Klopf Architecture, Arterra Landscape Architects and Henry Calvert of Calvert Ventures Designed and built a new warm, modern, Eichler-inspired, open, indoor-outdoor home on a deeper-than-usual San Mateo Highlands property where an original Eichler house had burned to the ground. The owners wanted multi-generational living and larger spaces than the original home offered, but all parties agreed that the house should respect the neighborhood and blend in stylistically with the other Eichlers. At first the Klopf team considered re-using what little was left of the original home and expanding on it. But after discussions with the owner and builder, all parties agreed that the last few remaining elements of the house were not practical to re-use, so Klopf Architecture designed a new home that pushes the Eichler approach in new directions. One disadvantage of Eichler production homes is that the house designs were not optimized for each specific lot. A new custom home offered the team a chance to start over. In this case, a longer house that opens up sideways to the south fit the lot better than the original square-ish house that used to open to the rear (west). Accordingly, the Klopf team designed an L-shaped “bar” house with a large glass wall with large sliding glass doors that faces sideways instead of to the rear like a typical Eichler. This glass wall opens to a pool and landscaped yard designed by Arterra Landscape Architects. Driving by the house, one might assume at first glance it is an Eichler because of the horizontality, the overhanging flat roof eaves, the dark gray vertical siding, and orange solid panel front door, but the house is designed for the 21st Century and is not meant to be a “Likeler.” You won't see any posts and beams in this home. Instead, the ceiling decking is a western red cedar that covers over all the beams. Like Eichlers, this cedar runs continuously from inside to out, enhancing the indoor / outdoor feeling of the house, but unlike Eichlers it conceals a cavity for lighting, wiring, and insulation. Ceilings are higher, rooms are larger and more open, the master bathroom is light-filled and more generous, with a separate tub and shower and a separate toilet compartment, and there is plenty of storage. The garage even easily fits two of today's vehicles with room to spare. A massive 49-foot by 12-foot wall of glass and the continuity of materials from inside to outside enhance the inside-outside living concept, so the owners and their guests can flow freely from house to pool deck to BBQ to pool and back. During construction in the rough framing stage, Klopf thought the front of the house appeared too tall even though the house had looked right in the design renderings (probably because the house is uphill from the street). So Klopf Architecture paid the framer to change the roofline from how we had designed it to be lower along the front, allowing the home to blend in better with the neighborhood. One project goal was for people driving up the street to pass the home without immediately noticing there is an "imposter" on this lot, and making that change was essential to achieve that goal. This 2,606 square foot, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Eichler-inspired new house is located in San Mateo in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane Landscape Architect: Arterra Landscape Architects Contractor: Henry Calvert of Calvert Ventures Photography ©2016 Mariko Reed Location: San Mateo, CA Year completed: 2016

Brent Rivers
Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Atlanta with white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, an island, a farmhouse sink, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, shaker cabinets and white countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary dark wood floor bedroom remodel in Las Vegas with white walls

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

“Big Daddy Construction & Design" is a full service construction company with seasoned leadership and over 20 years of contracting experience in the Phoenix area. “Big Daddy” offers it's services as a viable alternative to business as usual in Arizona’s construction industry.

Kimberley Bryan
Living room - 1950s concrete floor living room idea in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Transitional formal carpeted living room photo in New York with gray walls

Living room - farmhouse living room idea in San Francisco

Photo Credit: Dustin Halleck
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary black and white tile, white tile and subway tile multicolored floor corner shower remodel in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops and brown countertops

Expansive Kitchen with island seating, lots of windows, blue painted cabinets and white marble countertops.
Large elegant u-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam open concept kitchen photo with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Alcove shower - transitional 3/4 green tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and white floor alcove shower idea in San Francisco with medium tone wood cabinets, green walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and beaded inset cabinets

The formal dining room of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne as featured in Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Inspirations book.
Example of a large cottage chic light wood floor enclosed dining room design in Los Angeles with beige walls and a standard fireplace

All photos by Linda Oyama Bryan. Home restoration by Von Dreele-Freerksen Construction
Mid-sized arts and crafts backyard stone patio kitchen photo in Chicago with a pergola

Patio - transitional patio idea in San Francisco with a bbq area

“Big Daddy Construction & Design" is a full service construction company with seasoned leadership and over 20 years of contracting experience in the Phoenix area. “Big Daddy” offers it's services as a viable alternative to business as usual in Arizona’s construction industry.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional two-story wood beige front door remodel in Portland with a yellow front door

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen Remodel in Seattle featuring mirrored backsplash with Cherry cabinets and Marmoleum flooring. Jeff Beck Photography
Example of a mid-sized 1950s l-shaped linoleum floor and red floor kitchen design in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, mirror backsplash, an undermount sink, an island and solid surface countertops

This beautiful home has been in the client’s family for years, and recently was taken over by the next generation for a stunning renovation. The new floor plan design made more effective use of the space, accommodating multiple needs into the kitchen. The new layout created an open galley kitchen with a 13 1/2′ Island with seating at each end, a cool-grey custom banquette with 2 tables. Durable Mitered Honed Quartz countertops were selected to contrast the Walnut 2 1/4″ thick wood Counters, and a custom hood crowns the Wolf range. A SubZero refrigerator and wine cooler along with dual Miele dishwashers and speed oven complete the kitchen.

Located right off the Primary bedroom – this bathroom is located in the far corners of the house. It should be used as a retreat, to rejuvenate and recharge – exactly what our homeowners asked for. We came alongside our client – listening to the pain points and hearing the need and desire for a functional, calming retreat, a drastic change from the disjointed, previous space with exposed pipes from a previous renovation. We worked very closely through the design and materials selections phase, hand selecting the marble tile on the feature wall, sourcing luxe gold finishes and suggesting creative solutions (like the shower’s linear drain and the hidden niche on the inside of the shower’s knee wall). The Maax Tosca soaker tub is a main feature and our client's #1 request. Add the Toto Nexus bidet toilet and a custom double vanity with a countertop tower for added storage, this luxury retreat is a must for busy, working parents.