IN 2021, PETE AND BECKY MEIER HIRED LANDSCAPE DESIGN WEST, LLC, TO CREATE AN EXTRAORDINARY RENOVATION DESIGN FOR THE CANYON PASS HOUSE LOCATED IN THE GATED COMMUNITY OF CANYON PASS AT THE PINNACLE OF DOVE MOUNTAIN, IN TUCSON, ARIZONA. EXISTING LANDSCAPE DID NOT COMPLIMENT THE OUTSTANDING ADJACENT DESERT NOR THE UNIQUE MARK SOLOWAY ARCHITECTURE. GOAL WAS TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL DIALOGUE WITH THE ADJACENT DESERT AND RESIDENCE. DESIRED OUTCOME: INCREASE VISUAL APPEAL/LOWER WATER USE WITH NUMEROUS SPECIMEN SUCCULENTS AND A PLANTING DESIGN THAT IS INVITING, COLORFUL AND GRACIOUS, INCREASE YEAR AROUND COLOR AND BLOOMS TO ATTRACT NATIVE POLLINATORS SUCH AS BIRDS, BATS, HUMMINGBIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES MITIGATE DAMAGE TO PORTIONS OF THE PROPERTY PREVIOUSLY USED AS CONSTRUCTION STAGING AREAS LOWER WATER USAGE REPLACING EXISTING FAULTY IRRIGATION LOWER ENERGY/INCREASED NIGHTTIME LIGHTING AESTHETICS WITH A PROFESSIONAL DESIGN AND USING HUNTER/FX LED LIGHTING CHALLENGES: HILLSIDE/SLOPE WILDLIFE ROCKY SOILS DIFFICULT ACCESS Robin Stancliff Photography

Offering a beautiful view through a large window into the backyard, we knew we would highlight the window and design a new kitchen layout, around that window. The former kitchen felt closed in with super dark cabinets. Along with the homeowner, our team designed a light and airy kitchen, including a new pass through to the dining room. Closed off from the kitchen before, the pass through not only allows light to flow in from the beautiful bay window in the dining room, but if offers a functional countertop used for entertaining and serving guests. Not pictured is a drop zone, located immediately when you enter from the mudroom. Drop zones are fantastic for everyday items like keys, wallets, dog gear and more. We added an additional opening to the living room, right off the kitchen as well as a wet bar strategically placed outside the ever day kitchen work zone. Wet bars are fantastic for holding entertainment dishware, barware and appetizers! We finished the space with beautiful new hardwood floors throughout the entire first floor, except the tile in the mudroom.

Inspiration for a large country single-wall porcelain tile, gray floor and wood ceiling open concept kitchen remodel in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Updated bathroom with full wall tile, deep soaking tub with rain shower
Bathroom - contemporary bathroom idea in San Francisco

The light filled space has large windows and four doors, but works well in the strategically configured floor plan. Generous wall trim, exquisite light fixtures and modern stools create a warm ambiance. In the words of the homeowner, “it is beyond our dreams”.

Vaulted ceilings, skylights and strategically placed smaller windows lend drama, light, views, and vertical space that accentuates the feeling of volume in the living spaces. Photography by Tim Bies.

General Contractor: Cambridge Home Company Cabinetry: The Cabinet Gallery Utah
Example of a classic laundry room design in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets and green cabinets

Example of a transitional powder room design in Minneapolis

Open concept, loft living makes this one bedroom with home office feel spacious, bright and airy. With strategically placed and well thought out built-ins and a wall hung media cabinet, everything has its place while being visual pleasing.

Home office - home office idea in Seattle

The design team with Janie Petkus of Janie Petkus Interiors, Cyrus Rivetna of Rivetna Architects, and Gail Drury of Drury Design all worked together to design an inviting and luxurious destination for an entire family to gather all year round. Key design features addressed in this remodel included highlighting beautiful views of the Lake, brightening up the space, and modernizing the design to fit the needs of the family that loves to entertain The home is filled with lots of adults and kids regularly and the kitchen needed to function well for multi cooks as well large family gatherings. Therefore multi-work areas and large expanses of countertop space for buffets were a must. These design ideas paired with lots of seating at the island and the oversized table gave enough room for everyone. A multimetal hood with an antique patina was included to add an element of WOW to the space. A large multi-burner stove, two large sinks, two dishwashers, and three waste receptacles were strategically located in multiple locations so multiple family members could use the space simultaneously. An area off to the side in the family room that was designated as a desk area was multi-purposed to function as a buffet area for the large family dinners.

**Project Overview** This new construction home is built next to a picturesque lake, and the bar adjacent to the kitchen and living areas is designed to frame the breathtaking view. This custom, curved bar creatively echoes many of the lines and finishes used in other areas of the first floor, but interprets them in a new way. **What Makes This Project Unique?** The bar connects visually to other areas of the home custom columns with leaded glass. The same design is used in the mullion detail in the furniture piece across the room. The bar is a flowing curve that lets guests face one another. Curved wainscot panels follow the same line as the stone bartop, as does the custom-designed, strategically implemented upper platform and crown that conceal recessed lighting. **Design Challenges** Designing a curved bar with rectangular cabinets is always a challenge, but the greater challenge was to incorporate a large wishlist into a compact space, including an under-counter refrigerator, sink, glassware and liquor storage, and more. The glass columns take on much of the storage, but had to be engineered to support the upper crown and provide space for lighting and wiring that would not be seen on the interior of the cabinet. Our team worked tirelessly with the trim carpenters to ensure that this was successful aesthetically and functionally. Another challenge we created for ourselves was designing the columns to be three sided glass, and the 4th side to be mirrored. Though it accomplishes our aesthetic goal and allows light to be reflected back into the space this had to be carefully engineered to be structurally sound. Photo by MIke Kaskel

Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in Los Angeles.

Dining room - transitional dining room idea in San Francisco

Ryan Theed Sophisticated contemporary bedroom featuring clean architectural lines and a serene color palette. The Gold's Residence bedroom creates a peaceful retreat with its thoughtful blend of luxury and comfort, showcasing premium sustainable materials and strategic window placement that frames mountain views. This elegant space balances modern design principles with warm textures to create an intimate sanctuary that complements the home's overall aesthetic.

Rich Pharaoh
Example of a beach style open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Other with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Our clients are seasoned home renovators. Their Malibu oceanside property was the second project JRP had undertaken for them. After years of renting and the age of the home, it was becoming prevalent the waterfront beach house, needed a facelift. Our clients expressed their desire for a clean and contemporary aesthetic with the need for more functionality. After a thorough design process, a new spatial plan was essential to meet the couple’s request. This included developing a larger master suite, a grander kitchen with seating at an island, natural light, and a warm, comfortable feel to blend with the coastal setting. Demolition revealed an unfortunate surprise on the second level of the home: Settlement and subpar construction had allowed the hillside to slide and cover structural framing members causing dangerous living conditions. Our design team was now faced with the challenge of creating a fix for the sagging hillside. After thorough evaluation of site conditions and careful planning, a new 10’ high retaining wall was contrived to be strategically placed into the hillside to prevent any future movements. With the wall design and build completed — additional square footage allowed for a new laundry room, a walk-in closet at the master suite. Once small and tucked away, the kitchen now boasts a golden warmth of natural maple cabinetry complimented by a striking center island complete with white quartz countertops and stunning waterfall edge details. The open floor plan encourages entertaining with an organic flow between the kitchen, dining, and living rooms. New skylights flood the space with natural light, creating a tranquil seaside ambiance. New custom maple flooring and ceiling paneling finish out the first floor. Downstairs, the ocean facing Master Suite is luminous with breathtaking views and an enviable bathroom oasis. The master bath is modern and serene, woodgrain tile flooring and stunning onyx mosaic tile channel the golden sandy Malibu beaches. The minimalist bathroom includes a generous walk-in closet, his & her sinks, a spacious steam shower, and a luxurious soaking tub. Defined by an airy and spacious floor plan, clean lines, natural light, and endless ocean views, this home is the perfect rendition of a contemporary coastal sanctuary. PROJECT DETAILS: • Style: Contemporary • Colors: White, Beige, Yellow Hues • Countertops: White Ceasarstone Quartz • Cabinets: Bellmont Natural finish maple; Shaker style • Hardware/Plumbing Fixture Finish: Polished Chrome • Lighting Fixtures: Pendent lighting in Master bedroom, all else recessed • Flooring: Hardwood - Natural Maple Tile – Ann Sacks, Porcelain in Yellow Birch • Tile/Backsplash: Glass mosaic in kitchen • Other Details: Bellevue Stand Alone Tub Photographer: Andrew, Open House VC

Powder room - transitional powder room idea in San Francisco

From Mid-Century Classic to the Present An iconic design updated with comfort, function, and flow for today. A Remodel That Balances Past and Present What started as a desire to update a classic Eichler soon became an exploration of how Mid-Century Modern design can successfully evolve for today. The client, a tech professional with a passion for scuba diving and underwater photography, wanted a home that would both honor its original character and feel tailored to his daily life. A lifelong technology enthusiast, he still owns the very first Mac desktop he saved up for as a teenager working at Radio Shack, a detail that underscores his appreciation for design that melds function and form. Honoring Separation While Expanding Possibility Unlike many contemporary remodels where walls are opened up to create expansive living spaces, this project took a more restrained approach. The client valued the defined rooms of the original plan and wanted to preserve as much wall space as possible for displaying his large-format underwater photography. The emphasis was not on dramatic spatial reinvention, but on thoughtful refinements. Klopf Architecture shaped a gallery-like backdrop while also expanding the primary suite, modernizing materials and fixtures throughout the home, and improving the functionality and layout of the kitchen. The finished home feels at once timeless and renewed, an Eichler that continues to inspire while fully supporting the lifestyle of its present-day owner. A major turning point came mid-design. The original project brief had not included an addition, but as the reconfiguration of the primary bedroom and bath unfolded, it became clear that an expansion was the best approach to achieve the client’s vision of a more spacious suite. Fortunately, the adjustment came at a stage when revisions were still manageable and was integrated seamlessly, showing how thoughtful course corrections can strengthen a project rather than hinder it. Navigating Challenges With Precision The design development included multiple conceptual rounds, balancing preservation with subtle expansion. During construction, an existing post previously thought to be load-bearing turned out not to be. The structural engineer was able to pivot quickly, and both the post and the cross beam that had been intended to replace it could be omitted, allowing the original rhythm of the Eichler beam bays to be preserved. Sustainability was not just a checklist item, but a way to align the home with the client’s values of simplicity, efficiency, and long-term functionality. R-38 roof insulation reduced energy usage, solar panels with battery storage provided independence and resilience, and passive comfort strategies eliminated the need forenergy-intensive air conditioning. An electric vehicle charger and an on-demand hot water recirculation system (with call buttons as opposed to having constant circulation) add to the home’s long-term efficiency factors. Together, these moves created a home that is quieter, more comfortable, and better equipped for the future, qualities that supported the client’s pragmatic approach to design and living lightly. Details That Respect the Eichler DNA The remodel carries forward the Eichler’s original spirit while introducing new layers of modern livability. Originally, the house was approached along a deep, narrow walk, with the garage on one side and the house on the other, leaving the front door tucked far back within this chasm-like space. By pulling the entry forward, the design reshaped the arrival experience, creating a clearer threshold and a natural drop-off zone for bags, shoes, and keys. This shift also made room for a custom bench at the entry that extends seamlessly through the glass sidelight. The bench and drop-off zone now work together as a single, integrated sequence that supports everyday living while offering a tactile reminder of Eichler’s philosophy of connectedness. At the client’s request, Klopf reintroduced a classic Eichler gesture by extending the exterior siding into the entry and living room. The detail reinforces a sense of indoor/outdoor continuity while providing a subtle architectural surface that allows the client’s photography to take visual precedence. The signature concrete masonry wall at the front was reconstructed using blocks sourced to match the originals, now strengthened with rebar for seismic resilience while maintaining a private outdoor courtyard, visually extending the kitchen outward. A decorative trellis element, a detail borrowed from a neighboring Eichler, restores a familiar mid-century modern architectural motif. At the courtyard entry door, a custom etched glass sidelight with an ocean-themed design featuring kelp and jellyfish serves as a subtle homage to the client’s passion for deep-sea diving. Landscaping became an integral part of the overall transformation. The homeowner engaged landscape architect Randi Johnsen of Third Nature Studio to shape a series of calm, inviting outdoor rooms that read as a natural extension of the interiors. While technically outside of the core construction scope, the landscape design proved central to achieving a sense of completeness and connectedness across the property. Such whole-property considerations often emerge as design ideas take shape, underscoring the importance of flexibility in planning and budgeting, as well as close collaboration among the design team starting early in the process. The Value of Evolving Scope As with many custom residential projects, the scope evolved during the design process. What began as a targeted remodel grew to include a new/expanded primary suite, a rebuilt CMU patio wall for strength and longevity, and a solar panel array and battery storage for energy resilience and carbon-reduction. Each thoughtful decision represented a conscious investment in the home’s performance and character, rather than a cost overrun. The result was a project delivered on schedule, tailored precisely to the client’s lifestyle, and positioned to add long-term value both functionally and aesthetically. By embracing scope evolution as an opportunity rather than a challenge, and relying on good design paired with transparent communication, this remodel demonstrates how Eichler homes can be adapted for contemporary living without erasing their DNA. Klopf Architecture project team: John Klopf, AIA, and Klara Kevane, Elise Webb and Nicholas LaNasa. Contractor: Golden Cove Construction Landscape Design: Third Nature Studio Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao Design Photography: ©2025 Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2024 Location: Sunnyvale, CA