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

Example of a large classic open concept light wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper living room design in Houston with white walls, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and a tile fireplace

Craftsman style house opens up for better connection and more contemporary living. Removing a wall between the kitchen and dinning room and reconfiguring the stair layout allowed for more usable space and better circulation through the home. The double dormer addition upstairs allowed for a true Master Suite, complete with steam shower! Photo: Pete Eckert

In addition to the chairs being updated, Jody also updated the side buffet with a new sideboard which invoked a classic, yet historic ambiance with the customer’s existing antique table. This beautiful sideboard has 18th century styling. The mahogany wood has satinwood, plus other exotic inlays.

Living room - transitional living room idea in Kansas City

Photography: Werner Straube
Family room - traditional enclosed dark wood floor family room idea in Chicago with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Juliana Franco
Inspiration for a contemporary light wood floor and beige floor bedroom remodel in Houston with white walls, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace

Example of a classic patio design in Dallas with a roof extension and a fireplace

This dining room needed a refresh. We kept the existing furniture but updated the paint, draperies, accessories, lighting and misc. decor.
Inspiration for a timeless dark wood floor, brown floor and wainscoting dining room remodel in Dallas with blue walls and a standard fireplace

Living room - huge traditional formal and open concept gray floor living room idea in Houston with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

MODERN UPDATE TO A CLASSIC HOME UPDATED FIREPLACE W/STATUARY MARBLE AND CUSTOM BRASS TRIMMED FIREPLACE SCREEN MINIMAL APPROACH TO MODERN DESIGN
Example of a large transitional enclosed dark wood floor and black floor living room design in New York with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

MODERN UPDATE TO A CLASSIC HOME UPDATED FIREPLACE W/STATUARY MARBLE AND CUSTOM BRASS TRIMMED FIREPLACE SCREEN MINIMAL APPROACH TO MODERN DESIGNMODERN ART GAME TABLE SCULPTURE

Transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor family room photo in DC Metro with gray walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

MODERN UPDATE TO A CLASSIC HOME UPDATED FIREPLACE W/STATUARY MARBLE AND CUSTOM BRASS TRIMMED FIREPLACE SCREEN MINIMAL APPROACH TO MODERN DESIGN KELLY WEARSTLER PILLOWS

AMS Fireplace offers a unique selection of iron crafted fireplace doors made to suit your specific needs and desires. We offer an attractive line of affordable, yet exquisitely crafted, fireplace doors that will give your ordinary fireplace door an updated look. AMS Fireplace doors are customized to fit any size fireplace opening, and specially designed to complement your space. Choose from a variety of finishes, designs, door styles, glasses, mesh covers, and handles to ensure 100% satisfaction.

Goals While their home provided them with enough square footage, the original layout caused for many rooms to be underutilized. The closed off kitchen and dining room were disconnected from the other common spaces of the home causing problems with circulation and limited sight-lines. A tucked-away powder room was also inaccessible from the entryway and main living spaces in the house. Our Design Solution We sought out to improve the functionality of this home by opening up walls, relocating rooms, and connecting the entryway to the mudroom. By moving the kitchen into the formerly over-sized family room, it was able to really become the heart of the home with access from all of the other rooms in the house. Meanwhile, the adjacent family room was made into a cozy, comfortable space with updated fireplace and new cathedral style ceiling with skylights. The powder room was relocated to be off of the entry, making it more accessible for guests. A transitional style with rustic accents was used throughout the remodel for a cohesive first floor design. White and black cabinets were complimented with brass hardware and custom wood features, including a hood top and accent wall over the fireplace. Between each room, walls were thickened and archway were put in place, providing the home with even more character.

Living room - traditional formal and enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Portland with blue walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

This large gated estate includes one of the original Ross cottages that served as a summer home for people escaping San Francisco's fog. We took the main residence built in 1941 and updated it to the current standards of 2020 while keeping the cottage as a guest house. A massive remodel in 1995 created a classic white kitchen. To add color and whimsy, we installed window treatments fabricated from a Josef Frank citrus print combined with modern furnishings. Throughout the interiors, foliate and floral patterned fabrics and wall coverings blur the inside and outside worlds.

View of Living Room adjacent to coordinating Dining Room.
Living room - large traditional formal and enclosed dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Atlanta with green walls, a standard fireplace, no tv and a tile fireplace