Partners4Design; Gilbertson Photography Limestone generally has a warm feel and is used in more traditional applications. Here, the limestone, Smoke, was used on the contemporary master bath floor. The larger format adds an architectural, modern dimension.

©toddhaiman2014
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional shade backyard gravel garden path in New York for spring.

Powder room - mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor powder room idea in Boston with black cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, white countertops, furniture-like cabinets and quartz countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized tropical white two-story wood exterior home remodel in Miami with a metal roof

Example of a beach style 3/4 bathroom design in Charleston with medium tone wood cabinets and flat-panel cabinets

Example of a classic u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Raleigh with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

After. We could look at this stunning curbless shower all day! Universal design features which aid in safe access are beautifully and subtly worked into the design.

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn
Elegant bathroom photo in Boston with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and marble countertops

Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized contemporary dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Los Angeles with white walls, a standard fireplace and a tile 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

Lisa Carroll
Example of a farmhouse two-car garage design in Atlanta

Example of a large classic backyard stone patio container garden design in New York with no cover

A white elegant paneling is counterpoint to rustic elements. Earthy and elemental materials are selected for the home that reference the barn without directly mimicking it. Wooden members found inside the barn and from other barns bridge ceilings and are used in floors along with rustic slate adding to a sense of simplicity to the farmhouse design.

Rob Karosis
Utility room - mid-sized farmhouse ceramic tile utility room idea in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer, beige countertops, a drop-in sink and gray walls

Tricia Shay Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary gray two-story mixed siding house exterior remodel in Milwaukee with a shed roof

Kitchen - coastal kitchen idea in Orange County with white cabinets and two islands

Best of Houzz Kitchen Design 2016 winner. A custom kitchen remodel was one of the final projects for this beautiful Georgian Century Home. All the details were part of the effort to maintain the feel of an old kitchen but with all the most current conveniences. Notice the glass cabinet hung in front of a window, granite counter top repeated as the back splash, porcelain tiles that mimic wood and marble on the floor, a stunning island light and the coffered ceiling. Michael Jacob Photography

Arched brick ceiling with a custom made light fixture. The owners found the parts for this light fixture over the island and had a local artist create this one of a kind fixture. The table with the seating is made from an old bowling alley lane. The pin placement marks can still be seen on the table top. The table is free standing so it can be moved off the island if desired. A reclaimed scupper box is the transition piece from the range hood to the duct work with red accent paint. Peter Nilson Photography

A home In harmony with nature.
Example of a minimalist one-story flat roof design in New York