Inspiration for a large country front porch remodel in Providence with decking and a roof extension

Mid-sized beach style single-wall light wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Bridgeport with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances and no island

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal l-shaped enclosed kitchen remodel in Bridgeport with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances and no island

Steve Baracci photo
Example of a mid-sized ornate light wood floor enclosed dining room design in Atlanta with blue walls and no fireplace

Exterior of the remodeled barn. -Randal Bye
Large farmhouse red three-story wood gable roof photo in Philadelphia

Example of a mid-sized classic guest carpeted and beige floor bedroom design in Orange County with gray walls and no fireplace

Mid-sized elegant freestanding desk medium tone wood floor and brown floor study room photo in Milwaukee with beige walls

Mid-sized beach style formal and enclosed light wood floor living room photo in New York with orange walls

Inspiration for a large victorian red two-story brick exterior home remodel in Chicago with a shingle roof

Elegant kitchen photo in Orange County

Elegant French country-style estate featuring natural stone exterior, multi-level rooflines, arched windows, and symmetrical design elements with refined provincial charm. The home showcases authentic architectural details including copper accents, decorative ironwork, and manicured landscaping that complement its mountainous setting.

Huge minimalist light wood floor great room photo in Montreal with white walls and a ribbon fireplace

Elegant gray two-story exterior home photo in Raleigh

Inspiration for a mediterranean beige one-story stucco exterior home remodel in Other with a tile roof

Example of a small trendy medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in San Francisco

The Home Aesthetic
Example of a large farmhouse guest carpeted and beige floor bedroom design in Indianapolis with gray 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

Mike Rixon Photography
Example of a large ornate beige three-story mixed siding exterior home design in Boston with a shingle roof

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master marble tile marble floor and white floor bathroom remodel in DC Metro with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an undermount tub, white walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops