Photos by Langdon Clay
Mid-sized country master slate floor doorless shower photo in San Francisco with medium tone wood cabinets, flat-panel cabinets, gray walls, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink and solid surface countertops

Leonard Ortiz
Example of a beach style 3/4 black and white tile and ceramic tile mosaic tile floor and multicolored floor alcove shower design in Orange County with white walls, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, an undermount sink, tile countertops and a hinged shower door

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

Regan Wood Photography
Transitional white floor mudroom photo in New York with beige walls and a white front door

Heiser Media
Open concept kitchen - huge farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A full, custom remodel turned a once-dated great room into a spacious modern farmhouse with crisp black and white contrast, warm accents, custom black fireplace and plenty of space to entertain.

Bates Masi Architects
Inspiration for a modern formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a metal fireplace

When our client wanted the design of their master bath to honor their Japanese heritage and emulate a Japanese bathing experience, they turned to us. They had very specific needs and ideas they needed help with — including blending Japanese design elements with their traditional Northwest-style home. The shining jewel of the project? An Ofuro soaking tub where the homeowners could relax, contemplate and meditate. To learn more about this project visit our website: https://www.neilkelly.com/blog/project_profile/japanese-inspired-spa/ To learn more about Neil Kelly Design Builder, Byron Kellar: https://www.neilkelly.com/designers/byron_kellar/

The interior of the wharf cottage appears boat like and clad in tongue and groove Douglas fir. A small galley kitchen sits at the far end right. Nearby an open serving island, dining area and living area are all open to the soaring ceiling and custom fireplace. The fireplace consists of a 12,000# monolith carved to received a custom gas fireplace element. The chimney is cantilevered from the ceiling. The structural steel columns seen supporting the building from the exterior are thin and light. This lightness is enhanced by the taught stainless steel tie rods spanning the space. Eric Reinholdt - Project Architect/Lead Designer with Elliott + Elliott Architecture Photo: Tom Crane Photography, Inc.

The lifestyle shift to empty-nesters inspires the creation of a dream space to entertain and enjoy. Photographed by David Lauer Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard concrete patio remodel in Denver with no cover

Matthew Niemann Photography www.matthewniemann.com
Inspiration for a transitional master white floor freestanding bathtub remodel with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white walls, an integrated sink and white countertops

Fully renovated ranch style house. Layout has been opened to provide open concept living. Custom stained beams
Living room - large country formal and open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in San Diego with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Design: Charlie & Co. Design | Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Interiors & Photo Styling: Lucy Interior Design | Susan Gilmore Photography
Example of a trendy single-wall carpeted family room design in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, louvered cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, black backsplash and ceramic backsplash

Cabinets: Clear Alder- Ebony- Shaker Door Countertop: Caesarstone Cloudburst Concrete 4011- Honed Floor: All over tile- AMT Treverk White- all 3 sizes- Staggered Shower Field/Tub backsplash: TTS Organic Rug Ice 6x24 Grout: Custom Rolling Fog 544 Tub rug/ Shower floor: Dal Tile Steel CG-HF-20150812 Grout: Mapei Cobblestone 103 Photographer: Steve Chenn

Kimberly Muto
Eat-in kitchen - large cottage slate floor and black floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with an island, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Trendy kitchen photo in Toronto

Jonathan Reece
Example of a mid-sized transitional porcelain tile and gray floor mudroom design in Portland Maine with white walls and a medium wood front door

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen remodel in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mountain style master medium tone wood floor bedroom photo