Custom built vacation home in Leeds, MA
Mid-sized transitional master ceramic tile and gray floor bathroom photo in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a hinged shower door

Photo Cred: Brad Hill Imaging
Example of a huge arts and crafts brown two-story mixed siding exterior home design in Vancouver with a shingle roof

The back deck on this custom vacation home gives the main living area an outdoor space from which to view the fairway and putting green.
Huge craftsman multicolored two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Denver with a mixed material roof

Mid-sized traditional gray two-story wood exterior home idea in Other with a shingle roof and a gray roof

Photo Cred: Brad Hill Imaging
Huge craftsman brown two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Vancouver with a shingle roof

Kitchen: erik kitchen design- avon nj Interior Design: Katlarsondesigns.com Lights: Ro Sham Beaux
Inspiration for a large cottage u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink 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. Eric Roth Photo

Balcony with huge glass of Zola aluminum windows.
Inspiration for a large contemporary backyard deck remodel in Salt Lake City with a roof extension

A Southern California contemporary residence designed by Atelier R Design with the Glo European Windows D1 Modern Entry door accenting the modern aesthetic. Sterling Reed Photography

Inspiration for a timeless entryway remodel in Montreal with a dark wood front door

Mid-sized craftsman blue two-story mixed siding exterior home idea in Cedar Rapids

Inspiration for a transitional 3/4 white tile black floor alcove shower remodel in Denver with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Transitional dining room photo in DC Metro

Builder: Thompson Custom Homes
Dining room - transitional dining room idea in Houston

General Home Remodel. Laid new flooring. Painted. Installed new lighting. Storage space.
Example of a mid-sized transitional guest laminate floor and brown floor bedroom design in San Francisco with gray walls and no fireplace

The A5 Aluminum Series was used throughout the home. The dual pane windows provide cost-effective durability in the temperate climate. The A5 Series boasts a larger continuous thermal break, high-performance spacers, multiple air seals, and low iron glass, which helped facilitate the Passive House standards. For a design where clean lines are key, the thinner profile frame furnishes the contemporary home with an effortless style. The double-pane glazing coupled with European operability is the perfect combination in creating a contemporary home-design worth noting. The homeowners absolutely love the form and function of their tilt-turn windows!

Trendy light wood floor and beige floor living room photo in Los Angeles with white walls and a standard fireplace

Inspiration for a large transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Charlotte with beige walls

Example of a mid-sized trendy backyard deck design in Boston with a fireplace and a roof extension