Example of a small transitional 3/4 gray tile and ceramic tile vinyl floor alcove shower design in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an integrated sink, a hinged shower door and white 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. Eric Roth Photo

Tom Grimes
Elegant living room photo in New York with beige walls

Inspiration for a large timeless backyard rectangular lap pool remodel in Austin

Transitional bathroom photo in Dallas

Architectural advisement, Interior Design, Custom Furniture Design & Art Curation by Chango & Co. Architecture by Crisp Architects Construction by Structure Works Inc. Photography by Sarah Elliott See the feature in Domino Magazine

Entryway - traditional entryway idea in Dallas

John Wilbanks Photography
Arts and crafts living room library photo in Seattle with red walls

Notable design elements include: Roll and Hill Bluff City pendant. Photography: Francesco Bertocci
Small trendy dark wood floor kitchen photo in New York with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, stainless steel countertops, metallic backsplash and no island

Photography by Tim Schultz
Bathroom - traditional white tile and subway tile bathroom idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, a two-piece toilet and yellow cabinets

Inspiration for a mid-sized mid-century modern master blue tile and ceramic tile marble floor, gray floor and double-sink freestanding bathtub remodel in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Joe Purvis Photos
Large transitional master blue tile light wood floor bathroom photo in Charlotte with gray cabinets, marble countertops, white walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and beaded inset cabinets

John Bedell
Inspiration for a large transitional gender-neutral carpeted walk-in closet remodel in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets and white cabinets

View of Entry, master bedroom to left and screen porch to right. Photo Eric Rorer. Construction Kirby Construction. Landscape Fredrika Moller.
Cottage white one-story gable roof photo in San Francisco

Jeffrey Freeman Photography
Trendy light wood floor kitchen photo in Portland with light wood cabinets, brown backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Architecture, Construction Management, Interior Design, Art Curation & Real Estate Advisement by Chango & Co. Construction by MXA Development, Inc. Photography by Sarah Elliott See the home tour feature in Domino Magazine

Garden Design By Kim Rooney Landscape architect, Client designed planting in containers, located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle Washington. This photo was taken by Eva Blanchard Photography.

Wade Blissard
Example of a large transitional master gray tile and stone tile marble floor and gray floor freestanding bathtub design in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, gray walls and a hinged shower door

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern 3/4 gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor drop-in bathtub remodel in San Francisco with gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and gray countertops