Adding a penthouse perch to this 1899 row house with a harbor view demanded unusual tactics. To circumvent municipal limitations on floor area, a section of floor was removed from one level and “transferred” to the roof as a new studio space. To comply with local height limitations, an innovative structure of solid wood studs was deployed to reduce floor and ceiling thicknesses to the bare minimum. Aside from creating the desired rooftop refuge, these gymnastics also created a dynamic cascade of interior living spaces for an urban designer and his family. Photos by Bruce Buck

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped porcelain tile utility room design in DC Metro with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white walls

This is a shake up of a previous owner's kitchen remodel- it worked, so why change it? The layout was inspired for the function, flush inset uppers with exposed hinges were added to the mix to drive home that vintage feel. The paneled fridge is a Fisher Paykel true counter depth, a fantastic fit for the space. Photo by Michael Kelley https://www.houzz.com/pro/mpkelley/michael-kelley-photography

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

phillip harris
Mountain style dining room photo in San Francisco

Example of a beach style kitchen design in New York

Custom designed concrete double ramp sink. Concrete Craftsman
Bathroom - mid-sized rustic master bathroom idea in San Francisco with medium tone wood cabinets and flat-panel cabinets

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

Freestanding bathtub - large contemporary freestanding bathtub idea in Denver

This project won in the 2013 Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh Housing Excellence Award for Best Urban Renewal Renovation Project. The glass bowl was made in the glass studio owned by the owner which is adjacent to the residence. The mirror is a repurposed window. The door is repurposed from a boarding house. George Mendel

Casey Dunn Photography
Home office - country freestanding desk dark wood floor home office idea in Houston

Example of a large trendy wooden u-shaped metal railing staircase design in Dallas with painted risers

Jeri Koegel
Example of a beach style white two-story wood exterior home design in Orange County

Barbara Ries
Elegant patio photo in San Francisco

Inspiration for a mid-sized beige tile freestanding bathtub remodel in Sydney with an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets and marble countertops

Chris Ermides
Small rustic brown two-story wood gable roof idea

For this traditional kitchen remodel the clients chose Fieldstone cabinets in the Bainbridge door in Cherry wood with Toffee stain. This gave the kitchen a timeless warm look paired with the great new Fusion Max flooring in Chambord. Fusion Max flooring is a great real wood alternative. The flooring has the look and texture of actual wood while providing all the durability of a vinyl floor. This flooring is also more affordable than real wood. It looks fantastic! (Stop in our showroom to see it in person!) The Cambria quartz countertops in Canterbury add a natural stone look with the easy maintenance of quartz. We installed a built in butcher block section to the island countertop to make a great prep station for the cook using the new 36” commercial gas range top. We built a big new walkin pantry and installed plenty of shelving and countertop space for storage.

Living room - modern open concept and formal living room idea in Phoenix with a two-sided fireplace and a brick fireplace

Example of a tuscan enclosed carpeted home theater design in Miami with brown walls and a projector screen