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

The mixture of grey green cabinets with the distressed wood floors and ceilings, gives this farmhouse kitchen a feeling of warmth. Cabinets: Brookhaven and the color is Green Stone Benjamin Moore paint color: There's not an exact match for Green Stone, but Gettysburg Grey, HC 107 is close. Sink: Krauss, model KHF200-30, stainless steel Faucet: Kraus, modelKPF-1602 Hardware: Restoration hardware, Dakota cup and Dakota round knob. The finish was either the chestnut or iron. Windows: Bloomberg is the manufacturer the hardware is from Restoration hardware--Dakota cup and Dakota round knob. The finish was either the chestnut or iron. Floors: European Oak that is wired brushed. The company is Provenza, Pompeii collection and the color is Amiata. Distressed wood: The wood is cedar that's been treated to look distressed! My client is brilliant , so he did some googling (is that a word?) and came across several sites that had a recipe to do just that. He put a steel wool pad into a jar of vinegar and let it sit for a bit. In another jar, he mixed black tea with water. Brush the tea on first and let it dry. Then brush on the steel wool/vinegar (don't forget to strain the wool). Voila, the wood turns dark. Andrew McKinney Photography

The homeowners wanted to open up their living and kitchen area to create a more open plan. We relocated doors and tore open a wall to make that happen. New cabinetry and floors where installed and the ceiling and fireplace where painted. This home now functions the way it should for this young family!

シドニーにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (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、白いキャビネット、白いキッチンパネル、ガラス板のキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Roundhouse Urbo matt lacquer bespoke kitchen in Pearl Ashes 3 by Fired Earth and island in Graphite 4 by Fired Earth. Work surface in Quartzstone White 04 and on island, worktop and breakfast bar in Wholestave American Black Walnut. Splashback in colour blocked glass.

メルボルン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、グレーのキッチンパネル、ガラス板のキッチンパネル、黒い調理設備、無垢フローリング、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

La cucina lineare è stata inserita nel corridoio che dall'ingresso porta al soggiorno. Sfruttamento dello spazio ottimale per una casa da mettere a reddito. Tutto disegnato su misura; pensili in legno rovere come il pavimento e paraspruzzi in vetro grigio retroverniciato per dare profondità e riflessione di luce.

In all our designs, no matter the size, functionality is just as important as style. Every usable space is used to its potential
メルボルンにある小さなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (ドロップインシンク、フラットパネル扉のキャビネット、青いキャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、白いキッチンパネル、ガラス板のキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、無垢フローリング、ベージュの床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

デトロイトにある高級な広いカントリー風のおしゃれなキッチン (エプロンフロントシンク、落し込みパネル扉のキャビネット、黒いキャビネット、御影石カウンター、ベージュキッチンパネル、ガラス板のキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、無垢フローリング、オレンジの床、ベージュのキッチンカウンター) の写真

モスクワにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなI型キッチン (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、人工大理石カウンター、白いキッチンパネル、ガラス板のキッチンパネル、黒い調理設備、無垢フローリング、アイランドなし、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Auch eine Ikea-Küche kann ein echter Eyechatcher sein! Diese matt schwarze Küche wurde exakt in die Nische eingepasst, ein hässlicher Boiler wurde mit einem nach oben geöffneten Hochschrank mit seitlichen Lüftungsschlitzen verkleidet, der unten Platz für einen integrierten Kühlschrank bietet. Es wurde eine Massivholzplatte vom Schreiner verbaut, das überstehende Keramikbecken passt wunderschön zum Eichenholz und harmoniert perfekt mit den weissen Wandpanelen. Die Unterbauschränke wurden mit LED-Platten bestückt, die sich dimmen lassen.

A significant transformation to the layout allowed this room to evolve into a multi function space. With precise allocation of appliances, generous proportions to the island bench; which extends around to create a comfortable dining space and clean lines, this open plan kitchen and living area will be the envy of all entertainers!

シドニーにあるビーチ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、白いキャビネット、ガラスまたは窓のキッチンパネル、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

シドニーにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (白いキャビネット、コンクリートカウンター、ガラスまたは窓のキッチンパネル、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

The modern scandi style kitchen blends in well to the modern extension. The oak details add a softness to the pale grey paneled cabinetry. Jamie Cobel

シドニー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 (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、白いキャビネット、ガラス板のキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、無垢フローリング、クオーツストーンカウンター、白いキッチンパネル、白いキッチンカウンター、茶色い床) の写真

D'Arcy & Co
ブリスベン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、白いキャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、白いキッチンパネル、ガラス板のキッチンパネル、黒い調理設備、無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

La cucina realizzata sotto al soppalco è interamente laccata di colore bianco con il top in massello di rovere e penisola bianca con sgabelli. Foto di Simone Marulli

パースにあるトランジ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、白いキャビネット、ガラスまたは窓のキッチンパネル、無垢フローリング、茶色い床) の写真