Home Design Ideas
Prime 1 Builders
Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, white countertops, turquoise cabinets and window backsplash
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.
Photography: Eric Roth Photo
KGA Studio Architects, PC
Huge farmhouse white three-story mixed siding and board and batten exterior home idea in Denver with a metal roof and a black roof
Find the right local pro for your project
Joselyn Rendon Interiors
Black and White Bathroom Interior Design Project
Example of a transitional white tile light wood floor, beige floor, single-sink and wallpaper bathroom design in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, white countertops and a built-in vanity
Example of a transitional white tile light wood floor, beige floor, single-sink and wallpaper bathroom design in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, white countertops and a built-in vanity
Smart Space
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master black tile and mosaic tile black floor bathroom remodel in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and a floating vanity
Amy Storm & Company
Trendy master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Chicago with white walls and a ribbon fireplace
Tabberson Architects
Transitional master white tile and marble tile marble floor drop-in bathtub photo in Indianapolis
Sponsored
Fredericksburg, OH
High Point Cabinets
Columbus' Experienced Custom Cabinet Builder | 4x Best of Houzz Winner
Great Rooms Building Group
Mudroom - large transitional porcelain tile, white floor and shiplap wall mudroom idea in Chicago with green walls
Plain & Posh
Mid-sized transitional master gray tile and marble tile marble floor, gray floor, double-sink and wainscoting bathroom photo in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door, gray countertops, a niche and a built-in vanity
Marie Newton, Closets Redefined
Elegant kitchen pantry photo in Boston with white cabinets and open cabinets
YAMINI DESIGNS
Spectrum Studio
Alcove shower - transitional white tile black floor alcove shower idea in Chicago with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet and gray walls
Alcove shower - transitional white tile black floor alcove shower idea in Chicago with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a two-piece toilet and gray walls
Kate Roos Design LLC
By relocating the sink and dishwasher to the island the new kitchen layout allows the owners to engage with guests seated at the island and the banquette while maintaining a view to the outdoor terrace.
Murray Homes
Inspiration for a coastal guest light wood floor and beige floor bedroom remodel in Tampa with gray walls
DD Ford Construction
Jim Bartsch Photography
Large 1950s backyard stamped concrete and rectangular natural pool photo in Santa Barbara
Large 1950s backyard stamped concrete and rectangular natural pool photo in Santa Barbara
Boxwood Avenue
This beautiful custom home built by Bowlin Built and designed by Boxwood Avenue in the Reno Tahoe area features creamy walls painted with Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee and white oak custom cabinetry. With beautiful granite and marble countertops and handmade backsplash. The dark stained island creates a two-toned kitchen with lovely European oak wood flooring and a large double oven range with a custom hood above!
Home Design Ideas
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Westerville, OH
Winks Remodeling & Handyman Services
Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County
H & R Cabinets Inc
TV area with art niches on each side. All cabinetry suspended. Led lighting under cabinetry and LED puck lights in each niche opening.
Great view of the water
TACTIC Staging and Interiors
Photo Credit, Jenn Smira
Danish 3/4 white tile and subway tile black floor bathroom photo in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops
Danish 3/4 white tile and subway tile black floor bathroom photo in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops
Hansen Restoration & Remodeling
Large trendy master white tile and marble tile marble floor and gray floor bathroom photo in Cleveland with open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an undermount tub, beige walls, a vessel sink and marble countertops
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