Danny Piassick
Example of a farmhouse dark wood floor bedroom design in Dallas with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace

A pale blue tufted sofa sits on a patterned area carpet, with a chrome coffee table bench, gold drapery and photo gallery wall above.
Example of a small trendy open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room design in Toronto with beige walls

Eat-in kitchen - transitional eat-in kitchen idea in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets and an island

Example of a minimalist built-in desk home office design in DC Metro with white walls

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

Ben Gebo
Example of a mid-sized transitional wooden l-shaped wood railing staircase design in Boston with painted risers

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Photography: Landmark Photography
Inspiration for a small modern built-in desk concrete floor home office remodel in Minneapolis with beige walls

Bedroom - contemporary concrete floor and gray floor bedroom idea in Austin

Architecture & Interior Design By Arch Studio, Inc. Photography by Eric Rorer
Example of a small farmhouse l-shaped light wood floor and gray floor open concept kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Alcove shower - contemporary master white tile and stone tile marble floor and gray floor alcove shower idea in New York with a hinged shower door and a niche

photography by Joe Dodd
Example of a mid-sized trendy backyard concrete paver patio design in San Francisco

Richard Leo Johnson Wall Color: Benjamin Moore - White Wisp OC-54 Ceiling & Trim Color: Sherwin Williams Extra White 7006 Door Color: Benjmain Moore - Gray Owl OC-52 Bed: Jonathon Wesley Upholstery Headboard Pillows: Headgehouse, Majorca - Navy and Cranberry Duvet: Area Inc., Marie - Grey, 100% Linen Wall Swinger: House of Troy, Generation 3 LED - White Rug: Loloi, QN-01 Indigo Wall Baskets: Asher + Rye, TineKHome

Julie Florio Photography
Example of a mid-sized trendy open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room design in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace and a media wall

Dutch front door - country brick floor dutch front door idea in Birmingham

Gregory Butler – Prime Folio, Inc
Inspiration for a coastal open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Charleston with beige walls and a wall-mounted tv

This project combines high end earthy elements with elegant, modern furnishings. We wanted to re invent the beach house concept and create an home which is not your typical coastal retreat. By combining stronger colors and textures, we gave the spaces a bolder and more permanent feel. Yet, as you travel through each room, you can't help but feel invited and at home.

Photos: Jeff Zaruba. Renovation in Mill Valley. Great Room.
Example of a country living room design in San Francisco

Danielle Atkinson, VSI Group
Inspiration for a transitional gender-neutral carpeted and beige floor nursery remodel in Atlanta with beige walls

Peter Molick Photography
Kitchen - contemporary single-wall kitchen idea in Houston with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and an island