John Buchbinder
Photo of a traditional landscaping in New York.

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

A barren and underutilized concrete yard was transformed into a beautiful urban garden.
Small transitional backyard gravel patio vertical garden photo in Philadelphia with no cover

David Burroughs
Inspiration for a large transitional backyard stone and rectangular lap pool remodel in DC Metro

A fresh and inviting bar space was added to the basement level to offer a lovely spot to entertain next to the Media Room. A mirrored backsplash with steel & glass shelving, and discreet LED lighting brighten this space that otherwise been dark at the lower level. Photo Credit: Blackstock Photography

David Burroughs
Example of a large transitional backyard stone and rectangular lap pool design in DC Metro

It is possible to create stylish a welcoming outdoor space, even if your space is limited. Maximize spending time outdoor by creating a lovely patio. Photograph by Melissa Clark

Photography by Christopher Sturnam
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional black floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with medium tone wood cabinets, no island, white countertops, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, multicolored backsplash and black appliances

The water feature to the right was installed at the end of the walkway. The overall additional design had to match the existing rear patio and appear as a seamless design. Stonework, finishes, brick and plantings need to unify the old and new spaces as one outdoor environment.

Transitional white two-story mixed siding house exterior photo in Austin with a hip roof and a metal roof

The homeowner asked for a central entertaining area and outdoor living space. We converted a muddy, barren area to a new living rea and matched existing finishes. A newly designed and installed path leads visitors to the central patio or to the rear of the garden to an outdoor dining area.

This project is also featured in Home & Design Magazine's Winter 2022 Issue
Deck - mid-sized mid-century modern backyard second story privacy and wood railing deck idea in DC Metro with a pergola

The central patio was designed for entertaining. The pathway to the right brings visitors to an installed water feature, then to the rear dining area of the yard. The garden was planted with an array of perennials, herbs, and drought tolerant plants to accompany the existing trees and plants.

The newly designed patio comfortably seats the family and visitors. The pathway on the left leads to a rebricked side yard and the stairs leading up to the deck. The side yard was rebricked from a running bond brick pattern to a double basketweave pattern to make the side yard more of a destination than a passthrough. bricked area.

David Burroughs
Inspiration for a large transitional backyard stone and rectangular lap pool remodel in DC Metro

Stacy Zarin Goldberg Photography
Transitional backyard patio photo in DC Metro with no cover

Allen Russ Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard deck container garden remodel in DC Metro with no cover

David Burroughs
Large transitional backyard stone and rectangular lap pool photo in DC Metro

Allen Russ Photography
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped ceramic tile eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances and an island