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Pro Spotlight: 3 Ways to Create Your Charm-Filled Forever Home
A San Diego-based architect shares how he adds warmth and familiarity to his home designs
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Who: Samuel Koob of sk7 design studios
Where: San Diego
In his own words: “We’re in the business of major transformations. Take your time. Make the investment in your dream home.”
When it comes to designing a home you’ll love for decades, focus on the sensations you hope to feel. Are you ready to be charmed by the beautiful lines of your entryway? Or warmed by the precise, personalized functionality of your kitchen layout? Samuel Koob, the principal architect of San Diego-based sk7 design studios, collaborates with his clients to discover and design what will delight them for years to come.
Where: San Diego
In his own words: “We’re in the business of major transformations. Take your time. Make the investment in your dream home.”
When it comes to designing a home you’ll love for decades, focus on the sensations you hope to feel. Are you ready to be charmed by the beautiful lines of your entryway? Or warmed by the precise, personalized functionality of your kitchen layout? Samuel Koob, the principal architect of San Diego-based sk7 design studios, collaborates with his clients to discover and design what will delight them for years to come.
Communication comes first. Koob earned his bachelor of science degree in architecture from the University of Minnesota, then attended the prestigious NewSchool of Architecture & Design in San Diego for his master’s. After graduating, he launched his own company, sk7 design studios, specializing in custom high-end homes and extensive additions and remodels.
Building on more than a decade of experience, Koob established communication as one of his major strengths. “Communication is critical and a deal breaker for clients,” he says. “I value frequent on-site meetings and prompt responses to put homeowners at ease and build trust.”
Building on more than a decade of experience, Koob established communication as one of his major strengths. “Communication is critical and a deal breaker for clients,” he says. “I value frequent on-site meetings and prompt responses to put homeowners at ease and build trust.”
Focusing on forever homes. Koob’s aim is to design homes his clients will love for a lifetime. “I’m taking into consideration the forever timeline of the home,” he says. “It should be both enjoyable and livable for the next 30 to 40 years without additional remodels.” To realize that goal, Koob emphasizes collaboration. “I try to instill my clients’ thoughts and goals into my mind,” he says. “Then I can put all the pieces together, from a flowing and functional layout to the exterior design.”
If you’re looking to design your timeless home, Koob has some guidance below.
If you’re looking to design your timeless home, Koob has some guidance below.
1. Find What Feels Like Home
This Carlsbad couple were ready to totally transform a home that had belonged to one of their families for generations. “This is going to be their forever home,” Koob says. “They wanted the place to have more elegant sophistication, plenty of space to host their family and friends and a sense of shared warmth.”
With Koob, they worked to create an East Coast, Cape Cod vibe with some Southern California touches. “There are a lot of soft curves on the front of the home over the windows,” Koob says. “The homeowners also wanted a few interior arches, so there’s a little bit of a new theme that we brought out.” The homeowners also created a community during the project by assembling a collaborative team across architecture, interior design and landscaping. “When the project was finished we all came together to celebrate,” Koob says. “They were so happy.”
See more of this project
This Carlsbad couple were ready to totally transform a home that had belonged to one of their families for generations. “This is going to be their forever home,” Koob says. “They wanted the place to have more elegant sophistication, plenty of space to host their family and friends and a sense of shared warmth.”
With Koob, they worked to create an East Coast, Cape Cod vibe with some Southern California touches. “There are a lot of soft curves on the front of the home over the windows,” Koob says. “The homeowners also wanted a few interior arches, so there’s a little bit of a new theme that we brought out.” The homeowners also created a community during the project by assembling a collaborative team across architecture, interior design and landscaping. “When the project was finished we all came together to celebrate,” Koob says. “They were so happy.”
See more of this project
2. Build Around the Bones
For this San Diego home built in the 1960s, the owners hoped to undertake a major renovation on a tight budget. “They wanted an addition on the main level as well as a new second story to expand the small footprint,” Koob says. “We didn’t change many of the bones of the building and the roof stayed the same on the main level. Instead we changed the window layouts, updated the garage and the side entry and created a wraparound trellis feature.”
One of the homeowners has a career in design and knew just what she wanted. “It turned out great as they were so fun to work with,” Koob says. “She has great taste and knew what she was talking about.”
See more of this project
For this San Diego home built in the 1960s, the owners hoped to undertake a major renovation on a tight budget. “They wanted an addition on the main level as well as a new second story to expand the small footprint,” Koob says. “We didn’t change many of the bones of the building and the roof stayed the same on the main level. Instead we changed the window layouts, updated the garage and the side entry and created a wraparound trellis feature.”
One of the homeowners has a career in design and knew just what she wanted. “It turned out great as they were so fun to work with,” Koob says. “She has great taste and knew what she was talking about.”
See more of this project
3. Combine Tradition With a New Vision
For this modern farmhouse-style home in Carlsbad, the owner collaborated with Koob to redesign his childhood home, keeping a few of the property’s exterior elements as well as a few traditions. “He gave me a few inspiration photos but allowed me to be very creative with it,” Koob says. “He trusted in my vision and loved the way it turned out.”
While the existing carport in front of the house was kept, an inviting breezeway now winds around the home and connects to the garage. They also made sure to keep a neighborhood icon. “Growing up, the homeowner’s family would raise the flag on their flagpole to let the neighborhood know their backyard pool was open to the community,” Koob says. “We made sure he could carry on the tradition.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Samuel Koob and examples of his work, visit sk7 design studios’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
For this modern farmhouse-style home in Carlsbad, the owner collaborated with Koob to redesign his childhood home, keeping a few of the property’s exterior elements as well as a few traditions. “He gave me a few inspiration photos but allowed me to be very creative with it,” Koob says. “He trusted in my vision and loved the way it turned out.”
While the existing carport in front of the house was kept, an inviting breezeway now winds around the home and connects to the garage. They also made sure to keep a neighborhood icon. “Growing up, the homeowner’s family would raise the flag on their flagpole to let the neighborhood know their backyard pool was open to the community,” Koob says. “We made sure he could carry on the tradition.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Samuel Koob and examples of his work, visit sk7 design studios’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Sam's story
Sam comes from a long line of architects, artists, and builders, and he is proud to carry on the... Read More
Review by Jonathan Ladner:
My wife and I hired sk7 to re-design our whole house and add a second floor primary bedroom. We had a wonderful experience and are very excited with our new house design! Coming into the project we ha...More