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

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | John Kraemer & Sons, Remodel | Troy Thies, Photography Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

Photo-Jim Westphalen
Bedroom and mid-sized trendy girl medium tone wood floor and brown floor kids' bedroom photo with white walls

SolAire Homebuilders

Having two young boys presents its own challenges, and when you have two of their best friends constantly visiting, you end up with four super active action heroes. This family wanted to dedicate a space for the boys to hangout. We took an ordinary basement and converted it into a playground heaven. A basketball hoop, climbing ropes, swinging chairs, rock climbing wall, and climbing bars, provide ample opportunity for the boys to let their energy out, and the built-in window seat is the perfect spot to catch a break. Tall built-in wardrobes and drawers beneath the window seat to provide plenty of storage for all the toys. You can guess where all the neighborhood kids come to hangout now ☺

This playful bohemian kids’ room blends vibrant color with layered textures. A white spindle bed is dressed with boho pillows, complemented by a white and wood nightstand and woven Roman shades. Bright rugs in orange, yellow, pink, gray, and white, along with a colorful abstract wall painting, bring energy and fun to the space. Vintage elements and thoughtful layering make this room both lively and cozy—a perfect retreat for kids. Photo by Suzanna Scott.

Roger Davies, Architectural Digest. Steel windows and doors manufactured by Optimum Window
Example of a classic home gym design in New York

Dane Cronin Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Denver with open cabinets, light wood cabinets, an island, a farmhouse sink, gray backsplash and stainless steel appliances

The 1980's kitchen was dark, and the cabinetry was in serious disrepair. An awkward closet was transformed into a stylish pantry, with storage for the artist's work. The kitchen has a 2" calacatta countertop and sink - a dramatic choice, but one that makes sense given the scale of the loft. Wherever possible, existing appliances were reused. New recessed LED lights brighten the kitchen and save energy. A custom range hood tapers near the top to draw sunlight into the kitchen. photo: Brendan McCarthy

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless loft-style dark wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Kansas City with beige walls, no fireplace and a tv stand

Small trendy single-wall medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Orange County with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, beige backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

6 + KW solar system. Mounted toward the rear of the property then wired to home. Home owner will be saving up to 70% off his power bills
Mountain style yellow one-story wood house exterior photo in Atlanta with a hip roof and a shingle roof

www.spacecrafting.com
Example of a small transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Freestanding bathtub - large contemporary master blue tile and mosaic tile slate floor freestanding bathtub idea in New York with wood countertops, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, brown walls and a vessel sink

Laurie Perez
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional girl carpeted nursery remodel in Denver with white walls

zoonmedia
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized 1960s l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Calgary with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

©Finished Basement Company Bookcase door leads to disguised room
Large elegant underground carpeted and beige floor basement photo in Chicago with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace