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Floor plan of North London Loft by Cooke Fawcett Architects

Thanks to a robust solar panel array, the house is net-zero, with enough energy to charge the couple's electric car as well.

The living area includes a sofa from Helmut Muebles and a coffee table by La Base, set against a lush backdrop of oleander.

The three-over-three window pattern was reinstated on the rear, with a new steel and wood deck and stairs to access the yard. The lower apartment has a private sunken patio.

Adamant about floor-to-ceiling windows but reeling from sticker shock, Chau tapped local fabricators Arnold Iron Works and Strong Tempering Glass to create custom glazing, which proved much more affordable. The glass is reflective on the street side, creating a mirror effect.

A primary suite was created on the new second level, complete with a freestanding tub.

AbleNook is a Florida-based prefabricated, flat-pack home kit made from aircraft-grade aluminum framing and structural insulated panels (SIPs). Although it started out as an architecture school project, it was later patented through the University of South Florida and makes for an affordable ADU starting at $75,000. Use it as a main residence, eco-friendly second home, or Airbnb. They’re also designed to be potential disaster relief, as they’re ready for just about any terrain or weather conditions, including Florida’s hurricane winds. It’s also expandable to accommodate a range of sizes.

Bolden feels good about having blended the old and the new, too. “I could build a new trailer or a new house, but I love taking these beautiful old things that are still functional and having them be the vehicle for this type of interior work,” he says.

The house nestled in the forest

Storage had to be dialed in within the narrow footprint of the brownstone. The black core holds the pantry, while on the right, a bank of custom cabinetry hosts the command station, mop closet, and a concealed bar.-

The courtyard extends the sense of space in the main bathroom, and although the latter is in a central location in the narrow building, the courtyard brings in that much more light than is typical in a floorplan like this. The floor tile is the Krista Watterworth Kiss Marble ’ tile, and the owners can also open the exterior door there should they want to shower al-fresco.

Parlor floor living area

Now, the sizeable kitchen is an exceptional blend of old and new. The original floors, coffered ceiling, and windows are joined with IKEA cabinets with Semihandmade fronts, and Vermont-sourced Danby marble counters.