To formalize this dining space, we wrapped the room in drapery panels, framing the beautiful golf course view. Contrasting head chairs, bold lighting and an Ikat rug add some visual interest to an otherwise neutral space.

Michael J. Lee Photography
Inspiration for a small country home design remodel in Boston

A topographical coffee table made in the United Kingdom topped with a water-like façade accents the white plank floors, paying homage to the white beaches just outside the condo. LED indirect lighting in perimeter walls and ceiling coves adds the perfect ambience for lounging or entertaining.

Gibeon Photography. Troy Lighting Edison Pendants / Phillip Jeffries Faux Leather Wall covering
Alcove shower - rustic alcove shower idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls, an integrated sink, concrete countertops and a hinged shower door

LIGHTING DESIGN: Creative Lighting- 651.647.0111 www.creative-lighting.com KITCHEN PENDANT LIGHTING: http://creative-lighting.com/Capital_Lighting/4642PN-137/One_Light_Mini-Pendant-Mini-Pendant PHOTO CRED: Robert Thomas Homes/Traditions Companies

Our clients love their full glass tile bathroom featuring Ann Sack's tile on the floor and walls. The double entry shower and shower head stall makes for easy access by both occupants. The soak tub is often filled with ice to serve as a plunge bath after a hard workout. Photo by Paul Bardagjy

Trendy wooden straight staircase photo in San Francisco with wooden risers

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Design: Rauscher & Associates | Landscape Design: Coen + Partners | Photography: Landmark Photography
Trendy master ceramic tile freestanding bathtub photo in Minneapolis with granite countertops, a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Dustin Peck Photography
Inspiration for a transitional powder room remodel in Charlotte with a pedestal sink and a two-piece toilet

Example of a large mountain style open concept medium tone wood floor game room design in Minneapolis with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

James Kruger, LandMark Photography, Peter Eskuche, AIA, Eskuche Design, Sharon Seitz, HISTORIC studio, Interior Design
Inspiration for a huge rustic beige two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Minneapolis

Trendy medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, blue backsplash and an island

Professionally Staged by Ambience at Home http://ambiance-athome.com/ Professionally Photographed by SpaceCrafting http://spacecrafting.com

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel in Calgary with an island

Jessica Delaney http://www.jessicadelaneyphotography.com/

Applied Photography
Inspiration for a timeless formal medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Orange County with white walls and a standard fireplace

Stephani Buchman Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Toronto with gray walls and no fireplace

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

John Sutton Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary master bathroom remodel in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, an undermount tub and beige walls