Home Design Ideas
ZeroEnergy Design
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.
Eric Roth Photo
Kitchens by Eileen
Donovan Roberts Witmer
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Philadelphia with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stone tile backsplash and multicolored backsplash
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Philadelphia with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stone tile backsplash and multicolored backsplash
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PB Kitchen Design
Reminiscent of a villa in south of France, this Old World yet still sophisticated home are what the client had dreamed of. The home was newly built to the client’s specifications. The wood tone kitchen cabinets are made of butternut wood, instantly warming the atmosphere. The perimeter and island cabinets are painted and captivating against the limestone counter tops. A custom steel hammered hood and Apex wood flooring (Downers Grove, IL) bring this room to an artful balance.
Project specs: Sub Zero integrated refrigerator and Wolf 36” range
Interior Design by Tony Stavish, A.W. Stavish Designs
Craig Dugan - Photographer
Rockwood Cabinetry
Interior Design by Adapt Design
Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage master gray floor bathroom remodel in Portland with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and green walls
Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage master gray floor bathroom remodel in Portland with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and green walls
Karla Trincanello, CID, Interior Decisions, Inc.
This well used but dreary bathroom was ready for an update but this time, materials were selected that not only looked great but would stand the test of time. The large steam shower (6x6') was like a dark cave with one glass door allowing light. To create a brighter shower space and the feel of an even larger shower, the wall was removed and full glass panels now allowed full sunlight streaming into the shower which avoids the growth of mold and mildew in this newly brighter space which also expands the bathroom by showing all the spaces. Originally the dark shower was permeated with cracks in the marble marble material and bench seat so mold and mildew had a home. The designer specified Porcelain slabs for a carefree un-penetrable material that had fewer grouted seams and added luxury to the new bath. Although Quartz is a hard material and fine to use in a shower, it is not suggested for steam showers because there is some porosity. A free standing bench was fabricated from quartz which works well. A new free
standing, hydrotherapy tub was installed allowing more free space around the tub area and instilling luxury with the use of beautiful marble for the walls and flooring. A lovely crystal chandelier emphasizes the height of the room and the lovely tall window.. Two smaller vanities were replaced by a larger U shaped vanity allotting two corner lazy susan cabinets for storing larger items. The center cabinet was used to store 3 laundry bins that roll out, one for towels and one for his and one for her delicates. Normally this space would be a makeup dressing table but since we were able to design a large one in her closet, she felt laundry bins were more needed in this bathroom. Instead of constructing a closet in the bathroom, the designer suggested an elegant glass front French Armoire to not encumber the space with a wall for the closet.The new bathroom is stunning and stops the heart on entering with all the luxurious amenities.
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Studio Dearborn
A 1920s colonial in a shorefront community in Westchester County had an expansive renovation with new kitchen by Studio Dearborn. Countertops White Macauba; interior design Lorraine Levinson. Photography, Timothy Lenz.
Joseph Spierer Architects, Inc.
The master bathroom showing a built-in vanity with natural wooden cabinets, two sinks, two arched mirrors and two modern lights.
Inspiration for a large mediterranean master white tile and porcelain tile terra-cotta tile, orange floor and double-sink bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity
Inspiration for a large mediterranean master white tile and porcelain tile terra-cotta tile, orange floor and double-sink bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity
Cambria
This large, open-concept home features Cambria Swanbridge in the kitchen, baths, laundry room, and butler’s pantry. Designed by E Interiors and AFT Construction.
Photo: High Res Media
NYKB
Example of a transitional master white tile gray floor bathroom design in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and a hinged shower door
Karr Bick Kitchen and Bath
Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped porcelain tile and black floor kitchen pantry remodel in St Louis with white cabinets, soapstone countertops, open cabinets, gray backsplash and black countertops
Finesse Design Remodeling
A clean modern white bathroom located in a Washington, DC condo.
Example of a small minimalist master white tile and marble tile marble floor and white floor alcove shower design in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops
Example of a small minimalist master white tile and marble tile marble floor and white floor alcove shower design in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops
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Terra Ferma Landscapes
Example of a large classic backyard brick and rectangular lap pool house design in San Francisco
MSA ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in Austin with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, shaker cabinets, paneled appliances and black countertops
Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd.
Angle Eye Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless brick floor entryway remodel in Philadelphia with gray walls and a white front door
Inspiration for a large timeless brick floor entryway remodel in Philadelphia with gray walls and a white front door
Home Design Ideas
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Design Loft Company
Large trendy formal and enclosed light wood floor and beige floor living room photo in San Francisco with beige walls, a tile fireplace, a ribbon fireplace and no tv
Barbra Bright Design
This contemporary master bathroom has all the elements of a roman bath—it’s beautiful, serene and decadent. Double showers and a partially sunken Jacuzzi add to its’ functionality.
The glass shower enclosure bridges the full height of the angled ceilings—120” h. The floor of the bathroom and shower are on the same plane which eliminates that pesky shower curb. The linear drain is understated and cool.
Andrew McKinney Photography
Flemming Interiors
This bathroom was carefully thought-out for great function and design for 2 young girls. We completely gutted the bathroom and made something that they both could grow in to. Using soft blue concrete Moroccan tiles on the floor and contrasted it with a dark blue vanity against a white palette creates a soft feminine aesthetic. The white finishes with chrome fixtures keep this design timeless.
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