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

Enclosed dining room - large contemporary light wood floor and beige floor enclosed dining room idea in Dallas with white walls and no fireplace

This tiny kitchen was barely usable by a busy mom with 3 young kids. We were able to remove two walls and open the kitchen into an unused space of the home and make this the focal point of the home the clients had always dreamed of! Hidden on the back side of this peninsula are 3 cubbies, one for each child to store their backpacks and lunch boxes for school. The fourth cubby contains a charging station for the families electronics.

Example of a large minimalist white three-story mixed siding flat roof design in Houston with a metal roof

Example of a trendy kitchen pantry design in Denver

Garage to mudroom conversion of this 1940's home creates a great new space in NWDC. Includes custom built-ins with lots of storage.
Mudroom - contemporary mudroom idea in DC Metro

This outdated Mid Century ranch built in late 1950’s was in serious need of an update. Our clients wanted a fresh contemporary feel that was simple in design and reflected the original Mid Century feel of the home. The new frosted Plexiglas railing allows the now open staircase and modern pendant to become part of the small dining area. White painted cabinetry with slab doors and minimal pulls add a lighter component and balance out the dark walnut cabinetry. The (3) built-in charging drawers, Legrand retractable outlets and a single door hood that opens with a light touch add a "cool" functional vibe to the space., Gray quartz countertops and a rectilinear white tile backsplash add serenity and tie in the stainless appliances giving the kitchen a modern feel. A wood waterfall countertop detail on the back of the island adds interest to the space and is anchored by the unique handblown wave glass pendants in a soft grey color. The new exposed support is both dramatic and functional in that it hides a support post in open bookcase cabinet. Wendi Nordeck Photography

© Will Sullivan, Emerald Coast Real Estate Photography, LLC
Example of a bedroom and mid-sized beach style gender-neutral kids' bedroom design in Miami

Large minimalist single-wall concrete floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, solid surface countertops, brown backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Erika Bierman Photography www.erikabiermanphotography.com
Example of a classic kitchen design in Los Angeles

Mud Room adn Family Entry with Luxury style
Inspiration for a transitional mudroom remodel in Atlanta

Cory Holland - Holland Photography
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Seattle

This custom designed bunk room would suite a range of ages. Pops of bright colors provide a fresh and youthful spirit to the room. The custom designed bunk beds are fitted specifically for the room.

We redesigned this client’s laundry space so that it now functions as a Mudroom and Laundry. There is a place for everything including drying racks and charging station for this busy family. Now there are smiles when they walk in to this charming bright room because it has ample storage and space to work!

Meghan Beierle-O'Brien
Closet - traditional closet idea in Los Angeles

Laundry room - transitional laundry room idea in Detroit

This is a built in storage system with open shelving and coat hooks. White cabinets and dark hardwood floors compliment this.
Entryway - mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor entryway idea in Austin with beige walls

Beach style entryway photo in Toronto

Inspiration for a small timeless single-wall wet bar remodel in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and mosaic tile backsplash