Frank de Biasi Interiors
Inspiration for a large rustic master marble floor corner shower remodel in Denver with an undermount sink, open cabinets, marble countertops and beige walls

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

Photographer: Julie Soefer
Kids' bedroom - bedroom and large traditional girl medium tone wood floor kids' bedroom idea in Houston with gray walls

Ryan Garvin
Bathroom - coastal bathroom idea in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets and white cabinets

The renovation stole space from another bedroom to create this bright and spacious Master Bathroom with Carrera stone countertops and mosaic floor. The laylight design mocks the shape of the sconces. Discreet, built-in medicine cabinets flank the sinks. Photo by David Livingston.

Maximizing space and light while making the space feel luxurious was the goal of this master bath remodel. Eliminating the wall between the bedroom and bath and replacing it with sliding cherry and glass shoji screens brought more light into each room.

This home was featured in the January 2016 edition of HOME & DESIGN Magazine. To see the rest of the home tour as well as other luxury homes featured, visit http://www.homeanddesign.net/beauty-exemplified-british-west-indies-style/

Mid-sized beach style white tile and ceramic tile gray floor, single-sink and porcelain tile doorless shower photo in San Diego with blue walls, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

Mid-sized elegant master gray tile and subway tile ceramic tile and gray floor claw-foot bathtub photo in Philadelphia with furniture-like cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and a hinged shower door

Scott Janelli Photography, Bridgewater NJ
Inspiration for a timeless women's light wood floor reach-in closet remodel in New York with white cabinets

Alcove shower - mid-sized transitional master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove shower idea in Dallas with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, beige walls and quartzite countertops

Lee Manning Photography
Alcove shower - mid-sized country master white tile medium tone wood floor alcove shower idea in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, white walls and gray countertops

Rob Nelson
Mid-sized transitional single-wall beige tile and porcelain tile gray floor and porcelain tile corner shower photo in Toronto with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, a one-piece toilet, an undermount sink, onyx countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer and gray walls

It's the details that make all the difference in this master bedroom. The floor to ceiling bookcase adds height, storage, and convenience for him and her. The overhead lighting also adds ease to the room with an inner light switch located on each side of the open shelving. Learn more about Chris Ebert, the Normandy Remodeling Designer who created this space, and other projects that Chris has created: https://www.normandyremodeling.com/team/christopher-ebert Photo Credit: Normandy Remodeling

John M. Lewis Photography
Mid-sized cottage chic guest dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Philadelphia with pink walls

A different angle of this pink bathroom vanity and toilet with decorative shelf. Photos by Chris Veith.
Bathroom - mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and white floor bathroom idea in New York with a two-piece toilet, white walls, white countertops, recessed-panel cabinets, an undermount sink and pink cabinets

Large transitional kids' ceramic tile and gray tile cement tile floor and blue floor walk-in shower photo in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Farmhouse style with an industrial, contemporary feel.
Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage master white tile and porcelain tile freestanding bathtub remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops and gray walls

Modern touches with up-to-date appointments make this a comfortable, striking master bath.
Huge ornate master beige tile and porcelain tile travertine floor freestanding bathtub photo in Baltimore with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, gray walls and granite countertops