Photography by IBI Designs ( http://www.ibidesigns.com/)

Mid-sized minimalist l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, glass sheet backsplash and gray countertops

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

The Kitchen, made of lacquered sycamore, opens to the Family Room which is paneled with the same wood. The Calacatta Marble counters add to the lightness of the space. with virtually no appliances showing (other than the wall ovens) the Kitchen becomes an extension of the Family Room it adjoins. David O. Marlow

We worked with a family of six to create a light-filled “tree house” on two levels entering across bridges from an existing drive, gardens, and walks privately nestled below the accessing street. The owner envisioned a residence that felt open, full of light, and captured connections between family and private spaces vertically and horizontally. The owners wanted egalitarian spaces to encourage peaceful cohabitation between three generations living in the home.

Snowberry Lane Photography
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

©Teague Hunziker
Large trendy u-shaped porcelain tile open concept kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Dale Lang
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped bamboo floor open concept kitchen remodel in Seattle with an island, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an undermount sink

When it became time for a sorely needed update for this home in central Austin, the owners decided it would be best accomplished in two phases. The most notable change occurred in the kitchen which held the place as the the larger part of phase one. As you can see, the space is very small, with no way for expansion. The use of a very efficient space design by Cindy Black of Hello Kitchen, paired with my European cabinetry served to provide the best use of space.

Washington D.C. - Contemporary - Kitchen Design by #PaulBentham4JenniferGilmer. All the wall cabinets reach almost to the ceiling and are accented with a slim ¾” recessed negative detail to add visual interest while keeping them from overpowering the room. Pairing the smoky woodgrain melamine and high gloss brown/gray PET gave the room a warm yet unmistakably European feel without being too stark and provides easy maintenance. Photography by Bob Narod. http://www.gilmerkitchens.com/

Tom Bonner
Inspiration for a large contemporary light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Transitional kitchen features modern White counter tops and Shaker doors, Knotty Alder cabinets and rustic wood flooring. Mesquite raised bar counter top and Schluter edging at the top of the cabinets are unique design features. Commercial range and range hood used on the project, and lights in the canopy above the sink are special features as well.

Snowberry Lane Photography
Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen design in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Eat-in kitchen - contemporary white floor eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

- Interior Designer: InUnison Design, Inc. - Christine Frisk - Architect: TE Studio Ltd. - Tim Eian - Builder: Moore Construction Services
Trendy dark wood floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, red backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Washington D.C. - Contemporary - Kitchen Design by #PaulBentham4JenniferGilmer. All the wall cabinets reach almost to the ceiling and are accented with a slim ¾” recessed negative detail to add visual interest while keeping them from overpowering the room. Pairing the smoky woodgrain melamine and high gloss brown/gray PET gave the room a warm yet unmistakably European feel without being too stark and provides easy maintenance. Photography by Bob Narod. http://www.gilmerkitchens.com/

Cabinet Finishes: CVG Fir with Natural Finish Kitchen Countertop: Pental Quartz "Cinza" Kitchen Backsplash: Back painted Glass Bathroom Floors: Pental "Pluvium" Gesso Guest Bath Tile: Pental "Manhattan" Pearl Master Backsplash & Shower Surround: Pental "Moda Vetro Cultural Brick" es56 & Pental "Pluvium" Gesso Master Shower floor: Tierra Sol "Angora Sediment" Carbon Photography: Caleb Vandermeer Photography

James Hall Photography
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary galley light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, glass sheet backsplash and a peninsula

We gutted and expanded this very small and enclosed kitchen to make it as large and open as possible to maximize the space.
Small minimalist u-shaped marble floor enclosed kitchen photo in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island