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

Warm family room with Fireplace focal point.
Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: большая открытая гостиная комната в стиле неоклассика (современная классика) с белыми стенами, светлым паркетным полом, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня, телевизором на стене, коричневым полом и сводчатым потолком

This great room is filled with natural light thanks to the expansive windows and tall ceilings. Gorgeous beams and tongue/groove ceilings provide the perfect backdrop for the modern farmhouse esthetic. The horizontal stairway leading to the second level adds a slightly industrial touch to keep things fresh and modern, and compliments the updated gourmet kitchen. Floating built-in shelving allows the owners to personalize the space, while not detracting from the massive floor to ceiling brick fireplace that anchors the room.

We took advantage of the double volume ceiling height in the living room and added millwork to the stone fireplace, a reclaimed wood beam and a gorgeous, chandelier. The sliding doors lead out to the sundeck and the lake beyond. TV's mounted above fireplaces tend to be a little high for comfortable viewing from the sofa, so this tv is mounted on a pull down bracket for use when the fireplace is not turned on. Floating white oak shelves replaced upper cabinets above the bar area.

Rustic Zen Residence by Locati Architects, Interior Design by Cashmere Interior, Photography by Audrey Hall
Свежая идея для дизайна: парадная, открытая гостиная комната:: освещение в стиле рустика с белыми стенами, светлым паркетным полом и серым полом - отличное фото интерьера

Свежая идея для дизайна: большая открытая, парадная гостиная комната:: освещение в современном стиле с паркетным полом среднего тона, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня и белыми стенами без телевизора - отличное фото интерьера

Praised for its visually appealing, modern yet comfortable design, this Scottsdale residence took home the gold in the 2014 Design Awards from Professional Builder magazine. Built by Calvis Wyant Luxury Homes, the 5,877-square-foot residence features an open floor plan that includes Western Window Systems’ multi-slide pocket doors to allow for optimal inside-to-outside flow. Tropical influences such as covered patios, a pool, and reflecting ponds give the home a lush, resort-style feel.

Warm white living room accented with natural jute rug and linen furniture. White brick fireplace with wood mantle compliments light tone wood floors.

Justin Krug Photography
Пример оригинального дизайна: огромная открытая гостиная комната в стиле кантри с белыми стенами, паркетным полом среднего тона, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня, телевизором на стене и ковром на полу

Идея дизайна: большая открытая гостиная комната в скандинавском стиле с с книжными шкафами и полками, белыми стенами, светлым паркетным полом и бежевым полом

На фото: большая открытая, парадная гостиная комната:: освещение в стиле кантри с белыми стенами, светлым паркетным полом, стандартным камином и фасадом камина из камня без телевизора с

Tricia Shay Photography
Свежая идея для дизайна: парадная, открытая гостиная комната среднего размера в современном стиле с фасадом камина из металла, белыми стенами, темным паркетным полом, горизонтальным камином, телевизором на стене и коричневым полом - отличное фото интерьера

Burton Photography
Идея дизайна: большая открытая гостиная комната:: освещение в стиле рустика с фасадом камина из камня, белыми стенами, стандартным камином, телевизором на стене и ковром на полу

This Minnesota Artisan Tour showcase home features three exceptional natural stone fireplaces. A custom blend of ORIJIN STONE's Alder™ Split Face Limestone is paired with custom Indiana Limestone for the oversized hearths. Minnetrista, MN residence. MASONRY: SJB Masonry + Concrete BUILDER: Denali Custom Homes, Inc. PHOTOGRAPHY: Landmark Photography

This basement features billiards, a sunken home theatre, a stone wine cellar and multiple bar areas and spots to gather with friends and family.
На фото: большая комната для игр в стиле кантри с белыми стенами, полом из винила, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня и коричневым полом

Upper East Side Duplex contractor: Mullins Interiors photography by Patrick Cline
На фото: изолированная гостиная комната среднего размера:: освещение в стиле неоклассика (современная классика) с белыми стенами, темным паркетным полом, коричневым полом и мультимедийным центром без камина

Идея дизайна: изолированная гостиная комната среднего размера в классическом стиле с белыми стенами, паркетным полом среднего тона, стандартным камином, фасадом камина из камня и отдельно стоящим телевизором

nicholas lawrence design
На фото: большая двухуровневая гостиная комната в современном стиле с белыми стенами, полом из известняка, стандартным камином и фасадом камина из камня с

Photo by: Warren Lieb
Стильный дизайн: огромная гостиная комната в стиле неоклассика (современная классика) с белыми стенами, стандартным камином и ковром на полу - последний тренд