Countertop Wood: Random Mix Walnut with Sapwood Category: Butcher Block Construction Style: End Grain Countertop Thickness: 7-1/2" thick Size: 38" x 50" Countertop Edge Profile: 1/8" Roundover on top, bottom and vertical corners of all edges Wood Countertop Finish: Grothouse Original Oil™ Wood Stain: N/A Designer: Design by David M. Berg | Cabinetry by Cooley Custom Cabinetry Job: 20406

Custom coffee station that can vanish behind a cabinet by Wood-Mode.
Example of a transitional porcelain tile home design design in Houston with a drop-in sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, beige backsplash and ceramic backsplash

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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

Living room - mid-sized contemporary formal and open concept marble floor and white floor living room idea in Phoenix with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

An used closet under the stairs is transformed into a beautiful and functional chilled wine cellar with a new wrought iron railing for the stairs to tie it all together. Travertine slabs replace carpet on the stairs. LED lights are installed in the wine cellar for additional ambient lighting that gives the room a soft glow in the evening. Photos by: Ryan Wilson

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Example of a classic stone patio kitchen design in Wilmington with a gazebo

Character grade rift and quarter sawn white oak flooring planks in random widths from 7" to 11", custom milled by Vermont Plank Flooring in Brattleboro, Vermont. Available pre-finished or unfinished, and shipped throughout the country. || Call 877-645-4317

Countertop Wood: Random Mix Walnut with Sapwood Category: Butcher Block Construction Style: End Grain Countertop Thickness: 7-1/2" thick Size: 38" x 50" Countertop Edge Profile: 1/8" Roundover on top, bottom and vertical corners of all edges Wood Countertop Finish: Grothouse Original Oil™ Wood Stain: N/A Designer: Design by David M. Berg | Cabinetry by Cooley Custom Cabinetry Job: 20406

Character grade rift and quarter sawn white oak flooring planks in random widths from 7" to 11", custom milled by Vermont Plank Flooring in Brattleboro, Vermont. Available pre-finished or unfinished, and shipped throughout the country. || Call 877-645-4317

Inspiration for a mid-sized southwestern backyard patio remodel in Phoenix with a pergola

Whole-house remodel of a hillside home in Seattle. The historically-significant ballroom was repurposed as a family/music room, and the once-small kitchen and adjacent spaces were combined to create an open area for cooking and gathering. A compact master bath was reconfigured to maximize the use of space, and a new main floor powder room provides knee space for accessibility. Built-in cabinets provide much-needed coat & shoe storage close to the front door. ©Kathryn Barnard, 2014

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Cesar Rubio Hulburd Design transformed a 1920s French Provincial-style home to accommodate a family of five with guest quarters. The family frequently entertains and loves to cook. This, along with their extensive modern art collection and Scandinavian aesthetic informed the clean, lively palette.