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

Blue is the go-to color this year and it is featured on the island. White raised panel cabinets with lighted upper glass doors. Major lighting changes include recessed can lighting and pendant lights over the island. Saddle bar stools. Island seats five. Calcutta Classique Quartz countertops are on the oversized island and surrounding cabinets. Induction cooktop, Convection, and Steam oven are some of the appliance package. Hickory plank hardwood provides a beautiful floor. Two large porcelain farmhouse sinks for two working prep stations.

ナッシュビルにある高級な中くらいなトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (アンダーカウンターシンク、レイズドパネル扉のキャビネット、白いキャビネット、白いキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、無垢フローリング、茶色い床) の写真

トロントにある高級な中くらいなモダンスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (アンダーカウンターシンク、フラットパネル扉のキャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、白いキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、パネルと同色の調理設備、濃色無垢フローリング、白いキャビネット) の写真

The flat panel cabinets in this white minimalist kitchen have j handles and are painted in Farrow & Ball All White. The oak worktops have been stained with white to create a lighter toned wood which wraps around the island and cabinets. The Falcon range cooker and hood add a pop of contrast to the space. The copper pendant lights and white square splashback tiles add extra warmth and detail while the oak open shelving provides extra storage. Charlie O'Beirne

A contemporary take on a classic shaker design, for the perfect combination of old and new. An oak topped central island to blend with the oak framed property. Photos byAlton Omar

ポートランドにある高級な中くらいなトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (ラミネートカウンター、ドロップインシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、淡色木目調キャビネット、白いキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、竹フローリング) の写真

Step into the world of "Sleek Elegance," where a contemporary kitchen renovation awaits. Embracing an open concept design, this project boasts slim shaker cabinets that exude modern simplicity and refined style. The focal point of the space is the striking stone hood, adding a touch of natural allure and architectural grandeur. Discover the perfect balance of functionality and sophistication in this captivating culinary haven, where every detail is thoughtfully curated to create a space that is both inviting and effortlessly chic.

フィラデルフィアにある高級な中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (アンダーカウンターシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、白いキャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、青いキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、無垢フローリング、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

A minimalist kitchen is like the no-makeup makeup! Everything is well thought out throughout the space!
トロントにある高級な中くらいな北欧スタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (アンダーカウンターシンク、フラットパネル扉のキャビネット、淡色木目調キャビネット、珪岩カウンター、グレーのキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、セラミックタイルの床、グレーの床、グレーのキッチンカウンター) の写真

A Modern home that wished for more warmth... An addition and reconstruction of approx. 750sq. area. That included new kitchen, office, family room and back patio cover area. The custom-made kitchen cabinets are semi-inset / semi-frameless combination. The door style was custom build with a minor bevel at the edge of each door. White oak was used for the frame, drawers and most of the cabinet doors with some doors paint white for accent effect. The island "legs" or water fall sides if you wish and the hood enclosure are Tambour wood paneling. These are 3/4" half round wood profile connected together for a continues pattern. These Tambour panels, the wicker pendant lights and the green live walls inject a bit of an Asian fusion into the design mix. The floors are polished concrete in a dark brown finish to inject additional warmth vs. the standard concrete gray most of us familiar with. A huge 16' multi sliding door by La Cantina was installed, this door is aluminum clad (wood finish on the interior of the door).

オースティンにある高級な中くらいなトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (ダブルシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、白いキャビネット、御影石カウンター、グレーのキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、グレーのキッチンカウンター、三角天井) の写真

ミネアポリスにある高級な中くらいなトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (エプロンフロントシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、中間色木目調キャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、白いキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、パネルと同色の調理設備、無垢フローリング、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

トロントにある高級な広いモダンスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (ダブルシンク、フラットパネル扉のキャビネット、中間色木目調キャビネット、タイルカウンター、白いキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、磁器タイルの床、グレーの床、黒いキッチンカウンター) の写真

The indoor kitchen and dining room lead directly out to the outdoor kitchen and dining space. The screens on the outdoor space allows for the sliding door to remain open.

モントリオールにある高級な広いトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (アンダーカウンターシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、白いキャビネット、珪岩カウンター、ベージュキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、パネルと同色の調理設備、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、グレーのキッチンカウンター) の写真

A peek at the view from the Kitchen to the stairs and entry way. A waterfall edge accent on the island adds a sleek look while warm stains balance out the brighter elements. Painted full overlay cabinets in the nearby pantry are repeated on the island. Photos by Spacecrafting Photography

ナッシュビルにある高級な広いミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (アンダーカウンターシンク、フラットパネル扉のキャビネット、中間色木目調キャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、緑のキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、無垢フローリング、白いキッチンカウンター、三角天井) の写真

サンフランシスコにある高級な中くらいなモダンスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (エプロンフロントシンク、シェーカースタイル扉のキャビネット、グレーのキャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、白いキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、パネルと同色の調理設備、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター、表し梁) の写真