Photography by Susan Gilmore
Inspiration for a farmhouse bathroom remodel in Minneapolis

Trish Hamilton
Inspiration for a contemporary gray tile and porcelain tile alcove shower remodel in DC Metro with a two-piece toilet, an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Open walnut vanity with brass faucets and a large alcove shower. Photos by Chris Veith
Example of a mid-sized transitional master white tile porcelain tile and black floor alcove shower design in New York with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

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

Aaron Leitz
Transitional master bathroom photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

master bathroom
Transitional gray floor alcove shower photo in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and gray countertops

This tea and medicine cabinet is now beautifully organized with the addition of extra shelves, labeled bins, and turntables. Tea supplies are neatly grouped, while medications are stored in clear categories for easy access. This transformation blends functionality with aesthetic appeal!

The bathroom was very tight and we had to pull the sink vanity and medicine cabinet away from the wall, because of the sloped ceiling in order to get the height we needed for the medicine cabinet and mirror (which came later).

Emily Minton Redfield
Freestanding bathtub - large contemporary master green tile and ceramic tile marble floor freestanding bathtub idea with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, marble countertops, a wall-mount toilet, beige walls and beige countertops

Master bathroom
Small minimalist gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom photo with flat-panel cabinets and beige walls

Inspiration for a transitional white tile and subway tile marble floor bathroom remodel in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets and blue walls

A modern style garden filled with edible, medicinal and pollinator plants. Loved by children, crafty parents and honey bees.
This is an example of a modern full sun backyard concrete paver and metal fence vegetable garden landscape in Vancouver.

Photos by Darby Kate Photography
Alcove bathtub - mid-sized cottage master gray tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile alcove bathtub idea in Dallas with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

R.B. Schwarz, Inc. built a large shower stall with a niche bench and multiple shower heads. We added a vanity with his-and-her sinks and mirrors. The bathroom includes a floor to ceiling medicine cabinet.

Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master white tile and marble tile white floor and marble floor freestanding bathtub idea in Detroit with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, white countertops, a two-piece toilet, marble countertops and a hinged shower door

Example of an island style white tile and subway tile bathroom design in New York with a console sink

Master Bath in Custom Waterfront home in Mashpee Waterworks tile - custom cabinets
Bathroom - mid-sized coastal bathroom idea in Boston

A corner shower with a radial curb maximizes space. Glass blocks, built into the existing window opening add light and the solid surface window sill and window surround provide a waterproof barrier. Andrea Rugg

Example of a classic bathroom design in Minneapolis