Example of a tuscan galley kitchen design in Miami with raised-panel cabinets, blue backsplash, custom tile backsplash and paneled appliances

Photo by Brian Parks www.parkscreative.com
Inspiration for a large timeless backyard stone patio remodel in Seattle with a fire pit and no cover

phillip harris
Mountain style dining room photo in San Francisco

Altius Design, Longviews Studios
Living room library - rustic medium tone wood floor living room library idea with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Woman's reach in closet in secret modern panel with bronze hardware.
Inspiration for a small transitional women's carpeted reach-in closet remodel in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

Large transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Houston with an island, a farmhouse sink, marble countertops, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, beaded inset cabinets, black cabinets and multicolored backsplash

Transitional home design photo in Austin

Art Collector's Pied-à-terre John M. Hall Photography
Example of a small trendy white tile and glass tile mosaic tile floor bathroom design in New York with a wall-mount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls and a one-piece toilet

Guest Bathroom
Inspiration for a contemporary master gray tile pebble tile floor and multicolored floor doorless shower remodel in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

The master bedroom sitting area. Shelley Zatsky
Bedroom - mid-sized traditional master medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Boston with blue walls and no fireplace

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

Kitchen pantry - transitional l-shaped kitchen pantry idea in New Orleans with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Casey Dunn
Example of a mid-century modern open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Austin with white walls

Living room - large rustic formal and open concept medium tone wood floor living room idea with brown walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

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

Example of a large classic backyard concrete paver patio design in New York with a fire pit and no cover

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

Mix of modern and minimal concept. Lots of natural light through oversized windows, Venetian stucco pure white, and the warmth of white European oak by Lignum Elite - Ibiza (Platinum Collection). The wide plank flooring is used for the whole staircase and installed in the entrance hall with a darker border of Lignum Elite - Marbella Plus (Platinum Collection).