Martinkovic Milford Architects services the San Francisco Bay Area. Learn more about our specialties and past projects at: www.martinkovicmilford.com/houzz

An interior build-out of a two-level penthouse unit in a prestigious downtown highrise. The design emphasizes the continuity of space for a loft-like environment. Sliding doors transform the unit into discrete rooms as needed. The material palette reinforces this spatial flow: white concrete floors, touch-latch cabinetry, slip-matched walnut paneling and powder-coated steel counters. Whole-house lighting, audio, video and shade controls are all controllable from an iPhone, Collaboration: Joel Sanders Architect, New York. Photographer: Rien van Rijthoven

Mother of Pearl wall

Features custom "Revere Pewter" lacquered slab doors, "flat-cut walnut" veneer panels, "Mocha" Caesarstone quartz countertops and a "Sun Flower Marble Mosaic" (Emperador Light & Thassos) backsplash.

This Superior Woodcraft kitchen provides many uses - cooking, dining, storage and entertaining. It even has a fireplace. This kitchen incorporates many colors and materials. Notice how much utility is designed into this space: wine cooler, custom made kitchen table, chopping block table and storage areas in the kitchen island and the built-in wall hutch. Given the many different colors and materials that are utilized and how much utility is present, it is amazing how this kitchen still has a very clean and open feel to it.

Products Used: Cabinetry: contemporary custom cabinets By Urban Homes Wood Species: Painted MDF Minimalist style kitchen design from Urban Homes custom cabinet line. The kitchen excludes the unnecessary details, but retains the user-friendly core. Pictured here are Minimalist kitchens with MDF painted doors and cherry finishes

cabinets built by Laak Woodworks soapstone countertop from El Dorado Soapstone, Denver Durango travertine tile from Star Flooring, Boulder Contractor: Cottonwood Custom Builders

A captivating transformation in the coveted neighborhood of University Park, Dallas The heart of this home lies in the kitchen, where we embarked on a design endeavor that would leave anyone speechless. By opening up the main kitchen wall, we created a magnificent window system that floods the space with natural light and offers a breathtaking view of the picturesque surroundings. Suspended from the ceiling, a steel-framed marble vent hood floats a few inches from the window, showcasing a mesmerizing Lilac Marble. The same marble is skillfully applied to the backsplash and island, featuring a bold combination of color and pattern that exudes elegance. Adding to the kitchen's allure is the Italian range, which not only serves as a showstopper but offers robust culinary features for even the savviest of cooks. However, the true masterpiece of the kitchen lies in the honed reeded marble-faced island. Each marble strip was meticulously cut and crafted by artisans to achieve a half-rounded profile, resulting in an island that is nothing short of breathtaking. This intricate process took several months, but the end result speaks for itself. To complement the grandeur of the kitchen, we designed a combination of stain-grade and paint-grade cabinets in a thin raised panel door style. This choice adds an elegant yet simple look to the overall design. Inside each cabinet and drawer, custom interiors were meticulously designed to provide maximum functionality and organization for the day-to-day cooking activities. A vintage Turkish runner dating back to the 1960s, evokes a sense of history and character. The breakfast nook boasts a stunning, vivid, and colorful artwork created by one of Dallas' top artist, Kyle Steed, who is revered for his mastery of his craft. Some of our favorite art pieces from the inspiring Haylee Yale grace the coffee station and media console, adding the perfect moment to pause and loose yourself in the story of her art. The project extends beyond the kitchen into the living room, where the family's changing needs and growing children demanded a new design approach. Accommodating their new lifestyle, we incorporated a large sectional for family bonding moments while watching TV. The living room now boasts bolder colors, striking artwork a coffered accent wall, and cayenne velvet curtains that create an inviting atmosphere. Completing the room is a custom 22' x 15' rug, adding warmth and comfort to the space. A hidden coat closet door integrated into the feature wall adds an element of surprise and functionality. This project is not just about aesthetics; it's about pushing the boundaries of design and showcasing the possibilities. By curating an out-of-the-box approach, we bring texture and depth to the space, employing different materials and original applications. The layered design achieved through repeated use of the same material in various forms, shapes, and locations demonstrates that unexpected elements can create breathtaking results. The reason behind this redesign and remodel was the homeowners' desire to have a kitchen that not only provided functionality but also served as a beautiful backdrop to their cherished family moments. The previous kitchen lacked the "wow" factor they desired, prompting them to seek our expertise in creating a space that would be a source of joy and inspiration. Inspired by well-curated European vignettes, sculptural elements, clean lines, and a natural color scheme with pops of color, this design reflects an elegant organic modern style. Mixing metals, contrasting textures, and utilizing clean lines were key elements in achieving the desired aesthetic. The living room introduces bolder moments and a carefully chosen color scheme that adds character and personality. The client's must-haves were clear: they wanted a show stopping centerpiece for their home, enhanced natural light in the kitchen, and a design that reflected their family's dynamic. With the transformation of the range wall into a wall of windows, we fulfilled their desire for abundant natural light and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Our favorite rooms and design elements are numerous, but the kitchen remains a standout feature. The painstaking process of hand-cutting and crafting each reeded panel in the island to match the marble's veining resulted in a labor of love that emanates warmth and hospitality to all who enter. In conclusion, this tastefully lux project in University Park, Dallas is an extraordinary example of a full gut remodel that has surpassed all expectations. The meticulous attention to detail, the masterful use of materials, and the seamless blend of functionality and aesthetics create an unforgettable space. It serves as a testament to the power of design and the transformative impact it can have on a home and its inhabitants. Project by Texas' Urbanology Designs. Their North Richland Hills-based interior design studio serves Dallas, Highland Park, University Park, Fort Worth, and upscale clients nationwide.

Conceived of as a C-shaped house with a small private courtyard and a large private rear yard, this new house maximizes the floor area available to build on this smaller Palo Alto lot. An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) integrated into the main structure gave a floor area bonus. For now, it will be used for visiting relatives. One challenge of this design was keeping a low profile and proportional design while still meeting the FEMA flood plain requirement that the finished floor start about 3′ above grade. The new house has four bedrooms (including the attached ADU), a separate family room with a window seat, a music room, a prayer room, and a large living space that opens to the private small courtyard as well as a large covered patio at the rear. Mature trees around the perimeter of the lot were preserved, and new ones planted, for private indoor-outdoor living. C-shaped house, New home, ADU, Palo Alto, CA, courtyard, KA Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Angela Todorova, Lucie Danigo
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers
Landscape Architect: Outer Space Landscape Architects
Contractor: Coast to Coast Development
Photography: ©2023 Mariko Reed
Year Completed: 2022 Location: Palo Alto, CA

Our clients came to us with a dream to create a home that was beautiful, filled with classic details yet embody a Modern French aesthetic. We started with the foundation, selecting materials that would be the building blocks for our design. One of the joys of this project was the client's love of color, primarily in hues of blue. A special moment in the kitchen with its jewel-like Azul Macauba Quartzite countertop, brass hardware, and sailor’s coat blue island. As we are designing for a family, practical touches along with luxury elements were a must. Creative thinking was used to reimagine the entry closet into a multi-purpose space including the laundry, drop zone, and pantry. The master bath was filled with a classic design from the scones, wallcoverings to crystal hardware...all to transport you to a french apartment overlooking the streets of Paris. A modern twist inserted was the approach for the family room fireplace. The clean lines of stacked stone were the perfect touch. Our clients' dream home became reality in our Modern French Project and will be loved for years to come.

Monika Sathe Photography

When space permits, there’s nothing like an L-shaped island unit to create an impressive focal feature. Maximising work and storage space, offering built-in dining or socialising areas and often acting as informal room dividers in open-plan design, the L-shaped island is a dynamic solution to modern kitchen living. The feature also allows for all kinds of creativity and clever use of material, height and colour to add interest to scheme.