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. Eric Roth Photo

シカゴにある高級な中くらいなラスティックスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (ベージュの壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、漆喰の暖炉まわり、茶色い床) の写真

White Oak © Carolina Timberworks
シャーロットにある高級な中くらいなラスティックスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、カーペット敷き、標準型暖炉、テレビなし) の写真

Our Lounge Lake Rug features circles of many hues, some striped, some color-blocked, in a crisp grid on a neutral ground. This kind of rug easily ties together all the colors of a room, or adds pop in a neutral scheme. The circles are both loop and pile, against a loop ground, and there are hints of rayon in the wool circles, giving them a bit of a sheen and adding to the textural variation. Also shown: Camden Sofa, Charleston and Madison Chairs.

The living space was designed to not only reflect the mid-century modern style but also to take advantage of view with floor to ceiling windows. With warm sunrises and sunsets almost every day, we also wanted to incorporate this by using warm tones throughout.

Foyer / Fireplace
モントリオールにある高級な広いカントリー風のおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、茶色い床、板張り天井、テレビなし) の写真

ダラスにある高級な中くらいなモダンスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、濃色無垢フローリング、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

他の地域にある高級な中くらいなラスティックスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (茶色い壁、濃色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

サンディエゴにある高級な広いモダンスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (グレーの壁、大理石の床、横長型暖炉、タイルの暖炉まわり、テレビなし、ベージュの床) の写真

ニューヨーク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リビング (ベージュの壁、磁器タイルの床、暖炉なし、テレビなし、ベージュの床) の写真

シュトゥットガルト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リビング (グレーの壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、漆喰の暖炉まわり、茶色い床、テレビなし) の写真

Bright spacious living room with large sectional and cozy fireplace. This contemporary-eclectic living room features cultural patterns, warm rustic woods, slab stone fireplace, vibrant artwork, and unique sculptures. The contrast between traditional wood accents and clean, tailored furnishings creates a surprising balance of urban design and country charm. Designed by Design Directives, LLC., who are based in Scottsdale and serving throughout Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Cave Creek, Carefree, and Sedona. For more about Design Directives, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://susanherskerasid.com/urban-ranch

ニューヨーク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リビング (ベージュの壁、淡色無垢フローリング、横長型暖炉、コンクリートの暖炉まわり、ベージュの床) の写真

This intricate coffered ceiling was designed alongside of the carpenter, architect and homeowner for a timeless formal ceiling.
オーランドにある高級な広い地中海スタイルのおしゃれなリビング (ベージュの壁、磁器タイルの床、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、ベージュの床) の写真

The Gyrofocus by Focus Fires is an award-winning design created by Focus creator Dominique Imbert in 1968. The fireplace floats above the ground and also spins 360 degrees.

Take a twist on traditional
他の地域にある高級な中くらいな北欧スタイルのおしゃれなリビング (淡色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、テレビなし、漆喰の暖炉まわり、茶色い床、紫の壁) の写真

ニューヨーク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リビング (グレーの壁、淡色無垢フローリング、暖炉なし、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

インディアナポリスにある高級な広いトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、カーペット敷き、暖炉なし、埋込式メディアウォール) の写真

ニュルンベルク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リビング (白い壁、淡色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、コンクリートの暖炉まわり、テレビなし、ベージュの床) の写真