Example of a classic dark wood floor bedroom design in Houston with beige walls and a standard fireplace

We converted two small bedrooms into a large Master Bedroom Suite in this East Village Duplex. Combining modern details with warm materials created an open yet comfortable space. © Devon Banks

Bedroom - transitional guest dark wood floor bedroom idea in Chicago with beige walls

Photography by William Quarles
Home office - mid-sized traditional built-in desk carpeted and beige floor home office idea in Charleston with green walls and no fireplace

Mike Schwartz
Study room - mid-sized transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room idea in Chicago with black walls and no fireplace

Chad Mellon Photographer
Living room - large modern open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Orange County with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a tile fireplace

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

Architectural design by Bonin Architects & Associates. Photography by John W. Hession
Elegant freestanding desk medium tone wood floor home office photo in Boston

Our designer has achieved a stylish look by combining dark cabinets and light-colored marbles.

Inspiration for a large timeless enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room library remodel in Houston with a standard fireplace, beige walls, a wood fireplace surround and no tv

Trey Hunter Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic guest carpeted bedroom remodel in Houston with brown walls and no fireplace

Creative shelving above the stairs adds entryway storage in a fresh way.
Example of a small trendy medium tone wood floor staircase design in Nashville with white walls

Inspiration for a bedroom and large transitional girl light wood floor kids' bedroom remodel in New York with white walls

Point West at Macatawa Park, MI
Beach style laundry room photo in Grand Rapids with beige walls

Shop the Look, See the Photo Tour here: https://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2016/4/4/modern-mountain-home-tour Watch the Webisode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtwvqrNPjhU Travis J Photography

Interior Design: Allard & Roberts Architect: Jason Weil of Retro-Fit Design Builder: Brad Rice of Bellwether Design Build Photographer: David Dietrich Furniture Staging: Four Corners Home Area Rugs: Togar Rugs

Amber Frederikson
Mid-sized tuscan freestanding desk beige floor and porcelain tile home office photo in Miami with gray walls and no fireplace

Graig Lamar
1960s medium tone wood floor dining room photo in Atlanta with gray walls

Example of a large trendy built-in desk study room design in New York with white walls