Inspiration for a small country powder room remodel in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops, white walls and brown countertops

Utility cabinet in Laundry Room
Utility room - large scandinavian medium tone wood floor utility room idea in Chicago with gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and recessed-panel cabinets

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor and beige floor wet bar remodel with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and white countertops

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

Photography by Laura Moss
Eat-in kitchen - coastal l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, granite countertops, beige walls and an island

Lisa Monteagudo - Photographer
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Seattle with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Beautiful grand kitchen, with a classy, light and airy feel. Each piece was designed and detailed for the functionality and needs of the family.
Huge transitional u-shaped brown floor, medium tone wood floor and coffered ceiling eat-in kitchen photo in Santa Barbara with white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, marble countertops and marble backsplash

Photo Credit: Pawel Dmytrow
Open concept kitchen - small contemporary single-wall light wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

This young family wanted to update their kitchen and loved getting away to the coast. We tried to bring a little of the coast to their suburban Chicago home. The statement pantry doors with antique mirror add a wonderful element to the space. The large island gives the family a wonderful space to hang out, The custom "hutch' area is actual full of hidden outlets to allow for all of the electronics a place to charge. Warm brass details and the stunning tile complete the area.

Kimberly Gavin Photography
Inspiration for a rustic medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Denver with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Orange County with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and gray countertops

A pair of hand carved leprechauns for an Irish pub style bar designed by architect Jim McNeil.
Elegant galley concrete floor seated home bar photo in Minneapolis with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, wood countertops and brown countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, multicolored backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

Electronic doors give the homeowner the option of privacy from the rest of the home.
Example of an arts and crafts freestanding desk medium tone wood floor home office design in New York with white walls

Jeri Koegel
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master gray tile marble floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, marble countertops and gray walls

This bathroom is found in the basement of the house. With low ceilings and no windows, the designer was able to add some life to this room through his design. The double vanity is perfect for him and hers. The shower includes a steam unit for a perfect spa retreat in your own home. The tile flowing over to the ceiling brings in the whole room. The mirrors are electric mirrors which include great lighting and a tv inside the mirror itself! Overall, it's the perfect escape from a long day at work or just to simply relax in. Astro Design Centre - Ottawa, Canada DoubleSpace Photography

Photo: Lisa Petrole
Huge trendy galley porcelain tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, medium tone wood cabinets, paneled appliances and white countertops

Inspiration for a transitional galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, marble backsplash, paneled appliances and a peninsula

Landmark Photography
Country light wood floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and beige countertops