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

4,440 SF two story home in Brentwood, CA. This home features an attached two-car garage, 5 Bedrooms, 5 Baths, Upstairs Laundry Room, Office, Covered Balconies and Deck, Sitting Room, Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Kitchen, Study, Downstairs Guest Room, Foyer, Morning Room, Covered Loggia, Mud Room. Features warm copper gutters and downspouts as well as copper standing seam roofs that grace the main entry and side yard lower roofing elements to complement the cranberry red front door. An ample sun deck off the master provides a view of the large grassy back yard. The interior features include an Elan Smart House system integrated with surround sound audio system at the Great Room, and speakers throughout the interior and exterior of the home. The well out-fitted Gym and a dark wood paneled home Office provide private spaces for the adults. A large Playroom with wainscot height chalk-board walls creates a fun place for the kids to play. Photos by: Latham Architectural

Kip Dawkins
Example of a small transitional single-wall dark wood floor seated home bar design in Richmond with dark wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and recessed-panel cabinets

Trendy bathroom photo in Birmingham

The primary closet is fitted with an assortment of open and closed custom cabinets.
Example of a mid-sized minimalist men's dark wood floor and brown floor built-in closet design in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

The long, narrow space, 4 feet by 10 feet, was a challenge. We removed the old tile shower and wing wall, and replaced it with a soaking tub and shower. The frameless shower doors allow the feature fan tile on the back wall to draw your eye into the depth of the room. A small, wall hung sink keeps the space open. We had a custom marble top and splash fabricated. The wall sconces and mirror complete this vignette. The clean lines of the toilet continue this minimalist design. Mary Broerman, CCIDC

Galvanized water troughs used as planters. Bamboo was chosen for its tall, upright growth and evergreen screen to block apartment building. Photo credit: Michael Lockman

This condo was designed for a great client: a young professional male with modern and unfussy sensibilities. The goal was to create a space that represented this by using clean lines and blending natural and industrial tones and materials. Great care was taken to be sure that interest was created through a balance of high contrast and simplicity. And, of course, the entire design is meant to support and not distract from the incredible views. Photos by: Chipper Hatter

A female mining bee (Andrena nubecula) is an aster (any species) and goldenrod (Solidago spp) specialist and is shown here visiting stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida)

A female hairy-banded Andrena (Andrena hirticincta) is a goldenrod specialist and is shown here visiting stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida).

Debbie Ballentine
Photo of a landscaping in San Francisco.

Inspiration for a landscaping in Minneapolis.

Design ideas for a landscaping in Minneapolis.

The single gentleman liked the red walls of the bedroom he moved into, but didn't have the furnishings and décor to go with it. Honeycomb shades, valances, neutral bedding and whitewashed furnishings lightened the impact, while color in the rug and artwork added punch. Kelly Murphy

Design ideas for a landscaping in Minneapolis.

A dull single man's bedroom gets embellished with fresh bedding, artwork, lighting and shades in a masculine dark blue color theme, accented with whites and yellows. Kelly Murphy

Made by: -Certified Organic Cotton approved by GOTS - Fair trade standards by International Labour Organisation - Handmade artisan techniques - Indian women's groups - Respect for People & Planet - Photography by Studio Two-One

Young male adult bedroom
Example of a bedroom design in Sydney