Bedroom - small transitional guest painted wood floor bedroom idea in Los Angeles with beige walls and no fireplace

Architectural by David Stocker, AIA; Design Team: Enrique Montenegro, AIA, Kevin Pauzer{Photo by Nathan Schroder Photography}
Inspiration for a contemporary entryway remodel in Dallas

With tech careers to keep first-time home buyers busy Regan Baker Design Inc. was hired to update a standard two-bedroom loft into a warm and unique space with storage for days. The kitchen boasts a nine-foot aluminum rolling ladder to access those hard-to-reach places, and a farm sink is paired with a herringbone backsplash for a nice spin on the standard white kitchen. In the living room RBD warmed up the space with 17 foot dip-dyed draperies, running floor to ceiling. Key Contributers: Contractor: Elmack Construction Cabinetry: KitchenSync Photography: Kristine Franson

Beach style dark wood floor bedroom photo in Atlanta with white walls

Photos provided by Kargar Construction
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary porcelain tile kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Orlando with gray walls and no fireplace

Richard Leo Johnson
Example of a cottage bathroom design in Atlanta with a vessel sink

Roger Wade Studio
Eat-in kitchen - rustic eat-in kitchen idea with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and red backsplash

Focus-Pocus
Kitchen - large transitional dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Interior design by SOCO Interiors. Photography by Giovanni. Built by Stock Development.
Elegant exterior home photo in Miami

Stunning grey on grey kitchen renovation.
Example of a small minimalist l-shaped marble floor and white floor open concept kitchen design in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Mid-sized trendy master gray tile and marble tile marble floor and gray floor corner shower photo in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, a hinged shower door, gray countertops and gray walls

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

Cabinetry: Sollera Fine Cabinets Countertop: Quartz
Open concept kitchen - large modern l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and light wood cabinets

Reverse Shed Eichler This project is part tear-down, part remodel. The original L-shaped plan allowed the living/ dining/ kitchen wing to be completely re-built while retaining the shell of the bedroom wing virtually intact. The rebuilt entertainment wing was enlarged 50% and covered with a low-slope reverse-shed roof sloping from eleven to thirteen feet. The shed roof floats on a continuous glass clerestory with eight foot transom. Cantilevered steel frames support wood roof beams with eaves of up to ten feet. An interior glass clerestory separates the kitchen and livingroom for sound control. A wall-to-wall skylight illuminates the north wall of the kitchen/family room. New additions at the back of the house add several “sliding” wall planes, where interior walls continue past full-height windows to the exterior, complimenting the typical Eichler indoor-outdoor ceiling and floor planes. The existing bedroom wing has been re-configured on the interior, changing three small bedrooms into two larger ones, and adding a guest suite in part of the original garage. A previous den addition provided the perfect spot for a large master ensuite bath and walk-in closet. Natural materials predominate, with fir ceilings, limestone veneer fireplace walls, anigre veneer cabinets, fir sliding windows and interior doors, bamboo floors, and concrete patios and walks. Landscape design by Bernard Trainor: www.bernardtrainor.com (see “Concrete Jungle” in April 2014 edition of Dwell magazine). Microsoft Media Center installation of the Year, 2008: www.cybermanor.com/ultimate_install.html (automated shades, radiant heating system, and lights, as well as security & sound).

Chris Foster Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized country front porch remodel in Miami with decking and a roof extension

Bunkrooms at the Beach....Two full size over two queen beds Ed Gohlich
Bedroom - coastal medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in San Diego with white walls

Ellie Koleen Photography

Open plan living area with mix of modern and mid-century modern furniture. A modern silver ceiling fan mirrors the shape of the starburst sculptures. The ventless fireplace is built into the wall. Light wood flooring and soft gray paint brighten the space and reflect the light streaming in from the large windows. Photo by Matt Kocourek

Another view into her water closet calls attention to the variety of materials used. Designer: Debra Owens Photographer: Michael Hunter
Example of a trendy gray tile and mosaic tile toilet room design in Dallas with a two-piece toilet and brown walls