Family room - huge mediterranean enclosed family room idea in Orange County with beige walls and a wall-mounted 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. Eric Roth Photo

Jason Schmidt
Inspiration for a contemporary medium tone wood floor home studio remodel in New York with white walls

Example of a tuscan carpeted home theater design in Orange County with a projector screen

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

Staircase - large traditional wooden curved wood railing staircase idea in New York with painted risers

Mimi has successfully transformed this urban apartment, combining traditional principles with an essence of modern design thereby revealing the perfect open feel for today's living.

outdoor living space, outdoor kitchen, outdoor cookstation, bluestone hardscaping, pergolas, arbors, ambiance lighting, outdoor lighting
Patio - contemporary patio idea in Portland

Large transitional open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Miami with a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Greg Premru Photography, Inc.
Cottage l-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in Boston with a farmhouse sink, blue cabinets, wood countertops and beige backsplash

Large mountain style open concept light wood floor living room photo with white walls, a plaster fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Example of a trendy open concept family room design in New York with white walls, no fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The Barcelona Ottoman Replica Inspired by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s design for the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona Exposition, our Barcelona Ottoman reproduction features the pure compositional structure that now epitomizes Modern architecture. From the hand-buffed stainless steel to the individual leather squares carefully welted together, each Barcelona Ottoman pairs perfectly with our line of Barcelona Chairs. As with the rest of van der Rohe's Barcelona Collection, our reproduction of the Barcelona Ottoman is the epiphany of elegance and timeless design.

The Barcelona Ottoman Replica Inspired by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s design for the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona Exposition, our Barcelona Ottoman reproduction features the pure compositional structure that now epitomizes Modern architecture. From the hand-buffed stainless steel to the individual leather squares carefully welted together, each Barcelona Ottoman pairs perfectly with our line of Barcelona Chairs. As with the rest of van der Rohe's Barcelona Collection, our reproduction of the Barcelona Ottoman is the epiphany of elegance and timeless design.

The Barcelona Ottoman Replica Inspired by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s design for the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona Exposition, our Barcelona Ottoman reproduction features the pure compositional structure that now epitomizes Modern architecture. From the hand-buffed stainless steel to the individual leather squares carefully welted together, each Barcelona Ottoman pairs perfectly with our line of Barcelona Chairs. As with the rest of van der Rohe's Barcelona Collection, our reproduction of the Barcelona Ottoman is the epiphany of elegance and timeless design.

Morgan Howarth
Inspiration for a coastal powder room remodel in DC Metro with marble countertops, a vessel sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls and white countertops

A beautiful imitation of the original by Mies van der Rohe, the Barcelona Daybed replica by Barcelona Designs is an icon in the mid-century modern design movement. Originally designed for the 1929 International Exposition in architecture in Barcelona, the Barcelona Daybed has a mattress made of genuine Italian leather that is strapped onto the metal frame. It features all-over padding for maximum relaxation. Soft yet, firm, our rounded panels contour against your body without deeply caving inward. The perfect balance between coir and foam is aptly managed to give you the relaxation you deserve. Fitted with a cylindrical cushion that’s almost as wide as the bed itself, the Barcelona Daybed replica by Barcelona Designs promises to take you your favorite place while catching up on that much-required repose!

The Barcelona Ottoman Replica Inspired by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s design for the German Pavilion at the 1929 Barcelona Exposition, our Barcelona Ottoman reproduction features the pure compositional structure that now epitomizes Modern architecture. From the hand-buffed stainless steel to the individual leather squares carefully welted together, each Barcelona Ottoman pairs perfectly with our line of Barcelona Chairs. As with the rest of van der Rohe's Barcelona Collection, our reproduction of the Barcelona Ottoman is the epiphany of elegance and timeless design.