Engineer: ZFA Contractor: Maison D’Artiste Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2023

Ronda Batchelor's laundry room is supper efficent now. She took used cabinets and spray painted them gray, faux painted a second hand countertop to create a folding table. Dirty clothes bins tuck neatly underneath.

The goal for this Point Loma home was to transform it from the adorable beach bungalow it already was by expanding its footprint and giving it distinctive Craftsman characteristics while achieving a comfortable, modern aesthetic inside that perfectly caters to the active young family who lives here. By extending and reconfiguring the front portion of the home, we were able to not only add significant square footage, but create much needed usable space for a home office and comfortable family living room that flows directly into a large, open plan kitchen and dining area. A custom built-in entertainment center accented with shiplap is the focal point for the living room and the light color of the walls are perfect with the natural light that floods the space, courtesy of strategically placed windows and skylights. The kitchen was redone to feel modern and accommodate the homeowners busy lifestyle and love of entertaining. Beautiful white kitchen cabinetry sets the stage for a large island that packs a pop of color in a gorgeous teal hue. A Sub-Zero classic side by side refrigerator and Jenn-Air cooktop, steam oven, and wall oven provide the power in this kitchen while a white subway tile backsplash in a sophisticated herringbone pattern, gold pulls and stunning pendant lighting add the perfect design details. Another great addition to this project is the use of space to create separate wine and coffee bars on either side of the doorway. A large wine refrigerator is offset by beautiful natural wood floating shelves to store wine glasses and house a healthy Bourbon collection. The coffee bar is the perfect first top in the morning with a coffee maker and floating shelves to store coffee and cups. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring was selected for use throughout the home, offering the warm feel of hardwood, with the benefits of being waterproof and nearly indestructible - two key factors with young kids! For the exterior of the home, it was important to capture classic Craftsman elements including the post and rock detail, wood siding, eves, and trimming around windows and doors. We think the porch is one of the cutest in San Diego and the custom wood door truly ties the look and feel of this beautiful home together.

Mid-sized trendy formal and loft-style light wood floor and beige floor living room photo in Los Angeles with a plaster fireplace, white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a media wall

As a rental unit, this apartment came with peachy yellow walls and tan carpeting. We started this project with a fresh coat of paint throughout, giving the space a more modern color palette. Next up was to define the different spaces (dining, living, and work areas) within a large open floorplan. We achieved this through the use of rugs and strategic furniture placements to keep the different spaces open but separate.

This project required a lot of planning, coordination, and strategic execution. The results are phenomenal. We were able to creatively utilize the space between back door and chimney to create a winding stair set that doubles as a raised planter, a main landing area for dining, then another step down to the pool elevation for the firepit and sun tanning area, along with a walkway winding to the driveway. Creekside Outdoor Living - Crown Point, IN PATIO: Unilock - Beacon Hill (Bavarian Blend) PATIO ACCENTS: Unilock Copthorne (Burgundy Red), IL Campo (Granite) • WALLS/STEPS/FIREPIT: Unilock - Old Quarry (Sierra) IL Campo accent WALL CAP/STEPS: Unilock Fullnose (Sandstone) • PLANTINGS: Full planting plan • LIGHTING: Wall/step accents, Path lights, tree spot lights

Once cramped and constricted with a wall between the living area and kitchen, this space required some strategic thinking. By removing the wall, the two rooms now had to integrate together seamlessly. This was achieved by using neutral colors to flow with the adjacent areas, integrating all of the appliances with wood panels and, hiding the cooktop and downdraft behind the second level of the island to create a furniture feel. In addition, open display areas at different levels give the kitchen a more furniture-like feel. The microwave drawer and oven were placed in the island to be hidden from the living area. The Blanco Silgranit sink color was selected to blend in with the countertop and be seamless in that area. Wide wall cabinets, accessories in every cabinet, drawer dividers, a 30” deep 3-drawer cabinet for pots and pans, and additional storage in the Dry Bar make up for the lost storage in the existing kitchen.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic kitchen remodel in New York

Using white as the backdrop color, deep navy blue cabinetry is used on the island and echoes the accent color in the backsplash mosaic tile behind the hood. Glass inserts are strategically integrated into lighted cabinets, adding interest and illumination to the white wall cabinets. The soothing grey beadboard backsplash adds texture and speaks to the beachy aesthetic. To ensure a durable solution especially behind the sink, the bead board is installed above a 5” tall piece of quartz. We opted for a statement chandelier over the dining table in lieu of pendant lighting over the island, and added a single sconce above the window over the farmhouse sink. Additional accent lighting inside the glass cabinets and below the wall cabinets adds ambient and task lighting. Modern rustic details include hammered shiny chrome hardware and floating reclaimed shelves. Photo: Peter Krupenye

Patio - small traditional backyard stone patio idea in Minneapolis

A leaky tub and some cracked tiles convinced our returning clients that an update to their primary suite was long overdue. The old bathroom’s traditional travertine tiles, stained wood cabinets, and bulky tub deck made the space feel heavy and dated. Our goal was to create a sophisticated, light, and serene space that was more aligned with their evolving style. Replacing the sizeable tub deck with a freestanding bathtub opened up the room and allowed us to expand the walk-in shower. A slim niche was strategically tucked into the corner ensuring products are within easy reach. Separate his and hers vanities provide ample storage with an abundance of drawers.. The dramatic veining in the marble-look porcelain provides the perfect backdrop for the minimalist tub and modern plumbing fixtures while the natural marble in the shower plays off the warm golds and grays. With thoughtful design choices and striking finishes, we transformed a dark and drab bathroom into a refined and refreshing retreat.

THE SETUP Once these empty nest homeowners decided to stay put, they knew a new kitchen was in order. Passionate about cooking, entertaining, and hosting holiday gatherings, they found their existing kitchen inadequate. The space, with its traditional style and outdated layout, was far from ideal. They longed for an elegant, timeless kitchen that was not only show-stopping but also functional, seamlessly catering to both their daily routines and special occasions with friends and family. Another key factor was its future appeal to potential buyers, as they’re ready to enjoy their new kitchen while also considering downsizing in the future. Design Objectives: Create a more streamlined, open space Eliminate traditional elements Improve flow for entertaining and everyday use Omit dated posts and soffits Include storage for small appliances to keep counters clutter-free Address mail organization and phone charging concerns THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Compensate for lost storage from omitted wall cabinets Revise floorplan to feature a single, spacious island Enhance island seating proximity for a more engaging atmosphere Address awkward space above existing built-ins Improve natural light blocked by wall cabinet near the window Create a highly functional space tailored for entertaining Design Solutions: Tall cabinetry and pull-outs maximize storage efficiency A generous single island promotes seamless flow and ample prep space Strategic island seating arrangement fosters easy conversation New built-ins fill arched openings, ensuring a custom, clutter-free look Replace wall cabinet with lighted open shelves for an airy feel Galley Dresser and Workstation offer impeccable organization and versatility, creating the perfect setup for entertaining with everything easily accessible. THE RENEWED SPACE The new kitchen exceeded every expectation, thrilling the clients with its revitalized, expansive design and thoughtful functionality. The transformation brought to life an open space adorned with marble accents, a state-of-the-art steam oven, and the seamless integration of the Galley Dresser, crafting a kitchen not just to be used, but to be cherished. This is more than a culinary space; it’s a new heart of their home, ready to host countless memories and culinary adventures. The Galley Dresser prep sink thinks of all attachments and necessities possible for the ultimate entertaining.

Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Custom Millwork Design, Furniture Design, Art Curation, & Landscape Architecture by Chango & Co. Photography by Ball & Albanese

Alise O'Brien Photography
Beach style freestanding desk light wood floor study room photo in St Louis with white walls

A fun, hip kitchen with a mid-century modern vibe. The homeowners wanted a kitchen to make them happy. We think you can't help but smile! NEXT Project Studio Jerry Voloski