Tub/shower combo - mid-sized coastal kids' gray tile marble floor and gray floor tub/shower combo idea in Boston with an undermount tub and white walls

Robert Englebright, All Rights Reserved
Inspiration for a bedroom light wood floor kids' bedroom remodel in New York

Jeri Koegel
Example of a mid-sized beach style light wood floor living room design in Orange County with beige walls and a stone 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. Eric Roth Photo

Bedroom and mid-sized transitional boy kids' bedroom photo in Orange County with white walls

Inspiration for a contemporary home office remodel in Los Angeles with white walls

Example of a transitional living room design in Austin

Shared bathroom.
Inspiration for a small farmhouse vinyl floor, brown floor and single-sink alcove bathtub remodel in Little Rock with beaded inset cabinets, green cabinets, a two-piece toilet, an integrated sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a niche

Referencing the wife and 3 daughters for which the house was named, four distinct but cohesive design criteria were considered for the 2016 renovation of the circa 1890, three story masonry rowhouse: 1. To keep the significant original elements – such as the grand stair and Lincrusta wainscoting. 2. To repurpose original elements such as the former kitchen pocket doors fitted to their new location on the second floor with custom track. 3. To improve original elements - such as the new "sky deck" with its bright green steel frame, a new kitchen and modern baths. 4. To insert unifying elements such as the 3 wall benches, wall openings and sculptural ceilings. Photographer Jesse Gerard - Hoachlander Davis Photography

This area is shared between the Jack & Jill bedrooms.
Bathroom - bathroom idea in Oklahoma City

Shawn-Paul Luchin Photography
Study room - mid-sized contemporary built-in desk medium tone wood floor study room idea in San Francisco with white walls and no fireplace

Mountain style kids' room photo in Minneapolis

Mid-sized elegant gray floor and slate floor mudroom photo in Salt Lake City with a white front door and gray walls

Anne Buskirk
Living room - contemporary look-out light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in Indianapolis with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace and a tile fireplace

Mid-sized beach style built-in desk medium tone wood floor study room photo in Los Angeles with white walls

Meghan Beierle-O'Brien
Inspiration for a timeless closet remodel in Los Angeles

Peter Rymwid This lovely shared bath required a unique design solution. The goal was to improve the layout while re purposing the existing cabinets and shower doors while not moving the major fixtures. Introducing a raised corner section added interest and display space while separating the vanities. By relocating the dressing table we were able to provide 2 separate vanity areas. Pearl-like beads on the drawer and door fronts provided the inspiration for the penny glass floor tile detail. A Moravian Star pendant added whimsy while sconces provided additional lighting.

Taylor Cole Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic gender-neutral medium tone wood floor nursery remodel in Orange County with beige walls

White Cararra Marble Bathroom Remodel Project by JM Kitchen and Bath Denver Colorado
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern master white tile and porcelain tile drop-in bathtub remodel in Denver with shaker cabinets, marble countertops and gray walls