Large trendy master white tile and stone slab freestanding bathtub photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets and white 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. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

Interior Design by Blackband Design 949.872.2234 www.blackbanddesign.com Home Build & Design by: Graystone Custom Builders, Inc. Newport Beach, CA (949) 466-0900

Image via Serena & Lily
Bedroom - mid-sized coastal medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in San Francisco with white walls and no fireplace

The new space feels light, airy and open exuding a tranquil sophistication. A relaxed, meditative atmosphere is achieved by combining glass tile, white walls, dark cabinets and a porcelain countertop.

Laundry Room with Stackable Washer and Dryer.
Example of a mid-sized classic l-shaped gray floor and porcelain tile dedicated laundry room design in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, beige walls and a stacked washer/dryer

The kitchen provides an on-axis counterpoint to the fireplace in the great room. // Image : Benjamin Benschneider Photography
Open concept kitchen - large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor, exposed beam and wood ceiling open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, beige countertops, solid surface countertops and granite backsplash

Transitional master gray tile gray floor freestanding bathtub photo in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Michael Hunter
Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Dallas

The homeowner, who is a woodworking hobbyist, created the custom built teak vanity, and the open cabinet shelving. Photographer: Jeff Beck Designer: Six Walls

Kathryn J. LeMaster, Rett Peek
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master blue tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile bathroom remodel in Little Rock with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink and quartzite countertops

Photo: Lucy Call © 2014 Houzz
Example of a trendy built-in desk concrete floor home studio design in Salt Lake City with white walls

Inspiration for a mediterranean bathroom remodel in Dallas

Guest Bath with porcelain floor and wall tile, and custom wall mounted vanity. *Regan Wood Photography
Small trendy gray tile and porcelain tile marble floor and gray floor alcove bathtub photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops and white countertops

Designer: Paul McClean Project Type: New Single Family Residence Location: Los Angeles, CA Approximate Size: 15,500 sf Completion Date: 2012 Photographer: Jim Bartsch

Justin Krug Photography
Inspiration for a huge farmhouse gray two-story wood gable roof remodel in Portland with a metal roof

Transitional bathroom photo in Los Angeles

Freestanding bathtub - cottage master gray tile dark wood floor and brown floor freestanding bathtub idea in New York with gray walls and a niche

Custom home Studio of LS3P ASSOCIATES LTD. | Fred Martin Photography
Inspiration for a timeless medium tone wood floor and brown floor sunroom remodel with a standard ceiling and a stone fireplace