Beach style gray tile corner shower photo in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

Beach style medium tone wood floor living room photo in Miami with a wall-mounted tv

Large transitional stone screened-in back porch idea in Minneapolis with a roof extension

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

Photograph by Michael K. Wilkinson
Example of a large classic open concept living room design in DC Metro with white walls and no fireplace

Barn wood ceiling
Large cottage backyard concrete paver patio kitchen photo in Houston with a roof extension

JE Evans Photography (Columbus, OH)
Example of a transitional guest dark wood floor bedroom design in Columbus with blue walls

We drew inspiration from traditional prairie motifs and updated them for this modern home in the mountains. Throughout the residence, there is a strong theme of horizontal lines integrated with a natural, woodsy palette and a gallery-like aesthetic on the inside. Interiors by Alchemy Design Photography by Todd Crawford Built by Tyner Construction

Troy Thies Photography
Kitchen - cottage u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets and a peninsula

Roger Wade Studio
Family room - rustic open concept medium tone wood floor family room idea with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Josh Beeman Photography Bright white, airy kitchen
Eat-in kitchen - transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen idea in Cincinnati with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Stephani Buchman Photography
Kitchen - mid-sized contemporary u-shaped porcelain tile kitchen idea in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Example of a mountain style galley carpeted and beige floor seated home bar design in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Example of a transitional l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

Urban Farmhouse Kitchen by Rafterhouse
Example of a country l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Image by Peter Rymwid Architectural Photography © 2014
Inspiration for a transitional master freestanding bathtub remodel in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops and gray walls

Beautiful, cozy spaces! By AlliKristé Custom Cabinetry and Kitchen Design
Elegant home office photo in Tampa with white walls

Example of a transitional foyer design in Boston with white walls

Large transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room photo in Dallas with gray walls and no fireplace