Farmhouse kitchen photo in Chicago

Screened, covered porch with eating area and gathering space
Large transitional porch idea in Charlotte

Master Bathroom, post renovation
Example of a small cottage white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, white floor and single-sink bathroom design in Other with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Located in the heart of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, the building was erected on a shallow commercial lot between two 120 year old masonry buildings and a new residential rental building. 330 Grand Street is a mix of 725 SF 1BRs and 1050 SF 2BR apartments. It also contains a 1100 SF two story duplex as well as private and public rooftop space, large private balconies for most units and two large private terraces for the ground floor units. 330 Grand Street was originally designed and approved at the NYC DOB as a prefabricated modular building. During the pandemic, as shipping costs skyrocketed putting the project at risk, we suggested redesigning the building as a reinforced cast-in-place concrete structure. Concrete was readily available and prices had not been affected by the demand increase that many other materials suffered in the pandemic. We took this opportunity to raise floor to ceiling heights, enlarge high performance windows and redistribute the buildings MEPFS and Structural Systems to create very open floor plans. The challenge was to create a luxurious sensorial living experience with very limited means. In a city with very high construction costs, low cost residential buildings in the area are usually devoid of good quality, design and character. Our approach was to aim high for the end user, prioritizing natural light, open space with long visual perspectives, high ceilings and as always, rejecting the use of predefined building templates. Our biggest challenge was to ensure that the small spaces feel as clean cut, large and bright as possible. Several unique design decisions were made to ensure low cost and high quality; Floor plans were laid out so that spaces were wide open and free of clutter from mechanical or structural interruptions. Therefore all infrastructure was placed in lateral demising walls, which in turn act as the unit’s storage and kitchen. The apartments feel wide open, are super quiet and have more storage space than any other comparable apartment in the city. To solve the problem of the site’s shallow commercial lot which is typically prone to dark interior spaces we focused our attention on the building’s envelope. Instead of the usual small punched window openings, oversized high performance windows were designed to ensure that light penetrated as far as possible into the units. In the smaller 1BR units, the full 50’ depth of the lot is perceived by partitioning spaces with sliding pocket doors that can be retracted to allow deep visual perspectives, making the sight lines in the space feel longer, larger, more ample than normal. In addition to the full height glazing, each unit above the 2nd floor receives a 7 foot covered balcony, adding 120 to 240 sf to each apartment, something unusual in New York City buildings. The space is large enough for a full size dining table, when the weather permits being outside. We also worked hard to ensure modularity. For example, all kitchen units are all identical throughout the building. The idea of modularity and the economy of the repetitive unit is exercised to the maximum through the building. Hardware, appliances, flooring, wall coverings and material finishes are all carefully selected to feel bespoke, high quality and unique. It was important to KURV that the result of this work manifest into something that would deeply connect with the end user and sustain relationships with the consumers of this space. All images by KURV Architecture ©

Basement Family Room Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography; Interior Design: Kristin Try Interiors; Builder: Harry Braswell, Inc.
Inspiration for a coastal basement remodel in DC Metro

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

Combining the popular 6 ft Buckingham Round Table with the Buckingham Benches creates a perfect level of comfort for outdoor dining and picnicking. The table can accept an optional umbrella to create a more relaxing atmosphere, and an optional Lazy Susan can provide all around access. The Buckingham Bench Dining Set features: 1 Buckingham Round Table, 4 Buckingham Benches. Seating up to 12. Optional cushions for the benches made with Quick Dry Foam® core and 100% solution dyed Sunbrella fabrics. Built with 100% Grade A Teak harvested from sustainable plantations in Indonesia, every piece is precision manufactured to standard specifications for commercial and residential use. Optional Teak Finishes available. Sizes: Table-71"D x 30"H; Curved Bench - 69.5 L on outside edge/52 L on Inside Edge x 24W x 36 H

Inspiration for a contemporary dining room remodel in Seattle

The front elevation of this house consists of the original 1910 farmhouse. The rest of the house had been augmented incrementally over time and the roofline beyond the original structure had become convoluted and the flanking elevations nonsensical. The current owners preserved the original 1910 farmhouse portion of the home and took the rest of the structure down to the foundation. A simple modern black barn was designed to run perpendicular with the old farmhouse structure and painted black in stark contrast to its old, white counterpart. Siding runs vertically on the new section as opposed to the horizontal shiplapped siding on the old. The new structure houses the kitchen with 12’ cathedral ceilings, a pantry / mudroom and a study. The kitchen boasts a 1930’s island reclaimed from a commercial bakery and pendant lights from an old schoolhouse in Ohio as its nucleus, against a quiet backdrop of black stained oak cabinetry. Gently veined quartzite slabs serve as countertop, backsplash and wrap the stove hood to accentuate the ceiling height. The interior design of this home is a carefully balanced alchemy of antiquity and modernity. It has an overriding monochromatic theme with layers of pattern and texture for depth. The color interest is derived from the lush outside landscape, with the exception of their daughter’s bedroom which is a tasteful symphony of pink, landed by a hand painted mural. The theme of the home is framed around comfortable family living against curated backdrops of beloved collected items. The living room boasts no less than nineteen vintage crystal

My team took a fresh approach to traditional style in this home. Inspired by fresh cut blossoms and a crisp palette, we transformed the space with airy elegance. Exquisite natural stones and antique silhouettes coupled with chalky white hues created an understated elegance as romantic as a love poem.

Photography by William Quarles. Designed by Shannon Bogen. Built by Robert Paige Cabinetry. Contractor Tom Martin
Example of a mid-sized transitional kitchen design in Charleston with gray cabinets, recessed-panel cabinets and an island

Example of a trendy l-shaped light wood floor kitchen design in New York with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and an island

Ray Olivares
Living room - industrial formal medium tone wood floor living room idea in New York with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Set on ten acres abutting protected conservation land, the zoning for this site allowed for a creative multi-unit residential project. The design concept created a sustainable modern farm community of three distinct structures. A sense of individuality is established between the buildings, while a comprehensive site design references historic farms with a home-like, residential scale. An existing structure was renovated to house three condo units, featuring sliding barn doors and floor-to-ceiling storefront glass in the great room, with 25’ ceilings. Across a circular cobblestone drive, a new house and barn structure houses two condo units. Connecting both units, a garage references a carriage house and barn with small square windows above and large bays at ground level to mimic barn bays. There is no parking lot for the site – instead garages and a few individual parking spaces preserve the scale of a natural farm property. Patios and yards in the rear of each unit offer private access to the lush natural surroundings and space for entertaining.

Inspiration for a coastal kitchen remodel in Other

Irving Place Residence. New York, NY. Photography by Biz Jones.
Inspiration for a mid-century modern freestanding desk home office remodel in New York with white walls

Cedar fence with raised cedar garden beds, container herbs, and custom steel planters with succulents.
Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional full sun front yard gravel landscaping in San Diego for summer.

Photography by Nathan Webb, AIA
Inspiration for a contemporary 3/4 white tile and mosaic tile slate floor walk-in shower remodel in DC Metro with a two-piece toilet and white walls

Example of a beach style hallway design in Providence