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

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNER. 2018 NKBA Design Competition Best Overall Kitchen. 2018 TIDA International USA Kitchen of the Year. 2018 Best Traditional Kitchen - Westchester Home Magazine design awards. The designer's own kitchen was gutted and renovated in 2017, with a focus on classic materials and thoughtful storage. The 1920s craftsman home has been in the family since 1940, and every effort was made to keep finishes and details true to the original construction. For sources, please see the website at www.studiodearborn.com. Photography, Adam Kane Macchia and Timothy Lenz

Inspiration for a transitional master black tile multicolored floor bathroom remodel in Grand Rapids with white cabinets, an undermount sink and recessed-panel cabinets

This classic Spanish home in South Pasadena was decorated to reflect the homeowners bohemian style, vintage collections, and subtle art deco features in the architecture. Highlights include a hand-painted ceiling mural, custom cat covers on sofa, and a vintage record player. Photos by Erika Bierman www.erikabiermanphotography.com

Timeless materials such as soft green tiles, wood cabinetry, warm brass fixtures and black accents were combined with modern functionality to create a calm and spa -like retreat in this main bathroom renovation.

Cesar Rubio
Example of a country medium tone wood floor living room design in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Derek Skalko
Minimalist bathroom photo in Denver with a vessel sink

Camera Shock / Kenny Kaneshiro
Cottage medium tone wood floor front door photo in San Francisco with white walls and a black front door

Small elegant u-shaped terra-cotta tile kitchen pantry photo in Austin with open cabinets, copper countertops, an integrated sink, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash and no island

Note how we always have large bluestone pieces at the edge because we lay out the pattern with AutoCAD. There are two more granite steps at the driveway. See the granite lamp post.

The focal point in the kitchen is the deep navy, French range positioned in an alcove trimmed in distressed natural wood and finished with handmade tile. The arched marble backsplash of the bar creates a dramatic focal point visible from the dining room.

Alcove shower - modern master beige floor alcove shower idea in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Stone: Ashland - TundraBrick TundraBrick is a classically-shaped profile with all the surface character you could want. Slightly squared edges are chiseled and worn as if they’d braved the elements for decades. TundraBrick is roughly 2.5″ high and 7.875″ long. Get a Sample of TundraBrick: https://shop.eldoradostone.com/products/tundrabrick-sample

One of the most important things for the homeowners was to maintain the look and feel of the home. The architect felt that the addition should be about continuity, riffing on the idea of symmetry rather than asymmetry. This approach shows off exceptional craftsmanship in the framing of the hip and gable roofs. And while most of the home was going to be touched or manipulated in some way, the front porch, walls and part of the roof remained the same. The homeowners continued with the craftsman style inside, but added their own east coast flare and stylish furnishings. The mix of materials, pops of color and retro touches bring youth to the spaces. Photography by Tre Dunham

Bright and fun bathroom featuring a floating, navy, custom vanity, decorative, patterned, floor tile that leads into a step down shower with a linear drain. The transom window above the vanity adds natural light to the space.

Alan Dabach – (818) 235-9300 – Vision Realty Group Get these lights at: www.maximlighting.com www.et2online.com
Inspiration for a timeless living room remodel in Los Angeles with a bar and gray walls

Builder: Ellen Grasso and Sons LLC
Living room - large transitional formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Dallas with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Black stained wood trellis, exterior night time image
Elegant patio photo in San Francisco

The concrete stair treads and steel risers wrap around the hand plastered elevator shaft. Photo by Lincoln Barber
Inspiration for an industrial concrete staircase remodel in Portland with concrete risers