Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design | L. Cramer Builders + Remodelers, Builder | Troy Thies, Photography | Shannon Gale, Photo Styling 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 information about our work, please contact design@oharainteriors.com.

The custom glass shower and mosaic tile enclosure helps both separate and unify the space depending on the mood of its occupants. The space was planned so the husband and wife would have adequate privacy but could meet romantically in the middle. The banks of windows does not interfere and allows in as much natural morning light as possible keeping with the overhang of the roof. Truly a master bath where body and soul can relax.

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts entryway design in New York with a medium wood front door

AFTER: DINING ROOM | We completely redesigned the staircase getting rid of the faux bamboo handrails and replacing them with solid maple handrails and hand forged iron detailing. New dark hardwood floors replace the previous travertine flooring. | Renovations + Design by Blackband Design | Photography by Tessa Neustadt

Brownie Harris
Living room - tropical formal and open concept limestone floor living room idea in Other with a stone fireplace and a standard fireplace

Nina Phillips
Inspiration for a large timeless wooden curved open and mixed material railing staircase remodel in DC Metro

Design ideas for a large southwestern partial sun courtyard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Albuquerque for fall.

Example of a transitional curved staircase design in San Francisco

Infinity from Marvin replacement casement windows with Stone White exterior and standard style divided lites, accented by a beautiful round top twin casement assembly and stunning doulbe entry door.

Wet bar - transitional u-shaped beige floor wet bar idea in Kansas City with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash and beige countertops

Basement Stair Access - General Contractor: McLane Builders Inc
Tuscan wooden curved metal railing staircase photo in Orange County with wooden risers

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

Photos by Jeff Fountain
Garage - contemporary three-car garage idea in Seattle

Interior Design by Beth Wangman, i4design
Kitchen - country dark wood floor kitchen idea in Chicago with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

David Dietrich Photography, Living Stone Construction
Kitchen - transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Other with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and limestone backsplash

Natural light and coastal breezes on the ocean hillside of Laguna Beach, Ca., enhance the joy of living in this stunning soft contemporary home of rock and glass. It was designed to accentuate the panoramic views from every possible portion of the house, yet create an enclave of serenity and privacy. The openness of the floor plan floods this 6500 sq. ft. house with natural light, allowing direct solar gain to gently warm morning living spaces. State-of-the-art technology has been employed to provide photovoltaic electrical power and heat domestic hot water. An indoor swimming pool allows year round pleasure and exercise. Laguna Beach DRB approvals were required. Laguna Beach Eric Figge Photography

Inspiration for a large transitional wooden staircase remodel in New York with painted risers

Curving corridor with stone walls and dark wood floor in a home built in Wilson, Wyoming by Ward+Blake Architects Photo Credit: Paul Warchol
Hallway - large contemporary dark wood floor hallway idea in Other

Example of a beach style wooden staircase design in Portland Maine with painted risers