Hot tub - large tropical backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped hot tub idea in Orange County

Large trendy backyard concrete paver patio photo in Philadelphia with no cover and a fire pit

Large elegant red split-level brick exterior home photo in Oklahoma City with a clipped gable roof

Large island style backyard stamped concrete and custom-shaped hot tub photo in Orange County

The peacefulness of the covered patio provides the perfect place to kick back after a long day around the fire with those closest to you.
Inspiration for a large craftsman patio remodel in Portland

Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by: Fluidesign Studio I Builder: Anchor Builders I Photographer: sethbennphoto.com
Mid-sized elegant master ceramic tile bathroom photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops and blue walls

Example of a mid-sized trendy powder room design in London with a pedestal sink, a wall-mount toilet and purple walls

Photo credit: www.parkscreative.com
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone patio remodel in Seattle with a fire pit

This lower level bar was a special surprise from wife to husband - the custom Criss Craft boat island was kept under wraps until unveiled in a special moment. The floor is a wide plank floor that mimics wood but with fun blue and grey color tones. The backsplash tile is an oversides arabesque mosaic in a blue that miimics the lake water. The bar is truly a kitchenette for entertaining on the lake level, complete with full fridge, range, dishwasher and built in bar on that far left cabinet. The counterstools were custom made for the project by a local craftsman.

Our Town Plans
Country beige tiny house idea in Atlanta

Courtesy Coastal Living, a division of the Time Inc. Lifestyle Group, photography by Tria Giovan. Coastal Living is a registered trademark of Time Inc. and is used with permission.

View of rear yard included custom-colored concrete walls, pavers, riverstone and a built-in bench around a firepit. Sliding Glass wall system by Nanawall. All exterior lighting by Bega. Catherine Nguyen Photography

Lee Manning Photography
Living room - mid-sized cottage enclosed medium tone wood floor living room idea in Los Angeles with white walls and a standard fireplace

Paul Bardagjy
Inspiration for a mid-sized country u-shaped concrete floor open concept kitchen remodel in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, solid surface countertops, porcelain backsplash and white countertops

Example of a mid-sized trendy formal light wood floor and brown floor living room design in Denver with a standard fireplace, no tv, a tile fireplace and white walls

Home office - country built-in desk light wood floor home office idea in New York with white walls

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.

Mid-sized farmhouse open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Chicago with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Family room - transitional dark wood floor and brown floor family room idea in Chicago with gray walls