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

This great-room incorporates the living, dining , kitchen as well as access to the back patio. It is the perfect place for entertaining and relaxing. We restored the floors to their original warm tone and used lots of warm neutrals to answer our client’s desire for a more masculine feeling home. A Chinese cabinet and custom-built bookcase help to define an entry hall where one does not exist. We completely remodeled the kitchen and it is now very open and inviting. A Caesarstone counter with an overhang for eating or entertaining allows for three comfortable bar stools for visiting while cooking. Stainless steal appliances and a white apron sink are the only features that still remain. A large contemporary art piece over the new dining banquette brings in a splash of color and rounds out the space. Lots of earth-toned fabrics are part of this overall scheme. The kitchen, dining and living rooms have light cabinetry and walls with accent color in the tile and fireplace stone. The home has lots of added storage for books, art and accessories. In the living room, comfortable upholstered pieces with casual fabrics were created and sit atop a sisal rug, giving the room true California style. For contrast, a dark metal drapery rod above soft white drapery panels covers the new French doors. The doors lead out to the back patio. Photography by Erika Bierman

Photo by: Warren Lieb
チャールストンにある巨大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、標準型暖炉) の写真

他の地域にある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、石材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床、表し梁、三角天井) の写真

Photo by Andrew Giammarco Photography.
シアト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LDK (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、タイルの暖炉まわり) の写真

ワシントンD.C.にあるラグジュアリー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 (白い壁、濃色無垢フローリング、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床、標準型暖炉、木材の暖炉まわり) の写真

Our Indianapolis design studio designed a gut renovation of this home which opened up the floorplan and radically changed the functioning of the footprint. It features an array of patterned wallpaper, tiles, and floors complemented with a fresh palette, and statement lights. Photographer - Sarah Shields --- Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/country-estate-transformation/

ニューヨークにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれな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、茶色い床) の写真

This cozy river cottage, designed by Emily Hughes, IIDA, has a laid back transitional vibe. Whimsical florals, trellis and checkered fabrics from Designer's Guild, Schumacher and Jane Churchill give a light-hearted, whimsical style to the furnishings and window treatments. Natural fibers and distressed, antiqued finishes bring nature into the interiors of this riverside getaway.

Brad Montgomery tym Homes
ソルトレイクシティ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LDK (標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、白い壁、無垢フローリング、茶色い床) の写真

サンフランシスコにある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、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) の写真

バーミングハムにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなLDK (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、茶色い床、表し梁) の写真

ニューヨークにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなLDK (ライブラリー、白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、窓際ベンチ) の写真

Photo - Jessica Glynn Photography
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LDK (ライブラリー、白い壁、標準型暖炉、レンガの暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、マルチカラーの床) の写真

The large pattern of the custom rug is the perfect contrast to the organic pattern of the fireplace and the open, modern concept of the room. A wall of large glass doors open up to views of the Bay, Angel Island, and the San Francisco cityscape. Photo credit: David Duncan Livingston

グランドラピッズにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、セラミックタイルの床、白い壁、茶色い床) の写真

The great room serves as a hub for this home, with the guest bedrooms to the West, and the master bedroom to the East of the space. With tall ceilings, the space is comfortable, yet grand, with endless views to enjoy.

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LDK (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、テレビなし) の写真

Exposed wooden beams traverse the ceiling, adding a warm and rustic touch to the space. The tongue-and-groove ceiling enhances the overall charm, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. One notable feature of this living room is the curved built-ins on each side of the stone fireplace. These unique architectural elements not only provide functional storage but also add a touch of visual interest and elegance to the room. They seamlessly blend with the overall design, contributing to the room's character and uniqueness.