Search results for "Simply replace" in Home Design Ideas

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

Robert Hawkins, Be A Deer
Large mountain style u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete countertops, brown backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and two islands
Large mountain style u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete countertops, brown backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and two islands

Your living room is your escape. It's where you go when it's time to put the day behind you and forget about your work and responsibilities. It's your sacred place to relax.
Let Handyman Matters help convert your ordinary living room into a peaceful getaway. Somewhere you look forward to putting your feet up, a beautiful space for entertaining, or a great room for spending quality time with family. Don't let the small things prevent you from having the perfect living room to meet your lifestyle needs, let us do if for you!
The dining room isn't intended simply for dining, it's meant for gathering and sharing not only a meal, but also engaging conversation. It's where you connect and create memories and establish new traditions with your friends, family, and loved ones.
Your dining room should be an attractive space. It should convey warmth and serve as a reflection of your taste and style, while coordinating well with the other rooms of your home.
We offer professional handyman services that can assist with any of your dining room projects. If you're looking to replace your chandelier with a new light fixture or high hats, add wall sconces or chair rail moulding for a formal look, or hang a large piece of wall art to create a focal point for the room, Handyman Matters has a Craftsman that is perfect for the job!
Services include but not limited to:
DRYWALL, INTERIOR TRIM & PAINTING
LIGHTING
FLOORING
WALLS
TV MOUNTING
PICTURE HANGING
Find the right local pro for your project

Reference: BB513-US
Model: FOLE'GE
Color: trendy gray
Finitions: honed - matte
US Dimensions: 63" x 19-2/3" x 2-1/3"
EU Dimensions: 160 x 50 x 6cm
US Drain size: standard hole size (1.5")
Faucet hole size: 35mm - 1.38" X2
Material: granite
Weight: 275 lbs
The outstanding opportunity to make your world unique! Add great value to your home by installing LivingRoc Creations and tell your stone story through the years of conception. Its Zen-style, pure and sleek lines will give a cool and chic look to your bathroom. Made from a block of Granite the FOLE'GE is from the AQUADEOS range. Our FOLE'GE is the creation of a combined group of talented masons dedicated to the idea of creating bathware made from natural material, which is environmentally friendly.
Adding stone elements will provide a modern, serene, and trendy atmosphere in your bathroom. Honed finishes and its very convenient slope will add practicality to beauty.
This natural stone double sink will complement perfectly our shower gray trendy shower trays (same color and finish) as they are coming from the same quarry and most of the time from the same granite block : Spacium, Palaos, Quasar or Dalaos. This vessel sink is Highly resistant to chipping and scratching, Withstands hot temperatures, Tolerant to very high temperature changes.
Our creation is delivered without an overflow drain and faucet (not included) - every US drains and faucets models you can find on the market will fit perfectly on Living'ROC vessel sink. This model is ready to use over the countertop.

Building a Dream Backyard
When this homeowner started the design process of a new backyard, Braen Supply was immediately there to supply all the stone materials. The home was part of a new development, so the challenge was to make the home stand out while still addressing specific areas of the existing backyard, such as the steep grade.
Working With the Experts
Taking the steep grade into consideration, moss rock boulders were selected to create stairs down to the lower area of the backyard where the fire pit sits. The grade of the backyard also allowed for the infinity pool, full color bluestone pattern was selected as the veneer for the back wall of the infinity pool.
Braen Supply chose Tennessee gray and bluestone to create a seamless transition from the front of the house to the back of the house. Although they are two different stones, they work nicely together to complete the overall design and tone of the home. It all came together and made the perfect backyard.
Materials Used:
Belgium Blocks
Full Color Bluestone Pattern
Bluestone Caps
Tennessee Gray Irregular
Moss Rock Boulders
Full Color Bluestone Irregular
Kearney Stone Steps
Granite Mosaic Veneer
Completed Areas:
Front Walkway & Porch
Driveway Edging
Backyard Walkways
Pool Patio & Coping
Pool Water Features
Fireplace Hearth & Mantal
Wading Pool
Raised Hot Tub

This client from North London had recently bought a property in Highgate N6 and during renovation had discovered an original Victorian tiled floor in the hallway. The floor was laid in a classic black and white diamond pattern but unfortunately a large section was missing and had been filled with concrete. Furthermore, most of the remaining floor had been covered in cement and glue.
I carried out a survey of the floor to determine the main issues and was then able to email over a quote later that day that included rebuilding the missing section of flooring. I suspect the floor had been excavated at some point in the past to install central heating and then rather than have the excavated section restored it was simply back filled and then levelled with a cement screed before finally gluing down a carpet on top.
Once the quote was accepted, I sourced replacement tiles from the Vintage Floor Tile company. Situated in Kent they are a reclamation yard that specialises in supplying original geometric and encaustic tiles including the major historical makers such as Minton and Craven Dunnill.
Armed with replacement tiles I started by removing the concrete that had been used to backfill the missing section and prepare a new surface for tiling with quick drying cement. When ready I was able to carefully build back the original pattern using the replacements. The tiles were secured with tile adhesive and once that had gone off, they were grouted.
The floor was left to set fully overnight and then the next day I was able to return and clean the whole floor using a strong dilution of Tile Doctor Remove and Go. As usual this was left to soak into the tiles for a good ten minutes before being scrubbed into the tiles using a black scrubbing pad. The Tile Doctor Remove and Go did a good job of cleaning the floor and the cleaning solution soon turned black with dirt during the scrubbing. The floor was rinsed with water and the soil extracted with a wet vacuum. After inspecting the floor any areas that needed further work were hand scrubbed and rinsed again until I was happy the floor was clean.
The last part of the cleaning process was to give the tiles an acid wash using Tile Doctor Acid Gel which further cleans the floor by removing old cement residue and grout haze. It also neutralises efflorescent salts in the tiles which are a common issue with floors of this age with no damp proof membrane. After another rinse and extraction, the floor was given a final rinse and then dried as much as possible using the wet vacuum.
I left the floor to dry out for a couple of days before returning to apply a protective sealer. Tile and Stone should be dry before sealing so I use a damp meter first to double check. All was well so to seal the tiles I proceeded to apply the first of what would be three coats of sealer. I used Tile Doctor Colour Grow for this, it works by impregnating the tile occupying the pores and thereby preventing dirt from becoming ingrained there. This product also enhances the black and white colour of the tiles and makes the floor much easier to clean.
Once done the floor was transformed and needless to say my customer was very pleased with the result. For the aftercare of Victorian Tiled floors, I recommend the use of a ph neural tile cleaner such as Tile Doctor Neutral Cleaner; most supermarket tile cleaners are simply too strong for use on sealed floors and can strip off the sealer prematurely.
Andrew Newstead
North London Tile Doctor

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

Sponsored
Plain City, OH
Kuhns Contracting, Inc.
Central Ohio's Trusted Home Remodeler Specializing in Kitchens & Baths

CMA Flooring and Design Center installed solid oak railings and stair treads, using a custom stain that closely matched the existing flooring. Wrought iron spindles replaced the dated colonial style, providing a beautiful, high-end look and adding instant value to the home.

Door Style: Legacy Ogee
Finishes: Cyberspace
Hardware: Top Knobs, Ascendra collection in Honey Bronze
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped porcelain tile and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped porcelain tile and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

This is an organic Lime Wash done with a true lime wash product as opposed to a brick mortar or concrete that is often seen on new houses. This product can be applied as a solid coating making the surface completely white, or can be applied and "washed off" in many artistic ways, as seen here. If you hate your brick or just want something unique this is a great option!
Photo credit: Jeff Murrey

Painted cabinets offer an advantage over stained or natural cabinets simply because home owners can match exact colors without having to worry about what color was underneath. If you're looking for quick kitchen remodel, consider painting your cabinets instead of replacing them. For even more dimension, paint them two different colors! A big cabinet trend right now is white uppers with dark lowers and a dark island. The light upper adds height to your kitchen while a dark lower grounds your kitchen and makes it more cozy.

While working with this couple on their master bathroom, they asked us to renovate their kitchen which was still in the 70’s and needed a complete demo and upgrade utilizing new modern design and innovative technology and elements. We transformed an indoor grill area with curved design on top to a buffet/serving station with an angled top to mimic the angle of the ceiling. Skylights were incorporated for natural light and the red brick fireplace was changed to split face stacked travertine which continued over the buffet for a dramatic aesthetic. The dated island, cabinetry and appliances were replaced with bark-stained Hickory cabinets, a larger island and state of the art appliances. The sink and faucet were chosen from a source in Chicago and add a contemporary flare to the island. An additional buffet area was added for a tv, bookshelves and additional storage. The pendant light over the kitchen table took some time to find exactly what they were looking for, but we found a light that was minimalist and contemporary to ensure an unobstructed view of their beautiful backyard. The result is a stunning kitchen with improved function, storage, and the WOW they were going for.

Sponsored
Plain City, OH
Kuhns Contracting, Inc.
Central Ohio's Trusted Home Remodeler Specializing in Kitchens & Baths

Last week we featured an incredible new kitchen with an open floor plan and unique architectural interest. I alluded to a change in the staircase and here it is. Part of designing a new kitchen or bath is looking at surrounding spaces and how the remodel will affect them. Will the current master bedroom seem dated as an entrance to the new bath? Is the dining room that adjoins the kitchen badly in need of flooring and lighting? Some projects might have to wait. But if the immediate area has an adverse affect on the newly remodeled kitchen it might be just as important to address these areas within your remodel.
Although the staircase was in harmony with the homes existing era and colors, it simply didn’t work with the new kitchen. Despite its open risers, the existing balusters and railings with their colonial turnings and dark stain, were the opposite of the finished kitchen. With the carpeting gone from the floors, it looked dated and out-of-place on the stairs.
We carried our kitchen theme to the staircase. We used the natural oak of our flooring for the treads, handrails and posts, but kept the balusters and trim crisp white. The effect perfectly reflects the feel of the kitchen, light and airy.
Before, the dark wood details drew the eye up, ultimately to the textured ceiling in the dining room. The darker tone created a dramatic ending as it traveled up to die into the wall.
Now, as the eye travels up, the staircase seems to soar. The textured ceiling was replaced with a smooth white one and the wall color is a soft warm contrast. The handrail still ends at the wall, but with white balusters and the light oak handrail, the ending is softer.
It isn’t a lighting change, the staircase simply lets the light shine through. The treads are slim and sleek, while the white walls, trim and balusters reflect the light for an overall brighter feel.
The newel posts were a great choice. The larger size and square craftsman like features add substance and architecture without seeming heavy or bulky.
The final touch completes the look. From front door to back, up and down, this remodel is finished. This home now bursts with sunshine the minute you enter and stays bright and sunny no matter where you turn. From the architectural details that are the center of attention, to the modern stainless steel appliance, this space is perfect for entertaining, or any day.
http://www.designsbyskill.com/
http://www.rjkconstructioninc.com/

Denver Loft Style Condo Space... 13' exposed concrete ceilings add to the spacious feeling of this 2,000-sq.ft. condo in downtown Denver. The open concept space is desirable for casual urban living... but, it has its challenges when coming to design. When you can see the Entry Lounge, Dining Room, Kitchen, Guest Bedroom and Living room all at the same time you want to make good cohesive choices in your furniture, fixtures and finishes. San Diego based Interior Designer, Rebecca Robeson took the challenge head on! Rebecca’s vision for the project was to address each area and its functional aspects while creating visual continuity from room to room. For starters, Rebecca eliminated the numerous flooring materials in the current space and ran 8' hardwood plank flooring throughout substituting similar wood looking tile in the Bathrooms. The 6'8" French doors were replaced with 8’ solid wood doors with frosted glass horizontal inlays. Rocky Mountain door handles and hinges added a rich quality to all the doors creating continuity, even in the smallest details.
Rebecca kept her paint color selection at a minimum with the exception of accent color walls in Guest Bedrooms.
She added 8” tall baseboards throughout and had them painted Simply White by Benjamin Moore.
This view of the Entry Lounge, Guest Bedroom, Kitchen and Dining room convey the artful choices Rebecca made with her color pallet, textures, furniture pieces and light fixtures. Well thought out, the bold purple accent wall in the Guest Bedroom combines well with the overall neutral palette in the main living spaces.
Black Whale Lighting
Rugs - Aja, LaJolla
Earthwood Custom Remodeling, Inc.
Exquisite Kitchen Design
Rocky Mountain Hardware
Tech Lighting - Black Whale Lighting
Photos by Ryan Garvin Photography

While working with this couple on their master bathroom, they asked us to renovate their kitchen which was still in the 70’s and needed a complete demo and upgrade utilizing new modern design and innovative technology and elements. We transformed an indoor grill area with curved design on top to a buffet/serving station with an angled top to mimic the angle of the ceiling. Skylights were incorporated for natural light and the red brick fireplace was changed to split face stacked travertine which continued over the buffet for a dramatic aesthetic. The dated island, cabinetry and appliances were replaced with bark-stained Hickory cabinets, a larger island and state of the art appliances. The sink and faucet were chosen from a source in Chicago and add a contemporary flare to the island. An additional buffet area was added for a tv, bookshelves and additional storage. The pendant light over the kitchen table took some time to find exactly what they were looking for, but we found a light that was minimalist and contemporary to ensure an unobstructed view of their beautiful backyard. The result is a stunning kitchen with improved function, storage, and the WOW they were going for.

While working with this couple on their master bathroom, they asked us to renovate their kitchen which was still in the 70’s and needed a complete demo and upgrade utilizing new modern design and innovative technology and elements. We transformed an indoor grill area with curved design on top to a buffet/serving station with an angled top to mimic the angle of the ceiling. Skylights were incorporated for natural light and the red brick fireplace was changed to split face stacked travertine which continued over the buffet for a dramatic aesthetic. The dated island, cabinetry and appliances were replaced with bark-stained Hickory cabinets, a larger island and state of the art appliances. The sink and faucet were chosen from a source in Chicago and add a contemporary flare to the island. An additional buffet area was added for a tv, bookshelves and additional storage. The pendant light over the kitchen table took some time to find exactly what they were looking for, but we found a light that was minimalist and contemporary to ensure an unobstructed view of their beautiful backyard. The result is a stunning kitchen with improved function, storage, and the WOW they were going for.

Painted cabinets offer an advantage over stained or natural cabinets simply because home owners can match exact colors without having to worry about what color was underneath. If you're looking for quick kitchen remodel, consider painting your cabinets instead of replacing them. For even more dimension, paint them two different colors! A big cabinet trend right now is white uppers with dark lowers and a dark island. The light upper adds height to your kitchen while a dark lower grounds your kitchen and makes it more cozy.

Painted cabinets offer an advantage over stained or natural cabinets simply because home owners can match exact colors without having to worry about what color was underneath. If you're looking for quick kitchen remodel, consider painting your cabinets instead of replacing them. For even more dimension, paint them two different colors! A big cabinet trend right now is white uppers with dark lowers and a dark island. The light upper adds height to your kitchen while a dark lower grounds your kitchen and makes it more cozy.

Last week we featured an incredible new kitchen with an open floor plan and unique architectural interest. I alluded to a change in the staircase and here it is. Part of designing a new kitchen or bath is looking at surrounding spaces and how the remodel will affect them. Will the current master bedroom seem dated as an entrance to the new bath? Is the dining room that adjoins the kitchen badly in need of flooring and lighting? Some projects might have to wait. But if the immediate area has an adverse affect on the newly remodeled kitchen it might be just as important to address these areas within your remodel.
Although the staircase was in harmony with the homes existing era and colors, it simply didn’t work with the new kitchen. Despite its open risers, the existing balusters and railings with their colonial turnings and dark stain, were the opposite of the finished kitchen. With the carpeting gone from the floors, it looked dated and out-of-place on the stairs.
We carried our kitchen theme to the staircase. We used the natural oak of our flooring for the treads, handrails and posts, but kept the balusters and trim crisp white. The effect perfectly reflects the feel of the kitchen, light and airy.
Before, the dark wood details drew the eye up, ultimately to the textured ceiling in the dining room. The darker tone created a dramatic ending as it traveled up to die into the wall.
Now, as the eye travels up, the staircase seems to soar. The textured ceiling was replaced with a smooth white one and the wall color is a soft warm contrast. The handrail still ends at the wall, but with white balusters and the light oak handrail, the ending is softer.
It isn’t a lighting change, the staircase simply lets the light shine through. The treads are slim and sleek, while the white walls, trim and balusters reflect the light for an overall brighter feel.
The newel posts were a great choice. The larger size and square craftsman like features add substance and architecture without seeming heavy or bulky.
The final touch completes the look. From front door to back, up and down, this remodel is finished. This home now bursts with sunshine the minute you enter and stays bright and sunny no matter where you turn. From the architectural details that are the center of attention, to the modern stainless steel appliance, this space is perfect for entertaining, or any day.
http://www.designsbyskill.com/
http://www.rjkconstructioninc.com/
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