Photo by David Wakely
Inspiration for a rustic light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco

Dan Cutrona Photography
Staircase - coastal wooden staircase idea in Boston with painted risers

Study room - coastal built-in desk study room idea in Dallas

Mud room
Hallway - small transitional light wood floor and beige floor hallway idea in Phoenix with white walls

This formal entry way now has many specialty details and finishes that make a stunning first impression. A creamy paint color offsets that dark custom crown molding and richly toned, shaker-style cabinets warm this light filled entryway.

This kitchen has many interesting elements that set it apart. The sense of openness is created by the raised ceiling and multiple ceiling levels, lighting and light colored cabinets. A custom hood over the stone back splash creates a wonderful focal point with it's traditional style architectural mill work complimenting the islands use of reclaimed wood (as seen on the ceiling as well) transitional tapered legs, and the use of Carrara marble on the island top. This kitchen was featured in a Houzz Kitchen of the Week article! Photography by Alicia's Art, LLC RUDLOFF Custom Builders, is a residential construction company that connects with clients early in the design phase to ensure every detail of your project is captured just as you imagined. RUDLOFF Custom Builders will create the project of your dreams that is executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsman, while creating lifetime client relationships that are build on trust and integrity. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area including West Chester, Gladwynne, Malvern, Wayne, Haverford and more. As a 6 time Best of Houzz winner, we look forward to working with you on your next project.

© Steve Freihon/ Tungsten LLC
Small trendy gender-neutral walk-in closet photo in New York with open cabinets and light wood cabinets

Dutch door leading into mudroom. Photographer: Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a large country black floor entryway remodel in New York with white walls and a black front door

A custom library ladder works in the Kitchen and also the Living Room. John Wilbanks Photography
Example of an arts and crafts single-wall kitchen design in Seattle with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

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

Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in Seattle with gray walls

Mid-sized island style backyard tile patio photo in San Diego with a gazebo

Built by Cornerstone Construction Services Interior Design by Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Photography by Blackstone Edge Studios
Large elegant u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Portland with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, gray backsplash and gray cabinets

Please see this Award Winning project in the October 2014 issue of New York Cottages & Gardens Magazine: NYC&G http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/October-2014/NYCG-Innovation-in-Design-Winners-Kitchen-Design/ It was also featured in a Houzz Tour: Houzz Tour: Loving the Old and New in an 1880s Brooklyn Row House http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29691278/list/houzz-tour-loving-the-old-and-new-in-an-1880s-brooklyn-row-house Photo Credit: Hulya Kolabas

High Res Media
Large transitional built-in desk light wood floor and beige floor study room photo in Phoenix with white walls

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for a shabby-chic style hallway remodel in New York with beige walls

Deck - mid-sized coastal deck idea in Orange County with no cover and a bbq area

Elegant family room photo in Austin with green walls

New construction, completed in 2013 Photograph by Geoff Captain Studios
Inspiration for a small contemporary single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor seated home bar remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and white backsplash