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

バーリントン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 (石材の暖炉まわり、ベージュの壁、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

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

サクラメント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 (青い壁、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) 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

Updated living room with white natural stone full-wall fireplace, custom floating mantel, greige built-ins with inset doors and drawers, locally sourced artwork above the mantel, coffered ceilings and refinished hardwood floors in the Ballantyne Country Club neighborhood of Charlotte, NC

This marble fireplace with built-in shelves adds the perfect focal point in a living room.
ローリー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、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、埋込式メディアウォール、茶色い床、表し梁) の写真

Stunning traditional home in the Devonshire neighborhood of Dallas.
ダラス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 (白い壁、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) の写真

The wide plank wooden floor was used throughout the ground floor of this maisonette development in Maida Vale, London. The dark L-shape sofa contrasts with the off-white walls. The bookcases either side of the fireplace were made bespoke. Head to our website to see the full development of the open plan kitchen, bedrooms and shower room.

シカゴ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 (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、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

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、石材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

Photo Credits: Anna Stathaki
ロンドン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 (緑の壁、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) の写真

Designer: Aaron Keller | Photographer: Sarah Utech
ミルウォーキー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、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、据え置き型テレビ) の写真

サンフランシスコ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独立型リビング (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

Michael J. Lee Photography
ボストンにあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれな独立型リビング (ライブラリー、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、白い壁、茶色い床) の写真

A mixture of classic construction and modern European furnishings redefines mountain living in this second home in charming Lahontan in Truckee, California. Designed for an active Bay Area family, this home is relaxed, comfortable and fun.

Our client wanted a more open environment, so we expanded the kitchen and added a pantry along with this family room addition. We used calm, cool colors in this sophisticated space with rustic embellishments. Drapery , fabric by Kravet, upholstered furnishings by Lee Industries, cocktail table by Century, mirror by Restoration Hardware, chandeliers by Currey & Co.. Photo by Allen Russ

アトランタ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 (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