Angle Eye Photography
Farmhouse beige two-story stone gable roof photo in Philadelphia

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

Designer: Allen Construction General Contractor: Allen Construction Photographer: Jim Bartsch Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized mid-century modern concrete floor open concept landscaping in Los Angeles with a music area, brown walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace.

Stylish brewery owners with airline miles that match George Clooney’s decided to hire Regan Baker Design to transform their beloved Duboce Park second home into an organic modern oasis reflecting their modern aesthetic and sustainable, green conscience lifestyle. From hops to floors, we worked extensively with our design savvy clients to provide a new footprint for their kitchen, dining and living room area, redesigned three bathrooms, reconfigured and designed the master suite, and replaced an existing spiral staircase with a new modern, steel staircase. We collaborated with an architect to expedite the permit process, as well as hired a structural engineer to help with the new loads from removing the stairs and load bearing walls in the kitchen and Master bedroom. We also used LED light fixtures, FSC certified cabinetry and low VOC paint finishes. Regan Baker Design was responsible for the overall schematics, design development, construction documentation, construction administration, as well as the selection and procurement of all fixtures, cabinets, equipment, furniture,and accessories. Key Contributors: Green Home Construction; Photography: Sarah Hebenstreit / Modern Kids Co.

We were able to resurface over the existing ordinary concrete with our wood plank stamped design with a dark walnut stain. Project completed in Maryville Tennesee in 2016.

William Carson Joyce
This is an example of a rustic landscaping in Santa Barbara.

After completing their gorgeous Asian style kitchen remodel in 2017, these homeowners tackled their master bath with walk-in shower and closet. The vertical grained melamine cabinetry in "Silver Elm" by Ultracraft is highlighted with a variety of glass and pebble tiles and leathered limestone counters.

William Carson Joyce
This is an example of a rustic landscaping in Santa Barbara.

Jared Medley Photography and Design Any questions about the materials and design should be directed to craig@designsbycraigveenker.com
Kitchen - traditional u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gray walls and an island

Replace damaged ceiling above double window with water damage
Example of an ornate basement design in Cincinnati

© Erin Parker, Emerald Coast real Estate Photography, LLC
Large beach style living room photo in Miami with beige walls, no fireplace and no tv

Remodeled Powder room with marble hexagon floor tile, floral chinoiserie wallpaper, wainscoting, and custom vanity.
Powder room - transitional powder room idea

Matthew Millman
Inspiration for a timeless backyard rectangular pool remodel in San Francisco

Elegant patio photo in New York with a fireplace and a pergola

Lincoln Barbour
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room remodel in Portland

Closet design in collaboration with Transform Closets
Small trendy gender-neutral light wood floor reach-in closet photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

Flooring replacement from water damage. Photos by Jeff Schmitt
Example of a mid-sized trendy kitchen design

Before picture of roof damage after wind and hail damage.
Two-story house exterior idea in Houston with a hip roof and a shingle roof

Flooring replacement from water damage. Photos by Jeff Schmitt
Kitchen - mid-sized contemporary kitchen idea