Klopf Architecture’s epic efforts to restore Eichler homes and other midcentury moderns in the San Francisco are continuing, unabated.

They’re up to 130 Eichlers now, and 192 midcentury modern homes.

Their newest restoration, in Mills Estates in Burlingame, is typical of the later models from the 1960s. It’s bigger than earlier homes, with four bedrooms, a sloping roof and an atrium. “They were the culmination of Eichler homes over the years,” John Klopf says.

Here, he was challenged by pair of clients who wanted a low-budget, high-impact update of the house – with a clean, minimal style and functional improvements. So there were choices to be made.

“Some things just didn’t end up in the project,” he says. “In landscaping, they wanted to put in a wall so you couldn’t see through to the yard. We didn’t do that – the budget drove that.”

An earlier renovation had added some Japanese shoji screens, which the clients wanted taken out. In the end, they stayed put – also because of the budget.

But they did get a spiffed-up kitchen, two new baths and a larger master suite – all with a crisp new look. “We did rearrange the master suite,” he says. “We moved a closet out to the hallway, and created bigger suite for a clean, minimal update.”

Bath flooring is large porcelain tile (24″ x 24″) in a neutral grey tone, providing a uniform backdrop against which other materials can stand out. The same tile continues into the shower floor and up the shower/tub walls.

Blue ceramic tile in was used sparingly to add color at the hall bath vanity backsplash and at the shampoo niches in both baths. Back-painted soda glass in pale blue to match the tile was used at the kitchen backsplash. The same accent color was also used at the front entry atrium door. Kitchen cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and light fixtures are all white, for an airy and light feel.

The owners chose to keep some of the original Eichler elements, including the concrete masonry fireplace, the stained tongue-and-groove redwood ceiling decking and the luan wall paneling. The luan paneling was lightly sanded, cleaned, and re-stained.

“The house was outdated and the clients wanted it fresh and minimal,” he says.

They came to the right architect for that – at 125 Eichlers and counting, Klopf holds the record.

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Photos © Mariko Reed