Lake Front Country Estate Living Room, designed by Tom Markalunas, built by Resort Custom Homes. Photography by Rachael Boling.
Inspiration for a timeless formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Other with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

This home is built by Robert Thomas Homes located in Minnesota. Our showcase models are professionally staged. Please contact Ambiance at Home for information on furniture - 952.440.6757

Irregular bluestone stepper path and woodland shade garden.
Inspiration for a traditional shade stone landscaping in Boston.

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

powder room with high wall paneling and wallpaper above and onto ceiling. mosaic hexagon tile floors with unlacquered brass washstand base and custom soapstone countertop and backsplash. Shield shaped antique mirror and wall sconces that are right and left hands.

Inspiration for a mid-century modern light wood floor bedroom remodel in Houston with white walls and no fireplace

Extra-spacious pantry Jeff Herr Photography
Large country medium tone wood floor kitchen pantry photo in Atlanta with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Powder room - mid-sized eclectic blue tile concrete floor powder room idea in DC Metro with a console sink, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet and black walls

The mid-century slanted ceiling of the open dining room creates a cozy but spacious area for a custom 9' dining table made of reclaimed oak, surrounded by 8 matching vintage Windsor chairs painted in Farrow & Ball's Green Smoke. Vintage mid-century wicker pendant is echoed by Moroccan straw accents with the plant stand, and wall fan. A large French colorful agricultural map adds charm and an unexpected twist to the decor. Photo by Bet Gum for Flea Market Decor Magazine

Mid-sized transitional light wood floor kitchen photo in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and beige backsplash

Custom locally built dining table designed by For a family wanting a dramatic entry and dining room, but with requirements that it be an indestructible venue for weekly brunches with guest lists including small children! Our first solution was to create a contrasting border integral to the hardwood floor, in lieu of an area rug. From there, we introduced furniture in resilient materials such as fiberglass chairs and a locally made custom table of Heather's design in reclaimed hardwood, steel and acrylic. Luxurious drapes, dramatic accessories and a chandelier with glimmer added the required panache. Interior design by Heather Garrett Interior Design. Custom original dining table designed by Heather Garrett available through Heather Garrett Interior Design. Contact us for more information. Photography by John Bessler

Eric Roth Photography
Kitchen - huge contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Boston with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Product: Authentic Limestone for Exterior Living Spaces. Ancient Surfaces Contacts: (212) 461-0245 Email: Sales@ancientsurfaces.com Website: www.AncientSurfaces.com The design of external living spaces is known as the 'Al Fresco' design style as it is called in Italian. 'Al Fresco' translates into 'the open' or 'the cool/fresh exterior'. Customizing a fully functional outdoor kitchen, pizza oven, BBQ, fireplace or Jacuzzi pool spa all out of old reclaimed Mediterranean stone pieces is no easy task and shouldn’t be created out of the lowest common denominator of building materials such as concrete, Indian slates or Turkish travertine. The one thing you can bet the farmhouse on is that when the entire process unravels and when your outdoor living space materializes from the architects rendering to real life, you will be guaranteed a true Mediterranean living experience if your choice of construction material was as authentic and possible to the Southern Mediterranean regions. We believe that the coziness of your surroundings brought about by the creative usage of our antique stone elements will only amplify that authenticity. whether you are enjoying a relaxing time soaking the sun inside one of our Jacuzzi spa stone fountains or sharing unforgettable memories with family and friends while baking your own pizzas in one of our outdoor BBQ pizza ovens, our stone designs will always evoke in most a feeling of euphoria and exultation that one only gets while being on vacation is some exotic European island surrounded with the pristine beauty of indigenous nature and ancient architecture...

Barry Grossman Photography
Enclosed kitchen - contemporary u-shaped enclosed kitchen idea in Miami with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops and paneled appliances

Unit Realty Group
Trendy kids' dark wood floor bathroom photo in Boston with a wall-mount sink and black walls

photo: scott hargis
Example of a mid-sized trendy u-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor kitchen design in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, an island and metallic backsplash

The sink base features two full extension rollouts that handle trash and recyclables in the front and have divided storage for cleaning supplies in the back. No more getting on your hands and knees to access this cabinet. Idea found in Fine Homebuilding magazine. Small tilt drawer holds sponges. There is a stainless steel undermount sink and a Delta faucet and soap dispenser.

A guest bath lavatory area by Doug Walter , Architect. Custom alder cabinetry holds a copper vessel sink. Twin sconces provide generous lighting, and are supplemented by downlights on dimmers as well. Slate floors carry through the rustic Colorado theme. Construction by Cadre Construction, cabinets fabricated by Genesis Innovations. Photography by Emily Minton Redfield

A. Hubbell
Kitchen - transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island