Contemporary living room showcasing pops of purple accents against white and black. The walls are detailed with a black and white arabesque patterned wallpaper, while the fireplace features an all white textured ledger stone finished with bright art work. The sofa's subtle geometric pattern compliments the walls and the white leather Barcelona chairs. Recessed downlights, and daylight help brighten the room, while a spotlight is set on the fireplace to showcase the painting. Melanie Greene Productions

Freebird Photography
Bedroom - coastal master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom idea in Boston with white walls

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

This master bedroom shows how muted colors - such as the varied family of grays & silver tones here - can made vibrant and inviting - with a punch of color (in this case, bright teal/turquoise)

Photographer: Rick Farmer
Eat-in kitchen - transitional medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Jacksonville with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal and enclosed carpeted and beige floor living room remodel in Dallas with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Kitchen design and remodel with black and white cabinetry, gray and white leathered quartzite countertop and slab backsplash, a marble niche, polished nickel fixtures and a butcher block walnut, Sub-Zero Wolf gas range top, stainless steel double oven, and refrigerator. Nearby fireplace has a newly designed mantel, tile surround and hearth, and painted to match black kitchen cabinetry.

This large white kitchen is part of an open great room that has a breakfast/dining area and a family room. The space is done in a Transitional style that puts a Contemporary twist on the Traditional rustic French Normandy Tudor. The kitchen is L-shaped and has a large island with 4 sleek white leather high bar chairs that have Elizabethan wood legs. Two glass bell-shaped pendant lights hang over the white countertop. The kitchen has white shaker cabinets and appliances are stainless steel. The unique fridge has a glass door and the kitchen counters are black granite. The family room has a fireplace with stone surround and a wall mounted TV over top. Two large beige couches face each other on a brown, white & beige geometric rug. The exposed dark wood ceiling beams match the hardwood flooring and the walls are light gray with white French windows. Architect: T.J. Costello - Hierarchy Architecture + Design, PLLC Photographer: Russell Pratt

Living room - huge contemporary open concept and formal medium tone wood floor living room idea with no tv and beige walls

Features: Set includes 3 Seater, Chaise, and Ottoman Savannah Collection Sectional Sofa Full Leather Fabric White Color Modern Style Some Assembly Required Dimensions: 3 Seater: W73" D36" H31" with headrest H-38", Chaise: W45" D 60" H with headrest -38" Ottoman: W52" x D30" x H17"

The hardwood floors are a custom 3/4" x 10" Select White Oak plank with a hand wirebrush and custom stain & finish created by Gaetano Hardwood Floors, Inc. Home Builder: Patterson Custom Homes Ryan Garvin Photography

Custom made bed and headboard, custom lacquer side tables, and white lacquer built-ins.
Inspiration for a large contemporary master dark wood floor bedroom remodel in New York with white walls and no fireplace

Mid-sized tuscan master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in San Diego with black walls

Nice and easy to decorate around, cream colored leather furniture. Fine leather furniture starts with an idea. This furniture is neutral and very easy to add color through window fashions and throw pillows.

Bold, dramatic and singular home with a relaxed yet sophisticated interior. Minimal but not austere. Subtle but impactful. Mix of California and Colorado influences in a Minnesota foundation. Builder - John Kraemer & Sons / Architect - Sharratt Design Company / Troy Thies - Project Photographer

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
Example of a transitional formal living room design in San Francisco with green walls, a standard fireplace and a tv stand

JANE BEILES
Elegant formal carpeted living room photo in New York with white walls and a standard fireplace

This family collection of light fixtures: aren't they reminiscent of bells? White and greys dominate the crisp, restful palette. Then here comes the pop! Orange is the colour of joy and creativity, added as an accent to set off the metal and neutrals. Judicious use of big colours brings personality and warmth to utilitarian spaces without needing to physically turn up the thermostat. (Rob Moroto, Calgary Photos)

Inspiration for a contemporary formal and open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in Calgary with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a concealed tv