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

サンフランシスコ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LDK (グレーの壁、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、壁掛け型テレビ) の写真

The grand living room is one of the centerpieces of this Tudor style home nestled in the wooded suburbs of Warren, NJ. The wood beam details, dramatic light fixture and stone fireplace where design elements that truly add character to the home.

To obtain sources, copy and paste this link into your browser. http://carlaaston.com/designed/before-after-the-extraordinary-remodel-of-an-ordinary-custom-builder-home / Photographer, Tori Aston

The grand living room needed large focal pieces, so our design team began by selecting the large iron chandelier to anchor the space. The black iron of the chandelier echoes the black window trim of the two story windows and fills the volume of space nicely. The plain fireplace wall was underwhelming, so our team selected four slabs of premium Calcutta gold marble and butterfly bookmatched the slabs to add a sophisticated focal point. Tall sheer drapes add height and subtle drama to the space. The comfortable sectional sofa and woven side chairs provide the perfect space for relaxing or for entertaining guests. Woven end tables, a woven table lamp, woven baskets and tall olive trees add texture and a casual touch to the space. The expansive sliding glass doors provide indoor/outdoor entertainment and ease of traffic flow when a large number of guests are gathered.

Black and white trim and warm gray walls create transitional style in a small-space living room.
ミネアポリスにある低価格の小さ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、ラミネートの床、標準型暖炉、タイルの暖炉まわり、茶色い床、グレーとクリーム色) の写真

The adjoining cozy family room is highlighted by a herringbone tile fireplace surround and built-in shelving. Bright pops of color add to the interest.

Stephani Buchman Photography
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リビング (グレーの壁、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、濃色無垢フローリング、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

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

The entry herringbone floor pattern leads way to a wine room that becomes the jewel of the home with a viewing window from the dining room that displays a wine collection on a floating stone counter lit by Metro Lighting. The hub of the home includes the kitchen with midnight blue & white custom cabinets by Beck Allen Cabinetry, a quaint banquette & an artful La Cornue range that are all highlighted with brass hardware. The kitchen connects to the living space with a cascading see-through fireplace that is surfaced with an undulating textural tile.

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

A beach house getaway. Jodi Fleming Design scope: Architectural Drawings, Interior Design, Custom Furnishings, & Landscape Design. Photography by Billy Collopy

A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

オレンジカウン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 (グレーの壁、淡色無垢フローリング、茶色い床、標準型暖炉、木材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、表し梁) の写真

ミネアポリス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、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

ナッシュビル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LDK (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

Stephanie James: “Understanding the client’s style preferences, we sought out timeless pieces that also offered a little bling. The room is open to multiple dining and living spaces and the scale of the furnishings by Chaddock, Ambella, Wesley Hall and Mr. Brown and lighting by John Richards and Visual Comfort were very important. The living room area with its vaulted ceilings created a need for dramatic fixtures and furnishings to complement the scale. The mixture of textiles and leather offer comfortable seating options whether for a family gathering or an intimate evening with a book.” Photographer: Michael Blevins Photo

Doug Peterson Photography
ボイシにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれな応接間 (白い壁、淡色無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、テレビなし) の写真

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