Photo by Natalie Schueller
Example of a small minimalist u-shaped linoleum floor and red floor enclosed kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, yellow backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped light wood floor kitchen pantry remodel in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Trendy u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, soapstone countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and black countertops

Open concept kitchen - small transitional u-shaped ceramic tile open concept kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, soapstone countertops, glass sheet backsplash, colored appliances and a peninsula

Example of a transitional u-shaped light wood floor kitchen pantry design in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped vinyl floor enclosed kitchen idea in Other with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Photo by Natalie Schueller
Inspiration for a small modern u-shaped linoleum floor and red floor enclosed kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, yellow backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Transitional u-shaped light wood floor kitchen pantry photo in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, metallic backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo by Natalie Schueller
Example of a small minimalist u-shaped linoleum floor and red floor enclosed kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, yellow backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Photo by Natalie Schueller
Inspiration for a small modern u-shaped linoleum floor and red floor enclosed kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, yellow backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Reed Brown Photography
Example of a trendy u-shaped gray floor kitchen pantry design in Nashville with open cabinets, white cabinets and white countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped beige floor kitchen remodel in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets and an island

In the center of the kitchen is a waterfall island with classic marble countertop, oversized brass geometric pendants, and blue faux leather stools with brass frames. The tile backsplash behind the oven is a geometric marble with metallic inlay which creates a glamorous patterning. Photo: David Livingston

The kitchen, breakfast room and family room are all open to one another. The kitchen has a large twelve foot island topped with Calacatta marble and features a roll-out kneading table, and room to seat the whole family. The sunlight breakfast room opens onto the patio which has a built-in barbeque, and both bar top seating and a built in bench for outdoor dining. The large family room features a cozy fireplace, TV media, and a large built-in bookcase. The adjoining craft room is separated by a set of pocket french doors; where the kids can be visible from the family room as they do their homework.

SJC Dramatic Remodel
Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped seated home bar remodel in Orange County with shaker cabinets and black cabinets

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