Tumbled Roman walkways, stairs and patios with Pisa 2 retaining walls surround a beautiful yet quaint water feature in the back of this home set on a park in SW Calgary. Mahogany entry gates a privacy screen, lighting, and colorful plantings welcome guests to this yard. Photo Credit: Jamen Rhodes

A much-needed update brought this master bath to a light, airy space that included inset cabinet doors for a contemporary and modern feel. The shower is spacious with a rainhead and dual controls, and overhead lighting includes a contemporary chandelier to add a one-of-a-kind feel.

Chandelier to accent bathroom while not overpowering.
Example of a large classic master beige tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom design in DC Metro with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops and beige walls

Transitional kitchen photo in Philadelphia

This modern bathroom has a porcelain wall tile from the Lumina Collection. There are more colors and styles available.
Example of a large minimalist master white tile and porcelain tile freestanding bathtub design in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, white walls, an integrated sink and gray countertops

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

The narrow space required some unique design ideas but we think it all came out perfectly. The toekick area is recessed all around for ease of use.
Inspiration for a large u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and two islands

Design ideas for a tropical landscaping in Charleston.

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Philadelphia

Design ideas for a small traditional partial sun courtyard formal garden in Charleston.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master blue tile, multicolored tile, white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and white floor bathroom remodel in Calgary with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, solid surface countertops and a hinged shower door

Photographed by: Emily Preisendanz
Example of a mid-sized trendy u-shaped medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen design in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash and an island

The feature brick wall became the focal point, where all the cabinets were replaced, while maintaining the texture and warmth of the space.
Example of a transitional kitchen design in Dallas

A place to have fun with tile and glam accessories! Since this is a small space, the impact is large when unique approaches are taken with the finishes. The result - breathtaking!

Our client’s home has been transformed from ordinary to extraordinarily fabulous! Her new soft-close cabinets, adorned in the sophisticated hues of Camp White and Aloe Super Matte, exude elegance and style. The addition of a pristine subway tile backsplash and luxurious sterling white quartz countertops creates a striking and timeless kitchen. Both bathrooms now boast brand-new showers and stylish cabinets, elevating the entire home's ambiance. The pièce de résistance is the upgraded pantry, offering both beauty and functionality. This makeover has truly brought our client’s home to a new level of sophistication and charm!

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Real Estate
Example of a classic kitchen design in Other with medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a mid-sized minimalist gray two-story mixed siding exterior home design in Calgary with a mixed material roof

Example of a trendy kitchen design in Seattle

© Gorini Guillaume Photographe
Eat-in kitchen - large transitional medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Montreal with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island