Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley gray floor and slate floor kitchen pantry remodel in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, no island, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Child-friendly entry storage area.
Elegant home design photo in Charleston

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

This farmhouse style coffee bar was featured on HGTv's Fixer Upper. How wonderful it would be to prepare your own cup of Joe in such a lovely space!
Home bar - farmhouse home bar idea in New York

Room essentials: soft (wool) rug for play, child-sized chair and pillows for reading and storage baskets for toy organization. Elizabeth Mitaro Photography

Family-friendly entry storage cabinet. Hooks at two levels to accommodate adult's and child's jackets, bags, and accessories.
Elegant home design photo in Charleston

Cozy and comfortable corner bed faces built-in mirrored closets and open shelves which provide ample storage. Elizabeth Mitaro Photography
Kids' room - transitional kids' room idea in Charleston

Inspiration for a transitional living room remodel in Minneapolis with brown walls

Acorn Ponds & Waterfalls are the leading pond contractors in Rochester NY. We offer fall pond tenting & netting services as well as full drain & cleans for fish ponds in the Rochester NY area. As part of the pond service we cut back aquatic plants, power wash all filter media, remove pumps and install bubblers & aerators. It is important for the safety of your fish to keep the pond clean as well as maintain an opening in the ice. Contact us today for more info: www.acornponds.com or 585.442.6373.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern galley concrete floor open concept kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, black cabinets, black backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and flat-panel cabinets

Inspiration for a cottage master gray floor and marble floor bathroom remodel in Sacramento with granite countertops, white countertops, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, white walls and an undermount sink

Example of a huge transitional open concept kitchen design in Dublin with beaded inset cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island

Freestanding bathtub - transitional master porcelain tile and white floor freestanding bathtub idea in Austin with recessed-panel cabinets, black cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Tricia Shay Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary gray two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Milwaukee with a shed roof

Inspiration for a rustic kitchen remodel in Minneapolis

Refreshed, repurposed and well-organized child's bedroom designed to enhance his natural development. Reading corner, rug for play, learning and exploration, child-sized table and chairs, open shelves, adequate lighting and more.

Cottage u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen pantry photo in San Francisco with no island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets and gray countertops

The dining room set for a party. Photography: Erik Kvalsvik
Inspiration for a victorian medium tone wood floor dining room remodel in Baltimore with a standard fireplace and white walls

Donna Dotan Photography Inc.
Inspiration for an u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula