Danielle RealFoto
Trendy living room photo in Vancouver

Patrick Coleman
Wine cellar - mediterranean wine cellar idea in Los Angeles

Kitchen - large eclectic l-shaped light wood floor kitchen idea in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The front porch of this bungalow is fresh and friendly while being soft and inviting with the swing and casual lighting. Photography by Josh Vick
Classic front porch idea in Atlanta with decking and a roof extension

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 mid-sized mediterranean master beige tile, blue tile and stone tile beige floor and limestone floor drop-in bathtub remodel in Miami with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, a hinged shower door, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink and granite countertops

Bedroom - rustic guest bedroom idea

Installed all components of gas fire pit & ran gas line off of meter on exterior of home
Mid-sized transitional backyard concrete paver patio photo in Chicago with a fire pit and no cover

©Finished Basement Company
Family room - large transitional walk-out dark wood floor and brown floor family room idea in Denver with blue walls and no fireplace

We converted an underused back yard into a modern outdoor living space. Functions include a cedar soaking tub, outdoor shower, fire pit, and dining area. The decking is ipe hardwood, the fence is stained cedar, and cast concrete with gravel adds texture at the fire pit. Photos copyright Laurie Black Photography.

French country patio photo in Orange County

Mariela Apollonio
Pool - huge contemporary backyard concrete and custom-shaped infinity pool idea in Alicante-Costa Blanca

Example of a huge enclosed carpeted home theater design with brown walls

Inspiration for a mid-sized country l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, granite countertops and ceramic backsplash

A couple from the Chicago area created a home they can enjoy and reconnect with their fully grown sons and expanding families, to fish and ski. Reclaimed post and beam barn from Vermont as the primary focus with extensions leading to a master suite; garage and artist’s studio. A four bedroom home with ample space for entertaining with surrounding patio with an exterior fireplace Reclaimed board siding; stone and metal roofing

Bathroom - bathroom idea in San Francisco

Loggia.
Balcony - mediterranean balcony idea in Santa Barbara with a roof extension

Transitional family room photo in San Francisco

Inspiration for a transitional dining room remodel in San Francisco