Photos courtesy of BrazelBerries Peach Sorbet blueberry - one of the Brazelberries

Photography by Natalie Marotta Bungalows are lovable homes, but how can they be better? Along with many of our clients, we find that older (early 20th c.) homes have a lot of character and a comfortable scale, but are leaky, damp (especially in the basement), have fair to poor air quality, and use unconscionable amounts of fossil fuels to heat. The owners of this bungalow were ready to change that, and wanted to do so with minimal upfront carbon emissions as well. The gut renovation included replacing the basement slab and providing capillary breaks and insulation continuously below grade. The brick structure was treated with a fluid-applied air and water barrier from the interior and insulated entirely with cellulose, a carbon-storing insulation. The roof used HFO-blown spray foam to provide sufficient insulation while allowing headroom for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry. One great benefit of a full renovation is the possibility of reconfiguring spaces to suit the family’s lifestyle, and to make the best of indoor-outdoor connections. We opened up the main rooms on the first floor, creating a family gathering spot with a view to the back yard, and a spacious kitchen that supports the family’s commitment to cooking for healthy eating. The stair uses a north-facing skylight to bring light from above into the middle of the home, where it was previously dark. As a decarbonization retrofit, the inefficient furnace was replaced with two small ducted heat pump systems, water heating and clothes drying are powered by air-source heat pumps, and cooking uses an induction cooktop plus electric ovens. Energy recovery ventilation provides filtered fresh air continuous exhaust from the kitchen, baths, and laundry, and supplies fresh, highly filtered air to bedrooms and living spaces. The Better Bungalow now makes sense for the 21st century–it now fits the owners’ life-patterns, is super comfortable, has great air quality, and uses a fraction of the energy it did before, greatly lowering the demand on the utility grid. In the near future, when solar PV is installed, it can achieve net zero or near net zero emissions, and with battery backup, can provide great resilience in the event of power outages.

Photo by Roehner + Ryan
Southwestern exterior home idea in Phoenix

Flooring: Solid 3" Light Rustic White Oak Chevron Pattern with a custom stain and finish. Photography: Darlene Halaby Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized country master white tile light wood floor and beige floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Orange County with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink and solid surface countertops

Architect: www.johnvanrooy.com Builder: www.mooredesigns.com Photography: Edmunds Studios
Design ideas for a traditional full sun formal garden in Milwaukee for fall.

Cabinetry by Mod Cabinetry - custom color Benjamin Moore Narragansett Green Hardware by Rejuvenation Tile Backsplash by Fireclay Tile Architecture by Tom McElroy Kitchen Design by Nadja Pentic Photography by Rachel Styer

Landscape design by Kevin Manning and John Algozzini.
Patio - large traditional backyard stone patio idea in Chicago with a pergola

CH+D
Dining room - traditional dining room idea in Charleston with brown walls

Example of a trendy backyard deck design in San Diego with no cover

Bathroom - bathroom idea in Phoenix