Example of a transitional gray floor and wood wall foyer design in Austin with blue walls and a light wood front door

Utility room - transitional single-wall light wood floor, beige floor and wallpaper utility room idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, multicolored walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and beige countertops

Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard custom-shaped infinity pool house remodel in New Orleans with decking

Example of a transitional pool design in Austin

Inspiration for an eclectic freestanding desk dark wood floor study room remodel in Los Angeles with multicolored walls

Eric Laignel
Trendy indoor pool photo in New York

The rear exterior view of the home is layered with amenities which include a full summer kitchen with grill and smoke, storage drawers, mini fridge, double sinks, and beer tap. Comfortable barstools line the bar ready entertaining, with poolside lounge furniture strategically placed on the lanai for optimal comfort and flow.

Tripp Smith
Large transitional courtyard stone and custom-shaped infinity water slide photo in Charleston

Eclectic open concept painted wood floor and turquoise floor living room photo in Los Angeles with white walls

Inspiration for an eclectic alcove shower remodel in Los Angeles with multicolored walls and a pedestal sink

Two-lane in-home bowling alley with ball return, computer scoring system, overhead scoring monitors, regulation size bowling lanes, custom bowling balls, custom bowling pins, and custom underwater themed mural on the lanes.

Hallway - eclectic dark wood floor hallway idea in Los Angeles

This is an example of a contemporary water fountain landscape in Seattle.

View of the ceiling of an underwater mural in a boys' bedroom. 2 very lucky little boys get to sleep in this underwater haven complete with reef life, fish, dolphins, sharks and more. amazing room, fun to paint!

Yup, your eyes do not deceive you. This is a real fishing boat cut in half and mounted on the ceiling. The hand painted mural/ artwork conveys a peaceful afternoon in the ocean from the perspective of a fish. The client has spent many a fine day fishing with his family, and wanted to celebrate his hobby in a big way. The ceiling includes my client catching a big marlin, with the end of a pole and actual line going to the Marlin mounted on the wall. His wife Peggy is enjoying the breeze and his daughter is dangling her feet in the water. His son has a snorkel mask on, peering down into the great room.

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

Enclosed kitchen - small traditional l-shaped beige floor enclosed kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, white appliances, no island and brown countertops

Example of an eclectic open concept dark wood floor living room design in Los Angeles with white walls

The planning took advantage of the abundance of lush greenery: in the private pool, one swims amongst tree tops, which provide a beautiful natural screening to supplement the ceramic fritted glass partition which prevents overlooking between floors.