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

Our client planned to spend more time in this home and wanted to increase its livability. The project was complicated by the strata-specified deadline for exterior work, the logistics of working in an occupied strata complex, and the need to minimize the impact on surrounding neighbours. By reducing the deck space, removing the hot tub, and moving out the dining room wall, we were able to add important livable space inside. Our homeowners were thrilled to have a larger kitchen. The additional 500 square feet of living space integrated seamlessly into the existing architecture. This award-winning home features reclaimed fir flooring (from the Stanley Park storm), and wood-cased sliding doors in the dining room, that allow full access to the outdoor balcony with its exquisite views. Green building products and processes were used extensively throughout the renovation, which resulted in a modern, highly-efficient, and beautiful home.

Every design decision for this Caribbean beach residence was guided by the desire to maximize the views of the property’s breathtaking natural surroundings. To connect the spaces and reveal the views from every vantage point, the team reconfigured the layout to create vistas, and installed window film to reduce solar heat gain. These modifications increased efficiencies, reused 90% of the interior envelope and did not impact the exterior structure of the building. In addition to providing incredible views, opening up the plan allows cross ventilation, maximizing the use of ocean breezes to cool the interior. The result is an effortless flow and maximization of space. Throughout the interior, dark materials express the concept of respite in the shade, and emphasize the sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. Millwork crafted by local artisans from local materials establishes hierarchy – providing a clear understanding of the layout – and filters light to create privacy and drama. Screens help define the spaces and create suspense. Varying screen opacities serve specific functions: nearly opaque screens build suspense, translucent screens provide privacy, and reflective screens – as seen in the kitchen ceiling – create mystery in the core where light and views are challenged. Referencing the seaside location, the baseboards create a sense of being in a deep shallow. The 16” tall baseboards create a pool effect, engaging the walls with Cradle to Cradle certified Mosa tile flooring. The irregular height also conceals power and data cabling. The resulting space is a contemporary oasis that offers a high-level of comfort and functionality. Anne Rausch Photography

Small elegant gray one-story mixed siding gable roof photo in Charleston

A calm, easy-care bathroom starts underfoot, and this Bainbridge bathroom shows why large-format tile earns its place in a busy home. The soft grey-beige tiles run in a clean, elongated layout that makes the room feel longer and more open, while their subtle stone-like variation keeps the surface interesting without competing with the dark vanity or the curved tub beside it. Because tile stands up to splashes, steam and daily routines, mornings feel simpler: spills wipe away, the floor stays looking fresh, and the whole space keeps the polished finish a new-construction home deserves. Capell Flooring chose a palette that bridges warm beige walls and deep cabinetry, so the bathroom reads as restful rather than stark, and the generous tile scale reduces grout lines for a smoother, more continuous look. For Treasure Valley homeowners planning a bathroom in Boise or Meridian, that balance of beauty and practicality matters long after move-in day. Family-owned since 1974, Capell Flooring brings decades of careful selection and installation experience to every room, helping you compare tones, textures and grout options with confidence. Call 208-288-0151 to talk through tile choices for your own bathroom.

Block the sun and maintain your view! Our large selection of interior solar screens is the ideal solution to your indoor natural lighting needs. Allow the proper amount of sunlight in while creating the perfect environment in your home. Utilize the interior solar screens to reduce the sun’s glare while saving money by blocking the heat from entering the room. Choose from a variety of fabrics that can blend with their surroundings or feature them as a design aspect in the room. Our interior solar screens are best for windows, glass doors, and sunrooms. Maintain your view while blocking harmful UV rays.

Gorgeous Executive Customized Cabinet with White Lacquer Upper with Walnut Bases really bring's the whole kitchen together.
Small minimalist u-shaped ceramic tile and black floor kitchen photo in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

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

Every design decision for this Caribbean beach residence was guided by the desire to maximize the views of the property’s breathtaking natural surroundings. To connect the spaces and reveal the views from every vantage point, the team reconfigured the layout to create vistas, and installed window film to reduce solar heat gain. These modifications increased efficiencies, reused 90% of the interior envelope and did not impact the exterior structure of the building. In addition to providing incredible views, opening up the plan allows cross ventilation, maximizing the use of ocean breezes to cool the interior. The result is an effortless flow and maximization of space. Throughout the interior, dark materials express the concept of respite in the shade, and emphasize the sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. Millwork crafted by local artisans from local materials establishes hierarchy – providing a clear understanding of the layout – and filters light to create privacy and drama. Screens help define the spaces and create suspense. Varying screen opacities serve specific functions: nearly opaque screens build suspense, translucent screens provide privacy, and reflective screens – as seen in the kitchen ceiling – create mystery in the core where light and views are challenged. Referencing the seaside location, the baseboards create a sense of being in a deep shallow. The 16” tall baseboards create a pool effect, engaging the walls with Cradle to Cradle certified Mosa tile flooring. The irregular height also conceals power and data cabling. The resulting space is a contemporary oasis that offers a high-level of comfort and functionality. Anne Rausch Photography

The Adaptable Safe & Sound Door - MAAX’s latest innovations bring quiet and peace of mind to bathrooms with its versatile Kameleon line of stylish yet durable semi-frameless doors for showers and tub showers. Kameleon doors glide with a silky whisper as our superior design secures frame and panels to prevent rattling and reduce impact. The optional SOFT CLOSE by MAAX feature eliminates accidental slams and pinched fingers forever. Multiple dimensions, frame finishes and style options make Kameleon true to its namesake by blending into nearly any bathroom environment.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW This family from Wheaton was ready to remodel their kitchen, dining room and powder room. The project didn’t call for any structural or space planning changes but the makeover still had a massive impact on their home. The homeowners wanted to change their dated 1990’s brown speckled granite and light maple kitchen. They liked the welcoming feeling they got from the wood and warm tones in their current kitchen, but this style clashed with their vision of a deVOL type kitchen, a London-based furniture company. Their inspiration came from the country homes of the UK that mix the warmth of traditional detail with clean lines and modern updates. To create their vision, we started with all new framed cabinets with a modified overlay painted in beautiful, understated colors. Our clients were adamant about “no white cabinets.” Instead we used an oyster color for the perimeter and a custom color match to a specific shade of green chosen by the homeowner. The use of a simple color pallet reduces the visual noise and allows the space to feel open and welcoming. We also painted the trim above the cabinets the same color to make the cabinets look taller. The room trim was painted a bright clean white to match the ceiling. In true English fashion our clients are not coffee drinkers, but they LOVE tea. We created a tea station for them where they can prepare and serve tea. We added plenty of glass to showcase their tea mugs and adapted the cabinetry below to accommodate storage for their tea items. Function is also key for the English kitchen and the homeowners. They requested a deep farmhouse sink and a cabinet devoted to their heavy mixer because they bake a lot. We then got rid of the stovetop on the island and wall oven and replaced both of them with a range located against the far wall. This gives them plenty of space on the island to roll out dough and prepare any number of baked goods. We then removed the bifold pantry doors and created custom built-ins with plenty of usable storage for all their cooking and baking needs. The client wanted a big change to the dining room but still wanted to use their own furniture and rug. We installed a toile-like wallpaper on the top half of the room and supported it with white wainscot paneling. We also changed out the light fixture, showing us once again that small changes can have a big impact. As the final touch, we also re-did the powder room to be in line with the rest of the first floor. We had the new vanity painted in the same oyster color as the kitchen cabinets and then covered the walls in a whimsical patterned wallpaper. Although the homeowners like subtle neutral colors they were willing to go a bit bold in the powder room for something unexpected. For more design inspiration go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Images by Nic LeHoux Designed as a home and studio for a photographer and his young family, Lightbox is located on a peninsula that extends south from British Columbia across the border to Point Roberts. The densely forested site lies beside a 180-acre park that overlooks the Strait of Georgia, the San Juan Islands and the Puget Sound. Having experienced the world from under a black focusing cloth and large format camera lens, the photographer has a special fondness for simplicity and an appreciation of unique, genuine and well-crafted details. The home was made decidedly modest, in size and means, with a building skin utilizing simple materials in a straightforward yet innovative configuration. The result is a structure crafted from affordable and common materials such as exposed wood two-bys that form the structural frame and directly support a prefabricated aluminum window system of standard glazing units uniformly sized to reduce the complexity and overall cost. Accessed from the west on a sloped boardwalk that bisects its two contrasting forms, the house sits lightly on the land above the forest floor. A south facing two-story glassy cage for living captures the sun and view as it celebrates the interplay of light and shadow in the forest. To the north, stairs are contained in a thin wooden box stained black with a traditional Finnish pine tar coating. Narrow apertures in the otherwise solid dark wooden wall sharply focus the vibrant cropped views of the old growth fir trees at the edge of the deep forest. Lightbox is an uncomplicated yet powerful gesture that enables one to view the subtlety and beauty of the site while providing comfort and pleasure in the constantly changing light of the forest.

ANTIQUE HIGH TANK PULL CHAIN TOILET WITH HARDWOOD TANK AND WHITE ROUND BOWL This high tank toilet from Renovators Supply Manufacturing is a traditionally-styled timeless beauty that adds a charming touch to your home. This elegant toilet fits flat against the wall for convenient installation. Includes installation instructions. Visit our website for any additional information. All the materials used to manufacture this toilet are of the highest quality - The one that lasts long! FEATURES Water-saving 1.6 GPF Antique gravity flush upscale design White round porcelain toilet bowl with rear entry Traditional tank with flat front panel Protective RENO-GLOSS finish resists stains PERFECT-HEIGHT bowl reduces daily body strain SAVE up to 25000 gal. of water a year Stainless Steel rear entry pipes with Brass PVD Finish Adjustable overall heightandnbsp;70 in. to 74 in. and Rough-in 12 in. Solid Brass superior quality fittings Wooden Toilet seat is sold separately ITEMS INCLUDED A round toilet bowl constructed of white Grade A Vitreous China ceramic High tank of durable hardwood stained in Dark Oak finish Plastic high tank liner Brass-plated stainless steel L-pipes Mounting hardware Supply line Angle stop 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE

This 1800's Minneapolis kitchen needed to be updated! The homeowners were looking to preserve the integrity of the home and the era that it was built in, yet make it current and more functional for their family. We removed the dropped header and replaced it with a hidden header, reduced the size of the back of the fireplace, which faces the formal dining room, and took down all the yellow toile wallpaper and red paint. There was a bathroom where the new back entry comes into the dinette area, this was moved to the other side of the room to make the kitchen area more spacious. The woodwork in this house is truly a work of art, so the cabinets had to co-exist and work well with the existing. The cabinets are quartersawn oak and are shaker doors and drawers. The casing on the doors and windows differed depending on the area you were in, so we created custom moldings to recreate the gorgeous casing that existed on the kitchen windows and door. We used Cambria for the countertops and a gorgeous marble tile for the backsplash. What a beautiful kitchen! SpaceCrafting

The shower was designed with a curbless entry, creating a clean, modern transition from the main bathroom floor into the bathing area. Large-format stone-look porcelain tile with a honed matte finish brings softness to the room, while the shower walls use a polished glaze to introduce subtle contrast and reflected light. Within the shower, the same stone color was repeated in a smaller-scale mosaic to provide additional grip underfoot without disrupting the cohesive palette. The bathroom originally featured a larger, taller window. It was reconfigured as a high transom to improve privacy and position the sill farther from the water-prone area, reducing the potential for moisture accumulation while still allowing natural light into the shower. A custom black stone bench provides both a comfortable place to sit and an additional ledge for bathing products. Its dramatic dark finish is repeated through the rainfall showerhead, handheld shower, tub filler, and other matte-black plumbing fixtures, creating a strong visual thread throughout the space.

This Bathroom was designed by Tiasha from our Salem showroom. This bathroom remodel features Cabico Essence Vanity Cabinets with Maple Cartago door style (Raised Panel) and Brazilia (Brown) stain finish. This bathroom remodel also includes Cambria Quartz with Canterburry Color with an Ogee edge, double bowl vanity with reduced depth linen tower and matching mirrors. Other features include FloridaTile Mingle 12x12 soft Rock (flor, walls and shower), FloridaTile Mingle Warm Listello (Border in shower), Kohler Archer (Tub) and for faucets and hardware; Kohler Devonshire Brushed Bronze.

This 90s craftsman home's master bathroom was in need of a facelift. The goal: to incorporate modern elements and expand the storage while keeping the existing layout and beautiful stone tile floors. When keeping existing tile, our designers take great care to match with complementing colors and patterns, which you see achieved here with neutral colors that match the floor's earth tone. The vanity was redone with custom cabinetry for extra storage and reduced countertop clutter. The matte black fixtures contrast sharply with the white marbled countertop for that bold modern touch. The "round the corner" shower nook was the perfect setup for converting to a walk-in shower with way more space to move around and no doors to get in the way. And of course the Jacuzzi tub got a much needed update with brand new jet features and a heated towel rack for maximum coziness.

Solid Wood Structure: To enhance stability even further, the core of our mahogany doors contain the same solid mahogany species. For our engineered banded stiles and rails, each stile features a solid mahogany edge band. The engineered stiles and rails are stronger then single, solid wood pieces, reducing the possibility of the door warping or splitting. Our durable 3-ply wood panels will not twist, warp, shrink or expand. In our finished series, the panel is completely prefinished and sealed on all six sides before being installed, and as the panels are free to float between fixed edges, there is no unfinished part of the panel that may show up with time. There are no nails that hold panels in place.

The client wanted a kitchen that created a warm and cozy feeling where family and friends would feel right at home. She sought a kitchen that was of the highest quality cabinetry and a designer that would really listen to her needs and wants. The Pewter glaze overtones on the cherry wood tie in with the distressed gray island; the Silestone Quartz Soapstone around the perimeter provides a neutral background, while the island has a more dramatic polished granite with cream, rose and brown tones to become a beautiful centerpiece. The cabinets are heavily detailed with beaded sides and backs, inset doors, chamfered corners wherever possible, toe valances and applied mouldings around the entire base to add a rich, handcrafted look. The heights of the cabinets vary to reduce uniformity, adding to the casual charm. An apron front sink also contributes to the country look. The desk is particularly fanciful with it’s mullion doors, French Country open shelves with beaded sides and back, curved and beaded valance and drawer with multiple drawerheads / applied molding. We also incorporated doors that come all the way to the counter to hide the usual home office clutter. The lower part of the desk includes many drawers of various sizes and even a special locking file drawer. The beautiful dark gray island boasts French Country open shelves with arched and beaded valances, a fluting detail on each corner of the cookbook shelves, toe details, lots of beadboard, and a variety of storage options for cooking utensils, pans, and serving dishes.