Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal dark wood floor foyer remodel in Providence with beige walls and a glass front door

Farmhouse dark wood floor and brown floor powder room photo in Seattle with furniture-like cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink and gray countertops

Shop the Look and See the Photo Tour here: https://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2015/9/7/coastal-prep-in-the-pacific-palisades-entry-and-formal-living-tour?rq=Pacific%20Palisades Photos by Tessa Neustadt

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

This Master Bath recreates the character of the farmhouse while adding all the modern amenities. The slipper tub, the stone hexagon tiles, the painted wainscot, and the natural wood vanities all add texture and detail. Robert Brewster Photography

Large mountain style u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, an island, multicolored backsplash and stone tile backsplash

Remodeled, open kitchen for a young family with counter and banquette seating
Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor, brown floor, exposed beam, shiplap ceiling and vaulted ceiling eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, paneled appliances, an island, quartz countertops, an undermount sink, gray backsplash, marble backsplash and gray countertops

Classic screened-in porch idea in Philadelphia

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

Jason Cook
Beach style medium tone wood floor and brown floor powder room photo in Los Angeles with beige walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops and brown countertops

C.L. Fry Photo - www.clfryphoto.com
Great room - cottage great room idea in Austin

Exceptional 2,100 sq ft duplex with private terrace, parking and desirable downtown address! This one of a kind home offers the flexibility as an expansive 2 bedroom layout or an easy conversion to its original 3 bedroom plan. The open & airy 1st floor features a chef’s kitchen with a Viking fridge, Thermador wall ovens, 2 wine chillers, oversized island and Wolf BBQ with direct gas line. The 2nd floor Master suite features 3 large closets and spa bath with natural stone tiles, air jet tub and separate shower. No expense was spared in renovating this urban nest, Santos Mahogany floors throughout, custom built-ins, Lutron lighting, integrated Bose speaker system, ample storage with outfitted with California components and deeded garage parking. Located moments from NYC transportation, parks, dining and nightlife.

Madison Co Darlene Halaby Photography
Bedroom - contemporary bedroom idea in Orange County

Gray painted framed mirrors add depth to the softly painted grey washed walls and subtly connects the gray veining throughout the carrara marble countertop and gray painted double vanity.

Example of a 1960s bedroom design in Los Angeles

Mid-century modern kitchen photo in Los Angeles

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Dan Murdock
Family room - transitional dark wood floor family room idea in New York with gray walls

Mid-sized trendy u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Denver with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and flat-panel cabinets