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

Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com www.OutdoorLivingDesignerCt.com For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE

Please see this Award Winning project in the October 2014 issue of New York Cottages & Gardens Magazine: NYC&G http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/October-2014/NYCG-Innovation-in-Design-Winners-Kitchen-Design/ It was also featured in a Houzz Tour: Houzz Tour: Loving the Old and New in an 1880s Brooklyn Row House http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29691278/list/houzz-tour-loving-the-old-and-new-in-an-1880s-brooklyn-row-house Photo Credit: Hulya Kolabas

Mark Lohman
Example of a large beach style single-wall porcelain tile and white floor dedicated laundry room design in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Inspiration for a coastal formal living room remodel in Boston with white walls

The peninsula has built-in shelving and plenty of storage.
Example of a classic kitchen design in Philadelphia

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2016 Houzz
Example of a minimalist bathroom design in New York

Inspiration for a southwestern terra-cotta tile laundry room remodel in Houston with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, tile countertops and white walls

Krista Sobkowiak
Large trendy master gray tile marble floor bathroom photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, beige walls, marble countertops and gray countertops

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | Troy Thies, Photography | MDS Remodeling, Home Remodel | Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For info about our work: design@oharainteriors.com

Photo Credit - Darin Holiday w/ Electric Films Designer white custom inset kitchen cabinets Select walnut island Kitchen remodel Kitchen design: Brandon Fitzmorris w/ Greenbrook Design - Shelby, NC

Example of a large tuscan beige one-story mixed siding gable roof design in Phoenix with a shingle roof

Photo: Mark Darley
Elegant formal carpeted living room photo in San Francisco with beige walls and a standard fireplace

Mark Lohman Photography
Elegant kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and stone tile backsplash

The design of the cabin began with the client’s discovery of an old mirror which had once been part of a hall tree. Painted In a rustic white finish, the orange pine walls of the cabin were painted by the homeowners on hand using a sock and rubbing paint with a light hand so that the knots would show clearly and you would achieve the look of a lime-washed wall. A custom vanity was fashioned to match the details on the antique mirror and a textured iron vessel sink sits atop. Polished nickel faucets, cast iron tub, and old fashioned toilet are from Herbeau. The antique French Iron bed was located on line and brought in from California. The peeling paint shows the layers of age with French blue, white and rust tones peeking through. An iron chandelier adorned with Strauss crystal and created by Schonbek hangs from the ceiling and matching sconces are fastened into the mirror. Designed by Melodie Durham of Durham Designs & Consulting, LLC. Photo by Livengood Photographs [www.livengoodphotographs.com/design].

Oversized laundry washbasin with telephone handle handshower | Photo by Tad Davis Photography *Homeowner sourced the galvanized sink
Example of a transitional laundry room design in Raleigh with an utility sink and yellow walls

Living room - cottage dark wood floor living room idea in Philadelphia with white walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Danish living room photo in New York with gray walls and a brick fireplace

Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE.Outdoor Living should look, feel and taste FABULOUS. The free standing DI FIORE Outdoor Pizza Oven is perfect for family outings. The realism is the trend of outdoor dining and preparation that reaches far beyond the grill. The wood fired Outdoor Pizza oven can cook pizza, calzones, baked stuff shells, breads and much more. Two ways to cook with the Wood Fired Pizza Oven. One way with the door open and flamed pushed to the side and pizza place on the other. The Pizza is cooked right on the floor of the oven. Secondly is the old fashioned hearth oven technique of escalating the temperature of the oven and then closing the door with the food placed in the now temperate oven heat. The Outdoor Pizza oven is a great way to anchor teens home outdoors with family and friends. For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com www.OutdoorLivingDesignerCt.com For more great Outdoor Pizza Oven ideas and projects go to THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE. www.Outdoorkitchendesigner.com Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE