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

他の地域にある高級な小さ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、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、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、濃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

Adjacent to the kitchen is a full-service butler’s pantry featuring rich charcoal gray Viatera Carbo quartz countertops and matching solid surface backsplash. The under counter, climate-controlled beverage center and separate wine cooler by Landmark are flanked by light-stained white oak Shaker cabinets and drawers with matte black hardware and subtle under cabinet lighting giving a refined style to the space.

Stunning custom gourmet kitchen - a collaboration with Nancy Lutz / RDG Millwork. Beautifully photographed by Aristea Rizakos.
トロントにある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 (アンダーカウンターシンク、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、グレーのキッチンパネル、石スラブのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、濃色無垢フローリング、アイランドなし、茶色い床、グレーのキッチンカウンター) の写真

シアトルにある高級な小さなモダン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、白いキッチンパネル、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、茶色い床) の写真

Location: Sand Point, ID. Photos by Marie-Dominique Verdier; built by Selle Valley
シアトルにある中くらいなラスティック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、メタルタイルのキッチンパネル、シルバーの調理設備、アンダーカウンターシンク、淡色木目調キャビネット、クオーツストーンカウンター、メタリックのキッチンパネル、無垢フローリング、アイランドなし、茶色い床) の写真

A peak inside the hidden pantry
ミネアポリスにある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、クオーツストーンカウンター、白いキッチンパネル、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、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

Tired of the original, segmented floor plan of their midcentury home, this young family was ready to make a big change. Inspired by their beloved collection of Heath Ceramics tableware and needing an open space for the family to gather to do homework, make bread, and enjoy Friday Pizza Night…a new kitchen was born. Interior Architecture. Removal of one wall that provided a major obstruction, but no structure, resulted in connection between the family room, dining room, and kitchen. The new open plan allowed for a large island with seating and better flow in and out of the kitchen and garage. Interior Design. Vertically stacked, handmade tiles from Heath Ceramics in Ogawa Green wrap the perimeter backsplash with a nod to midcentury design. A row of white oak slab doors conceal a hidden exhaust hood while offering a sleek modern vibe. Shelves float just below to display beloved tableware, cookbooks, and cherished souvenirs.

サンフランシスコ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、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、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、茶色い床、白い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).

デンバーにある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、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、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、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

デンバーにある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、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、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、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

サンフランシスコにあるラグジュアリーな広い北欧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、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、白いキッチンパネル、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、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真

An urban townhome gets a sophisticated farmhouse influenced makeover. This home had a small, closed off kitchen which was not functional for this busy family. By removing the wall to the dining room the house is open from front to back, creating a large, open space for family fun, dining and entertainment. The kitchen features contrasting cabinets with a light wood finish on the base cabinets contrasting with white uppers. The butler's pantry area features glass front cabinets to keep the space open and airy. Marble backsplash with a contrasting patterned backsplash accent at the microwave bar adds texture, color and interest. The peninsula is perfect for entertaining and features a farmhouse sink and rustic pendant lighting. The kitchen opens to the dining room and the great room. This has become a beautiful, functional kitchen and entertainment space for a family on the go.

This young married couple enlisted our help to update their recently purchased condo into a brighter, open space that reflected their taste. They traveled to Copenhagen at the onset of their trip, and that trip largely influenced the design direction of their home, from the herringbone floors to the Copenhagen-based kitchen cabinetry. We blended their love of European interiors with their Asian heritage and created a soft, minimalist, cozy interior with an emphasis on clean lines and muted palettes.

Hidden in this near westside neighborhood of modest midcentury ranches is a multi-acre back yard that feels worlds away from the hustle of the city. These homeowners knew they had a gem, but their cramped and dim interior and lack of outdoor living space kept them from the full enjoyment of it. They said they wanted us to design them a deck and screen porch; we replied, "sure! but don't you want a better connection to that luscious outdoor space from the inside, too?" The whole back of the house was eventually transformed, inside and out. We opened up and united the former kitchen and dining, and took over an extra bedroom for a semi-open tv room that is tucked behind a built-in bar. Light now streams in through windows and doors and skylights that weren't there before. Simple, natural materials tie to the expansive yard and huge trees beyond the deck and also provide a quiet backdrop for the homeowners' colorful boho style and enviable collection of house plants. Contractor: Sharp Designs, Inc. Cabinetry: Richland Cabinetry Photographer: Sarah Shields

We moved the kitchen to the opposite side of the room to provide a better overall layout with more cabinets and continuous countertop space. Cabinets were placed under clerestory windows, allowing them to act as a light shelf and exponentially increasing natural light in the space. We removed the dropped ceiling to open up the space and create more evenly dispersed natural light. New appliances were installed, including a separate cooktop and wall oven to accommodate different cooking and baking zones. We implemented a warm Pacific Northwest material pallet with quarter-sawn oak cabinets, and added neutral yet sharp finishes in black, white, and chrome.

シカゴにある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、クオーツストーンカウンター、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、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、白いキッチンパネル) の写真

他の地域にある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 (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、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、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、茶色い床、白いキッチンカウンター) の写真