designed in collaboration with Larsen Designs, INC and B2LAB. Contractor was Huber Builders. custom cabinetry by d KISER design.construct, inc. Photography by Colin Conces.

Benjamin Hill Photography
Huge transitional formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Houston with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace, a standard ceiling, gray walls and no tv

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

Photography by Stacy Bass. www.stacybassphotography.com
Example of a mid-sized beach style open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room library design in New York with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a concrete fireplace

Peter Rymwid This beautiful kitchen is the heart of this new construction home. Black accents in the range and custom pantry provide a dramatic touch.Seeded glass cabinet doors repeat the texture of the lantern light fixtures over the island which can seat 4

Transitional concrete porch photo in Dallas with a roof extension

Transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Photography by Ann Hiner
Example of a mid-sized transitional gender-neutral concrete floor mudroom design in Austin with multicolored walls

Photo by Ryann Ford
Example of a farmhouse white two-story gable roof design in Austin

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room remodel in San Francisco

Example of a small minimalist master white tile and porcelain tile single-sink doorless shower design in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white countertops and a floating vanity

Eric Roth Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2016 Houzz
Home design - contemporary home design idea in San Francisco

The homeowner, who is a woodworking hobbyist, created the custom built teak vanity, and the open cabinet shelving. Photographer: Jeff Beck Designer: Six Walls

This is an organic Lime Wash done with a true lime wash product as opposed to a brick mortar or concrete that is often seen on new houses. This product can be applied as a solid coating making the surface completely white, or can be applied and "washed off" in many artistic ways, as seen here. If you hate your brick or just want something unique this is a great option! Photo credit: Jeff Murrey

Tuscan medium tone wood floor study room photo in Miami with white walls

Perfectly settled in the shade of three majestic oak trees, this timeless homestead evokes a deep sense of belonging to the land. The Wilson Architects farmhouse design riffs on the agrarian history of the region while employing contemporary green technologies and methods. Honoring centuries-old artisan traditions and the rich local talent carrying those traditions today, the home is adorned with intricate handmade details including custom site-harvested millwork, forged iron hardware, and inventive stone masonry. Welcome family and guests comfortably in the detached garage apartment. Enjoy long range views of these ancient mountains with ample space, inside and out.

Julie Mannell Photography
Example of a mid-sized 1950s l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Seattle with quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a double-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, an island and flat-panel cabinets