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To achieve the updated kitchen, we knocked out the fur down & raised the ceiling to make it feel open & less cramped. New appliances, updated fixtures & cabinet hardware went along ways. The white quartz counter tops are a perfect fit in helping reduce eye clutter & keeping the space feeling open.

Make your kitchen the center of attention with a large breakfast bar for casual dining or formal entertaining. Seen in Cypress Creek, a Houston community.

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

BAUER/CLIFTON INTERIORS
Example of a small 1950s galley bamboo floor open concept kitchen design with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, yellow backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Photo: Teness Herman © 2015 Houzz
Example of an eclectic kitchen design in Los Angeles

Contemporary furnishings bring the home office in this 1902 house into the twenty-first century. Architectural design by Board & Vellum. Photo by John G. Wilbanks.

The open space plan on the main level of the Prairie Style home is deceiving of the actual separation of spaces. This home packs a punch with a private hot tub, craft room, library, and even a theater. The interior of the home features the same attention to place, as the natural world is evident in the use of granite, basalt, walnut, poplar, and natural river rock throughout. Floor to ceiling windows in strategic locations eliminates the sense of compression on the interior, while the overall window design promotes natural daylighting and cross-ventilation in nearly every space of the home. Glo’s A5 Series in double pane was selected for the high performance values and clean, minimal frame profiles. High performance spacers, double pane glass, multiple air seals, and a larger continuous thermal break combine to reduce convection and eliminate condensation, ultimately providing energy efficiency and thermal performance unheard of in traditional aluminum windows. The A5 Series provides smooth operation and long-lasting durability without sacrificing style for this Prairie Style home.

Titan Wall Hood

Woodmode cabinetry Photo credit Terry Pommett
Large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

An open kitchen optimizes the space by reducing the need for barriers between spaces. In this home, the dining room and kitchen are placed in the same space which is the corner of the living area. The C-shaped island serves as a work counter for the kitchen and provides a separation between the kitchen and the dining room. The wood cabinets are paired with black handles and and a dark backsplash to add a luxurious feel. A glass-fronted cabinet showcases statement dining pieces. The wood raised-panel cabinets maximize the functionality. ULFBUILT- Vail general contractor

Using Barron Designs faux wood beams indoors or out will take your project to the next level. These dark beams build contrast in this lush patio setting. While incredibly durable, our faux products are also extremely lightweight – making installation easy for either a DIY’er or professional builder. A simple, fast installation also reduces costs by eliminating the need for an expensive crew that could normally take weeks to finish your project.

The original interior for Thetis Transformation was dominated by wood walls, cabinetry, and detailing. The space felt dark and did not capture the ocean views well. It also had many types of flooring. One of the primary goals was to brighten the space, while maintaining the warmth and history of the wood. We reduced eave overhangs and expanded a few window openings. We reused some of the original wood for new detailing, shelving, and furniture. The electrical panel for Thetis Transformation was updated and relocated. In addition, a new Heat Pump system replaced the electric furnace, and a new wood stove was installed. We also upgraded the windows for better thermal comfort.

Stunning private theater with incredible performance! Professional level Dolby Atmos audio system with incredible 4K Laser projection. Seating for 21 by Cineak. Complete acoustical engineering by Paradise Theater to deliver incredible sound performance.

Example of a trendy 3/4 gray tile beige floor alcove shower design in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls and an undermount sink

Having lived in her home for an extended period of time before embarking on a remodel meant that this homeowner had a clear idea of how she uses her space, the shortcomings of the layout, and how she would like to improve it. Her challenges started with a non-functional master bathroom that was dark and dated. By reducing the size of a closet in the adjoining bedroom and removing a full closet from the inside of the bathroom, Riverside Construction was able to open up the space and allow for a larger vanity. New, functional closet space was designed into the bedroom and added to another wall. Replacing the dark tub/shower wall tile with crisp white Subway tile brightened up the space and created the crisp, fresh look that the homeowner wanted. A vertical mosaic accent was also used for visual interest, and a built-in shower niche was created to keep bath essentials within easy reach. A honed marble countertop and a platinum crystal vanity light fixture by Quoizel complete this lovely transitional master bathroom transformation.

The original interior for Thetis Transformation was dominated by wood walls, cabinetry, and detailing. The space felt dark and did not capture the ocean views well. It also had many types of flooring. One of the primary goals was to brighten the space, while maintaining the warmth and history of the wood. We reduced eave overhangs and expanded a few window openings. We reused some of the original wood for new detailing, shelving, and furniture. The electrical panel for Thetis Transformation was updated and relocated. In addition, a new Heat Pump system replaced the electric furnace, and a new wood stove was installed. We also upgraded the windows for better thermal comfort.

This condo had an incredible view from Lake Shore Drive and we really wanted to keep the view. We used the Hunter Douglas Designer Screen Roller Shades to cover the windows. This product allowed our clients to always keep their view of the lake but reduce the heat and ultra violet rays that can fade the floor and furniture. We used the new square fabric wrapped cassette for a clean modern look across the top. We did a soft gray screen to blend with the decor and metal casings on the windows. This color of screen really became a nice backdrop to the room so the lake view was still the focal point.

Trendy home design photo in DC Metro