Search results for "Reduce unit" in Home Design Ideas

Michele Lee Willson
Living room - modern living room idea in San Francisco with white walls and a media wall
Living room - modern living room idea in San Francisco with white walls and a media wall

Aircon condenser coils are located in the outdoor unit and play an important role in releasing heat from your cooling system. When dust, leaves, dirt, and outdoor debris collect around the condenser, the unit has to work harder, which can lead to weak cooling, overheating, higher electricity use, and faster wear on important components.
A professional aircon condenser cleaning service helps remove buildup from the outdoor unit so heat can escape more smoothly. This improves airflow, supports better cooling performance, and reduces unnecessary pressure on the compressor. It is especially useful when your aircon runs for long hours or the outdoor unit is exposed to dust, rain, and pollution.
Regular condenser cleaning can help your aircon stay efficient, quieter, and more reliable. It also lowers the risk of sudden breakdowns and keeps the system working comfortably for daily use in homes, offices, and commercial spaces.

The kitchen for this backyard cottage takes advantage of an adjacent pantry to reduce cabinetry and save costs.
Small trendy l-shaped concrete floor open concept kitchen photo in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island
Small trendy l-shaped concrete floor open concept kitchen photo in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island
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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

Deck built for minimal maintenance and privacy. Deck construction is all plastic / galvanized / powder coated materials to eliminate maintenance other than occasional cleaning. Unique cantilevered design to reduce framing member size and load on house. TimberTech deck boards installed with CONCEALoc hidden fastener system and not butt joints. Columns are decorative concrete masonry units. Overhead poles are for retractable canopy (fabric removed for the season).

PRODUCT # 10364
DESIGNER Designer / Artist, Florence Knoll
DIMENSIONS L 15.0" × W 72.0" × H 18.0"
REDUCED PRICE $899.00
A vintage wall mount cabinet, produced in the United States, circa 1950s by designer Florence Knoll for Knoll Associates, in birch wood with leather pulls and white lacquered interior. Markings include original label, affixed to the bottom of the cabinet.

Wood-Mode fine custom cabinetry offers a plethora of finishes, and unique storage capacities to meet your spacial requirements.
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern travertine floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern travertine floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Houston with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances

Located in one of Brooklyn’s oldest and most iconic neighborhoods, this 10-unit residential building exemplifies the firm’s approach to architecture and development. Mortar integrated recovered materials from the building site, as well as locally sourced and re-claimed building products, into the design and construction. The approach substantially reduced costs for investors, while resulting in an environmentally responsible building whose modern aesthetic harmonizes beautifully with its historic setting. Each living space is uniquely is tailored to meet the needs of modern individuals and families.

Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped porcelain tile and white floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Shorter wall unit, the client wanted the option of moving this later. So everything is built and fitted in the shop so it looks perfect in your house. This reduces any surprise's during installation.

Energy Efficient | Our G10 inverter technology saves energy, reduces outdoor noise and keeps room temperature steady by eliminating the harsh starts & stops of conventional systems.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing
7RR-Ecohome:
The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together?
The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot.
Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary white tile and subway tile single-sink and gray floor alcove bathtub remodel in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, white countertops, a floating vanity, white walls and an integrated sink

-Renovation of waterfront high-rise residence
-Most of residence has glass doors, walls and windows overlooking the ocean, making ceilings the best surface for creating architectural interest
-Raise ceiling heights, reduce soffits and integrate drapery pockets in the crown to hide motorized translucent shades, blackout shades and drapery panels, all which help control heat gain and glare inherent in unit’s multi-directional ocean exposure (south, east and north)
-Patterns highlight ceilings in major rooms and accent their light fixtures
Andy Frame Photography

Basement Renovation
Photos: Rebecca Zurstadt-Peterson
Mid-sized elegant gray tile and stone tile porcelain tile sauna photo in Portland with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops
Mid-sized elegant gray tile and stone tile porcelain tile sauna photo in Portland with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

The refrigerator was relocated to the right side of the Kitchen. The stainless steel Fisher-Paykel "Professional" 36" counter-depth fridge completes the stylish Kitchen.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional gender-neutral carpeted and gray floor walk-in closet remodel in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Location: Bethesda, MD, USA
Finecraft built this new kitchen and breakfast area expansion project which also included the basement renovation and laundry/mudroom area.
Finecraft Contractors, Inc.
James N Gerrety, AIA
Susie Soleimani Photography

Example of a classic freestanding desk medium tone wood floor, brown floor, coffered ceiling, wood ceiling and wainscoting study room design with white walls

Floor and Wall Tiles treated with EnduroShield to seal the surface and reduce cleaning time. Also the Shower / tub unit is treated with the easy clean treatment. Nice Color scheme on the rear wall improves this apartments bathroom space.
EnduroShield was named as Time Magazines "10 most compelling gadgets trying to save the world" (Smart Home edition)
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