Trendy open concept medium tone wood floor family room photo in Austin with a corner fireplace and a media wall

A cabin in Western Wisconsin is transformed from within to become a serene and modern retreat. In a past life, this cabin was a fishing cottage which was part of a resort built in the 1920’s on a small lake not far from the Twin Cities. The cabin has had multiple additions over the years so improving flow to the outdoor space, creating a family friendly kitchen, and relocating a bigger master bedroom on the lake side were priorities. The solution was to bring the kitchen from the back of the cabin up to the front, reduce the size of an overly large bedroom in the back in order to create a more generous front entry way/mudroom adjacent to the kitchen, and add a fireplace in the center of the main floor. Photographer: Wing Ta Interior Design: Jennaea Gearhart Design

This award-winning and intimate cottage was rebuilt on the site of a deteriorating outbuilding. Doubling as a custom jewelry studio and guest retreat, the cottage’s timeless design was inspired by old National Parks rough-stone shelters that the owners had fallen in love with. A single living space boasts custom built-ins for jewelry work, a Murphy bed for overnight guests, and a stone fireplace for warmth and relaxation. A cozy loft nestles behind rustic timber trusses above. Expansive sliding glass doors open to an outdoor living terrace overlooking a serene wooded meadow. Photos by: Emily Minton Redfield

Deck - small contemporary rooftop deck idea in Chicago with a fire pit

Ed Ritger Photography
Transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in San Francisco with a wall-mounted tv and beige walls

Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Homeowners may enjoy the view and natural light more with reduced heat and glare after window film is installed. Photo Courtesy of Eastman
Example of a large transitional formal dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Atlanta with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Jane Beiles Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed carpeted and brown floor living room remodel in DC Metro with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and no tv

Dino Tonn Photography
Inspiration for a large mediterranean u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inside, walls and ceiling in a cool gray are met with a warm pewter wallcovering, boasting hints of blue and a sheen to truly anchor the head of the room.

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

Light and Airy! Fresh and Modern Architecture by Arch Studio, Inc. 2021
Inspiration for a large transitional white two-story stucco gable roof remodel in San Francisco with a shingle roof and a black roof

JTWdesign

A common wall between the family room and kitchen has been removed and the ceiling was modified from a low vault to a more modern 10' height.
Example of a classic eat-in kitchen design in Dallas with white cabinets, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets and stainless steel appliances

Remodeled basement with recreational room, sewing studio, kids playrooms, music studio, bar, custom steel & wood island, guest bedroom and bath (Photographs by Daniel O' Connor)

Example of a trendy l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

EMILIO COLLAVINO
Living room - large contemporary formal and open concept living room idea in Miami with no fireplace and no tv

Home design - cottage home design idea

Example of a beach style 3/4 medium tone wood floor bathroom design in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, a one-piece toilet and blue walls