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

Example of a large classic master mosaic tile travertine floor corner shower design in Atlanta with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, recessed-panel cabinets, a one-piece toilet and beige walls

Our clients wanted to expand their living space down into their unfinished basement. While the space would serve as a family rec room most of the time, they also wanted it to transform into an apartment for their parents during extended visits. The project needed to incorporate a full bathroom and laundry.One of the standout features in the space is a Murphy bed with custom doors. We repeated this motif on the custom vanity in the bathroom. Because the rec room can double as a bedroom, we had the space to put in a generous-size full bathroom. The full bathroom has a spacious walk-in shower and two large niches for storing towels and other linens. Our clients now have a beautiful basement space that expanded the size of their living space significantly. It also gives their loved ones a beautiful private suite to enjoy when they come to visit, inspiring more frequent visits!

Elegant green tile and ceramic tile alcove bathtub photo in San Francisco with a pedestal sink

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client came to us wanting some help with updating the master bath in their home. Their primary goals were to increase the size of the shower, add a rain head, add a freestanding tub and overall freshen the feel of the space. The existing layout of the bath worked well, so we left the basic footprint the same, but increased the size of the shower and added a freestanding tub on a bit of an angle which allowed for some additional storage. One of the most important things on the wish list was adding a rainhead in the shower, but this was not an easy task with the angled ceiling. We came up with the solution of using an extra long wall-mounted shower arm that was reinforced with a meal bracket attached the ceiling. This did the trick, and no extra framing or insulation was required to make it work. The materials selected for the space are classic and fresh. Large format white oriental marble is used throughout the bath, on the floor in a herrinbone pattern and in a staggered brick pattern on the walls. Alder cabinets with a gray stain contrast nicely with the white marble, while shiplap detail helps unify the space and gives it a casual and cozy vibe. Storage solutions include an area for towels and other necessities at the foot of the tub, roll out shelves and out storage in the vanities and a custom niche and shaving ledge in the shower. We love how just a few simple changes can make such a great impact! Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

In the late 1990’s this bathroom was en vogue but styles can change drastically in 20 years. We removed an over sized jetted tub and carpet from the master bath along with bold wall paper and border. In place of the tub we custom built a seating area, increased the size of the shower and added a rain head fixture. Heated tile flooring, new lighting and a new vanity complete this beautiful master bath in a rural Delavan home. The homeowners couldn’t be happier with their new space and relaxing bathroom oasis.

Inspiration for a transitional master white tile, gray tile and marble tile white floor and mosaic tile floor claw-foot bathtub remodel in Los Angeles with gray walls and a hinged shower door

A rustic bath retreat was created in this Orland Park home by Adam Hartig AKBD to replace a poorly organized / dark room with cold finishes and low quality materials. By organizing the room properly, the client was able to double the vanity size and increase the shower / tub areas by 30%. Photos by Adam Hartig.

VIP Photography
Minimalist master medium tone wood floor bedroom photo in Orange County with white walls

Powder Room
Inspiration for a small timeless pink tile powder room remodel with pink walls, marble countertops and multicolored countertops

To add convenience pop open drawers were constructed to store toiletries and fold down step was built to increase ease of getting into and out of the 2 person tub

Soho Loft master bedroom
Inspiration for a contemporary bedroom remodel in New York

Andrew Rugge/archphoto
Double shower - mid-sized contemporary master white tile and porcelain tile dark wood floor double shower idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white walls and an integrated sink

An open shower room replaces the former 36" x 36" shower, providing a generous luxury shower experience without the need to increase the size of the bathroom.

This bathroom eliminated a window above the vanity and expanded into the master bedroom for increased square footage.
Large elegant master beige tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile bathroom photo in New York with furniture-like cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink and beige walls

Small elegant master white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove bathtub photo in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a one-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

This walk-in custom closet by Closet Factory has stained wood door and drawer faces. This is the room over the garage with sloped ceilings. To increase the height we made the panels deeper. Slanted shoe shelves with Lucite toe stops, hampers, seeded glass and LED lighting. Closet Factory

In the master shower looking up from the spacious bench to one of the open "windows". This allows for the shower to have air movement and increased natural light.