Eat-in kitchen - huge modern single-wall light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, solid surface countertops, black appliances and an island

Example of an ornate home design design in New York

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

The Guest House has pocketing lift and slide steel doors to provide an indoor/outdoor living space. The gravel patio connects the area to the rest of the landscape.

Photo: Bjorg Magnea Furniture: AbbyElle Style

Example of a transitional open concept dark wood floor and brown floor family room design in DC Metro with gray walls and a media wall

Example of a large trendy master dark wood floor freestanding bathtub design in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, a vessel sink and concrete countertops

Black flat-panel cabinets painted in lacquer tinted to Benjamin Moore's BM 2124-10, "Wrought Iron", by Paper Moon Painting.
Huge trendy l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

High gloss white upper cabinets with wenge base cabinets. White quartz square edge counters on the perimeter, waterfall granite slab for island, all appliances hidden including cooktop ventilation in ceiling

Down-to-studs remodel and second floor addition. The original house was a simple plain ranch house with a layout that didn’t function well for the family. We changed the house to a contemporary Mediterranean with an eclectic mix of details. Space was limited by City Planning requirements so an important aspect of the design was to optimize every bit of space, both inside and outside. The living space extends out to functional places in the back and front yards: a private shaded back yard and a sunny seating area in the front yard off the kitchen where neighbors can easily mingle with the family. A Japanese bath off the master bedroom upstairs overlooks a private roof deck which is screened from neighbors’ views by a trellis with plants growing from planter boxes and with lanterns hanging from a trellis above. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-mediterranean/

A drink station complete with coffee storage, under-counter wine cooler and refrigerator. This area also doubles as a baking zone. Designed by Studio 76 Home

Large trendy master gray tile gray floor and concrete floor double shower photo with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, a vessel sink, a hinged shower door, black countertops and concrete countertops

Example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen design in Atlanta with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This markedly modern, yet warm and inviting abode in the Oklahoma countryside boasts some of our favorite kitchen items all in one place. Miele appliances (oven, steam, coffee maker, paneled refrigerator, freezer, and "knock to open" dishwasher), induction cooking on an island, a highly functional Galley Workstation and the latest technology in cabinetry and countertop finishes to last a lifetime. Grain matched natural walnut and matte nanotech touch-to-open white and grey cabinets provide a natural color palette that allows the interior of this home to blend beautifully with the prairie and pastures seen through the large commercial windows on both sides of this kitchen & living great room. Cambria quartz countertops in Brittanica formed with a waterfall edge give a natural random pattern against the square lines of the rest of the kitchen. David Cobb photography

Eric Rorer
Mid-sized mid-century modern master medium tone wood floor and black floor open shower photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, an undermount tub, white walls, light wood cabinets and marble countertops

Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped vinyl floor eat-in kitchen design in Chicago with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, an island, marble countertops and stainless steel appliances

Open Concept living room with original fireplace and tongue and groove ceilings. New Epoxy floors.
Inspiration for a mid-century modern open concept gray floor living room remodel with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Robin Stubbert
Mid-sized trendy 3/4 ceramic tile and gray floor bathroom photo in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, a vessel sink, quartzite countertops and white countertops

The outdoor space features Fiberon composite decking and composite railing. Fiberon 'Symmetry' rail has a flat, drink-friendly top rail profile, in a matte finish and comes in multiple colors: Tranquil White, Serene Black, and Simply Brown. The hardware is hidden, keeping the look clean and uncluttered. This sturdy rail never needs painting or staining, and is backed by a 20-year limited warranty.