Tom Marks Photography
Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, glass-front cabinets, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white cabinets

Detached covered patio made of custom milled cypress which is durable and weather-resistant. Amenities include a full outdoor kitchen, masonry wood burning fireplace and porch swing.

Example of a mountain style hallway design in Amsterdam

Example of a large mountain style brown split-level wood house exterior design with a shed roof and a mixed material roof

A bespoke residence, designed to suit its owner in every way. The result of a collaborative vision comprising the collective passion, taste, energy, and experience of our client, the architect, the builder, the utilities contractors, and ourselves, this home was planned to combine the best elements in the best ways, to complement a thoughtful, healthy, and green lifestyle not simply for today, but for years to come. Photo Credit: Jay Graham, Graham Photography

Deck - farmhouse deck idea in Los Angeles

Inspired by DesignARC's Greenworth House, the owners of this 1960's single-story ranch house desired a fresh take on their out-dated, well-worn Montecito residence. Hailing from Toronto Canada, the couple is at ease in urban, loft-like spaces and looked to create a pared-down dwelling that could become their home. Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch Photography

Example of a large classic beige split-level mixed siding gable roof design in Orange County with a shingle roof

Photo by Brad Lauer
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern front yard brick driveway.

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

Inspiration for a large timeless white split-level painted brick and board and batten house exterior remodel in Jacksonville with a hip roof, a shingle roof and a black roof

Example of a 1960s light wood floor living room design in Chicago with beige walls

Large traditional beige split-level mixed siding gable roof idea in Orange County with a shingle roof

Photo by Brad Lauer
Photo of a mid-sized modern side yard formal garden.

Photo by Brad Lauer
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern front yard brick home design remodel

Photo by Brad Lauer
Example of a mid-sized minimalist front yard brick home design design

Large modern beige two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Dallas with a hip roof

Jesse Goff
Dining room - contemporary dark wood floor dining room idea in San Francisco with beige walls

stijnstijl
Traditional exterior home idea in Amsterdam