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

Location: Port Townsend, Washington. Photography by Dale Lang
シアトルにある高級な中くらいなトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (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、サブウェイ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、ダブルシンク、人工大理石カウンター、茶色い床) の写真

コロンバスにある高級な広いコンテンポラリー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、淡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、石タイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、淡色無垢フローリング、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Located inside an 1860's cotton mill that produced Civil War uniforms, and fronting the Chattahoochee River in Downtown Columbus, the owners envisioned a contemporary loft with historical character. The result is this perfectly personalized, modernized space more than 150 years in the making. Photography by Tom Harper Photography

Step into a kitchen that exudes both modern sophistication and inviting warmth. The space is anchored by a stunning natural quartzite countertop, its veined patterns reminiscent of a sun-drenched landscape. The countertop stretches across the kitchen, gracing both the perimeter cabinetry and the curved island, its gentle curves adding a touch of dynamism to the layout. White oak cabinetry provides a grounding contrast to the cool quartzite. The rich, natural grain of the wood, paired with a crisp white paint, create a sense of airiness and visual lightness. This interplay of textures and tones adds depth and dimension to the space. Breaking away from the traditional rectilinear lines, the island features curved panels that echo the countertop's gentle sweep. This unexpected detail adds a touch of whimsy and softens the overall aesthetic. The warm vinyl flooring complements the wood cabinetry, creating a sense of continuity underfoot.

Modern kitchen with rift-cut white oak cabinetry and a natural stone island.
ミネアポリス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アイランドキッチン (ダブルシンク、フラットパネル扉のキャビネット、淡色木目調キャビネット、珪岩カウンター、ベージュキッチンパネル、クオーツストーンのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、淡色無垢フローリング、ベージュの床、ベージュのキッチンカウンター) の写真

シアトル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、淡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、ガラスタイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、淡色無垢フローリング、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Oak kitchen with bespoke painted shelving to create window seat.
エディンバラ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 (シングルシンク、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、クオーツストーンカウンター、グレーのキッチンパネル、クオーツストーンのキッチンパネル、パネルと同色の調理設備、淡色無垢フローリング、グレーのキッチンカウンター) の写真

In this remodel, outdated cabinets were exchanged for modern shaker-style cabinets in a combination of finishes from Grabill Cabinets including Rift Cut White Oak Seaspray, Superwhite and a green custom paint match. EVNI matte porcelain countertops and full slab backsplash with lots of movement invite a natural texture into the space. Pops of gold and the green hidden bar cabinets bring unexpected sparkle and color into the space. The range hood with custom gold metal trim is a design-forward focal point in the space. The La Cornue CornuFé 110 White and Gold Range looks great surrounded by white cabinetry. Photos: Ashley Avila Photography

Tiled kitchen with birch cabinetry opens to outdoor dining beyond windows. Entry with stair to second floor and dining room.
ロサンゼルスにある高級な中くらいな地中海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、ベージュキッチンパネル、セラミックタイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、コンクリートの床、グレーの床、ベージュのキッチンカウンター) の写真

ニューヨークにある高級な中くらいなカントリー風のおしゃれなキッチン (シングルシンク、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、珪岩カウンター、黒いキッチンパネル、セラミックタイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、淡色無垢フローリング、ベージュの床、白いキッチンカウンター、板張り天井) の写真

Bright and airy cottage kitchen with natural wood accents and a pop of blue.
オレンジカウンティにある高級な小さなビーチスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (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、クオーツストーンカウンター、青いキッチンパネル、テラコッタタイルのキッチンパネル、パネルと同色の調理設備、白いキッチンカウンター、三角天井) の写真

We created a practical, L-shaped kitchen layout with an island bench integrated into the “golden triangle” that reduces steps between sink, stovetop and refrigerator for efficient use of space and ergonomics. Instead of a splashback, windows are slotted in between the kitchen benchtop and overhead cupboards to allow natural light to enter the generous kitchen space. Overhead cupboards have been stretched to ceiling height to maximise storage space. Timber screening was installed on the kitchen ceiling and wrapped down to form a bookshelf in the living area, then linked to the timber flooring. This creates a continuous flow and draws attention from the living area to establish an ambience of natural warmth, creating a minimalist and elegant kitchen. The island benchtop is covered with extra large format porcelain tiles in a 'Calacatta' profile which are have the look of marble but are scratch and stain resistant. The 'crisp white' finish applied on the overhead cupboards blends well into the 'natural oak' look over the lower cupboards to balance the neutral timber floor colour.

This expansive Victorian had tremendous historic charm but hadn’t seen a kitchen renovation since the 1950s. The homeowners wanted to take advantage of their views of the backyard and raised the roof and pushed the kitchen into the back of the house, where expansive windows could allow southern light into the kitchen all day. A warm historic gray/beige was chosen for the cabinetry, which was contrasted with character oak cabinetry on the appliance wall and bar in a modern chevron detail. Kitchen Design: Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn Architect: Ned Stoll, Interior finishes Tami Wassong Interiors

Zesta Kitchens
メルボルンにある高級な巨大な北欧スタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (一体型シンク、オープンシェルフ、淡色木目調キャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、グレーのキッチンパネル、大理石のキッチンパネル、黒い調理設備、淡色無垢フローリング、グレーのキッチンカウンター) の写真

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

サンフランシスコにある高級な中くらいなトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなキッチン (ダブルシンク、落し込みパネル扉のキャビネット、淡色木目調キャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、ベージュキッチンパネル、磁器タイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、無垢フローリング、ベージュの床、グレーのキッチンカウンター) の写真

コロンバス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、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、大理石カウンター、白いキッチンパネル、大理石のキッチンパネル、パネルと同色の調理設備、濃色無垢フローリング、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Nat Rea
ボストンにある高級な中くらいなカントリー風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、木材カウンター、茶色いキッチンパネル、石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