A complete two bath & kitchen renovation in a condo. Client wanted a larger kitchen area and better layout for bathrooms. We removed a wall near the entrance and extended the kitchen with additional cabinetry and storage area. Laundry room was reduced to accommodate the larger kitchen. The shared and primary bathrooms were gutted and fully remodeled as well. Enlarged shower enclosure in shared bath for more space. Layout of primary bathroom was changed for better accessibility and flow in the area. Vanity and shower was relocated to create a more spacious and inviting environment. Client didn’t like the current floors, we replaced it with luxury vinyl planks for durability.

We had a several challenges to face with this project. Not only did we need to update a dated landscape to accommodate two seemingly different design tastes (modern & minimalistic vs natural english garden), we were tasked with improving the property’s drainage, improving the driveway access, reducing water usage and plant maintenance, and fixing a crumbling wall. To marry the two design tastes, we started with the more modern elements of metal planters and softened the landscape with mass plantings of ornamental grasses and native sedge. These grasses act as a turf replacement that do not need to be mowed and require less regular watering. On each side of the yard we constructed new cedar fences to provide updated and additional privacy. In addition, we poured a new concrete wall to replace the existing retaining wall and play off the new modern vibe.

This space was completely empty, void of everything except the flooring tiles. All the containers and plantings, the patterned turf in the flooring, ornaments, and fixtures were part of the design. It spans three sides of the penthouse, extending the dining and living space out into the open. Outdoor rooms are created with the alignment of fixtures and placement of furniture. The custom designed water feature is both a wall to separate the dining and living spaces and a work of art on its own. A shade system offers relief from the scorching sun without permanently blocking the view from the dining room. A frosted glass wall on the edge of the kitchen brings privacy and still allows light to filter into the space. The south wall is lined with planters to add some privacy and at night are lit as a focal point.

A relatively new existing home on a steep downsloping lot where you park and enter at the upper floor needed to have a dramatic stairway entry. By refining and reducing structure and scale, introducing new glass railing and a combination of wood and white cabinetry, the space now expresses a clean, crisp aesthetic reflecting how the owners want to live. Working with German cabinets by Leicht the kitchen area was sculpted to create more usable cabinet pantry and counter area in a combination of white oak and gloss white lacquer paint. Final touches include a new porcelain tiled fireplace surround and hearth with gas insert and powder room with figured wall and floating walnut vanity. Previously partially blocked by cabinetry, now the new kitchen, dining and living rooms now all share equal access to dramatic views of the bay. Photo Credits: Treve Johnson.

The hardwood throughout this space is reclaimed beech antique engineered wood. The feature in this great room is the unique fireplace. It is a custom made wood burning fireplace with dual stainless steel vent pipes, double layered ceramic glass with mechanically fan forced air to reduce exterior window temperature. It is a frameless glass design complete with single frameless sliding glass panel for fire chamber access.

A complete two bath & kitchen renovation in a condo. Client wanted a larger kitchen area and better layout for bathrooms. We removed a wall near the entrance and extended the kitchen with additional cabinetry and storage area. Laundry room was reduced to accommodate the larger kitchen. The shared and primary bathrooms were gutted and fully remodeled as well. Enlarged shower enclosure in shared bath for more space. Layout of primary bathroom was changed for better accessibility and flow in the area. Vanity and shower was relocated to create a more spacious and inviting environment. Client didn’t like the current floors, we replaced it with luxury vinyl planks for durability.

Back to back bathroom vanities make quite a unique statement in this main bathroom. Add a luxury soaker tub, walk-in shower and white shiplap walls, and you have a retreat spa like no where else in the house!

Vogelzang Slimline Pellet Stove The Vogelzang 2,200 sq. ft. Slimline Pellet Stove is a fully automated pellet stove with automatic ignition and easy-access top mounted controls. The 60 lb. hopper extends burn time and reduces time spent refueling the stove. This simple design make this model easy to install and a welcome addition to any home.

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

The Solstice team worked with these Crofton homeowners to achieve their vision of having a kitchen design that is the center of home life in this Chapman Farm home. The result is a kitchen located in the heart of the home, that serves as a welcome destination for family and visitors, with a highly effective layout. The addition of a peninsula adds extra seating and also separates the kitchen work zone from an external doorway and the living area. HomeCrest kitchen cabinets in willow finish Sedona maple includes customized pull out storage accessories like cooking utensil and knife storage inserts, pull out shelves, and more. The gray cabinetry is accented by an amazing Cambria "Langdon" quartz countertop and gray subway tile backsplash. An Allora USA double bowl sink with American Standard pull out sprayer faucet is situated facing the window, and includes an InSinkErator Evolution garbage disposal and InstaHot water dispenser in chrome. The design is accented by stainless appliances, a warm wood floor, and under- and over-cabinet lighting.

This 1970’s rambler was due for a significant update to the kitchen and bathrooms. With three kids and a busy travel schedule, this family needed a space that would work well for making the most of precious family time at home. The existing dining room was separated from the kitchen by an extra stair to the basement. This was removed so that the front and back of the house could be open to each other, while also improving the connection to the living room. The extra-large garage was reduced in size, with some of the space being converted into a mudroom. And finally, the connection to the garage was transformed into a simple and spacious slate floored back entry, with improved access to an existing screened porch on the back of the house. The kitchen space is wide enough for a rolling island trolley, which can be put away during larger functions.

Office After: To reduce clutter in this extra room, the client wanted to move his existing desk into the reach in closet and create a way to work in a well-lit environment while keeping all the essentials close at hand. A massive barn door allows access to either side of the space while adding a textural element to the room.

Located in Old Town immediately overlooking Park City, this four-level family home incorporates elements of the historic silver mining town vernacular. The home steps back as it ascends the hill to reduce the mass, creating outdoor terraces with views up Deer Valley. The ground level is comprised of an articulated stone base with arched openings for vehicular access, which supports the complex interlocking gables of the upper stories. The geometry of the roof lines and overhangs are reminiscent of classic chalet architecture. The elegantly appointed interiors are defined by beamed ceilings and wooden wainscotting that run throughout the house, creating an atmosphere of comfort and warmth

The clients for this small bathroom project are passionate art enthusiasts and asked the architects to create a space based on the work of one of their favorite abstract painters, Piet Mondrian. Mondrian was a Dutch artist associated with the De Stijl movement which reduced designs down to basic rectilinear forms and primary colors within a grid. Alloy used floor to ceiling recycled glass tiles to re-interpret Mondrian's compositions, using blocks of color in a white grid of tile to delineate space and the functions within the small room. A red block of color is recessed and becomes a niche, a blue block is a shower seat, a yellow rectangle connects shower fixtures with the drain. The bathroom also has many aging-in-place design components which were a priority for the clients. There is a zero clearance entrance to the shower. We widened the doorway for greater accessibility and installed a pocket door to save space. ADA compliant grab bars were located to compliment the tile composition. Andrea Hubbell Photography

This 1970’s rambler was due for a significant update to the kitchen and bathrooms. With three kids and a busy travel schedule, this family needed a space that would work well for making the most of precious family time at home. The existing dining room was separated from the kitchen by an extra stair to the basement. This was removed so that the front and back of the house could be open to each other, while also improving the connection to the living room. The extra-large garage was reduced in size, with some of the space being converted into a mudroom. And finally, the connection to the garage was transformed into a simple and spacious slate floored back entry, with improved access to an existing screened porch on the back of the house. The kitchen space is wide enough for a rolling island trolley, which can be put away during larger functions.

Located in Old Town immediately overlooking Park City, this four-level family home incorporates elements of the historic silver mining town vernacular. The home steps back as it ascends the hill to reduce the mass, creating outdoor terraces with views up Deer Valley. The ground level is comprised of an articulated stone base with arched openings for vehicular access, which supports the complex interlocking gables of the upper stories. The geometry of the roof lines and overhangs are reminiscent of classic chalet architecture. The elegantly appointed interiors are defined by beamed ceilings and wooden wainscotting that run throughout the house, creating an atmosphere of comfort and warmth

Office After: To reduce clutter in this extra room, the client wanted to move his existing desk into the reach in closet and create a way to work in a well-lit environment while keeping all the essentials close at hand. A massive barn door allows access to either side of the space while adding a textural element to the room.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography

This project focused on creating a clean, functional backyard with a strong balance between hardscape and green space. New interlocking pavers were installed to form a durable, low-maintenance patio that improves access and usability around the home. Artificial turf was added to keep the yard looking green year-round while reducing water use and upkeep. The layout was designed to feel open and organized, giving the homeowners a versatile outdoor area that works for everyday use and entertaining alike.