Search results for "Strong neighborhood" in Home Design Ideas

Saturday, May 30, 1:30 to 3:00pm | Santa Monica
Hightree by Jay Griffith of Jay Griffith Design
This half-acre site is nestled into the Rustic Canyon neighborhood, and is the second collaboration between the landscape designer and client. Architect Steven Ehrlich designed the striking Modernist home fifteen years ago. It is set on the canyon floor amidst native California sycamores, the only holdover from the previous design. The garden is naturalistic in spirit, but carefully calibrated to include species that thrive in the canyon’s specific microclimate, primarily determined by soil conditions and limited light quality. A dramatic rectilinear elevated pool, based on the house’s strong geometry, offsets the sycamore’s angularity and curvilinear nature. The pool’s design is practical, it’s five-foot tall walls address safety concerns associated with having small children; but It’s also very sculptural, a seamless, buff-colored plaster-coated concrete monolith. The watery surface suggests one of the house’s giant windows. Vast sweeps of understory plantings offer subtle contrasts both textural and though tonal variations of green. Photos by Jorge Rafael

Photo: Travis Rathbone
from 62nd to 158th Street along Manhattan’s West Side, Riverside Park is a vast expanse of green space on the edge of the Hudson River. The park is home to beautiful gardens, landscaped paths, sports facilities, public art, and some of the most stunning river views. For that reason it is widely regarded as Manhattan’s most spectacular waterfront park. No wonder it is one of the most sought after neighborhoods in the city. This interior project set along the scenic section of the Hudson came with only one criteria….make it cool. As a second home and city escape the client wanted a hip retreat for family and guests with a turn key interior. DL happily accepted the challenge creating unique and beautiful custom pieces and selecting everything from the wall-coverings to the kitchen appliances. As this was a secondary residence we had the freedom and flexibility to create an even more artful environment. These elements are apparent with the strong use of metal, concrete and the sculptural details of the furniture.

New kitchen for this Eichler owner in the Fairhaven neighborhood of San Jose CA. The doors, drawer fronts, and panels are Zenit Supermatt Blanco. We used Blum soft-close hinges and drawer slides throughout the kitchen. Cabinet boxes are made with 19mm pre-finished maple plywood with matching Zenit Supermatt Blanco edge tape.
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The project’s goal is to introduce more affordable contemporary homes for Triangle Area housing. This 1,800 SF modern ranch-style residence takes its shape from the archetypal gable form and helps to integrate itself into the neighborhood. Although the house presents a modern intervention, the project’s scale and proportional parameters integrate into its context.
Natural light and ventilation are passive goals for the project. A strong indoor-outdoor connection was sought by establishing views toward the wooded landscape and having a deck structure weave into the public area. North Carolina’s natural textures are represented in the simple black and tan palette of the facade.

Mid-century meets modern – this project demonstrates the potential of a heritage renovation that builds upon the past. The major renovations and extension encourage a strong relationship between the landscape, as part of daily life, and cater to a large family passionate about their neighbourhood and entertaining.

Aerial exterior views of a luxury modern farmhouse custom home featuring green board and batten siding, clapboard accents, crisp white trim, black-framed windows, a gray shingle roof, and a covered front porch. The home sits on a landscaped corner lot with mature trees, a concrete driveway, attached garage, and strong curb appeal from every angle.

Modern urban houseplex designed with clean architectural lines, expansive glazing, and contrasting exterior materials to create a contemporary and functional multifamily living environment within a residential Tacoma neighborhood.
The project focused on maximizing curb appeal, natural light, and efficient urban living while maintaining strong streetscape presence and durable exterior materials suited for the Pacific Northwest climate.

The intrigue of the home’s powerful facade lies in the locally sourced puddingstone archway inviting you in. The custom designed bronze door with leaded sidelights opens into the foyer from underneath the covered walkway to the right, in essence hidden from the street. The wide-open central expanse allows one a sneak preview of the stone patio and back yard beyond, highlighting the 120-foot-tall Beech tree that has
been thriving on the site for over two hundred years. The challenge of designing this 6,300 square foot home and pool house was the narrow but deep one-acre lot. John Meyer’s master planning of a strong front elevation hides the “sideways configuration” of the floorplan. To the left
of the archway is a 3-car garage below an entertainment room, with a master bedroom suite on the top floor bridging the main house behind the central eyebrow over the archway.
The sense of having been on the site for decades was the intent of the design abundant in the use of stone and masonry. The carved stonework shapes the main and secondary archways as full ovals. Slate detailing is set
between the sunburst oval window, balancing interest with the keystones framing the five windows across the bridge. Rough cut boulders give weight to the structure’s base, while straight runs of stone border the shingles under the roof’s eaves and shaped stones guide corner edges downward along the retaining walls. The granite steps and bluestone patio lead one back to the lighted base of the Beech tree, terrace and on-axis pool area beyond. The roof is double thick slate, and the circular drive is crushed stone with granite edging. Like the longevity of the Beech tree, this unique design will stand proudly in its neighborhood for years to come.

New kitchen for this Eichler owner in the Fairhaven neighborhood of San Jose CA. The doors, drawer fronts, and panels are Zenit Supermatt Blanco. We used Blum soft-close hinges and drawer slides throughout the kitchen. Cabinet boxes are made with 19mm pre-finished maple plywood with matching Zenit Supermatt Blanco edge tape.

New kitchen for this Eichler owner in the Fairhaven neighborhood of San Jose CA. The doors, drawer fronts, and panels are Zenit Supermatt Blanco. We used Blum soft-close hinges and drawer slides throughout the kitchen. Cabinet boxes are made with 19mm pre-finished maple plywood with matching Zenit Supermatt Blanco edge tape.

New kitchen for this Eichler owner in the Fairhaven neighborhood of San Jose CA. The doors, drawer fronts, and panels are Zenit Supermatt Blanco. We used Blum soft-close hinges and drawer slides throughout the kitchen. Cabinet boxes are made with 19mm pre-finished maple plywood with matching Zenit Supermatt Blanco edge tape.

New kitchen for our client's Eichler in the Fairhaven neighborhood. Grain matched walnut and matte white doors create a beautiful combination.
Example of a trendy linoleum floor kitchen design in San Francisco with an integrated sink
Example of a trendy linoleum floor kitchen design in San Francisco with an integrated sink

New kitchen for this Eichler owner in the Fairhaven neighborhood of San Jose CA. The doors, drawer fronts, and panels are Zenit Supermatt Blanco. We used Blum soft-close hinges and drawer slides throughout the kitchen. Cabinet boxes are made with 19mm pre-finished maple plywood with matching Zenit Supermatt Blanco edge tape.

New kitchen for this Eichler owner in the Fairhaven neighborhood of San Jose CA. The doors, drawer fronts, and panels are Zenit Supermatt Blanco. We used Blum soft-close hinges and drawer slides throughout the kitchen. Cabinet boxes are made with 19mm pre-finished maple plywood with matching Zenit Supermatt Blanco edge tape.

This room has "neighborhood" to make each area feel special. The interior design plays with white furniture and a strong floor plane with white walls to create the magic.

New kitchen for this Eichler owner in the Fairhaven neighborhood of San Jose CA. The doors, drawer fronts, and panels are Zenit Supermatt Blanco. We used Blum soft-close hinges and drawer slides throughout the kitchen. Cabinet boxes are made with 19mm pre-finished maple plywood with matching Zenit Supermatt Blanco edge tape.

Set in a quiet neighborhood and framed by mature trees, this residence presented a unique opportunity: to thoughtfully evolve a custom mid-century modern home into a space that supports the everyday rhythms of a growing family. With a deep respect for the home’s original architecture, Klopf Architecture reimagined the house to better meet the needs of its owners—introducing functional improvements while preserving the spirit and character of its mid-century roots.
The clients approached Klopf Architecture with a clear vision: refresh their home while seamlessly integrating new programmatic elements. Key goals included clarifying and enhancing the entry sequence; connecting the detached garage to the main house with a practical yet architecturally intentional intervention; adding functional spaces such as a mudroom and laundry room; expanding and remodeling the primary suite’s bathroom and closet; and creating a more engaging outdoor space that capitalized on the site’s impressive views, featuring a fire pit and outdoor kitchen.
As a couple with distinct yet complementary perspectives—one focused on modern functionality and technology, and the other dedicated to preserving the home’s architectural integrity—their collaboration with Klopf Architecture resulted in a solution that harmonized both ideals. Their shared commitment to improving the livability of their home led to a design dialogue rooted in balance. This dynamic partnership shaped the direction of the renovation, ensuring that every decision honored the spirit of the original home while aligning with the practical needs of their growing family.
Designing within the constraints of the sloped site posed one of the project’s central challenges. The detached garage sat at a higher elevation than the main house, requiring a solution that ensured architectural and geometric compatibility between the two structures. Rather than create a purely utilitarian link, Klopf Architecture introduced an intentional connection that contributes to the overall architectural language. A notable pinch point in the plan—where differing geometries converged—was treated as a hinge point, turning a potentially awkward juncture into an architectural feature. This area now functions as both a transition and a moment of design interest that unifies the overall plan.
The design also addressed the underutilized outdoor area, which was located in a shadowed portion of the site with geometrical limitations. A new connection to the rear deck was created in this same area, making the outdoor space more useful and inviting. Klopf Architecture introduced carefully positioned openings and spatial improvements that forged a strong visual and functional connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. The outdoor area now reads as a deliberate extension of the home, embracing natural light and emphasizing the dramatic views.
Working through multiple design iterations, Klopf Architecture crafted a solution that preserved the architectural language of the original home while supporting the functional needs of modern life. The garage-to-house connection became more than a passage—it evolved into an architectural moment of transition. A new mudroom and laundry space enhanced convenience without compromising the clean lines of the design. The primary suite was expanded to create a private, serene retreat. The reimagined backyard, complete with fire pit and kitchen, now plays a vital role in the family’s daily routine and social life.
Outcomes and Lasting Impact
The result is a home that balances heritage with contemporary design, technical precision with design sensibility. The redesign not only met the clients’ initial goals but also exceeded expectations in its ability to seamlessly blend past and present, function and beauty, making the outdoor kitchen a favorite gathering place.
Beyond aesthetics, the renovation has significantly improved daily life for the family. The newly integrated garage connection has streamlined routines, providing a seamless transition between arriving home, storing belongings, and entering the main living spaces. The expanded primary suite offers a retreat-like atmosphere, creating a private space to unwind at the end of the day. The redesigned outdoor areas have also become an extension of their lifestyle—whether it's casual family dinners around the fire pit, entertaining friends in the outdoor kitchen, or simply enjoying the view from the reimagined backyard.
Through a thoughtful and strategic approach, the house has been successfully evolved into a home that remains true to its mid-century modern roots while enhancing livability, functionality, and the overall quality of life for the modern-day owners.
Klopf Architecture Team: Geoffrey Campen, Fernanda Bernardes
Architectural Interior Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Base Design Inc.
Contractor: Golden Snail Builders
Photography: Mariko Reed
Year Completed:2022

“The Madrona House nestles into a historic Seattle hilltop neighborhood, looking east to Lake Washington and the Cascade Mountain Range beyond. Built for a downsizing couple that owned the historic craftsman house next door, the house was designed to maximize light and connection to the outdoors, with a strong sense of mass and materiality.
The home was designed as a plinth with thick walls and a hearth rising out of it, capped by a carved wooden volume. The irregular textures of the concrete change with the time of day and the color of the sky through the seasons, giving the home a sense of heft and permanence. Glazed openings are inset to the interior surface to express the thickness of walls, creating covered outdoor spaces where possible. Details like concealed headers, minimal exposed flashing, and a continuous reveal joint between the concrete and flush wood upper story accentuate the mass and elemental composition of the home. Light is diffused through the more open east and west ends of the house and the courtyard, and carefully placed skylights create a luminous sanctuary from the surrounding city.”

Tim & Elissa have a beautiful home in the most desirable Wyomissing neighborhood. Broad sidewalks under stately oaks, with nearby parks makes it a perfect place to raise a growing family. But their 2-bedroom mid-century rancher was becoming a squeeze. They asked Spring Creek Design to come up with a cost-effective solution to their space problem, while also tackling some of the home’s aged infrastructure.
Design Criteria:
- Increase living space by adding a new 2nd storey Master Suite.
- Enhance livability with an open floorplan on the first floor.
- Improve the connection to the outdoors.
- Update basics systems with new windows, HVAC and insulation.
- Update interior with paint & refinished floors.
Special Features:
- Bright, mid-century modern design is true to the home’s vintage.
- Custom steel cable railings at both stairways.
- New open plan creates strong connections between kitchen, living room, dining room and deck.
- High-performance Pella windows throughout, including a new triple-panel slider to the deck.

This custom-built home showcases a refined blend of modern farmhouse and transitional design, highlighted by crisp white clapboard siding and bold black window accents. The clean horizontal lines and balanced massing create a timeless yet contemporary exterior, while large architectural windows bring natural light deep into the interior. A dark asphalt shingle roof anchors the design and provides contrast against the light façade. Thoughtful landscaping and a paved driveway complete the look, delivering strong curb appeal and a polished presence within this upscale Naperville neighborhood.
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