Library cabinetry that switches to a hidden murphy bed feature
Example of a trendy bedroom design in New York

A master bedroom with an ocean inspired, upscale hotel atmosphere. The soft blues, creams and dark woods give the impression of luxury and calm. Soft sheers on a rustic iron rod hang over woven grass shades and gently filter light into the room. Rich painted wood panel molding helps to anchor the space. A reading area adorns the bay window and the antique tray table offers a worn nautical motif. Brass fixtures and the rough hewn dresser remind one of the sea. Artwork and accessories also lend a coastal feeling.

Jasmine Star
Example of a large 1960s master light wood floor bedroom design in Orange County with gray walls and no fireplace

Greg Reigler
Mid-sized minimalist master multicolored tile and porcelain tile pebble tile floor bathroom photo in Other with distressed cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and quartz countertops

Kate Benjamin Photography, Shot for Dillman & Upton, SL Smith Design
Elegant built-in desk dark wood floor home office library photo in Detroit with gray walls

Michele Lee Wilson
Alcove shower - mid-sized craftsman 3/4 green tile and subway tile porcelain tile and white floor alcove shower idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a hinged shower door

Large transitional master white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor, multicolored floor and double-sink alcove shower photo in San Francisco with blue cabinets, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a freestanding vanity and beaded inset cabinets

Huge elegant medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, beige backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Modern Bathroom
Small trendy 3/4 brown tile and ceramic tile mosaic tile floor and brown floor bathroom photo in Los Angeles with light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, brown walls, a drop-in sink, quartzite countertops and white countertops

mparchphoto, Richard Grenier Builder
Example of a transitional patio design in Denver with a fire pit and no cover

Mimi Erickson
Alcove shower - country 3/4 multicolored tile and white tile multicolored floor alcove shower idea in Atlanta with dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, a drop-in sink, a hinged shower door and flat-panel cabinets

Example of a large classic marble floor and beige floor utility room design in Grand Rapids with an utility sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone countertops and beige walls

Large elegant l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen pantry photo in Houston with open cabinets and gray cabinets

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

Cabinets: Centerpoint Black splash: Savannah Surfaces Perimeter: Caesarstone Island Countertop: Precision Granite & Marble- Cygnus Leather Appliances: Ferguson, Kitchenaid

Example of a transitional gray floor kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, an island, white countertops and brown backsplash

Sean Costello
Example of a beach style dark wood floor kitchen design in Raleigh with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor and beige floor enclosed dining room remodel in Charlotte with black walls

We took a tiny outdated bathroom and doubled the width of it by taking the unused dormers on both sides that were just dead space. We completely updated it with contrasting herringbone tile and gave it a modern masculine and timeless vibe. This bathroom features a custom solid walnut cabinet designed by Buck Wimberly.