Scott Amundson Photography
Mid-sized transitional backyard concrete patio photo in Minneapolis with a roof extension and a fireplace

Rick Bethem
Large beach style backyard tile patio photo in Miami with a roof extension and a bbq area

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

It's the most wonderful time of the year! We love designing warm and cozy spaces that are perfect for hosting friends and family! How do you keep your home feeling merry and bright during the busy Christmas season?

Rick Bethem Photography
Transitional backyard patio photo in Other with a fireplace and a roof extension

Paul Burk Photography
Inspiration for a small contemporary galley concrete floor eat-in kitchen remodel in DC Metro with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, white appliances, laminate countertops, white backsplash and an island

Photography by Morgan Howarth
This is an example of a traditional porch design in DC Metro with a roof extension.

Jim Westphalen
Great room - mid-sized contemporary concrete floor and gray floor great room idea in Burlington with white walls and no fireplace

Steve Chenn
Elegant porch photo in Houston with a fire pit and a roof extension

Eat-in kitchen - large contemporary galley beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, an island, white countertops and paneled appliances

Deck in Luxury lake home on Lake Martin in Alexander City Alabama photographed for Birmingham Magazine, Krumdieck Architecture, and Russell Lands by Birmingham Alabama based architectural and interiors photographer Tommy Daspit.

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

Deck - large cottage backyard deck idea in San Francisco with a roof extension

expansive covered porch with stunning lake views, features large stone fireplace, tv and a grilling station
Huge mountain style porch idea in Other with a roof extension, decking and a bbq area

Example of a large mountain style backyard stone patio design in Other with a fire pit and a roof extension

Transitional backyard deck photo in Kansas City with a fireplace and a roof extension

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

Photos by Francis and Francis Photography
Large 1960s l-shaped kitchen photo in Las Vegas with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash and an island

Example of a large beach style backyard deck design in Boston with a roof extension