Evan White
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Click Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen remodel in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, brown backsplash and an island

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

Farmhouse kitchen photo in Columbus

This roofdeck highlights some of the best elements of outdoor construction materials. Highlighted with an array of reclaimed timber including Elm and Oak to the Ipe decking. A steel and cedar pergola help frame the Chicago skyline behind the stone fireplace. Cynthia Lynn

Light and bright breakfast nook overlooking the pool.
Inspiration for a mid-sized country kitchen remodel in Phoenix

Minimalist kitchen photo in Denver

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped concrete floor and gray floor open concept kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Modern kitchen at twilight - Interior Architecture: HAUS | Architecture + LEVEL Interiors - Photography: Ryan Kurtz
Mid-sized trendy l-shaped travertine floor eat-in kitchen photo in Indianapolis with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

URBAN LOFT Location | Columbia, South Carolina Style | industrial Photographer | William Quarles Architect | Scott Garbin
Kitchen - industrial u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Charleston with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and multicolored countertops

This Beacon Hill brownstone started with a new rubber roof, bare and sprawling, the ideal spot for a great family gathering place. After thoughtful consideration, a master plan was developed to provide all the amenities an urban outdoor space could offer; comfortable seating, customized storage, mature plantings, a fully functioning outdoor kitchen, comprehensive irrigation, discrete lighting, natural materials and open space for larger groups. As this project was completed in the context of a comprehensive renovation of the building, we were easily afforded access below the deck to augment the structure and accommodate the added weight of the roof deck elements. A new staircase and generous hatch were added from the top floor inside to home to provide easy and convenient use of the deck. Similarly, bringing gas to the large grill, and hot and cold water to the sink, ice-maker and irrigation system were relatively straightforward. Through the careful use of natural materials and the well designed layout, the space feels like an extension of the inside living space and welcomes its visitors to sounds of music coming from the Hatch Shell steps away and views unique to the character and history of Boston. Photographer: Eric Roth

This contemporary kitchen features the “Como” door style by Artcraft Kitchens. The doors and drawers are finished in “Figured Pearl Gloss” laminate with an aluminum profiled edge. The counter tops are “Mocha” by Caesarstone with a glass tile back splash. The refrigerator is a 42” built-in by KitchenAid as are the ovens, dishwasher and induction cook top. The hood is by Faber. Aluminum framed glass door cabinets are the focal point as you enter the kitchen and the full height, aluminum door appliance garage hides all the appliances the client wanted hidden (notice the exposed KitchenAid, stainless steel mixer on the counter). The frosted glass, floating snack table provides convenient eating space for two and the stainless steel shelf over the t.v. provides an attractive display area.

Jimmy White Photography
Large transitional backyard concrete patio photo in Seattle with a fire pit and no cover

Brent A. Riechers
Photo of a small contemporary full sun rooftop vegetable garden landscape in Chicago.

Click Photography
Large trendy u-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen photo in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

photo credit: Haris Kenjar Urban Electric lighting. Rejuvenation hardware. Viking range. honed caesarstone countertops 6x6 irregular edge ceramic tile vintage Moroccan rug

Peter Lyons
Kitchen - transitional l-shaped kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, stainless steel appliances, shaker cabinets and white cabinets

Tracy Herbert Interiors, LLC
Elegant u-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances