Imoto Photography
Example of a large beach style open concept dark wood floor living room design in New Orleans with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Scott Hargis
Example of a classic u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Create a more modern feel with wide stripes. The light bounces off the shimmery wallpaper.
Beach style medium tone wood floor bathroom photo in New York with an undermount sink, marble countertops, white cabinets, multicolored walls and recessed-panel cabinets

California Ranch Farmhouse Style Design 2020
Large transitional open concept light wood floor, gray floor, vaulted ceiling and shiplap wall living room photo in San Francisco with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Cesar Rubio
Example of a cottage medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets and white walls

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

A PLACE TO GATHER Location: Eagan, MN, USA This family of five wanted an inviting space to gather with family and friends. Mom, the primary cook, wanted a large island with more organized storage – everything in its place – and a crisp white kitchen with the character of an older home. Challenges: Design an island that could accommodate this family of five for casual weeknight dinners. Create more usable storage within the existing kitchen footprint. Design a better transition between the upper cabinets on the 8-foot sink wall and the adjoining 9-foot cooktop wall. Make room for more counter space around the cooktop. It was poorly lit, cluttered with small appliances and confined by the tall oven cabinet. Solutions: A large island, that seats 5 comfortably, replaced the small island and kitchen table. This allowed for more storage including cookbook shelves, a heavy-duty roll out shelf for the mixer, a 2-bin recycling center and a bread drawer. Tall pantries with decorative grilles were placed between the kitchen and family room. These created ample storage and helped define each room, making each one feel larger, yet more intimate. A space intentionally separates the upper cabinets on the sink wall from those on the cooktop wall. This created symmetry on the sink wall and made room for an appliance garage, which keeps the countertops uncluttered. Moving the double ovens to the former pantry location made way for more usable counter space around the cooktop and a dramatic focal point with the hood, cabinets and marble backsplash. Special Features: Custom designed corbels and island legs lend character. Gilt open lanterns, antiqued nickel grilles on the pantries, and the soft linen shade at the kitchen sink add personality and charm. The unique bronze hardware with a living finish creates the patina of an older home. A walnut island countertop adds the warmth and feel of a kitchen table. This homeowner truly understood the idea of living with the patina of marble. Her grandmother’s marble-topped antique table inspired the Carrara countertops. The result is a highly organized kitchen with a light, open feel that invites you to stay a while. Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg

In the center of the kitchen is a waterfall island with classic marble countertop, oversized brass geometric pendants, and blue faux leather stools with brass frames. The tile backsplash behind the oven is a geometric marble with metallic inlay which creates a glamorous patterning. Photo: David Livingston

MA Peterson www.mapeterson.com A bright and airy galley kitchen, offering easy pass-through for the family.
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless galley dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white backsplash, white cabinets, granite countertops, subway tile backsplash and no island

Jason Schmidt
Example of a minimalist master white floor freestanding bathtub design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and white walls

Hoi Ning Wong
Design ideas for a craftsman gravel landscaping in San Francisco.

Brett Winter Lemon Photography
Example of a mountain style backyard stone patio design in Portland Maine with no cover and a fire pit

Example of a huge beach style u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink, marble countertops and mosaic tile backsplash

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped slate floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen design in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, quartzite countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray countertops, white cabinets and white backsplash

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, white countertops, turquoise cabinets and window backsplash

Eric Hausman for TRENDS
Example of a transitional galley dark wood floor kitchen design in Chicago with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and marble backsplash

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

Stephanie Johnson, architect. Jeffrey Jakucyk, photographer. David A Millett, interiors.
Enclosed dining room - mid-sized traditional dark wood floor enclosed dining room idea in Cincinnati with beige walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a transitional galley dark wood floor wet bar remodel in Detroit with dark wood cabinets and recessed-panel cabinets