The overarching design intent for this 1,455-square-foot West Vine Street condominium was to make the spaces contemporary and functional. The renovation began with an unexpected structural deficiency in the form of a post located in the middle of the living room that was causing a three-inch dip in the floor. It was removed and replaced with steel columns running down through the walls and into a footing pad with a three-foot depth. The main living spaces underwent significant changes; the kitchen was reconfigured to open up a formerly cramped space, and the removal of a wall made room for a cascading island with Cesarstone countertops—a crowning feature. Additionally, an electrical panel was relocated to be able to wrap the refrigerator with a wood veneer frame. Notable materials include eight-inch-wide ‘Esplanade’ French oak plank floors chosen to complement the reclaimed wood-wrapped ceiling beams, which feature a combination of LED downlighting and uplighting. A sleek gas fireplace with horizontal slate surround and paneled wall backing replaced an old wood-burning stove—furthering the design program. Pacheco-Robb Architects dismantled an existing spiral stair and replaced it with a cable-rail system—a nautical nod—which is noteworthy for the way it meets code; by running a contiguous oak banister for the entire length of the stair, they were able to avoid having to add a second railing, which would shrink the already narrow stairwell. Upstairs, a tight bedroom with gabled ceilings was addressed by adding a solar-operated skylight with built-in shade, plus minimalistic furnishings. Structural changes in the master bedroom included eliminating a closest to widen the room, and reconfiguring a bathroom to fit a small walk-in closet in lieu of a long, thin hallway. The formerly unfinished rooftop deck is now accessed via a six-foot door that opens more than 90 degrees. Azek decking was laid over the rubber roof, and two-inch stanchions were located around the rail’s outer edge. By opening the floor plan and streamlining the aesthetic, the place now breathes.

The overarching design intent for this 1,455-square-foot West Vine Street condominium was to make the spaces contemporary and functional. The renovation began with an unexpected structural deficiency in the form of a post located in the middle of the living room that was causing a three-inch dip in the floor. It was removed and replaced with steel columns running down through the walls and into a footing pad with a three-foot depth. The main living spaces underwent significant changes; the kitchen was reconfigured to open up a formerly cramped space, and the removal of a wall made room for a cascading island with Cesarstone countertops—a crowning feature. Additionally, an electrical panel was relocated to be able to wrap the refrigerator with a wood veneer frame. Notable materials include eight-inch-wide ‘Esplanade’ French oak plank floors chosen to complement the reclaimed wood-wrapped ceiling beams, which feature a combination of LED downlighting and uplighting. A sleek gas fireplace with horizontal slate surround and paneled wall backing replaced an old wood-burning stove—furthering the design program. Pacheco-Robb Architects dismantled an existing spiral stair and replaced it with a cable-rail system—a nautical nod—which is noteworthy for the way it meets code; by running a contiguous oak banister for the entire length of the stair, they were able to avoid having to add a second railing, which would shrink the already narrow stairwell. Upstairs, a tight bedroom with gabled ceilings was addressed by adding a solar-operated skylight with built-in shade, plus minimalistic furnishings. Structural changes in the master bedroom included eliminating a closest to widen the room, and reconfiguring a bathroom to fit a small walk-in closet in lieu of a long, thin hallway. The formerly unfinished rooftop deck is now accessed via a six-foot door that opens more than 90 degrees. Azek decking was laid over the rubber roof, and two-inch stanchions were located around the rail’s outer edge. By opening the floor plan and streamlining the aesthetic, the place now breathes.

This stunning home is a combination of the best of traditional styling with clean and modern design, creating a look that will be as fresh tomorrow as it is today. Traditional white painted cabinetry in the kitchen, combined with the slab backsplash, a simpler door style and crown moldings with straight lines add a sleek, non-fussy style. An architectural hood with polished brass accents and stainless steel appliances dress up this painted kitchen for upscale, contemporary appeal. The kitchen islands offers a notable color contrast with their rich, dark, gray finish. The stunning bar area is the entertaining hub of the home. The second bar allows the homeowners an area for their guests to hang out and keeps them out of the main work zone. The family room used to be shut off from the kitchen. Opening up the wall between the two rooms allows for the function of modern living. The room was full of built ins that were removed to give the clean esthetic the homeowners wanted. It was a joy to redesign the fireplace to give it the contemporary feel they longed for. Their used to be a large angled wall in the kitchen (the wall the double oven and refrigerator are on) by straightening that out, the homeowners gained better function in the kitchen as well as allowing for the first floor laundry to now double as a much needed mudroom room as well.

Photo by Peter Rymwid This kitchen pulls it's beauty from the perfect combination of whites, blues, and greys. Glass mullion doors to the right of the windows and smokey mirror on the refrigerator panels help to add the illusion of a more open space. We left the room as an open space to allow more room to entertain, eat, and cook. The ceramic tile mimics wood planking perfectly but makes cleaning and maintenance easier. The tall hearth makes for a more spacious cooking area on a smaller wall. Cabinet and top details: The perimeter tops are Silestone Haze, the island top is Danby marble at 2 1/2" thick. The perimeter cabinets are frameless with applied molding and painted white, the island is maple with a denim stain. The ceiling height is 8'. all the lighting, furniture, and wall paint colors and wallpaper were handled by the home owner - we have no information on file.

143 Thomas St NW is an impeccable showpiece newly reimagined into a 5 Bedroom and 3.5 Bath home, defined by expert custom craftsmanship, premium finishes, and sophisticated design. Located in beautiful Historic Bloomingdale, approximately 2,562 livable square feet and is flooded with an enviable southern exposure. French Oak 7” wide hardwood floors, custom windows, and exposed brick are some of the notable features that carry throughout the entire property. beautiful custom crafted glass paneled entry door to the Main Level which is accented by a soaring 9’4” ceiling and serves as a wonderful entertaining space with an open Living/Dining extending into the gourmet Kitchen. Complete with custom cabinetry, gleaming Calacatta quartz counters, and luxury Bertazzoni appliances, the Kitchen is where thoughtful design meets timeless quality. A wide and grand custom Staircase accented by a skylight leads to the Upper Level where there are 3 Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths. A gorgeous Primary Suite with amazing ceiling height and a spa-like Bath showcases heated marble floors, a soaring custom frameless glass shower door, and a dual vanity. The Lower Level provides a fun and functional flex space encompassing 2 Bedrooms, a large Full Bath, and a Family Room with a Wet Bar.

French swing doors are the epitome of classic door design, offering a timeless aesthetic that exudes romance. In this sitting room, French doors were selected to impart a sense of sophistication, ideal for entertaining guests and creating a welcoming ambiance. Unlike sliding doors, which move horizontally, French swing doors operate with an inward or outward motion. In this instance, the doors swing outward, enhancing the room's grandeur from within. This approach is an excellent alternative when pocketing doors is not feasible due to architectural constraints. Another notable feature is the fabulous fixed sidelites, which create a more expansive view from the inside out. These large side panels, positioned adjacent to the door, bring in additional light and serve as a striking visual accent. The fixed sidelites perfectly complement the French swing doors in this project, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and the sense of openness.

The overarching design intent for this 1,455-square-foot West Vine Street condominium was to make the spaces contemporary and functional. The renovation began with an unexpected structural deficiency in the form of a post located in the middle of the living room that was causing a three-inch dip in the floor. It was removed and replaced with steel columns running down through the walls and into a footing pad with a three-foot depth. The main living spaces underwent significant changes; the kitchen was reconfigured to open up a formerly cramped space, and the removal of a wall made room for a cascading island with Cesarstone countertops—a crowning feature. Additionally, an electrical panel was relocated to be able to wrap the refrigerator with a wood veneer frame. Notable materials include eight-inch-wide ‘Esplanade’ French oak plank floors chosen to complement the reclaimed wood-wrapped ceiling beams, which feature a combination of LED downlighting and uplighting. A sleek gas fireplace with horizontal slate surround and paneled wall backing replaced an old wood-burning stove—furthering the design program. Pacheco-Robb Architects dismantled an existing spiral stair and replaced it with a cable-rail system—a nautical nod—which is noteworthy for the way it meets code; by running a contiguous oak banister for the entire length of the stair, they were able to avoid having to add a second railing, which would shrink the already narrow stairwell. Upstairs, a tight bedroom with gabled ceilings was addressed by adding a solar-operated skylight with built-in shade, plus minimalistic furnishings. Structural changes in the master bedroom included eliminating a closest to widen the room, and reconfiguring a bathroom to fit a small walk-in closet in lieu of a long, thin hallway. The formerly unfinished rooftop deck is now accessed via a six-foot door that opens more than 90 degrees. Azek decking was laid over the rubber roof, and two-inch stanchions were located around the rail’s outer edge. By opening the floor plan and streamlining the aesthetic, the place now breathes.

143 Thomas St NW is an impeccable showpiece newly reimagined into a 5 Bedroom and 3.5 Bath home, defined by expert custom craftsmanship, premium finishes, and sophisticated design. Located in beautiful Historic Bloomingdale, approximately 2,562 livable square feet and is flooded with an enviable southern exposure. French Oak 7” wide hardwood floors, custom windows, and exposed brick are some of the notable features that carry throughout the entire property. beautiful custom crafted glass paneled entry door to the Main Level which is accented by a soaring 9’4” ceiling and serves as a wonderful entertaining space with an open Living/Dining extending into the gourmet Kitchen. Complete with custom cabinetry, gleaming Calacatta quartz counters, and luxury Bertazzoni appliances, the Kitchen is where thoughtful design meets timeless quality. A wide and grand custom Staircase accented by a skylight leads to the Upper Level where there are 3 Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths. A gorgeous Primary Suite with amazing ceiling height and a spa-like Bath showcases heated marble floors, a soaring custom frameless glass shower door, and a dual vanity. The Lower Level provides a fun and functional flex space encompassing 2 Bedrooms, a large Full Bath, and a Family Room with a Wet Bar.

143 Thomas St NW is an impeccable showpiece newly reimagined into a 5 Bedroom and 3.5 Bath home, defined by expert custom craftsmanship, premium finishes, and sophisticated design. Located in beautiful Historic Bloomingdale, approximately 2,562 livable square feet and is flooded with an enviable southern exposure. French Oak 7” wide hardwood floors, custom windows, and exposed brick are some of the notable features that carry throughout the entire property. beautiful custom crafted glass paneled entry door to the Main Level which is accented by a soaring 9’4” ceiling and serves as a wonderful entertaining space with an open Living/Dining extending into the gourmet Kitchen. Complete with custom cabinetry, gleaming Calacatta quartz counters, and luxury Bertazzoni appliances, the Kitchen is where thoughtful design meets timeless quality. A wide and grand custom Staircase accented by a skylight leads to the Upper Level where there are 3 Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths. A gorgeous Primary Suite with amazing ceiling height and a spa-like Bath showcases heated marble floors, a soaring custom frameless glass shower door, and a dual vanity. The Lower Level provides a fun and functional flex space encompassing 2 Bedrooms, a large Full Bath, and a Family Room with a Wet Bar.

143 Thomas St NW is an impeccable showpiece newly reimagined into a 5 Bedroom and 3.5 Bath home, defined by expert custom craftsmanship, premium finishes, and sophisticated design. Located in beautiful Historic Bloomingdale, approximately 2,562 livable square feet and is flooded with an enviable southern exposure. French Oak 7” wide hardwood floors, custom windows, and exposed brick are some of the notable features that carry throughout the entire property. beautiful custom crafted glass paneled entry door to the Main Level which is accented by a soaring 9’4” ceiling and serves as a wonderful entertaining space with an open Living/Dining extending into the gourmet Kitchen. Complete with custom cabinetry, gleaming Calacatta quartz counters, and luxury Bertazzoni appliances, the Kitchen is where thoughtful design meets timeless quality. A wide and grand custom Staircase accented by a skylight leads to the Upper Level where there are 3 Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths. A gorgeous Primary Suite with amazing ceiling height and a spa-like Bath showcases heated marble floors, a soaring custom frameless glass shower door, and a dual vanity. The Lower Level provides a fun and functional flex space encompassing 2 Bedrooms, a large Full Bath, and a Family Room with a Wet Bar.

143 Thomas St NW is an impeccable showpiece newly reimagined into a 5 Bedroom and 3.5 Bath home, defined by expert custom craftsmanship, premium finishes, and sophisticated design. Located in beautiful Historic Bloomingdale, approximately 2,562 livable square feet and is flooded with an enviable southern exposure. French Oak 7” wide hardwood floors, custom windows, and exposed brick are some of the notable features that carry throughout the entire property. beautiful custom crafted glass paneled entry door to the Main Level which is accented by a soaring 9’4” ceiling and serves as a wonderful entertaining space with an open Living/Dining extending into the gourmet Kitchen. Complete with custom cabinetry, gleaming Calacatta quartz counters, and luxury Bertazzoni appliances, the Kitchen is where thoughtful design meets timeless quality. A wide and grand custom Staircase accented by a skylight leads to the Upper Level where there are 3 Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths. A gorgeous Primary Suite with amazing ceiling height and a spa-like Bath showcases heated marble floors, a soaring custom frameless glass shower door, and a dual vanity. The Lower Level provides a fun and functional flex space encompassing 2 Bedrooms, a large Full Bath, and a Family Room with a Wet Bar.

143 Thomas St NW is an impeccable showpiece newly reimagined into a 5 Bedroom and 3.5 Bath home, defined by expert custom craftsmanship, premium finishes, and sophisticated design. Located in beautiful Historic Bloomingdale, approximately 2,562 livable square feet and is flooded with an enviable southern exposure. French Oak 7” wide hardwood floors, custom windows, and exposed brick are some of the notable features that carry throughout the entire property. beautiful custom crafted glass paneled entry door to the Main Level which is accented by a soaring 9’4” ceiling and serves as a wonderful entertaining space with an open Living/Dining extending into the gourmet Kitchen. Complete with custom cabinetry, gleaming Calacatta quartz counters, and luxury Bertazzoni appliances, the Kitchen is where thoughtful design meets timeless quality. A wide and grand custom Staircase accented by a skylight leads to the Upper Level where there are 3 Bedrooms and 2 Full Baths. A gorgeous Primary Suite with amazing ceiling height and a spa-like Bath showcases heated marble floors, a soaring custom frameless glass shower door, and a dual vanity. The Lower Level provides a fun and functional flex space encompassing 2 Bedrooms, a large Full Bath, and a Family Room with a Wet Bar.

Awarded by the Classical institute of art and architecture , the linnean house has a restrained and simple elevation of doors and windows. Nestled in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Washington, D.C., the Linnean House is classical in both plan and elevation throughout its award-winning house plans. The main mass, comprising of the most formal and public spaces, is a spatial triptych along a symmetrical main axis. Inside the luxury home, the limestone façade, simple but well-proportioned with classical elements, extends itself into both the entry portico and main foyer with consistent proportions and materiality. This introduction allows the flanking living and dining rooms to be perceived as separate pavilions, each equipped with eight equal-proportioned French doors symmetrical of the main axis. Beyond the classical spaces are two wings which lead to the master suite and a kitchen/family space, respectively. Both of which are situated to queue from the French door axis, a focal feature in the repeatedly published home design. At the entry foyer, the stark stone luxury architecture is warmed by two symmetrical wood armoire-like freestanding sculptural objects, a persistent theme throughout the luxury house. In the kitchen, for instance, stand four similar wood armoire objects at opposite corners that act as columns and help give this space a sense of boundary and enclosure. The master bath vanity, in similar fashion, is introduced as a central free-standing form anchoring itself as a notable presence in the space. Lastly, the wine room is designed as a series of free-standing heavy wood cavity walls spanned only by a hint of glass.

This stunning home is a combination of the best of traditional styling with clean and modern design, creating a look that will be as fresh tomorrow as it is today. Traditional white painted cabinetry in the kitchen, combined with the slab backsplash, a simpler door style and crown moldings with straight lines add a sleek, non-fussy style. An architectural hood with polished brass accents and stainless steel appliances dress up this painted kitchen for upscale, contemporary appeal. The kitchen islands offers a notable color contrast with their rich, dark, gray finish. The stunning bar area is the entertaining hub of the home. The second bar allows the homeowners an area for their guests to hang out and keeps them out of the main work zone. The family room used to be shut off from the kitchen. Opening up the wall between the two rooms allows for the function of modern living. The room was full of built ins that were removed to give the clean esthetic the homeowners wanted. It was a joy to redesign the fireplace to give it the contemporary feel they longed for. Their used to be a large angled wall in the kitchen (the wall the double oven and refrigerator are on) by straightening that out, the homeowners gained better function in the kitchen as well as allowing for the first floor laundry to now double as a much needed mudroom room as well.

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

To ensure peak performance, the Boise Passive House utilized triple-pane glazing with the A5 aluminum window, Air-Lux Sliding door, and A7 swing door. Each product brings dynamic efficiency, further affirming an air-tight building envelope. The increased air-seals, larger thermal breaks, argon-filled glazing, and low-E glass, may be standard features for the Glo Series but they provide exceptional performance just the same. Furthermore, the low iron glass and slim frame profiles provide clarity and increased views prioritizing overall aesthetics despite their notable efficiency values.

Photo: Kayla Stark © 2016 Houzz
Living room - traditional living room idea in New Orleans

The overarching design intent for this 1,455-square-foot West Vine Street condominium was to make the spaces contemporary and functional. The renovation began with an unexpected structural deficiency in the form of a post located in the middle of the living room that was causing a three-inch dip in the floor. It was removed and replaced with steel columns running down through the walls and into a footing pad with a three-foot depth. The main living spaces underwent significant changes; the kitchen was reconfigured to open up a formerly cramped space, and the removal of a wall made room for a cascading island with Cesarstone countertops—a crowning feature. Additionally, an electrical panel was relocated to be able to wrap the refrigerator with a wood veneer frame. Notable materials include eight-inch-wide ‘Esplanade’ French oak plank floors chosen to complement the reclaimed wood-wrapped ceiling beams, which feature a combination of LED downlighting and uplighting. A sleek gas fireplace with horizontal slate surround and paneled wall backing replaced an old wood-burning stove—furthering the design program. Pacheco-Robb Architects dismantled an existing spiral stair and replaced it with a cable-rail system—a nautical nod—which is noteworthy for the way it meets code; by running a contiguous oak banister for the entire length of the stair, they were able to avoid having to add a second railing, which would shrink the already narrow stairwell. Upstairs, a tight bedroom with gabled ceilings was addressed by adding a solar-operated skylight with built-in shade, plus minimalistic furnishings. Structural changes in the master bedroom included eliminating a closest to widen the room, and reconfiguring a bathroom to fit a small walk-in closet in lieu of a long, thin hallway. The formerly unfinished rooftop deck is now accessed via a six-foot door that opens more than 90 degrees. Azek decking was laid over the rubber roof, and two-inch stanchions were located around the rail’s outer edge. By opening the floor plan and streamlining the aesthetic, the place now breathes.

The overarching design intent for this 1,455-square-foot West Vine Street condominium was to make the spaces contemporary and functional. The renovation began with an unexpected structural deficiency in the form of a post located in the middle of the living room that was causing a three-inch dip in the floor. It was removed and replaced with steel columns running down through the walls and into a footing pad with a three-foot depth. The main living spaces underwent significant changes; the kitchen was reconfigured to open up a formerly cramped space, and the removal of a wall made room for a cascading island with Cesarstone countertops—a crowning feature. Additionally, an electrical panel was relocated to be able to wrap the refrigerator with a wood veneer frame. Notable materials include eight-inch-wide ‘Esplanade’ French oak plank floors chosen to complement the reclaimed wood-wrapped ceiling beams, which feature a combination of LED downlighting and uplighting. A sleek gas fireplace with horizontal slate surround and paneled wall backing replaced an old wood-burning stove—furthering the design program. Pacheco-Robb Architects dismantled an existing spiral stair and replaced it with a cable-rail system—a nautical nod—which is noteworthy for the way it meets code; by running a contiguous oak banister for the entire length of the stair, they were able to avoid having to add a second railing, which would shrink the already narrow stairwell. Upstairs, a tight bedroom with gabled ceilings was addressed by adding a solar-operated skylight with built-in shade, plus minimalistic furnishings. Structural changes in the master bedroom included eliminating a closest to widen the room, and reconfiguring a bathroom to fit a small walk-in closet in lieu of a long, thin hallway. The formerly unfinished rooftop deck is now accessed via a six-foot door that opens more than 90 degrees. Azek decking was laid over the rubber roof, and two-inch stanchions were located around the rail’s outer edge. By opening the floor plan and streamlining the aesthetic, the place now breathes.