Design by Aline Designs
Kitchen pantry - farmhouse black floor kitchen pantry idea in Oklahoma City with shaker cabinets, white cabinets and gray countertops

Unlimited Style Photography
Inspiration for a small timeless single-wall porcelain tile laundry closet remodel in Los Angeles with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Patio photo in Atlanta

Inspiration for an industrial concrete floor living room remodel in Seattle with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

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

Before renovating, this bright and airy family kitchen was small, cramped and dark. The dining room was being used for spillover storage, and there was hardly room for two cooks in the kitchen. By knocking out the wall separating the two rooms, we created a large kitchen space with plenty of storage, space for cooking and baking, and a gathering table for kids and family friends. The dark navy blue cabinets set apart the area for baking, with a deep, bright counter for cooling racks, a tiled niche for the mixer, and pantries dedicated to baking supplies. The space next to the beverage center was used to create a beautiful eat-in dining area with an over-sized pendant and provided a stunning focal point visible from the front entry. Touches of brass and iron are sprinkled throughout and tie the entire room together. Photography by Stacy Zarin

Sustainable design helps environmentally conscious clients update their house and simultaneously balance their own needs and desires with an eye to future buyers. Their intention was to have a fresh, new and thoughtful design, adding value to their home and eliminating any additional negative environmental impact. Their concerns were to reduce waste and eliminate impact on landfills by reclaiming, repurposing, reusing and updating all of their existing fine but very dated furniture and furnishings with a new and contemporary design. The project budget was informed by the prevailing real estate values in their neighborhood.

The bedroom loft has a large operable skylight. Photo by Eileen Descallar Ringwald
Bedroom - small contemporary loft-style light wood floor bedroom idea in Los Angeles with white walls and no fireplace

Photography: Nathan Schroder
Bedroom - mediterranean master carpeted bedroom idea in Dallas with beige walls

Photography - Casey Dunn
Inspiration for a modern open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls

Example of a minimalist pool design in New York

Challenge: Maximize impact and usability in a compact space Solved: Whether it’s the custom Cerulean-, Prussian- and Cobalt-blue tile feature or the pool’s unique 4-inch-thick acrylic end-wall that provides a full underwater panorama of the pool for those sitting in the fire pit—every detail is meticulously orchestrated, every functional element masterfully arranged. The smartphone-controlled pergola louvers, accent lighting, and spare, strategic plantings make this backyard magazine photo-feature worthy. The whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts.

After building 2 other pools for this wonderful client, this property was in need of something special! A Perimeter overflow infinity pool & spa, with automated Water & fire features! Stunning glass tile sets the tone for entertainment and something for us all to be proud of!

jeremy bittermann
Contemporary exterior home idea in Portland

photos: Kyle Born
Inspiration for a large eclectic slate floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Philadelphia with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, white appliances and no island

After building 2 other pools for this wonderful client, this property was in need of something special! A Perimeter overflow infinity pool & spa, with automated Water & fire features! Stunning glass tile sets the tone for entertainment and something for us all to be proud of!

After building 2 other pools for this wonderful client, this property was in need of something special! A Perimeter overflow infinity pool & spa, with automated Water & fire features! Stunning glass tile sets the tone for entertainment and something for us all to be proud of!

The impact of the vanishing edge pool is increased due to the elevation above the trees. There is truly a feeling of floating as you look out at the top of the trees canopy while enjoying the refreshing pool.

Rehabilitation of a 1910
Inspiration for a timeless white tile and ceramic tile white floor, mosaic tile floor and single-sink bathroom remodel in Little Rock with a pedestal sink and green walls