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

ワシントンD.C.にある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、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

ロサンゼルス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、木材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床、表し梁、塗装板張りの天井、パネル壁) の写真

ワシントンD.C.にある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、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、漆喰の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床、格子天井) の写真

The redesign of the fireplace was the starting point for the project and it was totally reimagined. We started with classic stacked stone. Custom floating cabinets were built to not only accommodate the floor vent but also for firewood storage. The mantel was the final piece of the puzzle and the shape was designed to follow the profile of the wall, then stained to match the home’s original woodwork. Seating was designed to encourage conversations and board games. Accents in gold, teal, and orange add personality. Unique wall sconces and an overhead pendant are the jewelry of the room. Photography by Picture Perfect House

Open concept living room in an 1890's historical home. A linear gas fireplace surrounded by comfortable, yet elegant lounge seating makes for a cozy space to read or have a cocktail. The original space consisted of 3 small rooms and is now one continuous space.

Transitional living room with contemporary influences. Photography: Michael Alan Kaskel
シカゴ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応接間 (グレーの壁、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、濃色無垢フローリング、茶色い床) の写真

Surrounded by canyon views and nestled in the heart of Orange County, this 9,000 square foot home encompasses all that is “chic”. Clean lines, interesting textures, pops of color, and an emphasis on art were all key in achieving this contemporary but comfortable sophistication. Photography by Chad Mellon

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

Modern Farmhouse living with high end finishes Matthew Anderson, Elite Home Images Photographer
カンザス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リビング (グレーの壁、標準型暖炉、木材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床、濃色無垢フローリング) の写真

A transitional living space filled with natural light, contemporary furnishings with blue accent accessories. The focal point in the room features a custom fireplace with a marble, herringbone tile surround, marble hearth, custom white built-ins with floating shelves. Photo by Exceptional Frames.

ソルトレイクシティにある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、淡色無垢フローリング、ベージュの床、テレビなし) の写真

Transitional Living Room with custom drapery to accent the high ceiling and windows. poufs/stools in front of fireplace for additional seating.

Ed Kingsford
ロンドンにある高級な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、茶色い床、濃色無垢フローリング、暖炉なし、テレビなし) の写真

Conroy Tanzer
サンフランシスコ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、テレビなし) の写真

他の地域にある広い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、暖炉なし、テレビなし、茶色い床) 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リビング (白い壁、淡色無垢フローリング、横長型暖炉、漆喰の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、ベージュの床) の写真

Michael 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 (白い壁、グレーの床、無垢フローリング、テレビなし) の写真

Jane Beiles Photography
ワシントンD.C.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、標準型暖炉、カーペット敷き、木材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真