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

Elegant walk-in closet photo in Grand Rapids

Beach House Project presentation boards to client
Example of a beach style home design design in Philadelphia

Example of a transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Toronto with an undermount sink, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

A leading property agent for selling, buying, and renting real estate offers expert market insights, strategic pricing, and strong negotiation skills. With end-to-end support, clients enjoy smooth transactions, better value, and confident decisions across residential and investment properties.

As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

We're seeing a shift with homeowners increasingly turning away from cheaply made, big-box store furniture in favor of high-quality pieces that are friendlier on the environment. It is so rad when our love for the planet and passion for design collide! No human is perfect, but these little changes in decisions combine to create big change. When buying furniture and decor, try to seek out materials that are certified sustainable by the manufacturers so you can feel good about the piece's environmental impact - while also knowing that it will last generations. #handmadedecor #handmadeinteriors #luxurydiningroom #diningspace #diningroomstyle

Most appliances should be cleared of the countertops, but we always like to leave a cute little coffee bar. The decision maker in most buying situations is the wife (sorry guys) and what lady doesn't love coffee?!?

Small cottage backyard gravel full sun patio vegetable garden photo for summer in Bridgeport with no cover

photos by Everett Fenton Gidley
Bedroom - eclectic bedroom idea in Los Angeles with white walls

Unfinished wood flooring is a popular choice for those looking to add warmth and character to their homes. When buying unfinished wood flooring online, you can expect a wide range of options in terms of species, grades, widths, and lengths. Some of the popular species include oak, maple, and hickory. Floorsave offers competitive pricing, convenient delivery options, and detailed product specifications to help you make an informed decision.

The original house was demolished to make way for a two-story house on the sloping lot, with an accessory dwelling unit below. The upper level of the house, at street level, has three bedrooms, a kitchen and living room. The “great room” opens onto an ocean-view deck through two large pocket doors. The master bedroom can look through the living room to the same view. The owners, acting as their own interior designers, incorporated lots of color with wallpaper accent walls in each bedroom, and brilliant tiles in the bathrooms, kitchen, and at the fireplace tiles in the bathrooms, kitchen, and at the fireplace. Architect: Thompson Naylor Architects Photographs: Jim Bartsch Photographer

Photo: Ten Ten Creative
Wet bar - transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar idea in Dallas with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, black backsplash, subway tile backsplash and gray countertops

Tim Williams Photography
Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master ceramic tile freestanding bathtub idea in New York with white walls, a vessel sink, concrete countertops, flat-panel cabinets and black cabinets

This remodel and home enhancement project was for a family of four living just south of Denver. They made the decision to buy and remodel in a choice community in order to be closer to the kids’ schools. The remodel result: A contemporary family home that pairs sleek wood accents with industrial finishes and clean lines to create an elevated, inviting appearance perfectly suited to their Colorado lifestyle. We completely redesigned entryway to feature open staircase with stainless steel railing capped with wood trim.

This remodel and home enhancement project was for a family of four living just south of Denver. They made the decision to buy and remodel in a choice community in order to be closer to the kids’ schools. The remodel result: A contemporary family home that pairs sleek wood accents with industrial finishes and clean lines to create an elevated, inviting appearance perfectly suited to their Colorado lifestyle. Some details include: - Incorporating decorative glass tile work in the kitchen and bathrooms - Adding nook cabinetry to accommodate a wine fridge and glass storage - Upgrading plumbing fixtures to stainless steel and chrome

Rick Mattson
Home office - coastal built-in desk dark wood floor home office idea in Orange County with white walls

One of the prime things to have when starting a commercial restaurant business is a fully equipped kitchen. This is where you will create all types of dishes to ensure that every person enjoys what they eat. Given this fact, you need to make sure that your place equips with only the best. So, now, you might be asking yourself what to buy first. Well, a commercial oven is your best option. There are many types of foods that the oven can craft. Then, you need to have the best option for you. Likewise, there are many things you need to have in mind when buying one. First, it would be the space, if there is a place where you can fix it in case something happens, and last if there are places where you can buy this restaurant equipment. Don’t you know which commercial oven is best for your kitchen? Here are the best commercial ovens for your kitchen. Keep on reading to learn all about them and how to make the best decision.

Photo: Paula Coldiron © 2014 Houzz
Elegant living room photo in Birmingham