A San Francisco family bought a house they hoped would meet the needs of a modern city family. However, the tiny and dark 50 square foot galley kitchen prevented the family from gathering together and entertaining. Ted Pratt, principal of MTP Architects, understood what the family’s needs and started brainstorming. Adjacent to the kitchen was a breakfast nook and an enclosed patio. MTP Architects saw a simple solution. By knocking down the wall separating the kitchen from the breakfast nook and the patio, MTP Architects was able to maximize the kitchen space for the family as well as improve the kitchen to dining room adjacency. The contemporary interpretation of a San Francisco kitchen blends well with the period detailing of this 1920's home. In order to capture natural light, MTP Architects choose overhead skylights, which animates the simple, yet rich materials. The modern family now has a space to eat, laugh and play.

Photography: Nicole Katz

Mike Dean

Dry bar and laundry room off kitchen. Genesis Architecture.

Steven & Cathi House

Jeffrey Dodge Rogers Photography

Complete interior renovation of a 1980s split level house in the Virginia suburbs. Main level includes reading room, dining, kitchen, living and master bedroom suite. New front elevation at entry, new rear deck and complete re-cladding of the house. Interior: The prototypical layout of the split level home tends to separate the entrance, and any other associated space, from the rest of the living spaces one half level up. In this home the lower level "living" room off the entry was physically isolated from the dining, kitchen and family rooms above, and was only connected visually by a railing at dining room level. The owner desired a stronger integration of the lower and upper levels, in addition to an open flow between the major spaces on the upper level where they spend most of their time. ExteriorThe exterior entry of the house was a fragmented composition of disparate elements. The rear of the home was blocked off from views due to small windows, and had a difficult to use multi leveled deck. The owners requested an updated treatment of the entry, a more uniform exterior cladding, and an integration between the interior and exterior spaces. SOLUTIONS The overriding strategy was to create a spatial sequence allowing a seamless flow from the front of the house through the living spaces and to the exterior, in addition to unifying the upper and lower spaces. This was accomplished by creating a "reading room" at the entry level that responds to the front garden with a series of interior contours that are both steps as well as seating zones, while the orthogonal layout of the main level and deck reflects the pragmatic daily activities of cooking, eating and relaxing. The stairs between levels were moved so that the visitor could enter the new reading room, experiencing it as a place, before moving up to the main level. The upper level dining room floor was "pushed" out into the reading room space, thus creating a balcony over and into the space below. At the entry, the second floor landing was opened up to create a double height space, with enlarged windows. The rear wall of the house was opened up with continuous glass windows and doors to maximize the views and light. A new simplified single level deck replaced the old one.

Darren Edwards Photographs

Photography: David Matheson

Situated on a challenging sloped lot, an elegant and modern home was achieved with a focus on warm walnut, stainless steel, glass and concrete. Each floor, named Sand, Sea, Surf and Sky, is connected by a floating walnut staircase and an elevator concealed by walnut paneling in the entrance. The home captures the expansive and serene views of the ocean, with spaces outdoors that incorporate water and fire elements. Ease of maintenance and efficiency was paramount in finishes and systems within the home. Accents of Swarovski crystals illuminate the corridor leading to the master suite and add sparkle to the lighting throughout. A sleek and functional kitchen was achieved featuring black walnut and charcoal gloss millwork, also incorporating a concealed pantry and quartz surfaces. An impressive wine cooler displays bottles horizontally over steel and walnut, spanning from floor to ceiling. Features were integrated that capture the fluid motion of a wave and can be seen in the flexible slate on the contoured fireplace, Modular Arts wall panels, and stainless steel accents. The foyer and outer decks also display this sense of movement. At only 22 feet in width, and 4300 square feet of dramatic finishes, a four car garage that includes additional space for the client's motorcycle, the Wave House was a productive and rewarding collaboration between the client and KBC Developments. Featured in Homes & Living Vancouver magazine July 2012! photos by Rob Campbell - www.robcampbellphotography photos by Tony Puezer - www.brightideaphotography.com

Our design for the façade of this house contains many references to the work of noted Bay Area architect Bernard Maybeck. The concrete exterior panels, aluminum windows designed to echo industrial steel sash, redwood log supporting the third floor breakfast deck, curving trellises and concrete fascia panels all reference Maybeck’s work. However, the overall design is quite original in its combinations of forms, eclectic references and reinterpreting of motifs. The use of steel detailing in the trellis’ rolled c-channels, the railings and the strut supporting the redwood log bring these motifs gently into the 21st Century. The house was intended to respect its immediate surroundings while also providing an opportunity to experiment with new materials and unconventional applications of common materials, much as Maybeck did during his own time.

Who wouldn't want to hang out in this vibrant kitchen morning, noon, night and snack time? This rivetingly colorful kitchen never fails to wow. Appetite stimulating red cabinets feature wood knobs and pulls. There's island seating as well as a breakfast nook with a view and ample bench seating with extra storage. Kitchen features multi layered lighting including cans, undercabinet, pendant and natural. Note the gorgeous custom mosaic wave pattern in the backsplash. Photos by Terry Poe Photography.

A true cook's kitchen -light, airy, modern, and easy.

Photographer - Ben Park

The kitchen of this late-1950s ranch home was separated from the dining and living areas by two walls. To gain more storage and create a sense of openness, two banks of custom cabinetry replace the walls. The installation of multiple skylights floods the space with light. The remodel respects the mid-20th century lines of the home while giving it a 21st century freshness. Photo by Mosby Building Arts.

Andrew McKinney. The original galley kitchen was cramped and lacked sunlight. The wall separating the kitchen from the sun room was removed and both issues were resolved. Douglas fir was used for the support beam and columns.