Search results for "Systems increases" in Home Design Ideas

Benefits of AirField in a green roofing system include:
• AirDrain creates and helps maintain a more consistent Gmax for Synthetic Turf
• ASTM testing proves AirDrain’s shock absorption properties reducing strain on joints and ligaments
• AirDrain can be reused when the Synthetic Turf must be replaced
• Can help qualify for LEED™ and other green building credits
• A smaller carbon and development footprint with reduced site disturbance
• Water harvesting reclamation and reuse is easy
• AirDrain creates a one inch air barrier on the rooftop increasing the insulating properties.
• AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic. Making it able to withstand extreme heat and cold and still maintain performance.
• Resins can be made to the following specification “Flammability UL 94, Flame Retardant, High Impact Polypropylene Copolymer Resins”
Synthetic Turf Provided and Installed By:
Mike Harkrider
ForeverLawn Austin
9601 Gray Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78758
512.310.7320 office

Benefits of AirField in a green roofing system include:
• AirDrain creates and helps maintain a more consistent Gmax for Synthetic Turf
• ASTM testing proves AirDrain’s shock absorption properties reducing strain on joints and ligaments
• AirDrain can be reused when the Synthetic Turf must be replaced
• Can help qualify for LEED™ and other green building credits
• A smaller carbon and development footprint with reduced site disturbance
• Water harvesting reclamation and reuse is easy
• AirDrain creates a one inch air barrier on the rooftop increasing the insulating properties.
• AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic. Making it able to withstand extreme heat and cold and still maintain performance.
• Resins can be made to the following specification “Flammability UL 94, Flame Retardant, High Impact Polypropylene Copolymer Resins”
Synthetic Turf Provided and Installed By:
Mike Harkrider
ForeverLawn Austin
9601 Gray Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78758
512.310.7320 office

Benefits of AirField in a green roofing system include:
• AirDrain creates and helps maintain a more consistent Gmax for Synthetic Turf
• ASTM testing proves AirDrain’s shock absorption properties reducing strain on joints and ligaments
• AirDrain can be reused when the Synthetic Turf must be replaced
• Can help qualify for LEED™ and other green building credits
• A smaller carbon and development footprint with reduced site disturbance
• Water harvesting reclamation and reuse is easy
• AirDrain creates a one inch air barrier on the rooftop increasing the insulating properties.
• AirDrain is a 100% recycled copolymer with the impact modifier “metallocene” qualifying it as a “No Break” plastic. Making it able to withstand extreme heat and cold and still maintain performance.
• Resins can be made to the following specification “Flammability UL 94, Flame Retardant, High Impact Polypropylene Copolymer Resins”
Synthetic Turf Provided and Installed By:
Mike Harkrider
ForeverLawn Austin
9601 Gray Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78758
512.310.7320 office
Find the right local pro for your project

Solar Luminance – Semi-Custom Daylight Light Fixture
Model#: DLF-154
Style: Pendant
Finish: Brushed Nickel
Shade(s): (1) Large Laura Beige Linen Drum Shade with White Bottom Diffuser
*Note: Price does not include Daylight Tube Product and/or Installation
Semi-Custom Product Shipment Lead Time: 6-10 Weeks*
The Solar Luminance DLF-154, is an Architectural Element Transitional Semi Flush Pendant, designed to assist the home owner, retail location and/or office location, the ability to benefit from Natural Daylight available with Tubular Skylight systems, while also reflecting your custom interior design and décor theme and needs.
Natural Daylight provides incredible mental and physical health and wellness benefits that help the human body and mind maintain a sense of time, absorb natural vitamins, and work with the human eye to perceive color and definition in clarity and contrast to increase visual awareness. Our hope is that your friends, colleagues and guests will be “Inspired & Design” in a way that is both elegant and considerate of the impact we have on the earth and its resources.
The DLF-154 is a Semi-Custom Fixture. Full Custom Versions and Options are available for price quote. Please feel free to contact a Solar Luminance Design Assistant for Full Custom Options.

The Belfast Residence in Ohio is a new construction, custom modern house situated on a 150 acre farm. Panda solved the challenge of extending the intimate space of the kitchen into the expansiveness of the backyard by installing fully retractable TS.60 All Aluminum Thermally Broken Folding Door Systems. Custom designed for this space, this elegant and durable folding door system spans the entire wall of the kitchen. This door system uses cutting-edge aluminum extrusions with a polyamide bar to connect the frame together while reducing heat or cold transfer. When closed, this Bi-Fold door system provides a protective barrier that lowers u-factors, limits condensation, increases energy performance, and most of all reduces thermal conductivity.
The architectural firm, Drawing Dept. designed a cantilevered roof reaching out over the pool on axis with a sunken fire pit, drawing the geometry of the house further out into the landscape. As a result, the heart of the home unrestrictedly extends toward the fire pit for optimal physical and visual connection.
Impressive architectural design intertwined with Panda’s custom Bi-Fold doors can create unimaginable opportunities. No wonder this home was awarded the 2013 Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Cincinnati and the 2013 Honor Award from the CDA + Cincinnati Magazine for its exterior space!
Panda’s custom designed Bi-Fold Doors ensure that a homeowner can equally and cohesively enjoy their interior and exterior spaces. Views from the house and views of the house should hold equal merit.
To view more of Panda’s Bi-Fold Doors, please check out our gallery http://www.panda-windows.com/products/by-type/folding-doors.
Architect: Drawing Dept.
Contractor: Camery Hensley Construction
Photography: Ross Van Pelt

Brunswick Parlour transforms a Victorian cottage into a hard-working, personalised home for a family of four.
Our clients loved the character of their Brunswick terrace home, but not its inefficient floor plan and poor year-round thermal control. They didn't need more space, they just needed their space to work harder.
The front bedrooms remain largely untouched, retaining their Victorian features and only introducing new cabinetry. Meanwhile, the main bedroom’s previously pokey en suite and wardrobe have been expanded, adorned with custom cabinetry and illuminated via a generous skylight.
At the rear of the house, we reimagined the floor plan to establish shared spaces suited to the family’s lifestyle. Flanked by the dining and living rooms, the kitchen has been reoriented into a more efficient layout and features custom cabinetry that uses every available inch. In the dining room, the Swiss Army Knife of utility cabinets unfolds to reveal a laundry, more custom cabinetry, and a craft station with a retractable desk. Beautiful materiality throughout infuses the home with warmth and personality, featuring Blackbutt timber flooring and cabinetry, and selective pops of green and pink tones.
The house now works hard in a thermal sense too. Insulation and glazing were updated to best practice standard, and we’ve introduced several temperature control tools. Hydronic heating installed throughout the house is complemented by an evaporative cooling system and operable skylight.
The result is a lush, tactile home that increases the effectiveness of every existing inch to enhance daily life for our clients, proving that good design doesn’t need to add space to add value.

This East Troy home on Booth Lake had a few drainage issues that needed to be resolved, but one thing was clear, the homeowners knew with the proper design features, their property had amazing potential to be a fixture on the lake.
Starting with a redesign of the backyard, including retaining walls and other drainage features, the home was then ready for a radical facelift. We redesigned the entry of the home with a timber frame portico/entryway. The entire portico was built with the old-world artistry of a mortise and tenon framing method. We also designed and installed a new deck and patio facing the lake, installed an integrated driveway and sidewalk system throughout the property and added a splash of evening effects with some beautiful architectural lighting around the house.
A Timber Tech deck with Radiance cable rail system was added off the side of the house to increase lake viewing opportunities and a beautiful stamped concrete patio was installed at the lower level of the house for additional lounging.
Lastly, the original detached garage was razed and rebuilt with a new design that not only suits our client’s needs, but is designed to complement the home’s new look. The garage was built with trusses to create the tongue and groove wood cathedral ceiling and the storage area to the front of the garage. The secondary doors on the lakeside of the garage were installed to allow our client to drive his golf cart along the crushed granite pathways and to provide a stunning view of Booth Lake from the multi-purpose garage.
Terry Mayer http://www.terrymayerphotography.com/

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

This custom closet system was installed as part of a full condominium renovation in the Capilano building at Woodcroft, 2024 Fullerton Ave., North Vancouver. The goal was to transform an outdated closet into a highly organized storage solution while maintaining a clean and modern aesthetic consistent with the rest of the renovation.
The closet features a custom-built organizer system with integrated drawers, shelving, and double hanging sections designed to maximize storage efficiency within the existing footprint. The cabinetry was carefully configured to provide dedicated areas for folded clothing, hanging garments, and concealed drawer storage.
The mirrored sliding closet doors reflect the interior storage system, which may appear as additional cabinetry in the photo. In reality, the mirrored panels are reflecting the custom closet structure, helping visually expand the space while increasing natural light within the room.
This storage upgrade was integrated with the broader renovation, which included kitchen remodeling with custom cabinetry, bathroom renovation, open-concept layout modifications, flooring replacement, and custom millwork installations throughout the condo. As with most renovation projects in the Woodcroft complex, the work required close coordination with strata management and building requirements to complete the permitted renovation smoothly.

Dale Hall Photography, LLC
Cushman Construction LLC
Transitional master gray tile corner shower photo in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and quartz countertops
Transitional master gray tile corner shower photo in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and quartz countertops

This East Troy home on Booth Lake had a few drainage issues that needed to be resolved, but one thing was clear, the homeowners knew with the proper design features, their property had amazing potential to be a fixture on the lake.
Starting with a redesign of the backyard, including retaining walls and other drainage features, the home was then ready for a radical facelift. We redesigned the entry of the home with a timber frame portico/entryway. The entire portico was built with the old-world artistry of a mortise and tenon framing method. We also designed and installed a new deck and patio facing the lake, installed an integrated driveway and sidewalk system throughout the property and added a splash of evening effects with some beautiful architectural lighting around the house.
A Timber Tech deck with Radiance cable rail system was added off the side of the house to increase lake viewing opportunities and a beautiful stamped concrete patio was installed at the lower level of the house for additional lounging.
Lastly, the original detached garage was razed and rebuilt with a new design that not only suits our client’s needs, but is designed to complement the home’s new look. The garage was built with trusses to create the tongue and groove wood cathedral ceiling and the storage area to the front of the garage. The secondary doors on the lakeside of the garage were installed to allow our client to drive his golf cart along the crushed granite pathways and to provide a stunning view of Booth Lake from the multi-purpose garage.
Photos by Beth Welsh, Interior Changes

Encompassing a range of baluster rails, newel posts and complementary decorative accessories, Outwater's new, maintenance free Cast Stone Balustrade System is manufactured utilizing a unique process that combines a mixture of resins with crushed limestone and impregnated fade resistant textured colors to create balustrades that look and feel just like authentic limestone balusters at less than half of their cost and weight.
Intended for indoor or outdoor applications, which can be assembled by laypeople using traditional carpentry tools without the need for masonry, Outwater's Cast Stone Balustrade System meets the 4-inch sphere code when properly set up, and can be placed on sized dimensional lumber without the need for steel supports.
Moreover, unlike lesser quality balustrade systems, which use regular screws to attach their components, also taking into account that the screws' imminent corrosion renders them as an unsafe means by which to attach baluster rails, Outwater's Cast Stone Balustrade System employs a unique incorporated pipe system, connector pins and spacers to increase the Balustrade System's stability while allowing for a more secure and professional installation with barely perceptible seams.
Offered in 34-in. and 48-in. overall heights with a nominal 7-in rail width, baluster rails are sold by the foot up to 16-ft. long to accommodate most any installation.
100% mold resistant, non-porous and unaffected by the harshest elements, Outwater's Cast Stone Balustrade System does not require priming, painting or even occasional touch ups, further enhancing its appeal.
Product Features:
• Create balustrades that look and feel just like authentic stone balusters at less than half of their cost and weight
• Intended for indoor or outdoor use
• Can be installed by laypeople using traditional carpentry tools without the need for masonry
• Meets the 4-inch sphere code when properly set up, and can be placed on sized dimensional lumber without the need for steel supports
• Employs a unique incorporated pipe system, connector pins and spacers to increase stability while allowing for a more secure and professional installation
• Offered in 34-in. and 48-in. overall heights with a nominal 7-in rail width, baluster rails are sold by the foot up to 16-ft. long
• 100% mold resistant, non-porous and unaffected by the harshest elements. Does not require priming, painting or even occasional touch ups
Contact:
Architectural Products by Outwater
Sales & Product Information (USA & Canada):
1-800-631-8375 / 1-201-498-8750
Fax (USA & Canada): 1-800-888-3315 / 1-201-498-8751
Sales & Product Information (Outside of the USA & Canada):
1-201-498-8750
Fax (Outside of the USA & Canada): 1-201-498-8751
Email: info@outwaterplastics.com
Web: www.outwater.com
Visit us!
East Coast:
24 River Road
Bogota, NJ 07603
1-201-498-8750
West Coast:
4720 West Van Buren
Phoenix, AZ 85043
1-602-447-0936
About Architectural Products by Outwater:
It really is easy to shop with us!
Relied upon by more than 1,000,000 builders, renovators, architects designers, woodworkers, cabinet and furniture manufacturers, OEM's and retail consumers since 1972, Architectural Products by Outwater is an international manufacturer and distributor of more than 65,000 innovative and traditional Decorative Building Products that you possibly never knew existed or for which you simply could not find a reliable source. This is where Outwater truly shines!
“Now you can design, buy, build and dream like the Pros…”
Outwater’s products are, to say the least, very competitively priced and include interior and exterior architectural mouldings and millwork; columns and capitals; LED lighting and lighting accessories; balustrading; faux stone panels; faux wood beams; genuine stone tiles; decorative wood carvings; wrought iron components; stamped steel and polymer ceiling panels and backsplashes; wainscoting; wall coverings; fireplace surrounds and mantels; plastic "glass" block; period and contemporary hardware; home organization systems; kitchen and bath accessories; kitchen and bath cabinetry; bath vanities; furniture & cabinet components; knobs & pulls; casters; laminates; brass tubing & fittings; surfacing materials… and so much more!
In addition, with warehouse and distribution facilities in New Jersey and Arizona totaling over 300,000 square feet, Outwater facilitates purchases with reduced lead times and shipping costs, enabling us to fulfill and ship over 98% of our orders from stock within one to two business days!
At a time when many companies appear to have rapidly transitioned away from personalized customer service, having replaced their knowledgeable and immensely valuable human sales representatives with inanimate online marketing channels, which can be helpful to you if you were to know exactly what you might need and were not to encounter difficulties in placing your order, here at Outwater, we still believe that human interaction with a live, well versed, non-commissioned sales representative will undoubtedly better serve your needs in the long run. Even though you can always shop with us at www.outwater.com, you can also always deal directly with our extremely well versed and friendly sales and customer service representatives for their unparalleled support and assistance, most of whom have worked at Outwater for more than 15 years.
Whether you have been one of our loyal customers over the years or this is your first time in doing business with us, we would like to thank you for your expressed interest in our company and the products that we carry.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 1-800-631-8375 or visit us online at www.outwater.com
We look forward to serving you in the near future.

This East Troy home on Booth Lake had a few drainage issues that needed to be resolved, but one thing was clear, the homeowners knew with the proper design features, their property had amazing potential to be a fixture on the lake.
Starting with a redesign of the backyard, including retaining walls and other drainage features, the home was then ready for a radical facelift. We redesigned the entry of the home with a timber frame portico/entryway. The entire portico was built with the old-world artistry of a mortise and tenon framing method. We also designed and installed a new deck and patio facing the lake, installed an integrated driveway and sidewalk system throughout the property and added a splash of evening effects with some beautiful architectural lighting around the house.
A Timber Tech deck with Radiance cable rail system was added off the side of the house to increase lake viewing opportunities and a beautiful stamped concrete patio was installed at the lower level of the house for additional lounging.
Lastly, the original detached garage was razed and rebuilt with a new design that not only suits our client’s needs, but is designed to complement the home’s new look. The garage was built with trusses to create the tongue and groove wood cathedral ceiling and the storage area to the front of the garage. The secondary doors on the lakeside of the garage were installed to allow our client to drive his golf cart along the crushed granite pathways and to provide a stunning view of Booth Lake from the multi-purpose garage.
Photos by Beth Welsh, Interior Changes

Green Home Systems recently completed a solar installation project in Barstow, California. We provided Albert L. with a 3.60 kW photovoltaic system that allowed him to reduce his utility bill and increase his home value.
Albert chose Green Home Systems because of our competitive pricing and easy payment terms. We worked closely with him to ensure the project was completed quickly and efficiently. Our experienced team of professionals was able to complete the project in less than a month and Albert was very pleased with the results.
At Green Home Systems, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with superior customer service and quality products. We use only the highest quality materials and equipment and take great care to ensure every installation meets our exacting standards for safety and efficiency. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions about our products or services and provide helpful advice on how to get the most out of your solar energy system.
Our solar energy systems are designed to provide maximum performance with minimal maintenance. Every system includes an inverter that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity which is used by your home or business. We also offer monitoring services that allow you to track your system’s performance in real time so you can make sure your investment is working as expected.
At Green Home Systems, we understand how important it is for our customers to feel confident in their investment and that’s why we offer competitive financing options through our partners at Sunrun and Sunpower. With these programs you can get started with a low down payment and then pay off your system over time while still enjoying substantial savings on your utility bills each month.
We are proud of the work we do at Green Home Systems and we strive to ensure that every customer is satisfied with their experience. It was an honor for us to work with Albert on this project in Barstow, California and we look forward to continuing to help more people make the switch to solar energy in the future!

Sponsored
Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

These metal custom wine racks provided by VintageView promote optimum liquid temperature circulation, as well as showcase the wines in a label-forward display configuration.
Proper wine presentation is an effective strategy in increasing wine sales. VintageView's modern wine rack systems can help generate sales for a wine business. At Coastal Custom Wine Cellars, our creative designers, have designed award-winning commercial wine cellars in California.
Tempered dual pane glass surrounds the wines. using thermally insulated glass panels will help prevent condensation in the wine room.
We installed LED spotlight to illuminate the bottles dramatically. LED is known for its low heat emission, preventing wine damage caused by UV light.
Take a video tour of this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETDgwixkPJM&feature=youtu.be
Coastal Custom Wine Cellars
8 Waltham Rd.
Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
+1 (949) 200-8134
Request a wine cellar design for FREE: https://www.winecellarsbycoastal.com/free-3d-drawing.aspx

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces.
We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem.
Extensive alterations include:
- a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout
- vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness
- redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage
- the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other
- added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space
- drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan
- placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel
- incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed
- moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic
- mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences
- custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting
- development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker
- energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces.
We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem.
Extensive alterations include:
- a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout
- vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness
- redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage
- the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other
- added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space
- drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan
- placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel
- incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed
- moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic
- mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences
- custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting
- development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker
- energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

Green Home Systems recently completed a solar installation project in Barstow, California. We provided Albert L. with a 3.60 kW photovoltaic system that allowed him to reduce his utility bill and increase his home value.
Albert chose Green Home Systems because of our competitive pricing and easy payment terms. We worked closely with him to ensure the project was completed quickly and efficiently. Our experienced team of professionals was able to complete the project in less than a month and Albert was very pleased with the results.
At Green Home Systems, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with superior customer service and quality products. We use only the highest quality materials and equipment and take great care to ensure every installation meets our exacting standards for safety and efficiency. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to answer questions about our products or services and provide helpful advice on how to get the most out of your solar energy system.
Our solar energy systems are designed to provide maximum performance with minimal maintenance. Every system includes an inverter that converts the direct current (DC) electricity generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC) electricity which is used by your home or business. We also offer monitoring services that allow you to track your system’s performance in real time so you can make sure your investment is working as expected.
At Green Home Systems, we understand how important it is for our customers to feel confident in their investment and that’s why we offer competitive financing options through our partners at Sunrun and Sunpower. With these programs you can get started with a low down payment and then pay off your system over time while still enjoying substantial savings on your utility bills each month.
We are proud of the work we do at Green Home Systems and we strive to ensure that every customer is satisfied with their experience. It was an honor for us to work with Albert on this project in Barstow, California and we look forward to continuing to help more people make the switch to solar energy in the future!

This transformation started with a builder grade bathroom and was expanded into a sauna wet room. With cedar walls and ceiling and a custom cedar bench, the sauna heats the space for a relaxing dry heat experience. The goal of this space was to create a sauna in the secondary bathroom and be as efficient as possible with the space. This bathroom transformed from a standard secondary bathroom to a ergonomic spa without impacting the functionality of the bedroom.
This project was super fun, we were working inside of a guest bedroom, to create a functional, yet expansive bathroom. We started with a standard bathroom layout and by building out into the large guest bedroom that was used as an office, we were able to create enough square footage in the bathroom without detracting from the bedroom aesthetics or function. We worked with the client on her specific requests and put all of the materials into a 3D design to visualize the new space.
Houzz Write Up: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/bathroom-of-the-week-stylish-spa-retreat-with-a-real-sauna-stsetivw-vs~168139419
The layout of the bathroom needed to change to incorporate the larger wet room/sauna. By expanding the room slightly it gave us the needed space to relocate the toilet, the vanity and the entrance to the bathroom allowing for the wet room to have the full length of the new space.
This bathroom includes a cedar sauna room that is incorporated inside of the shower, the custom cedar bench follows the curvature of the room's new layout and a window was added to allow the natural sunlight to come in from the bedroom. The aromatic properties of the cedar are delightful whether it's being used with the dry sauna heat and also when the shower is steaming the space. In the shower are matching porcelain, marble-look tiles, with architectural texture on the shower walls contrasting with the warm, smooth cedar boards. Also, by increasing the depth of the toilet wall, we were able to create useful towel storage without detracting from the room significantly.
This entire project and client was a joy to work with.

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

This East Troy home on Booth Lake had a few drainage issues that needed to be resolved, but one thing was clear, the homeowners knew with the proper design features, their property had amazing potential to be a fixture on the lake.
Starting with a redesign of the backyard, including retaining walls and other drainage features, the home was then ready for a radical facelift. We redesigned the entry of the home with a timber frame portico/entryway. The entire portico was built with the old-world artistry of a mortise and tenon framing method. We also designed and installed a new deck and patio facing the lake, installed an integrated driveway and sidewalk system throughout the property and added a splash of evening effects with some beautiful architectural lighting around the house.
A Timber Tech deck with Radiance cable rail system was added off the side of the house to increase lake viewing opportunities and a beautiful stamped concrete patio was installed at the lower level of the house for additional lounging.
Lastly, the original detached garage was razed and rebuilt with a new design that not only suits our client’s needs, but is designed to complement the home’s new look. The garage was built with trusses to create the tongue and groove wood cathedral ceiling and the storage area to the front of the garage. The secondary doors on the lakeside of the garage were installed to allow our client to drive his golf cart along the crushed granite pathways and to provide a stunning view of Booth Lake from the multi-purpose garage.
Photos by Beth Welsh, Interior Changes
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