Mike Kaskel, photographer
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

The clients’ artwork became a primary focus of the design, with walls strategically positioned both to showcase pieces and protect them from the floor-to-ceiling windows along the unit’s west wall. From the foyer, the eye is drawn to the sun-filled dining area and park views beyond. A light Venetian plaster wall finish by SAAW, Inc. (Surface & Architecture Workshop) reflects light into the gallery corridor. Natural light extends from the window wall in the background and through the translucent glass Raydoor pivot doors at left.

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

Guest Bath: Clouds and hand formed glass banjo sink evoke the sensation of the aquarium clear sea of Hawaii.
Example of an eclectic bathroom design in Hawaii

Inspiration for a large contemporary staircase remodel in San Francisco with white walls and a gray front door

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2015 Houzz
Living room - transitional living room idea in San Francisco

John Shum
Inspiration for a small mid-century modern l-shaped porcelain tile and white floor open concept kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and soapstone countertops

Example of a trendy bedroom design in San Diego

Stephen Allen
Bedroom - transitional bedroom idea in Miami

Alcove shower - mid-sized contemporary master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile alcove shower idea in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white walls and white countertops

Advanced Photography Specialists
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless l-shaped gray floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Portland Maine with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, blue backsplash, metal backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The illuminated and mirrored Fleurco Luna Tri-View medicine cabinet in the primary bath reflects the bedroom’s window wall, bringing natural light into the bath. A double floating vanity features Bel Canto single-hole lavatory faucets by California Faucets. Bi-parting translucent glass Raydoor pocket doors provide privacy without minimizing the natural light.

Modern Mid-Century home with floor to ceiling windows Maintains the view with natural light with reduced glare Photo Courtesy of Eastman
Example of a large 1960s dark wood floor and brown floor sunroom design in Nashville with no fireplace and a standard ceiling

Solar white acrylic panels with white powder coated aluminum frame patio cover over a 16' x 16' area. This was a semi free-standing project which required two sets of beams. All structural aluminum post where wood wrapped and painted to match house trim.

Sam Van Fleet Photography
Example of a trendy tile sunroom design in Seattle with a roof extension

Bedroom Hallway: Looking from bedrooms to edge of Entry Foyer - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Construction: Stenz Construction - Photography: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2015 Houzz
Kitchen - mid-century modern kitchen idea in New York

John Carlson, Carlson Productions
Inspiration for a mid-sized industrial l-shaped open concept kitchen remodel in Detroit with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and an island