Throughout this new build home, a wide array of minimal windows sliding doors were installed in a range of configurations to flood the internal living spaces with natural light.

Contemporary House with Ultra Slim Sliding Glass Doors on the ground floor and first floor bedrooms. When these large sliding glass doors are open they give the owner a large open aperture and seamless transition to their outdoor living space.

Throughout this new build home, a wide array of minimal windows sliding doors were installed in a range of configurations to flood the internal living spaces with natural light.

Throughout this new build home, a wide array of minimal windows sliding doors were installed in a range of configurations to flood the internal living spaces with natural light.

Example of a cottage master freestanding bathtub design in Burlington with an undermount sink, open cabinets, distressed cabinets, a wall-mount toilet and white walls

Little Greene
Example of a trendy white floor kitchen design in Belfast with flat-panel cabinets, black backsplash and an island

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

This adorable beach cottage is in the heart of the village of La Jolla in San Diego. The goals were to brighten up the space and be the perfect beach get-away for the client whose permanent residence is in Arizona. Some of the ways we achieved the goals was to place an extra high custom board and batten in the great room and by refinishing the kitchen cabinets (which were in excellent shape) white. We created interest through extreme proportions and contrast. Though there are a lot of white elements, they are all offset by a smaller portion of very dark elements. We also played with texture and pattern through wallpaper, natural reclaimed wood elements and rugs. This was all kept in balance by using a simplified color palate minimal layering. I am so grateful for this client as they were extremely trusting and open to ideas. To see what the space looked like before the remodel you can go to the gallery page of the website www.cmnaturaldesigns.com Photography by: Chipper Hatter

Large transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Houston with white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, stone slab backsplash, recessed-panel cabinets, a double-bowl sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Benjamin Benschneider
Example of a mountain style bedroom design in Seattle with beige walls

Fiandre Maximum Marmi - A new and exciting porcelain technology. Exceptional sizes, minimal thickness 1/4" thick. Can be used for tub / shower, walls , floors, countertops . Minimal grout lines, easy to clean, requires no special care or maintenance unlike marble slabs. Exceptional pricing compared to marble . Available in honed and polished finishes. Can be installed over most existing ceramic tile finishes which eliminates messy tear outs.

Small but functional kitchen with windows behind open shelves to let light in. Wood cabinets bring warmth and contrast with the concrete floors. Building design collaborators Graham Baba Architects photos by:Tim Bies

Entryway - mid-sized scandinavian light wood floor and brown floor entryway idea in Calgary with white walls and a glass front door

Large, open bathroom featuring a free-standing white tub, corner shower with a rain head and handheld shower head, and custom flat-panel cabinetry. Design: One SEED Architecture + Interiors Photo Credit: Brice Ferre

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped white floor home bar remodel in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and beige countertops

Mid-sized eclectic wooden l-shaped wood railing staircase photo in Philadelphia with wooden risers

Exterior of a compact home, given an illusion of spaciousness inside by light colors and minimalistic interior
Mid-sized transitional beige one-story exterior home photo in San Francisco with a shingle roof

Mid-sized trendy dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed dining room photo in DC Metro with white walls and no fireplace

Luc Roymans
Family room - scandinavian open concept family room idea in Brussels with a media wall