Looking into into the kitchen from the adjacent family room. The doors to the patio are just out of view to the left. To the right is the open air atrium. The skylights bring in abundant light, leaving the walls free for a long run of cabinetry. The over-sized island is used for informal meals and homework. The table to the left is used by the parents and two children for dinners and weekend pancakes.

Garage to mudroom conversion of this 1940's home creates a great new space in NWDC. Includes custom built-ins with lots of storage.
Mudroom - contemporary mudroom idea in DC Metro

Peter Molick Photography
Example of a large country u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Houston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

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

Bathroom - traditional white tile bathroom idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, gray cabinets, white walls and recessed-panel cabinets

Photos by Tina Witherspoon Photography.
Example of a mid-sized trendy gender-neutral medium tone wood floor and brown floor kids' room design in Seattle with white walls

Photo: Danielle Sykes © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for a country girl medium tone wood floor kids' room remodel in Boston with white walls

Inspiration for a contemporary home office remodel in Minneapolis

Coastal contemporary finishes and furniture designed by Interior Designer and Realtor Jessica Koltun in Dallas, TX. #designingdreams
Example of a mid-sized beach style l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Dallas with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Photo: Brian Barkley © 2015 Houzz
Family room - traditional multicolored floor family room idea in Other with beige walls

Cynthia Lynn Photography
Example of a trendy bedroom design in Chicago with gray walls

Inspiration for a rustic kitchen remodel in Denver

Tria Giovan
Dining room - coastal dark wood floor dining room idea in New York with white walls

This sitting room is an homage to the families past and future. It acts as a study, music room, and sanctuary where they can relax in quiet solitude or listen to the children play piano. A place to gather and share happy memories and celebrate family history. This room houses many of the families personal family memorabilia. The sofa and lounge chair were inherited from their parents and reupholstered in fresh new fabrics to add color that is joyous. The bookcases are filled with family portraits and inherited family objects. The light fixture when lit at night, casts shadows of figures on the walls. It's a reminder of all the family and friends they hold close in their hearts.

The boys can climb the walls and swing from the ceiling in this playroom designed for indoor activity. When the toys are removed it can easily convert to the party barn with two sets of mahogany double doors that open out onto a patio in the front of the house and a poolside deck on the waterside.

Canyon Design Build created this Corte Madera, CA ADU as a private, accessible living space for an aging parent—complete with a full kitchen, vaulted ceilings, warm mid-century style, and a shared deck that connects the family while honoring independence.

Photography by Corey Gaff
Example of a mid-sized classic limestone floor entryway design in Minneapolis with white walls

Home office - small coastal freestanding desk home office idea in Los Angeles with white walls

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen remodel in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island