© Robert Granoff Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary single-wall light wood floor and beige floor wet bar remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and beige backsplash

Double closet doors supply plenty of storage space for house guests. Photo Credit: Teressa Sorensen TPhotography.photo
Bedroom - mid-sized traditional guest carpeted and beige floor bedroom idea in Salt Lake City with beige walls and no fireplace

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

Concrete can be made to look like any substance. Tile, stone, wood, brick, etc. With unlimited color options, Ky-Kan Coatings can transform any room in your home or business using lightweight, beautiful concrete.

Bruce Cole Photography
Example of a small farmhouse white gable roof design with a shingle roof

Patio kitchen - mid-sized modern backyard stamped concrete patio kitchen idea in DC Metro with no cover

The melamine counter top was replaced with a sleek white quartz slab. An undermount sink and professional grade faucet were installed creating a focal point. The subway tiled wall was removed and replaced with clean, simple drywall. The cabinets and backsplash were retained to save on cost, but LED task lighting was added under the upper cabinets.

The casita entertainment area is a casual set up that has easy access to the kitchen amenities. Photo Credit: Teressa Sorensen TPhotography.photo
Example of a small classic open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Salt Lake City with beige walls and a media wall

An outdoor kitchen with a direct pass through window to the interior kitchen provides a highly functional and useful daily and entertaining arrangement. The outdoor kitchen features a gas barbecue, refrigerator, sink and abundant counter space for food preparation.

Beautiful kitchen with two islands for a large family to gather in. One island with lots of seating while the other is used prepare meals still leaving the cook with lots of workspace. Between the built-in refrigerator and freezer a pewter countertop was used to mirror the materials used on the hood on the opposing wall.

Classic White Kitchen With Gray Accents. Spring White Granite and Stormy Sky Quartz. Wine Bottle Rack, Wicker Baskets, Multiple Levels, Spun Glass Pendants from West Elm, Island Seating, Island Table, Under counter Microwave,

Starlight Images Inc
Eat-in kitchen - huge transitional galley light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Houston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, metallic backsplash, mirror backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops

Intentional. Elevated. Artisanal. With three children under the age of 5, our clients were starting to feel the confines of their Pacific Heights home when the expansive 1902 Italianate across the street went on the market. After learning the home had been recently remodeled, they jumped at the chance to purchase a move-in ready property. We worked with them to infuse the already refined, elegant living areas with subtle edginess and handcrafted details, and also helped them reimagine unused space to delight their little ones. Elevated furnishings on the main floor complement the home’s existing high ceilings, modern brass bannisters and extensive walnut cabinetry. In the living room, sumptuous emerald upholstery on a velvet side chair balances the deep wood tones of the existing baby grand. Minimally and intentionally accessorized, the room feels formal but still retains a sharp edge—on the walls moody portraiture gets irreverent with a bold paint stroke, and on the the etagere, jagged crystals and metallic sculpture feel rugged and unapologetic. Throughout the main floor handcrafted, textured notes are everywhere—a nubby jute rug underlies inviting sofas in the family room and a half-moon mirror in the living room mixes geometric lines with flax-colored fringe. On the home’s lower level, we repurposed an unused wine cellar into a well-stocked craft room, with a custom chalkboard, art-display area and thoughtful storage. In the adjoining space, we installed a custom climbing wall and filled the balance of the room with low sofas, plush area rugs, poufs and storage baskets, creating the perfect space for active play or a quiet reading session. The bold colors and playful attitudes apparent in these spaces are echoed upstairs in each of the children’s imaginative bedrooms. Architect + Developer: McMahon Architects + Studio, Photographer: Suzanna Scott Photography

Train lighting from Restorations Hardware. Carpet tiles from Flor. Photos~Nat Rea
Family room - country family room idea

Troy Thies Photography
Inspiration for a timeless formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room remodel in Minneapolis with gray walls

Red gravel landscape is a striking contrast to the southwestern sky. Photo Credit: Teressa Sorensen TPhotography.photo
Inspiration for a large timeless beige one-story stucco gable roof remodel in Salt Lake City with a tile roof

Transitional white tile drop-in bathtub photo in New York with white walls

Janis Nicolay
Example of a trendy wooden straight staircase design in Vancouver with wooden risers