Example of a transitional bathroom design in Boston

Photo Credit: Warren Jagger
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master white tile mosaic tile floor freestanding bathtub remodel in New York with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white walls and an undermount sink

Katina Bentley Photography
Example of a transitional basement design in Boston

Example of a transitional living room design in New York

Wade Weissmann Architecture, Photo: © David Bader
Cottage porch photo in Milwaukee

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

Executive Cabinetry San Diego 92111 This Carolina cabinet maker offers the greenest product available in the United States. They use formaldehyde free plywood construction and apply water based stains and paints. They have some very distinctive finishing techniques alongside some very beautiful door styles. Their range of offerings run from exotic veneers to elegantly distressed vintage finishes. If GREEN is important to you and your family, this is your cabinet.

Pink-and-black fabric is Rubie Green Portobello, carpet tiles by FLOR. Photography by Nancy Nolan
Example of a bedroom and large transitional girl carpeted and multicolored floor kids' bedroom design in Little Rock with pink walls

Mudroom - large rustic light wood floor mudroom idea with white walls

Example of a trendy concrete floor and gray floor home bar design in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, black backsplash and white countertops

The steel exo-skeleton cradles a floating radiant concrete floor platform. A shallow sloped exposed timber-framed roof structure serves as a metaphorical forest canopy umbrella and optimally orients the photovoltaic solar panel system to the southwest. A continuous clerestory wraps all sides of the house, bathing the interior spaces in natural light and providing serendipitous views into the treetops from within. photo credit: Ben Benschneider

Outdoor kitchen & dining deck features Viking appliances and easy access to kitchen through the snack bar style window.
Example of a cottage deck design in Santa Barbara with a pergola and a bbq area

mcardleimages
Minimalist tub/shower combo photo in San Francisco with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets, an undermount tub, white walls and medium tone wood cabinets

Jeff Herr Photography
Example of a transitional master light wood floor bedroom design in Atlanta with green walls and no fireplace

Double shower - small traditional 3/4 white tile and subway tile travertine floor double shower idea in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet and blue walls

Rustic bathroom with barn house fixtures and lights. A dark color palette is lightened by large windows and cream colored horizontal shiplap on the walls. Photography by Todd Crawford

Lucy Call
Living room - small eclectic enclosed medium tone wood floor living room idea in Salt Lake City with white walls

Example of a small transitional open concept medium tone wood floor, brown floor and shiplap wall living room design in Indianapolis with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Peter Vanderwarker
Inspiration for a mid-sized 1950s light wood floor and brown floor great room remodel in Boston with white walls, a two-sided fireplace and a concrete fireplace