Notably Panel - Photos & Ideas

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

The Woodlands- Hinsdale

Plain & Posh

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.

Mountain Resort

Dura Supreme Cabinetry

A close up of distressed cabinet doors with black hardware knobs and raised panel cabinet doors. This kitchen design is a beautiful example of Mountain Resort styling. Soaring mountain peaks, rugged terrain, and old pine forests appeal to a large audience of outdoor adventures. Regardless of whether your mountain experience includes skiing, fly-fishing, hiking, or lounging by the fireplace, the majestic grandeur and awe of the mountains have inspired a unique, architectural style. Rustic woods and equally rustic finishes are a notable feature of “Mountain” architecture. A massive, stone fireplace is another definitive focal point. Furnishings are imposing and luxurious, design elements are grand scale, and natural textures and surfaces (stone, wood, burnished, metals, etc.) are expertly blended. Rustic woods and distressed finishes are a perfect complement to “Mountain Resort” styling. Request a FREE Dura Supreme Brochure Packet: http://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochure Find a Dura Supreme Showroom near you today: http://www.durasupreme.com/dealer-locator

Find the right local pro for your project

Find top design and renovation professionals on Houzz

Farm Sink & Pullout Compost

Affinity Home & Design

This kitchen remodel was a custom Design + Build project headed up by Lori Brock, our Principal Designer. Some of the more notable features are 3/4" recessed panel cabinet doors with decorative trim, Jenn-Air appliances and pyramid style canopy hood, Delta wall mount pot filler, and 3CM Caesarstone Organic White Quartz counter tops.

Partrick Road, Westport, CT Contemporary

Domus Constructors, LLC.

Photography by Michael Biondo Photography ; This stunning green, contemporary home designed to nestle into its steep Westport lot by Ann Sellars and Howard Lathrop of Sellars Lathrop Architects, is beautifully crafted by Domus Constructors. Tight insulation, photovoltaic and thermal solar panels, deep overhangs and Lowen triple pane windows earned builder, Chris Shea, an outstanding 25 HERS rating. The interior boasts a magnificent free form radius staircase by New England Stair Company, which won a Special Focus Award, and the spectacular two-story library with steel catwalk (pictured) features a secret door to a spiral stair and cigar room. Other notable features include a glass walled wine room, a glass enclosed pentagon shaped sunroom and a Wetstyle tub in the spa bath.

Carnarvon Laneway House

Smallworks Studios & Laneway Housing

For now, this little backyard home is going to contribute to the family cashflow, but in the future, Nat and Roshni are going to use this cute little number as a pied a terre for all the travelling they have planned. 2 large bathrooms, laundry and a massive walk in closet upstairs (not pictured) are all going to make the autumn years feel a little more like spring. The details: 685 square feet. Some notable features: Budget concious ikea kitchen helped finance the big bifold door system to open the kitchen up. European appliances, bamboo floors, interior design pallette by our own Narges Mowlaee, and staging by Home Ingredients Staging Vancouver

Butternut Library

Jaeger & Ernst Custom Cabinetmakers

The Arts & Crafts Movement encompasses the work of the Greene Brothers, Gustav Stickley, and notably, the genius of Rene Mackintosh and his wife, M. McDonald. Their art informed and invigorated the spiritual and contemplative aspects of the movement. For this design our client imposed no boundaries on the project, except that the room serve as both library and guest room. The existing fireplace, squeezed into a corner, posed an initial challenge, but now appears well intended for the space. Warm butternut was used to soften the room. Organic details appoint the bookcase columns and the surrounding passages of paneling. Windows were framed with angled panels, and sills were deepened to invite a relaxed view of the yard. The bed is tucked in its own niche, limiting its intrusion upon the room’s other uses. Multi-function rooms require deft design, and exceptional craftsmanship. The art of renowned glass artisan, Wayne Cain, contributed masterfully to this room’s appeal. Design and detail are hallmarks of the craftsmanship from Jaeger and Ernst.