Michele Moran Photography We designed a kitchen for a busy family of 5. When we first met there were calendars scattered, cell phones with wires everywhere, keys on the counters, typical daily chaos. So we knew we had to centralize, then hide the essentials. Here is one cabinet we used. We installed an outlet for power inside to charge phones. It also finished off the run of upper cabinets just perfectly!

Gina Carlson
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized craftsman u-shaped ceramic tile open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, green backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Maxine Schnitzer Photography
Example of a classic medium tone wood floor kitchen design in DC Metro with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and an island

Neil Landino
Example of a large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor home design design in New York with an integrated sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, limestone countertops, beige backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern attached two-car carport remodel

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

Lisa Romerein
Living room - cottage open concept living room idea in San Francisco with beige walls

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open concept light wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Grand Rapids with beige walls, no tv and no fireplace

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

Example of a classic kitchen design in Atlanta

Transitional built-in desk carpeted home office photo in Los Angeles with beige walls

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

Jeff Herr
Small transitional single-wall dark wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white walls and an island

Bedroom beach style gender-neutral carpeted kids' bedroom photo in Miami with white walls

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Example of a cottage home design design in Boston