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. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

Sandrine Rivière
Design ideas for a small contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Grenoble with grey cabinets, wood benchtops, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, grey floor, a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white splashback, a peninsula and brown benchtop.

Design ideas for a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, quartz benchtops, white splashback, white benchtop and brown floor.

This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, light hardwood floors and a peninsula.

What struck us strange about this property was that it was a beautiful period piece but with the darkest and smallest kitchen considering it's size and potential. We had a quite a few constrictions on the extension but in the end we managed to provide a large bright kitchen/dinning area with direct access to a beautiful garden and keeping the 'new ' in harmony with the existing building. We also expanded a small cellar into a large and functional Laundry room with a cloakroom bathroom. Jake Fitzjones Photography Ltd

Small contemporary single-wall open plan kitchen in Phoenix with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback and porcelain floors.

Shannon McGrath
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary galley kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete benchtops, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Ocean front, Luxury home in Miami Beach Projects by J Design Group, Your friendly Interior designers firm in Miami, FL. at your service. AVENTURA MAGAZINE selected our client’s luxury 5000 Sf ocean front apartment in Miami Beach, to publish it in their issue and they Said: Story by Linda Marx, Photography by Daniel Newcomb Light & Bright New York snowbirds redesigned their Miami Beach apartment to take advantage of the tropical lifestyle. New York snowbirds redesigned their Miami Beach apartment to take advantage of the tropical lifestyle. WHEN INTERIOR DESIGNER JENNIFER CORREDOR was asked to recreate a four-bedroom, six-bath condominium at The Bath Club in Miami Beach, she seized the opportunity to open the rooms and better utilize the vast ocean views. In five months last year, the designer transformed a dark and closed 5,000-square-foot unit located on a high floor into a series of sweeping waterfront spaces and updated the well located apartment into a light and airy retreat for a sports-loving family of five. “They come down from New York every other weekend and wanted to make their waterfront home a series of grand open spaces,” says Jennifer Corrredor, of the J. Design Group in Miami, a firm specializing in modern and contemporary interiors. “Since many of the rooms face the ocean, it made sense to open and lighten up the home, taking advantage of the awesome views of the sea and the bay.” The designer used 40 x 40 all white tile throughout the apartment as a clean base. This way, her sophisticated use of color would stand out and bring the outdoors in. The close-knit family members—two parents and three boys in college—like to do things together. But there were situations to overcome in the process of modernizing and opening the space. When Jennifer Corredor was briefed on their desires, nothing seemed too daunting. The confident designer was ready to delve in. For example, she fixed an area at the front door that was curved. “The wood was concave so I straightened it out,” she explains of a request from the clients. “It was an obstacle that I overcame as part of what I do in a redesign. I don’t consider it a difficult challenge. Improving what I see is part of the process.” She also tackled the kitchen with gusto by demolishing a wall. The kitchen had formerly been enclosed, which was a waste of space and poor use of available waterfront ambience. To create a grand space linking the kitchen to the living room and dining room area, something had to go. Once the wall was yesterday’s news, she relocated the refrigerator and freezer (two separate appliances) to the other side of the room. This change was a natural functionality in the new open space. “By tearing out the wall, the family has a better view of the kitchen from the living and dining rooms,” says Jennifer Corredor, who also made it easier to walk in and out of one area and into the other. “The views of the larger public space and the surrounding water are breathtaking. Opening it up changed everything.” They clients can now see the kitchen from the living and dining areas, and at the same time, dwell in an airy and open space instead of feeling stuck in a dark enclosed series of rooms. In fact, the high-top bar stools that Jennifer Corredor selected for the kitchen can be twirled around to use for watching TV in the living room. In keeping with the theme of moving seamlessly from one room to the other, Corredor designed a subtle wall of glass in the living room along with lots of comfortable seating. This way, all family members feel at ease while relaxing, talking, or watching sporting events on the large flat screen television. “For this room, I wanted more open space, light and a supreme airy feeling,” she says. “With the glass design making a statement, it quickly became the star of the show.”……. ….. To add texture and depth, Jennifer Corredor custom created wood doors here, and in other areas of the home. They provide a nice contrast to the open Florida tropical feel. “I added character to the openness by using exotic cherry wood,” she says. “I repeated this throughout the home and it works well.” Known for capturing the client’s vision while adding her own innovative twists, Jennifer Corredor lightened the family room, giving it a contemporary and modern edge with colorful art and matching throw pillows on the sofas. She added a large beige leather ottoman as the center coffee table in the room. This round piece was punctuated with a bold-toned flowering plant atop. It effortlessly matches the pillows and colors of the contemporary canvas. Jennifer Corredor also gutted all of the bathrooms, resulting in a major redesign of the master. She jettisoned the whirlpool and created the dazzling illusion of a floating tub. From an area where there were two toilets, she eliminated one to make a grand rectangular shower, which became an overall showpiece. The master bath went from being just a functional water closet to a sophisticated spa-like space. “The client said I was ‘delicious’ after seeing the change,” laughed Jennifer Corredor, who emphasized that her clients love their part-time life in South Florida more each time they come down. Even when the husband has to work from their Miami Beach digs, he is surrounded by tropical beauty. For instance, there are times when the master bedroom must double as the husband’s home office. The room had to be large enough to accommodate a working space for this purpose. So Jennifer Corredor placed an appropriate table near the window and across from the king-size bed. “No blocking of the amazing water view was necessary,” she says. “I kept an open space with a lot of white so It functions well and the work space fits right in.” She repeated the bold modern art in the room as well as in the guest bedroom, which also has a workspace for the sons when they are home from school and need to study. The designer is still happy and glowing with the results of her toil in this apartment. She gets a “spiritual feeling” when she walks inside. “It is so peaceful and serene, with subtle hints of explosive statements,” she says. “The entire space is open, yet anchored by the warmth of the exotic woods.” The client wrote Jennifer Corredor a letter at the end of the project congratulating her on a job well done. She revealed that owning a Miami Beach home was her husband’s dream 30 years ago. “Now we have a quality perfect yet practical home,” she wrote to the designer. “You solved the challenges, and the end result far exceeds our expectations. We love it.” Thanks for your interest in our Contemporary Interior Design projects and if you have any question please do not hesitate to ask us. http://www.JDesignGroup.com 305.444.4611 Modern Interior designer Miami. Contemporary Miami Miami Interior Designers Miami Interior Designer Interior Designers Miami Interior Designer Miami Modern Interior Designers Modern Interior Designer Modern interior decorators Modern interior decorator Contemporary Interior Designers Contemporary Interior Designer Interior design decorators Interior design decorator Interior Decoration and Design Black Interior Designers Black Interior Designer Interior designer Interior designers Interior design decorators Interior design decorator Home interior designers Home interior designer Interior design companies Interior decorators Interior decorator Decorators Decorator Miami Decorators Miami Decorator Decorators Miami Decorator Miami Interior Design Firm Interior Design Firms Interior Designer Firm Interior Designer Firms Interior design Interior designs home decorators Interior decorating Miami Best Interior Designers. 225 Malaga Ave. Coral Gable, FL 33134 http://www.JDesignGroup.com 305.444.4611

The tiles come from Pental ( http://www.pentalonline.com/) and United Tile ( http://www.unitedtile.com/) in Portland. However, the red glass accent tiles are custom.

This transitional style kitchen design in Gainesville has an eye catching color scheme in cool shades of gray with vibrant accents of blue throughout the space. The gray perimeter kitchen cabinets coordinate perfectly with a matching custom hood, and glass front upper cabinets are ideal for displaying decorative items. The island cabinetry is a lighter shade of gray and includes open shelves at both ends. The design is complemented by an engineered quartz countertop and light gray tile backsplash. Throughout the space, vibrant pops of blue accent the kitchen design, from small accessories to the blue chevron patterned glass tile featured above the range. The island barstools and a banquette seating area also feature the signature blue tones, as well as the stunning blue sliding barn door. The design is finished with glass pendant lights, a Sub Zero refrigerator and Wolf oven and range, and a wood look tile floor.

Large country kitchen in Gloucestershire with recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, wood benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island, a farmhouse sink, beige splashback, glass sheet splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Singapore with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, grey splashback, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, a peninsula, beige floor and black benchtop.

Melodie Schooley
Photo of a small industrial galley open plan kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, metallic splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Adelaide with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, with island and beige floor.

This is an example of a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, yellow splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

Design and construction by Anthony Wilder Design/Build, SieMatic cabinetry by KONST. Photography by Robert Lautman.
Contemporary kitchen in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, with island, an undermount sink, brown cabinets, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Архитектор Черняева Юлия (АRCHCONCEPT) фотограф Камачкин Александр
Design ideas for a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Moscow with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, white appliances, marble floors, no island and flat-panel cabinets.

дизайнер Евгения Разуваева
Mid-sized industrial single-wall open plan kitchen in Moscow with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island and brown floor.

Anita Fraser
Inspiration for a large contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in London with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.