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

Inspiration for a rustic home design remodel in Toronto

The gunmetal steel skin is expressed inside on the cabinet faces in the kitchen, and a view through the perforated metal skin is apparent. Photography by Andrew Fabin

Example of a mountain style home design design in Toronto

This Ranch Hacienda hillside estate boasts well over 13,000 square feet under roof. A loggia serves as the backbone for the design. Each space, both interior and exterior, has a direct response to the linear expression of outdoor space. The exterior materials and detailing are rustic and simple in nature. The mass and scale create drama and correspond to the vast desert skyline and adjacent majestic McDowell mountain views. Features of the house include a motor court with dual garages, a separate guest quarters, and a walk-in cooler. Silverleaf is known for its embodiment of traditional architectural styles, and this house expresses the essence of a hacienda with its communal courtyard spaces and quiet luxury. This was the first project of many designed by Architect C.P. Drewett for construction in Silverleaf, located in north Scottsdale. Project Details: Architecture | C.P. Drewett, AIA, DrewettWorks, Scottsdale, AZ Builder | Sonora West Development, Scottsdale, AZ Photography | Dino Tonn, Scottsdale, AZ

Mountain style home design photo in Toronto

Mountain style home design photo in Toronto

Rasmussen 24" Lone Star Gas Logs, natural gas
Home design - mid-sized rustic home design idea in Austin

AZEK Reserve Collection Driftwood Decking & Express Universal Rail BronzeAZEK Reserve Collection Driftwood Decking & Express Universal Rail Bronze, hot tub area

Expressive Architectural Photography
Bathroom - small contemporary master porcelain tile and gray tile porcelain tile bathroom idea in San Diego with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls, a vessel sink and quartz countertops

Chris Robinson
Elegant home design photo in Chicago

Chris Robinson
Example of a classic home design design in Chicago

AZEK Reserve Collection Driftwood Decking & Express Universal Rail BronzeAZEK Reserve Collection Driftwood Decking & Express Universal Rail Bronze, hot tub area

Susan Meeker Paul, ACKBD Kitchen & Bath Express; These are Jay Rambo Cabinets in Maple with a Lily White finish, colonial door, combo of inset and full overlay construction. "The customer is thrilled!"

Mountain style family room photo in Boise

Chris Robinson
Example of a classic home design design in Chicago

The strong lines and unique materials displayed in the Expressions wardrobe space create a contemporary but comfortable environment.
Inspiration for a contemporary closet remodel with medium tone wood cabinets

Cabinet Express is more than just a cabinet store. We are a Design Center. Industry professionals with over 30 years’ experience in cabinetry and interior design are available to walk you through your next renovation project from start to finish. We select only the best product offerings available and stand behind many of them with our Limited Lifetime Warranty. Whether you are flipping a home, buying your 1st starter house, our building your million dollar dream home, we are able to help all clients no matter how discriminating or eclectic their taste may be.

Cabinet Express is more than just a cabinet store. We are a Design Center. Industry professionals with over 30 years’ experience in cabinetry and interior design are available to walk you through your next renovation project from start to finish. We select only the best product offerings available and stand behind many of them with our Limited Lifetime Warranty. Whether you are flipping a home, buying your 1st starter house, our building your million dollar dream home, we are able to help all clients no matter how discriminating or eclectic their taste may be.