A large window of edged glass brings in diffused light without sacrificing privacy. Two tall medicine cabinets hover in front are actually hung from the header. Long skylight directly above the counter fills the room with natural light. A ribbon of shimmery blue terrazzo tiles flows from the back wall of the tub, across the floor, and up the back of the wall hung toilet on the opposite side of the room. Bax+Towner photography

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea

John Evans
Inspiration for a huge timeless u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

SFMLS
Trendy living room photo in San Francisco

Ulimited Style Photography
Example of a minimalist exterior home design in Los Angeles

Inspiration for a coastal living room remodel in Baltimore

Building on the Stamford coastline is technically challenging and tricky. RAC’s experience in waterfront design came in very handy while developing this 3500 s.f. beach cottage. Our client wanted an open floor plan with room to entertain, as well as spaces to retreat. Numerous discussions over many months resulted in a well-thought-out custom designed modern home that will provide comfort and beauty for years to come.

Elegant home office photo in DC Metro

Example of a classic medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Tampa with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops

Tuscan bathroom photo in Orange County

Cement Tile Shop - Handmade Cement Tile - Patchwork Pattern. We love this installation of our patchwork pattern on this kitchen backsplash. The customer preferred to use groupings of tile patterns instead of randomly shuffling the tiles.

Nestled in the hills of Orinda, California, this 1951 residence is one of only seven extant homes, now known as “The Magnificent Seven”, designed by architect Olof Dahlstrand, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. With its low-slung rooflines, natural materials, and deep integration with the sloping landscape, the home is a pristine example of mid-century modern design inspired by Wright’s organic principles. Over the years, prior homeowners have emphasized preservation, ensuring that the house remained relatively untouched. Each owner has respected the original architecture and stayed true to Dahlstrand’s intent. When a family of five—two college-aged sons and a middle school-aged daughter—acquired the property, they were captivated by its history, legacy of care, and architectural significance. While they appreciated Dahlstrand’s original vision, they also recognized the need to adapt the home for contemporary living while preserving its design integrity. The remodel was conceived as a thoughtful response to the past—an effort to bring the house into the 21st century without compromising its soul. The primary mandate was to maintain architectural continuity while improving the functionality, comfort, and livability for a modern family. The design team—architects and contractor alike—worked with a shared reverence for the original architecture, allowing that mindset to guide even the most technical or pragmatic decisions. A key objective was to increase natural light in the kitchen—a departure from Wrightian principles of enclosed, intimate cooking spaces—while maintaining the home’s architectural language. The kitchen was reconfigured to foster a stronger connection to adjacent living spaces while retaining the underlying concept of spatial separation. One of the most transformative architectural changes was the removal of a ridge beam that was originally planned to remain visible through the kitchen. During construction, the team collaborated on a better solution: a wide-flanged steel beam concealed within the roof envelope. This subtle move preserved the clean lines and ceiling continuity, a modern update carried out with utmost respect for the existing framework. The home’s original powder room, previously accessible only through the kitchen, was relocated for better flow and privacy. A new powder room was carved out of former kitchen cabinetry—a narrow, interior space that could have felt dark and enclosed. To avoid this, the design extended the line of original transom windows into the new powder room and added a skylight above the vanity. The result is a bright and airy space that feels consistent with the rest of the home. Other updates included the installation of new solid-core interior doors with veneers carefully matched to the original mahogany, enhancing the continuity of the interiors. Even smaller decisions, such as placing the door knobs at 42 inches high, mirrored the original proportions. Every choice reflected a shared belief between the architect, contractor, and client: that new work should serve the integrity of the old. The home’s extensive interior redwood millwork and paneling was meticulously restored. Where new materials were introduced—such as the replacement redwood soffit paneling—the contractor took pains to find finish nails that matched the original, rather than using modern equivalents. This level of craftsmanship and collaboration defined the project. It extended even to the detailing of a blind door to the new powder room, which had to disappear into the existing redwood board-and-batten wall. It was a team effort: the owner found a suitable handle, the architects devised the custom in-swing mechanism, and the contractor executed it so the door aligned precisely with the battens. Throughout, the homeowners were deeply engaged in the design process. One, a meticulous design enthusiast, focused on aesthetic integrity and historic detail. The other brought a practical and function-driven perspective, ensuring that new fixtures and materials would be durable and require minimal maintenance. While the home’s location posed no major site challenges, sustainability was a key concern. The team upgraded the roof insulation, installed solar panels with battery storage, and added ductless mini-split cooling systems. Lighting was another area where modern technology was woven into a historic framework: new square LED fixtures echo the original custom perimeter soffit lights, maintaining the design language while offering advanced performance. A planned expansion of a bedroom into suite with a bathroom had to be shelved due to budget constraints and the high cost of below-grade foundation work. Still, the team focused their efforts on making the most of the existing footprint, resolving constraints through design ingenuity rather than adding square footage. This renovation represents a collaborative achievement in preserving and evolving a historically significant home. Every decision was shaped by a shared ethos among clients, architects, and contractor: to maintain the home’s architectural soul while updating it for contemporary life. The result is a timeless modernist residence that continues Olof Dahlstrand’s legacy, remaining grounded in nature, craftsmanship, and human-scale design. Klopf Architecture Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane, Fernanda Bernardes
Interior Architectural Design: Klopf Architecture
Structural Engineer: Daniel Bastiao
Contractor: Don Larwood, Larwood Construction Photography: Mariko Reed Year Completed: 2022

Exterior deck doubles the living space for my teeny tiny house! All the wood for the deck is reclaimed from fallen trees and siding from an old house. The french doors and kitchen window is also reclaimed. Photo: Chibi Moku

Our clients on this project were inspired by their travels to Asia and wanted to mimic this aesthetic at their DC property. We designed a water feature that effectively masks adjacent traffic noise and maintains a small footprint.

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Hallway - eclectic hallway idea in New York

Kitchen - contemporary galley light wood floor kitchen idea in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Modern pendant lamp made of fine sanded ultra thin translucent birch plywood. The shape of this modern wooden pendant light was inspired by the blooming teasel flower. Lamp's surface, densely packed with thin and sharp needle-like birch petals, hides the bulb deep inside allowing the light to sink through gently, making it soft and mellow. This modern pendant lamp is an autonomous object that defines the space around. Modern pendant lamp Teazzle | Hyper dynamic organic explosion Our modern lamps are designed for easy and fast self assembly. Arrives flat packed. Graphical instruction included. Technical specification diameter | 59cm height | 47cm cord length | 100cm recommended bulb | LED only, max 20W (not included) E27 bulb socket Materials petals | birch plywood frame | birch plywood colour | natural birch cord | E27, transparent canopy | powder coated steel, space gray colour All our wood pendant lights are designed and produced locally in Wrocław, Poland and are made of FSC and PEFC certified Scandinavian plywood.

Our goal on this project was to make the main floor of this lovely early 20th century home in a popular Vancouver neighborhood work for a growing family of four. We opened up the space, both literally and aesthetically, with windows and skylights, an efficient layout, some carefully selected furniture pieces and a soft colour palette that lends a light and playful feel to the space. Our clients can hardly believe that their once small, dark, uncomfortable main floor has become a bright, functional and beautiful space where they can now comfortably host friends and hang out as a family. Interior Design by Lori Steeves of Simply Home Decorating Inc. Photos by Tracey Ayton Photography.

Inspiration for a coastal l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island