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

Edward C. Butera
マイアミにあるラグジュアリーな広いモダンスタイルのおしゃれなLDK (ベージュの壁、大理石の床、横長型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし) の写真

フェニックスにある中くらいなトロピカル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、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし) の写真

This wood ceiling needed something to tone down the grain in the planks. We were able to create a wash that did exactly that. The floors (reclaimed red oak from a pre-Civil War barn) needed to have their different colors highlighted, not homogenized. Instead of staining the floor, we used a tung oil and beeswax finish that was hand buffed. Our clients wanted to have reclaimed wood beams in their ceiling, but could not use true old beams as they would not be sturdy enough to support the roof. We took their fresh- cut fir beams and used synthetic plasters, paints, and glazes to give them an authentic aged look. Taken by Alise O'Brien (aliseobrienphotography.com) Interior Designer: Emily Castle (emilycastle.com)

Photos by Nick Vitale
ワシントンD.C.にある広いトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、横長型暖炉、ベージュの壁、無垢フローリング、茶色い床) の写真

This homage to prairie style architecture located at The Rim Golf Club in Payson, Arizona was designed for owner/builder/landscaper Tom Beck. This home appears literally fastened to the site by way of both careful design as well as a lichen-loving organic material palatte. Forged from a weathering steel roof (aka Cor-Ten), hand-formed cedar beams, laser cut steel fasteners, and a rugged stacked stone veneer base, this home is the ideal northern Arizona getaway. Expansive covered terraces offer views of the Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed golf course, the largest stand of Ponderosa Pines in the US, as well as the majestic Mogollon Rim and Stewart Mountains, making this an ideal place to beat the heat of the Valley of the Sun. Designing a personal dwelling for a builder is always an honor for us. Thanks, Tom, for the opportunity to share your vision. Project Details | Northern Exposure, The Rim – Payson, AZ Architect: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB, Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Builder: Thomas Beck, LTD, Scottsdale, AZ Photographer: Dino Tonn, Scottsdale, AZ

Justin Krug Photography
ポートランドにあるラグジュアリーな巨大なカントリー風のおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ) の写真

The design of this home was driven by the owners’ desire for a three-bedroom waterfront home that showcased the spectacular views and park-like setting. As nature lovers, they wanted their home to be organic, minimize any environmental impact on the sensitive site and embrace nature. This unique home is sited on a high ridge with a 45° slope to the water on the right and a deep ravine on the left. The five-acre site is completely wooded and tree preservation was a major emphasis. Very few trees were removed and special care was taken to protect the trees and environment throughout the project. To further minimize disturbance, grades were not changed and the home was designed to take full advantage of the site’s natural topography. Oak from the home site was re-purposed for the mantle, powder room counter and select furniture. The visually powerful twin pavilions were born from the need for level ground and parking on an otherwise challenging site. Fill dirt excavated from the main home provided the foundation. All structures are anchored with a natural stone base and exterior materials include timber framing, fir ceilings, shingle siding, a partial metal roof and corten steel walls. Stone, wood, metal and glass transition the exterior to the interior and large wood windows flood the home with light and showcase the setting. Interior finishes include reclaimed heart pine floors, Douglas fir trim, dry-stacked stone, rustic cherry cabinets and soapstone counters. Exterior spaces include a timber-framed porch, stone patio with fire pit and commanding views of the Occoquan reservoir. A second porch overlooks the ravine and a breezeway connects the garage to the home. Numerous energy-saving features have been incorporated, including LED lighting, on-demand gas water heating and special insulation. Smart technology helps manage and control the entire house. Greg Hadley Photography

Mountain modern living room with high vaulted ceilings.
他の地域にあるラグジュアリーなラスティックスタイルのおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、濃色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

ソルトレイクシティにある広いカントリー風のおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、淡色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、ベージュの床) の写真

ボストンにある広いコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなLDK (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、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

セントルイスにある広いラスティックスタイルのおしゃれなLDK (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

Martha O'Hara Interiors, Interior Design & Photo Styling | Troy Thies, Photography | MDS Remodeling, Home Remodel | Please Note: All “related,” “similar,” and “sponsored” products tagged or listed by Houzz are not actual products pictured. They have not been approved by Martha O’Hara Interiors nor any of the professionals credited. For info about our work: design@oharainteriors.com

Pressed tin inset panels add just the right glimmer to catch your attention next to this magnificent Michigan field stone fireplace. Jason Hulet Photography

John Buchan Homes
シアトル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リビングロフト (石材の暖炉まわり、白い壁、濃色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

Photography by Michael J. Lee
ボストンにあるラグジュアリーな広いトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (ベージュの壁、横長型暖炉、無垢フローリング、石材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床、折り上げ天井、グレーとクリーム色) の写真

Photo-Neil Rashba
ジャクソンビルにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなリビング (壁掛け型テレビ、石材の暖炉まわり) の写真

バーリントンにあるカントリー風のおしゃれなリビング (ベージュの壁、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、表し梁、塗装板張りの天井) の写真

This Craftsman lake view home is a perfectly peaceful retreat. It features a two story deck, board and batten accents inside and out, and rustic stone details.