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

Photography: Dustin Halleck
シカゴ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 (グレーの壁、標準型暖炉、無垢フローリング、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

ヒューストンにある中くらいなモダン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、石材の暖炉まわり、ベージュの床、テレビなし) の写真

Our San Francisco studio designed this beautiful four-story home for a young newlywed couple to create a warm, welcoming haven for entertaining family and friends. In the living spaces, we chose a beautiful neutral palette with light beige and added comfortable furnishings in soft materials. The kitchen is designed to look elegant and functional, and the breakfast nook with beautiful rust-toned chairs adds a pop of fun, breaking the neutrality of the space. In the game room, we added a gorgeous fireplace which creates a stunning focal point, and the elegant furniture provides a classy appeal. On the second floor, we went with elegant, sophisticated decor for the couple's bedroom and a charming, playful vibe in the baby's room. The third floor has a sky lounge and wine bar, where hospitality-grade, stylish furniture provides the perfect ambiance to host a fun party night with friends. In the basement, we designed a stunning wine cellar with glass walls and concealed lights which create a beautiful aura in the space. The outdoor garden got a putting green making it a fun space to share with friends. --- Project designed by ballonSTUDIO. They discreetly tend to the interior design needs of their high-net-worth individuals in the greater Bay Area and to their second home locations. For more about ballonSTUDIO, see here: https://www.ballonstudio.com/

ダラス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 (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

ソルトレイクシティにある中くらいな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、レンガの暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

ナッシュビルにあるお手頃価格の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、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、テレビなし、グレーとクリーム色、塗装板張りの暖炉まわり) の写真

ニューヨーク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応接間 (グレーの壁、標準型暖炉、テレビなし、石材の暖炉まわり、茶色い床) の写真

A farmhouse coastal styled home located in the charming neighborhood of Pflugerville. We merged our client's love of the beach with rustic elements which represent their Texas lifestyle. The result is a laid-back interior adorned with distressed woods, light sea blues, and beach-themed decor. We kept the furnishings tailored and contemporary with some heavier case goods- showcasing a touch of traditional. Our design even includes a separate hangout space for the teenagers and a cozy media for everyone to enjoy! The overall design is chic yet welcoming, perfect for this energetic young family. Project designed by Sara Barney’s Austin interior design studio BANDD DESIGN. They serve the entire Austin area and its surrounding towns, with an emphasis on Round Rock, Lake Travis, West Lake Hills, and Tarrytown. For more about BANDD DESIGN, click here: https://bandddesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://bandddesign.com/moving-water/

ボストン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 (グレーの壁、濃色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、タイルの暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

サクラメントにあるお手頃価格の中くらいな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、石材の暖炉まわり、ベージュの床) の写真

グランドラピッズ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 (ベージュの壁、濃色無垢フローリング、横長型暖炉、金属の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

The living room at the house in Chelsea with a bespoke fireplace surround designed by us and supplied and installed by Marble Hill Fireplaces with a gas stove from interfocos. George Sharman Photography

Luxurious modern take on a traditional white Italian villa. An entry with a silver domed ceiling, painted moldings in patterns on the walls and mosaic marble flooring create a luxe foyer. Into the formal living room, cool polished Crema Marfil marble tiles contrast with honed carved limestone fireplaces throughout the home, including the outdoor loggia. Ceilings are coffered with white painted crown moldings and beams, or planked, and the dining room has a mirrored ceiling. Bathrooms are white marble tiles and counters, with dark rich wood stains or white painted. The hallway leading into the master bedroom is designed with barrel vaulted ceilings and arched paneled wood stained doors. The master bath and vestibule floor is covered with a carpet of patterned mosaic marbles, and the interior doors to the large walk in master closets are made with leaded glass to let in the light. The master bedroom has dark walnut planked flooring, and a white painted fireplace surround with a white marble hearth. The kitchen features white marbles and white ceramic tile backsplash, white painted cabinetry and a dark stained island with carved molding legs. Next to the kitchen, the bar in the family room has terra cotta colored marble on the backsplash and counter over dark walnut cabinets. Wrought iron staircase leading to the more modern media/family room upstairs. Project Location: North Ranch, Westlake, California. Remodel designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more. Eclectic Living Room with Asian antiques from the owners' own travels. Deep purple, copper and white chenille fabrics and a handknotted wool rug. Modern art painting by Maraya, Home built by Timothy J. Droney

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.

Emma Wood
サセックス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 (淡色無垢フローリング、薪ストーブ、漆喰の暖炉まわり、ベージュの床、緑の壁、壁掛け型テレビ) の写真

ニューヨークにある中くらいなビーチ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、暖炉なし、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

他の地域にあるお手頃価格の中くらいなモダンスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (ベージュの壁、濃色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、金属の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

ミラノ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 (白い壁、グレーの床) の写真