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

MULTIPLE AWARD WINNING KITCHEN. 2019 Westchester Home Design Awards Best Traditional Kitchen. KBDN magazine Award winner. Houzz Kitchen of the Week January 2019. Kitchen design and cabinetry – Studio Dearborn. This historic colonial in Edgemont NY was home in the 1930s and 40s to the world famous Walter Winchell, gossip commentator. The home underwent a 2 year gut renovation with an addition and relocation of the kitchen, along with other extensive renovations. Cabinetry by Studio Dearborn/Schrocks of Walnut Creek in Rockport Gray; Bluestar range; custom hood; Quartzmaster engineered quartz countertops; Rejuvenation Pendants; Waterstone faucet; Equipe subway tile; Foundryman hardware. Photos, Adam Kane Macchia.

This markedly modern, yet warm and inviting abode in the Oklahoma countryside boasts some of our favorite kitchen items all in one place. Miele appliances (oven, steam, coffee maker, paneled refrigerator, freezer, and "knock to open" dishwasher), induction cooking on an island, a highly functional Galley Workstation and the latest technology in cabinetry and countertop finishes to last a lifetime. Grain matched natural walnut and matte nanotech touch-to-open white and grey cabinets provide a natural color palette that allows the interior of this home to blend beautifully with the prairie and pastures seen through the large commercial windows on both sides of this kitchen & living great room. Cambria quartz countertops in Brittanica formed with a waterfall edge give a natural random pattern against the square lines of the rest of the kitchen. David Cobb photography

Example of a mid-sized minimalist medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Chicago with beige walls

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal porcelain tile and gray floor mudroom remodel in Boston with gray walls

Inspiration for a mediterranean freestanding bathtub remodel in Los Angeles

Casey Dunn
Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen idea in Austin with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photographer: Chris Bucher
Inspiration for a timeless porch remodel in Indianapolis with a roof extension

Large farmhouse backyard stone balcony photo in San Francisco with a roof extension

Transitional living room photo in Atlanta with a standard fireplace and a plaster fireplace

Our designer has achieved a stylish look by combining dark cabinets and light-colored marbles.

This glamorous stairwell boasts an oversize helix-like Phasmida chandelier designed by Christopher Boots.
Staircase - large contemporary painted straight staircase idea in San Francisco with white walls and painted risers

In today's blog, we're continuing to discuss tips to help you tackle your dream renovation Self-care for your own renovation sanity is vitally important. Of course, having an experienced construction team with decades of experience and expertise makes renovating a thousand times easier. As always, our Mayflower design consultants we’re here to help you every step of the way. Use the QR code or link below to read the full blog. Link: https://mayflowerva.com/how-to-stay-sane-during-your-renovation-part-2/

Roofing mistakes can lead to water leakage. But how to avoid commercial roofing mistakes to avoid water leakage? This is a question that has been answered in detail in this blog. Click on the link to know more. http://www.appliedroofingservices.com/blog/avoid-commercial-roofing-mistakes-to-prevent-water-leakage/

Beach style gray floor mudroom photo in Baltimore with blue walls

We turned a small unused room in the back of this house into a playroom for young children. Highlights include custom photo wallpaper (which is adhesive backed and can be peeled away without wall damage), a custom book wall and a wall system allowing easy rotation of kids' art. Credit: Maddie G Designs

The stair cantilevers through a large tipped wall, alluding to similar interior details. A green roof retains water at the stone link between the main entry and garage as well as at the flat roof portion of the garden shed that frames the side yard.

M. Wright Design Photographer: Marc Angeles
Example of a classic powder room design in Los Angeles with a console sink and black walls

The patio is paved with full range bluestone that is bordered by natural clay bricks. The bricks also form an inlaid pattern, helping to define the separate spaces within the patio. Renn Kuhnen Photography