Mid-sized trendy l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and green countertops

This striking kitchen continues the Lincoln Park home's design language of sculptural minimalism and architectural clarity. Defined by long, uninterrupted sightlines and a bold palette of high contrast, the space celebrates geometry in motion—from the linear cabinetry to the monolithic waterfall island, to the bold, opaque glass pantry door that doubles as a design statement. The custom cabinetry wall integrates seamlessly into the architecture, concealing high-performance appliances while preserving the flow of the space. Opposite, a floating staircase grounds the layout while introducing a play of lines and levels. Every element is intentional—functional, but also beautiful enough to disappear when not in use. With its clean floor plan, strong contrasts, and quiet luxury, this kitchen is a refined backdrop for daily rituals. It evokes calm, control, and confidence—proof that modern design can be deeply personal and powerfully understated.

Photo: Alexandra Crafton © 2017 Houzz
Living room - eclectic living room idea in Boston

Painting wide horizontal stripes in a bathroom to match to tiles.
Bathroom - traditional bathroom idea in New York

Kitchen - kitchen idea in Kansas City

A close-up view of the custom drapery reveals a softly undulating pattern that introduces gentle movement and refined texture to the space. The fabric’s nuanced design captures and distills the room’s full color palette, weaving together its layered tones into a cohesive, elegant expression. This tailored window treatment enhances the overall composition with a sense of fluidity and sophistication, reinforcing the interior’s curated luxury aesthetic while adding depth, softness, and visual continuity throughout the room.

Emerging Architects Studio
Living room - contemporary living room idea in Other

Example of a mid-sized transitional master travertine floor bathroom design in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

A complete gut in this home meant that these homeowners could bring this house to a more modern standard, which included a light, airy approach with minimal, but important accessories.

Mid-sized minimalist light wood floor and beige floor entryway photo in Calgary with beige walls and a white front door

Photo: Alexandra Crafton © 2017 Houzz
Eclectic bedroom photo in Boston

Example of a large trendy l-shaped eat-in kitchen design in Other with flat-panel cabinets and an island

Kitchen - kitchen idea in Kansas City

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

Mid-sized elegant carpeted and gray floor sunroom photo in Minneapolis with a standard ceiling

Eat-in kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen idea in Other with flat-panel cabinets and an island

Kitchen photo in Other

Murals don't always have to be realistic or a precise image of something. This technique is very effective in giving you a sense of the outdoors without the image dominating the space. Subtlety is sometimes the best option, especially in such a small space as an under the stairwell Powder Bathroom.