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

Townhouse renovation in Brooklyn: We redesigned the rear end of the house as an expanded family kitchen with a back door to the deck. We also added a new connection from the entrance hall to the kitchen and fit a small powder room under the stairs. The old windows and doors were replaced with new, larger ones, and the entire kitchen was gutted and refitted with new cabinetry and a banquette dining area. The space was designed to take advantage of the bright southern exposure, with lots of white materials, grounded by the dark base cabinets. Photos by Maletz Design

Master bath with a free standing tub, wall mounted faucet and controls. Cedar planked wall divider with glass doors each side to access the shower and toilet room Peter Nilson

Ken Vaughan - Vaughan Creative Media
Inspiration for a small farmhouse white tile marble floor and gray floor powder room remodel in Dallas with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, recessed-panel cabinets and white countertops

Matt Edington - Clarity NW Photography
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Andersen A-Series double-hung windows and Frenchwood outswing hinged patio door.
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Welcome home—these custom double front entry doors boast an intricate Bronze finish, quality hardware, and textured, insulated glass that's rated to withstand hurricane impact.

Richard Leo Johnson
Beach style porch idea in Atlanta with a roof extension

Peak RES
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Double entry door done by craftsman Jarod Studabaker. He used our native Hoosier reclaimed barnwood.
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This front entry porch has Ipé decking and handrails. The entry door is a clear stained fir craftsman style. Inset step lighting and a painted bead board ceiling complete the entry. Firewater Photography

5 Ft wide and 8 ft tall custom crafted double contemporary entry doors. Jeld-Wen Aurora fiberglass model 800 with custom glass. Installed in Yorba Linda, CA home.

Iron Entry Doors from First Impression Ironworks are crafted uniquely for your home. Our steel entry doors are an investment that will truly add value to your home, since each door is custom built to your home’s specifications and made from the highest quality materials. Each wrought iron door, whether solid steel, iron and glass, or wrought iron and wood, is expertly made in Arizona by our talented iron artisans. Our wrought iron is sourced here in the U.S.A., using only 100% American steel. Every iron entry door is crafted from the strongest, most robust steel in the door, frame, iron pull handles, and even the standard 10" steel latch and lock guard. Name brand Kwikset or Schlage hardware is always included, so your new front door can be upgraded with the latest technology and integrated with alarm and monitoring systems. We’re here to bring your dreams to life with customization available for whatever needs fit your home best, whether it’s removable sunscreens, sidelights, transoms, or elegant iron hardware. Create the first impression you’ve always wanted for your home today with your vision and our expertise!

Deep Forest Brown (Sherwin-Williams SW 9175) – With grace and presence, dark brown is stable, strong and commands respect. This is a powerful, neutral that can be a striking replacement for black.

Example of a mid-sized trendy ceramic tile and black floor front door design in Montreal with gray walls and a black front door