photos by Susan Teare • www.susanteare.com
Example of a small mountain style l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen design in Burlington with green cabinets, stainless steel appliances, no island, a farmhouse sink, soapstone countertops, black backsplash and flat-panel cabinets

Patio fountain - mid-sized traditional patio fountain idea in DC Metro with no cover

studiⓞbuell, Photography
Small trendy bedroom photo in Nashville

Gordon Beall
Island style beige tile and stone tile outdoor patio shower photo in Boston

Example of a large beach style open concept family room design in Boston with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

studiⓞbuell, Photography
Inspiration for a 1950s kitchen remodel in Nashville

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

A spacious colonial in the heart of the waterfront community of Greenhaven still had its original 1950s kitchen. A renovation without an addition added space by reconfiguring, and the wall between kitchen and family room was removed to create open flow. A beautiful banquette was built where the family can enjoy breakfast overlooking the pool. Kitchen Design: Studio Dearborn. Interior decorating by Lorraine Levinson. All appliances: Thermador. Countertops: Pental Quartz Lattice. Hardware: Top Knobs Chareau Series Emerald Pulls and knobs. Stools and pendant lights: West Elm. Photography: Jeff McNamara.

Decor kitchen cabinets with custom color: Peale Green HC 121 By Benjamin Moore, GE Induction Range, Blanco sink and Stream White granite counters, new red oak floors, white hexagon tiles on the backsplash complement the hexagonal brushed brass hardware.

Rob Karosis
Example of a cottage living room design in New York

Ed Butera
Transitional living room photo in Miami

Metropolis Studios Photolux Studios Design First Interiors Roco Homes
Trendy galley eat-in kitchen photo in Miami with an undermount sink, stainless steel appliances, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and stone slab backsplash

The Eric Cohler Design Team has been busy on location on the North Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Photography: Ethan Tweedie Photography
Freestanding bathtub - tropical master gray tile freestanding bathtub idea in Hawaii

Interior design by Mollie Johnson Interiors
Elegant wooden u-shaped staircase photo in Boston with beige walls

Amundson Photography
Farmhouse light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

The dry stream bed is both decorative and functional. It empties into a 6 inch main PVC pipe that drains into the front swale. Besides the stream bed drain tile, the sump line and downspouts empty into this drainage system.

Michele Lee Willson
Mid-sized trendy enclosed medium tone wood floor living room photo in San Francisco with beige walls and no tv

Silent A Photography The backyard features a stream that flows through the landscaping. The backyard is enjoyed at both levels of the house. There are gabled dormers with balconies that take advantage of the beautiful view on the second floor. On the first floor, the use of bi-fold doors from the dining/living spaces open onto the backyard creating a seamless flow from indoor to outdoor living.

Will Doyle
Living room - coastal living room idea in Toronto