A mixture of classic construction and modern European furnishings redefines mountain living in this second home in charming Lahontan in Truckee, California. Designed for an active Bay Area family, this home is relaxed, comfortable and fun.

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

Photo by Kolanowski Studio
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal 3/4 beige tile pebble tile floor and beige floor bathroom remodel in Houston with a wall-mount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls and white countertops

Sited on a quiet street in Palo Alto, this new home is a warmer take on the popular modern farmhouse style. Rather than high contrast and white clapboard, earthy stucco and warm stained cedar set the scene of a forever home for an active and growing young family. The heart of the home is the large kitchen and living spaces opening the entire rear of the house to a lush, private backyard. Downstairs is a full basement, designed to be kid-centric with endless spaces for entertaining. A private master suite on the second level allows for quiet retreat from the chaos and bustle of everyday. Interior Design: Jeanne Moeschler Interior Design Photography: Reed Zelezny

Truly a collaboration among the owners of the home, the architect, and the designers, this home reflects the active lifestyle of the busy family with three young boys both inside and out. The home features a mix of modern and traditional elements, plaster veneer walls, reclaimed solid timbers, and natural and organic materials with history and texture. Architect: Rehkamp Larson Architects Interior Design: Alecia Stevens Interiors Photography: Scott Amundson

This beautiful modern farmhouse home was designed by MossCreek to be the perfect combination of style, an active lifestyle, and efficient living. Featuring well-sized and functional living areas, an attached garage, expansive outdoor living areas, and cutting edge modern design elements, the Dulcimer by MossCreek is an outstanding example of contemporary home design.

Fairfield, Iowa Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Design by Jim and Teresa Huffman #JCHuffmanCabinetry https://jchuffman.com/ Here is the design collaboration of two professionals – the homeowner, who is also a Real Estate Broker with a talent for design and the kitchen designer. The captivating result of their talent features a chef’s dream kitchen. Family and guests can join in the activities with island seating while everything is readily accessible for the cook in the cabinetry surrounding the multi-purpose island. This house remodel was designed with Modern Farmhouse style; warm, relaxing and full of charm delivering the feeling of a simpler time.

GC: Osborne Construction Architect: C2 Architecture Design: Kole Made. Custom Woodwork + Cabinetry: Loubier Design. http://www.kolemade.com/ http://www.c2-architecture.com/ http://kirk-loubier.squarespace.com/ Photo Credit: http://www.samoberter.com/

Down-to-studs remodel and second floor addition. The original house was a simple plain ranch house with a layout that didn’t function well for the family. We changed the house to a contemporary Mediterranean with an eclectic mix of details. Space was limited by City Planning requirements so an important aspect of the design was to optimize every bit of space, both inside and outside. The living space extends out to functional places in the back and front yards: a private shaded back yard and a sunny seating area in the front yard off the kitchen where neighbors can easily mingle with the family. A Japanese bath off the master bedroom upstairs overlooks a private roof deck which is screened from neighbors’ views by a trellis with plants growing from planter boxes and with lanterns hanging from a trellis above. Photography by Kurt Manley. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/modern-mediterranean/

Truly a collaboration among the owners of the home, the architect, and the designers, this home reflects the active lifestyle of the busy family with three young boys both inside and out. The home features a mix of modern and traditional elements, plaster veneer walls, reclaimed solid timbers, and natural and organic materials with history and texture. Architect: Rehkamp Larson Architects Interior Design: Alecia Stevens Interiors Photography: Spacecrafting

Natural modernism for a home on the park. A prominent Chicago lawyer and his beloved dogs live in this Modern Chicago Greystone. We consulted with Wheeler Kearns Architecture to create a warm and welcoming interior architecture that integrates seamlessly with the home’s modernist exterior and natural surroundings. Natural light and earthy materials, such as active limestones, warm woods, and reflective glass tiles, are used to comforting effect in the interior spaces. Wood window frames manipulate the play of light and highlight unobstructed views to Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan. The result is a uniquely integrated experience—from exterior to interior, modern to traditional.

Corey Gaffer
Minimalist open concept dark wood floor living room photo in Minneapolis with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Trendy open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room photo in San Diego with white walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Mountain style patio photo in Atlanta

Inspiration for a coastal exterior home remodel in Orange County

The boys can climb the walls and swing from the ceiling in this playroom designed for indoor activity. When the toys are removed it can easily convert to the party barn with two sets of mahogany double doors that open out onto a patio in the front of the house and a poolside deck on the waterside.

Guadalajara, San Clemente Coastal Modern Remodel This major remodel and addition set out to take full advantage of the incredible view and create a clear connection to both the front and rear yards. The clients really wanted a pool and a home that they could enjoy with their kids and take full advantage of the beautiful climate that Southern California has to offer. The existing front yard was completely given to the street, so privatizing the front yard with new landscaping and a low wall created an opportunity to connect the home to a private front yard. Upon entering the home a large staircase blocked the view through to the ocean so removing that space blocker opened up the view and created a large great room. Indoor outdoor living was achieved through the usage of large sliding doors which allow that seamless connection to the patio space that overlooks a new pool and view to the ocean. A large garden is rare so a new pool and bocce ball court were integrated to encourage the outdoor active lifestyle that the clients love. The clients love to travel and wanted display shelving and wall space to display the art they had collected all around the world. A natural material palette gives a warmth and texture to the modern design that creates a feeling that the home is lived in. Though a subtle change from the street, upon entering the front door the home opens up through the layers of space to a new lease on life with this remodel.

Photo by:Chad Holder
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary open concept dark wood floor living room remodel in Minneapolis with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Desert Contemporary kitchen with large island, extensive use of natural materials - stone, wood and metal. Wolff/Sub Zero appliances. Architect - Bing Hu. Contractor - Manship Builder. Interior Design - Susan Hersker and Elaine Ryckman Photo Mark Boisclair Project designed by Susie Hersker’s Scottsdale interior design firm Design Directives. Design Directives is active in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, Sedona, and beyond. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/desert-contemporary/