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

Photography by Jennifer Hughes
Transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Baltimore with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, marble backsplash and white countertops

This new kitchen design was created to eliminate dog pens. An L-shaped design allowed for a dog den base cabinet to be incorporated into the kitchen layout. Photo Credit: Betsy Bassett

Salisbury, CT This 4,000 square foot vacation house in northwest Connecticut sits on a small promontory with views across a lake to hills beyond. While the site was extraordinary, the owner’s existing house had no redeeming value. It was demolished, and its foundations provided the base for this house. The new house rises from a stone base set into the hillside. A guest bedroom, recreation room and wine cellar are located in this half cellar with views toward the lake. Above the house steps back creating a terrace across the entire length of the house with a covered dining porch at one end and steps down to the lawn at the other end. This main portion of the house is sided with wood clapboard and detailed simply to recall the 19th century farmhouses in the area. Large windows and ‘french’ doors open the living room and family room to the terrace and view. A large kitchen is open to the family room and also serves a formal dining room on the entrance side of the house. On the second floor a there is a spacious master suite and three additional bedrooms. A new ‘carriage house’ garage thirty feet from the main house was built and the driveway and topography altered to create a new sense of approach and entry.

The refrigerator was relocated to the right side of the Kitchen. The stainless steel Fisher-Paykel "Professional" 36" counter-depth fridge completes the stylish Kitchen.

Skorpio Italian Glass Dining Table by Cattelan Italia Made in Italy The Skorpio by Cattelan Italia is a modern italian dining table. The dining table features regular rectangular or rectangular with rounded edges tabletop shape. The top of the Skorpio dining table is laid on the base and is made of a 0.6" thick tempered clear or extra clear glass. The base is available in white, black or graphite lacquered steel finish, fluorescent orange finish or in transparent coating on ferrous raw material. The presence of more or less obvious stains, color variations, scratches and irregular edges is feature of the special material processing and should not be considered a defect. The dining table Scorpio is available in twelve versions. Two versions are also available in extra clear glass with reversed beveled edges. The dining tables with sizes W72" x D35" and W79" x D42" feature a 0.5" thick tempered glass. Features: Designed by Andrea Lucatello Top in 0.6" or 0.5" thick tempered clear or extra clear glass Regular rectangular tabletop shape or rectangular with the rounded edges Base in white, black or graphite lacquered steel finish, fluorescent orange finish or in transparent coating on ferrous raw material Available in twelve versions The starting price is for the Skorpio Dining Table W72" x D35" with the rectangular top in clear glass and the base in graphite lacquered steel finish. Dimensions: Dining Table: W72" x D35" x H30" Dining Table: W79" x D42" x H30" Dining Table: W79" x D39" x H30" Dining Table (rounded edges): W79" x D47" x H30" Dining Table: W94" x D39" x H30" Dining Table: W94" x D47" x H30" Dining Table (beveled edges): W94" x D47" x H30" Dining Table (rounded edges): W94" x D47" x H30" Dining Table: W118" x D39" x H30" Dining Table: W118" x D47" x H30" Dining Table (beveled edges): W118" x D47" x H30" Dining Table (rounded edges): W118" x D47" x H30"

Erika Bierman Photography
Inspiration for a transitional patio remodel in Los Angeles with a roof extension and a fireplace

Sloane Square No.92 External Wall Cabinet. Archway House No.106 External Base Cabinets. Leadenhall No.118 Larder Exterior. Kitchen by Smallbone of Devizes. Smallbone’s Beaconsfield showroom.

View of a custom designed fire-table with a polished concrete top & a steel trestle base. The outdoor cooking space beyond is also custom designed & fabricated of raw steel & reclaimed wood. The venthood has a motorized awning door concealing a large outdoor television.

Jeffrey Totaro
Kitchen - transitional u-shaped kitchen idea in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Photo by: Andrew Pogue Photography
Minimalist u-shaped kitchen photo in Denver with glass-front cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, glass tile backsplash and white cabinets

This modern beach house in Jacksonville Beach features a large, open entertainment area consisting of great room, kitchen, dining area and lanai. A unique second-story bridge over looks both foyer and great room. Polished concrete floors and horizontal aluminum stair railing bring a contemporary feel. The kitchen shines with European-style cabinetry and GE Profile appliances. The private upstairs master suite is situated away from other bedrooms and features a luxury master shower and floating double vanity. Two roomy secondary bedrooms share an additional bath. Photo credit: Deremer Studios

Photo by Matthew Niemann
Inspiration for a mid-century modern kitchen remodel in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and white backsplash

Located in the exclusive development of Bachelor Gulch, CO this ski-in, ski-out home’s design recalls the historic lodges of the West’s National Parks. The use of massive logs, hand hewn siding and locally sourced moss rock base dominate the exterior. The interior has a refined feel with a mix of black granite reclaimed barn board siding and antique wide plank floors. The home uses a Geothermal based radiant floor heating system.

The table top was fabricated by Seth Woods of Woods Refinishing in Richmond, VA. The reclaimed steel base was fabricated by Small Axe Forge of Richmond, VA. The bar height allows for tv viewing and ideal social gatherings. John Magor Photography

Italian Kids Bedroom Set WEB-04 by SPAR Made in Italy by Spar WEB Junior by Spar is an Italian kids bedroom furniture collection that is remarkable for its innovative modern solutions that help not only safe so valuable space, but get maximum out of every inch of your kids room. Modern technologies, brilliant design and outstanding quality are met within this collection, giving you endless opportunities for color and size customization, so you could realize all your individuality and meet all the requirements. WEB Bedroom line by Spar thinks about you and your lovely kids, or teenagers, providing designer bedroom solutions for all occasions, making your child's room awesome for everything: sleeping, studying and playing. WEB Junior Bedroom Furniture collection is here to realize all your biggest dreams and take care of your kids! All the pieces can be mixed & matched from one set to another and are available in a variety of sizes and colors. Please contact our office regarding customization of this kids bedroom set. The starting price is for the "As Shown" kids bedroom set WEB 04 that includes the following items: 1 Twin Size Bed (bed fits US standard Twin size mattress 39" x 75") 1 Desk with file cabinet (3 drawers) 1 Wall Shelf Shelving Composition 1 Sliding Door Wardrobe (2 Doors) Please Note: Room/Bed decorative accessories and the mattress are not included in the price. MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION: E1-Class ecological panels, which are produced exclusively trough a wood recycling production process Used lacquers conform to the norm 71/3 (toys directive) Structure: 18 mm thick melamine-coated particle board Shelves: 25mm thick melamine-coated particle board Back panels: medium density coated fibreboard 5mm thick Doors: 18 mm thick melamine-coated particle board finished on 4 sides Hardware: metal runners with self-closing system and double stop; adjustable self closing hinges; quick-mount and braking systems Dimensions: Twin Size Bed: W41.8" x D79.2" x H39.8" (internal 39" x 75" US Standard) Full Size Bed: W56.8" x D79.2" x H39.8" (internal 54" x 75" US Standard) Desk: W59" x D25.6" x H29.5" File Cabinet: W18" x D16.5" x H28.5" Wall Shelving Composition: W96" x D10" x H36.3" (1.6" thick) Sliding Door Wardrobe: W71.7" x D23.6" x H89.8" or H102.4"

Winner, 2014 ASID Design Excellence Award in Residential Design. Behind a curved silver leaf wall, a powder room adds an element of surprise and delight. The cone-shaped pedestal sink and table base sit perfectly against a geometric wall-covering. Photography: Tony Soluri

This CKD professionally-designed kitchen is meant for the serious cook or chef with Wolf range, Sub Zero refrigeration and modern Italian stainless steel farmhouse sink. Built in butcher block prep center, pull out spice and condiment racks flanking the range and full-extension drawer bases with storage accessories make this kitchen a joy to work in. Natural cherry cabinets with natural marsh grass door glazing give this space a warm feel. High Performance Living in Silicon Valley. One Sky Homes Designs and Builds the healthiest, most comfortable and energy balanced homes on the planet. Passive House and Zero Net Energy standards for both new and existing homes.

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Mid-sized trendy dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Boston with gray walls