Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Photography: Ira Montgomery
Transitional kitchen photo in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Roger Wade Studio

Open concept kitchen - traditional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Boston with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo: Nanette Wong © 2014 Houzz
1950s gray one-story exterior home photo in San Francisco

Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor enclosed dining room remodel in Los Angeles with black walls and no fireplace

Example of a beach style rooftop brick patio design in Orange County

This is an example of a mediterranean partial sun landscaping in Los Angeles.

Custom Traditional Kitchen Photos by Eric Lucero
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Denver with green cabinets, granite countertops, an island, beige backsplash, paneled appliances and multicolored countertops

Kitchen - transitional beige floor kitchen idea in Hawaii with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white countertops and two islands

Example of a mountain style dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, an island and black countertops

Example of a classic two-story house exterior design in New York with a shingle roof

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops, a farmhouse sink, marble countertops and stone slab backsplash

Kitchen remodel has a new window over sink and lots and lots of storage with mostly drawers instead of cabinets. The pullout garbage can and coffee bar are some cool examples of custom elements. The double-think countertops add the custom look the client really loved.

Michael J. Lee Photography
Large beach style slate floor and gray floor sunroom photo in Boston with no fireplace and a skylight

Mid-sized traditional gray one-story mixed siding gable roof idea with a shingle roof

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

Max Wedge Photography
Kitchen - large transitional l-shaped light wood floor kitchen idea in Detroit with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray countertops and an undermount sink

Foyer - traditional medium tone wood floor foyer idea in Richmond with a glass front door