Krista Sobkowiak
Large trendy u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, solid surface countertops, an island and white countertops

Trendy u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Orange County with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, quartz backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Eat-in kitchen - large transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

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 classic u-shaped enclosed kitchen design in Philadelphia with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and no island

Seated home bar - mid-sized transitional u-shaped dark wood floor seated home bar idea in Minneapolis with concrete countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and an undermount sink

Example of a large transitional u-shaped slate floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, white cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and shaker cabinets

Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Kitchen - mid-sized cottage u-shaped porcelain tile and multicolored floor kitchen idea in Chicago with shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and an undermount sink

Stefanie Rawlinson Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Other with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Ofer Wolberger
Example of a large trendy u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen design in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, an island, an undermount sink and green cabinets

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

Photography by Garrett Rowland Photography Designed by Pete Cardamone
Mountain style u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances and multicolored backsplash

White painted wood cabinets and light colored stone countertop help keep the the kitchen bright. Multiple pendent lights and under cabinet lighting are for general as well as task lighting. Large windows at corner bring in lots of natural light. The cat is particularly fond of that spot near the warm oven! David Sloane Photography

A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

Inspiration for a huge transitional u-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Scott Fredrick Photography
Mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped linoleum floor eat-in kitchen photo in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, glass tile backsplash, gray backsplash, black appliances and a peninsula

Eric Dennon
Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-century modern u-shaped gray floor kitchen photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and green backsplash

Catherine Nguyen
Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped ceramic tile utility room design in Raleigh with a side-by-side washer/dryer, medium tone wood cabinets and white walls