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

Стильный дизайн: парадная, открытая гостиная комната среднего размера:: освещение в классическом стиле с стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня, бежевыми стенами, паркетным полом среднего тона, коричневым полом и ковром на полу без телевизора - последний тренд

Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: открытая, парадная гостиная комната среднего размера:: освещение в стиле модернизм с бежевыми стенами, светлым паркетным полом, горизонтальным камином, фасадом камина из камня и бежевым полом без телевизора

На фото: парадная гостиная комната среднего размера:: освещение в стиле неоклассика (современная классика) с серыми стенами, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня и коричневым полом без телевизора с

The focal point of this beautiful family room is the bookmatched marble fireplace wall. A contemporary linear fireplace and big screen TV provide comfort and entertainment for the family room, while a large sectional sofa and comfortable chaise provide seating for up to nine guests. Lighted LED bookcase cabinets flank the fireplace with ample storage in the deep drawers below. This family room is both functional and beautiful for an active family.

Свежая идея для дизайна: парадная, открытая гостиная комната среднего размера в современном стиле с бежевыми стенами, светлым паркетным полом, горизонтальным камином, фасадом камина из камня и бежевым полом - отличное фото интерьера

На фото: открытая гостиная комната среднего размера:: освещение в классическом стиле с белыми стенами, темным паркетным полом, фасадом камина из камня, стандартным камином и коричневым полом без телевизора с

John Buchan Homes
Идея дизайна: двухуровневая гостиная комната среднего размера в стиле неоклассика (современная классика) с фасадом камина из камня, белыми стенами, темным паркетным полом, стандартным камином, телевизором на стене, коричневым полом и ковром на полу

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.

Soft linen white family room with handknotted rug, white sofas and glass table. A clean, contemporary white palette in this traditional Spanish Style home in Santa Barbara, California. Soft greys, beige, cream colored fabrics, hand knotted rugs and quiet light walls show off the beautiful thick arches between the living room and dining room. Stained wood beams, wrought iron lighting, and carved limestone fireplaces give a soft, comfortable feel for this summer home by the Pacific Ocean. White linen drapes with grass shades give warmth and texture to the great room. The kitchen features glass and white marble mosaic backsplash, white slabs of natural quartzite, and a built in banquet nook. The oak cabinets are lightened by a white wash over the stained wood, and medium brown wood plank flooring througout the home. Project Location: Santa Barbara, California. Project 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.

Custom, floating walnut shelving and lower cabinets/book shelves work for display, hiding video equipment and dog toys, too! Thibaut aqua blue grasscloth sets it all off in a very soothing way. Photo by: Melodie Hayes

This flat panel tv can be viewed from any angle and any seat in this family room. It is mounted on an articulating mount. The tv hides neatly in the cabinet when not in use.

This living room is layered with classic modern pieces and vintage asian accents. The natural light floods through the open plan. Photo by Whit Preston

Architecture by Bosworth Hoedemaker & Garret Cord Werner. Interior design by Garret Cord Werner.
Свежая идея для дизайна: парадная, открытая гостиная комната среднего размера в современном стиле с коричневыми стенами, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня и коричневым полом без телевизора - отличное фото интерьера

Detailed view of custom wall built-in cabinets in a styled family room complete with stone fireplace and wood mantel, fabric accent chair, traverse rod window treatments and exposed beams in Charlotte, NC.

Свежая идея для дизайна: парадная, изолированная гостиная комната среднего размера в классическом стиле с разноцветными стенами, паркетным полом среднего тона, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня, коричневым полом и обоями на стенах - отличное фото интерьера

Living room with custom media and fireplace cabinet. Photo: Jeffrey Totaro.
Свежая идея для дизайна: открытая гостиная комната среднего размера в современном стиле с белыми стенами, паркетным полом среднего тона, горизонтальным камином, фасадом камина из камня, мультимедийным центром и коричневым полом - отличное фото интерьера

Photography by Michael. J Lee Photography
На фото: открытая гостиная комната среднего размера в современном стиле с серыми стенами, светлым паркетным полом, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня и обоями на стенах

На фото: гостиная комната среднего размера в стиле неоклассика (современная классика) с светлым паркетным полом, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня и деревянным потолком