Alise O'Brian Photography
Example of a large classic enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in St Louis with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and blue walls

This meticulous bachelor wanted a neutral palette with touches of iron & steel throughout. By adding other textures like Alpaca, faux shagreen & crystal lamps his new bachelor pad was well balanced in a harmonious mix of textures.

A Distinctly Contemporary West Indies 4 BEDROOMS | 4 BATHS | 3 CAR GARAGE | 3,744 SF The Milina is one of John Cannon Home’s most contemporary homes to date, featuring a well-balanced floor plan filled with character, color and light. Oversized wood and gold chandeliers add a touch of glamour, accent pieces are in creamy beige and Cerulean blue. Disappearing glass walls transition the great room to the expansive outdoor entertaining spaces. The Milina’s dining room and contemporary kitchen are warm and congenial. Sited on one side of the home, the master suite with outdoor courtroom shower is a sensual retreat. Gene Pollux Photography

Built in cabinets with under cabinet lighting and Sempria Mini-Can
Home design - transitional home design idea in Omaha

Guests bedroom located on the 3rd floor.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless guest carpeted and gray floor bedroom remodel in St Louis with white walls

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Phoenix

New Kitchen plan- • Increase storage and functionality • Removed Butlers access • Appliance location re-assignments • Converted to central Island configuration • Transitional theme implemented Family room: Cabinet doors matched to kitchen. Design By: Chris Chumbley & assoc.

Design by Megan Winters
Elegant freestanding desk study room photo in New York with black walls

When the homeowners decided it was time to update their kitchen to have it reflect more their current tastes and needs, they came to me. They wanted to have a hearth-style hood area and a mantel to display seasonal decorations. The kitchen was extended slightly to accommodate the mantel, and to add the microwave, oven, & warming drawer to the primary work side of the kitchen. A second prep sink and refrigerator drawers were added to the island. Hand selected Teak wood was used as the countertop, because of the luscious texture and durability around wet areas, more than most other woods. A very long towel bar, set to the backside of the island, allows Trisha a handy place to display tea towels. Challenging to this design was that the ceiling height is only 94”, which we couldn’t raise. The kitchen, however, feels more open due to the lightness of the cabinet color, the glass-front and open display cabinets, the different levels of cabinets, and the liberal amount of well-balanced details. The bountiful details include two cabinet colors, two counter top materials, five door styles, three glass types, three drawer styles, and four hardware styles all designed to keep the observer engaged in the space. This kitchen can be described as a lush bouquet with each individual element gracefully adding to the spectacular result Design and remodel by Design Studio West Brady Architectural Photography

Why Calm Home Décor Matters A calm home does more than look beautiful. It helps you slow down, clear your mind, and feel more comfortable in your everyday routine. Thoughtful décor can shape the mood of a room, making it feel softer, warmer, and more supportive. When a space feels balanced, it becomes easier to relax and enjoy being there. Choose Meaning Over Clutter One of the best ways to create a peaceful home is to decorate with intention. A calm space does not need to be filled with things just to avoid empty walls or corners. It feels better when each piece has a purpose, whether that is adding comfort, beauty, or personality. This is why meaningful décor often works better than crowded styling. A few well-chosen pieces can make a room feel more grounded and personal than a large number of random accessories. The goal is not to make your home look empty, but to make it feel clear and easy to enjoy. Use Soft, Balanced Colors Color plays a major role in how a room feels. Soft neutrals, earthy greens, muted blues, warm whites, and gentle terracotta tones can bring calm and comfort into your home. These shades create a softer visual atmosphere and help a room feel more open and inviting. Balanced colors also make it easier to combine textures and decorative elements without making the space feel heavy. In living rooms, bedrooms, and quiet corners, a calming color palette can make a noticeable difference. Style Your Walls with Purpose Walls should not be treated as spaces to fill quickly. They are part of the overall atmosphere of a room. Thoughtful wall décor can add softness, reflect your personality, and help the space feel more complete without creating clutter. For example, collections from About Wall Art reflect a more meaningful approach to decorating, where beauty and calm work together. Choosing art with intention can help your home feel more connected, peaceful, and true to your style. Create Small Moments of Comfort A calm home is often built through small details. A cozy chair by a window, a soft throw on the sofa, or a simple, well-styled corner can all make your space feel more supportive. These quiet touches help create balance throughout the home. Conclusion The best home décor ideas are not always the boldest. Often, they are the ones that make your space feel calmer, lighter, and more personal. By choosing meaningful pieces, soft colors, and uncluttered styling, you can create a home that supports both beauty and well-being. A balanced home does not just look good — it helps you feel more at peace in your everyday life.

brass faucet, brass sconces, single handle faucet, circular mirror, gold faucet, mosaic floor tile, nest thermostat, pocket door,
Example of a transitional white tile and mosaic tile gray floor bathroom design in Other with green cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and flat-panel cabinets

Living room - mid-sized coastal open concept carpeted living room idea in Orange County with blue walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

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

Intentional. Elevated. Artisanal. With three children under the age of 5, our clients were starting to feel the confines of their Pacific Heights home when the expansive 1902 Italianate across the street went on the market. After learning the home had been recently remodeled, they jumped at the chance to purchase a move-in ready property. We worked with them to infuse the already refined, elegant living areas with subtle edginess and handcrafted details, and also helped them reimagine unused space to delight their little ones. Elevated furnishings on the main floor complement the home’s existing high ceilings, modern brass bannisters and extensive walnut cabinetry. In the living room, sumptuous emerald upholstery on a velvet side chair balances the deep wood tones of the existing baby grand. Minimally and intentionally accessorized, the room feels formal but still retains a sharp edge—on the walls moody portraiture gets irreverent with a bold paint stroke, and on the the etagere, jagged crystals and metallic sculpture feel rugged and unapologetic. Throughout the main floor handcrafted, textured notes are everywhere—a nubby jute rug underlies inviting sofas in the family room and a half-moon mirror in the living room mixes geometric lines with flax-colored fringe. On the home’s lower level, we repurposed an unused wine cellar into a well-stocked craft room, with a custom chalkboard, art-display area and thoughtful storage. In the adjoining space, we installed a custom climbing wall and filled the balance of the room with low sofas, plush area rugs, poufs and storage baskets, creating the perfect space for active play or a quiet reading session. The bold colors and playful attitudes apparent in these spaces are echoed upstairs in each of the children’s imaginative bedrooms. Architect + Developer: McMahon Architects + Studio, Photographer: Suzanna Scott Photography

This bedroom has a unique story: The family owns car dealerships, so they asked us to coordinate the room's design with the artwork above the bed. We had a great time using bold colors and patterns while achieving a well-balanced interior. Home located in Tampa, Florida. Designed by Florida-based interior design firm Crespo Design Group, who also serves Malibu, Tampa, New York City, the Caribbean, and other areas throughout the United States.

Inspiration for a transitional family room remodel in Austin

Jason Miller, Pixelate Ltd.
Large elegant girl carpeted and beige floor kids' room photo in Cleveland with pink walls

Photography: Eirik Johnson
Bathroom - large contemporary master black tile and slate tile slate floor and black floor bathroom idea in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Transitional home office photo in San Francisco