A bunk room for the grandkids! Warm woods, plaids, burlap and a patterned rug create a welcoming and rustic retreat for the kids. A sliding barn door highlights the entrance to the bedroom from the upstairs game room. Tre Dunham with Fine Focus Photography

This award-winning and intimate cottage was rebuilt on the site of a deteriorating outbuilding. Doubling as a custom jewelry studio and guest retreat, the cottage’s timeless design was inspired by old National Parks rough-stone shelters that the owners had fallen in love with. A single living space boasts custom built-ins for jewelry work, a Murphy bed for overnight guests, and a stone fireplace for warmth and relaxation. A cozy loft nestles behind rustic timber trusses above. Expansive sliding glass doors open to an outdoor living terrace overlooking a serene wooded meadow. Photos by: Emily Minton Redfield

Jennifer and Dan have lived in their Deer Park Illinois home for 15 years, slowly making minor fixes like painting and decorating; but they had a new plan for their kitchen the entire time. An awkwardly placed garage door, and an island cooktop with a terrible downdraft made a full-scale kitchen remodel an absolute must. Jennifer had many ideas in mind and wanted to work with a company that could provide high-end work, while partnering with a designer that would tailor the kitchen to her ideas. She was intrigued by the phrase “Common Sense Remodeling” in Advance Design’s feature she discovered while perusing an issue of the community’s Quintessential Barrington Magazine. Doing further research on the company’s website, as she looked through project profiles and read about Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy, she promptly scheduled an appointment to see if the people and ideas she read about were truly who they said they were. The more she read, the more she knew that the “Common Sense” approach to remodeling they described was exactly the type of company she was looking for. The partnership was sealed after an initial consultation with Owner Todd Jurs and Project Designer Michelle Lecinski. They displayed a combination of friendliness, professionalism and respect that was unmatched by any of the other companies Jennifer talked to. She knew that with Advance Design, she would be able to retain the vision that she had in mind with high-quality craftsmanship. “I reached out to Advance Design because of the ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ tagline,” Jennifer said. “That’s what lingered for me”. “Advance Design was the most respectful- of the house and of my design ideas, and the most professional of the handful of companies that looked at my project”. Soon after the meeting Jennifer began working with Michelle on the project design. They quickly developed chemistry. Jennifer loved how Michelle researched and located every detail that Jennifer wanted for the kitchen. Between the two of them, every concept and idea was worked through and perfected. “Jennifer had definite ideas about what she wanted the new kitchen to look like, she just didn’t know how to bring it all together. We worked together really well to make her ideas into the practical reality necessary for a well-functioning kitchen, with the look and feel that she had envisioned”, says Michelle. “Michelle was wonderful in using the CAD system she would show me new drawings every time we changed the layout while working through the design,” Jennifer said. “She was a really wonderful partner in execution, she made sure everything happened quickly and easily.” The finished design drew out elements of Jennifer’s style and personality. The pair call the look “sophisticated farmhouse” to describe the kitchen renovation to family and friends. The result was a beautifully crafted, authentic-feeling space that satisfied Jennifer’s dreams 15 years in the making. The whole project consisted of a kitchen remodel, mudroom upgrade with powder room, and garage entry relocation. “The projects I personally like the best, are the ones that put the client’s dreams on display,” Project Designer Michelle said. “And this is one of those projects.” The main focal point of the kitchen is custom zinc and brass ventilation hood with a vintage sheen, which was hand made to order by a small company in Indiana named Vogler Metalworking. “It’s like sculpture, a true work of art”, says Jennifer. Your eye is immediately drawn towards this elegant yet practical hood that eliminated the home’s downdraft problem and added a striking conversation piece at the same time. The carpenters had to use special gloves when transporting and installing it, so they didn’t smudge it with fingerprints. The beautiful hood centers proudly over the stunning black enamel and brass LaCornue Range. “I had a friend who had a LaCornue range and after learning how easy it was to cook perfect meals, I was convinced I wanted to have one”, says Jennifer. This unique, breathtaking combination anchors the entire kitchen and is apparent immediately as you walk into the great room the surrounds the space. DuraSupreme Crestwood cabinets with a Kendall Panel add function and sophistication. A custom gray paint color paired with a storm blue was developed so that the new kitchen looked like it belonged to the existing space. Unlacquered brass faucets and hardware were important to Jennifer because she wanted the living finishes to age over time. Remarkable brass diamond mesh cabinet door inserts imported from the UK continue to add this one-of-a-kind kitchen renovation; giving it a “you won’t see this everywhere” quality. The use of old railcar flooring for the coffee bar countertop and reclaimed oak for the open shelving gives an authenticity to the space uncommon in kitchens today. Jennifer and Michelle fell in love with the Limestone Grey Stone while they were investigating unique island countertop ideas. They liked the fact that the limestone as a living finish will age and change over time. Calcutta Miel Quartz countertops made for an excellent pairing around the perimeter, as it’s durable and perfect for cooking preparations. A textured white subway tile backsplash that runs to the ceiling keeps your eye moving towards the open shelving, and to the main focal point of the stunning range hood combination. “The kitchen functions beautifully, and it’s gorgeous,” beams Jennifer as she gestures with both hands while smiling ear to ear. “The most important thing was I wanted a kitchen that had a wonderful flow, cooked beautiful meals and was a great gathering place for family and friends, and this space does that perfectly! Beauty wise, it turned out exactly how I had envisioned. I felt the function part was the hardest part, and that was nailed”! Relocating the garage entry to the new mudroom was a huge priority and has finally separated the family’s arriving home functions from their kitchen. Now coats and shoes and bags have their own area for dropping once members arrive home. Matching gray DuraSupreme cabinetry helped create gorgeous, purposeful lockers for the family. A reclaimed vintage sink and custom wall paper were added to the tiny powder room to beautify the once previously only functional space. Advance Design was even able to create a custom space for their dog to sleep while the family is away. “It was unbelievable that a project of this size was completed in such a short time, and I think that’s because of the large amount of planning and preparation that went into it,” Jennifer marveled, “When we started, we were ready, and everything was prepared”. When it came to execution, Project Manager Justin Davis and his crew were quick, accessible, and organized. Projects like this kitchen are typically completed in as little as 8-10 weeks. Jennifer’s kitchen however despite the relocation of some challenging HVAC in a soffit and moving of an exterior door was completed remarkably fast in part because the team was working with an existing tile floor that ran throughout the first floor that the client really loved. “You get to know these people really well because they’re living in your house while you’re living in your house. They were so fast and really good, it didn’t take as long as even planned” reported Jennifer. “I would text Justin and he always responded almost immediately. I got to know all the guys who were working in our house and they were all wonderful people”. Details in a customized kitchen like this one require skill and care from the people who install it. “All the guys on the job were skilled at what the did. I wanted small details like little feet to look like furniture, that is where their carpentry skill came in to make these all perfect”, said Jennifer. “The tile guys were wonderful. They even let me determine how I wanted the texture with the grout to appear for a salt and pepper look; now that is a very skilled trade person making it custom”. In Jennifer’s interview, she continued to reference Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling”, so I took a minute to ask her exactly what that phrase meant to her and how it played out in her experience with her project and the Advance Design team. Here is what she said: “I was intrigued about Common Sense Remodeling and in my head that there would be clear costs and prices, great communication between the design team, the execution team and me”, said Jennifer. They did deliver on that, it was so clear about the cost breakdown, what I could expect from everyone who came to my house, and everything that we had ordered. That to me is the Common Sense”! It’s great to see a client take literally our assertion that a well-planned remodeling project is simply “Common Sense”! She anticipated each step of the way would be clear, concise, and predictable, all the while protecting the outcome due to the careful upfront planning. “Advance Design delivered on their ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ promise,” Jennifer said. “From the design team, to the execution team - everything was straight forward like I imagined. The project turned out exactly how I envisioned, I enjoyed this process and absolutely would recommend Advance Design Studio to anyone.”

Example of a transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Grand Rapids with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen with Panda Doors open to exterior dining and pool. Architect: Drawing Dept Contractor: Camery Hensley Construction Photography: Ross Van Pelt
Eat-in kitchen - modern galley eat-in kitchen idea in Cincinnati with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite countertops

The Entrance into this charming home on Edisto Drive is full of excitement with simple architectural details, great patterns, and colors. The Wainscoting and Soft Gray Walls welcome every pop of color introduced into this space.

Integrity Sliding French Patio Doors from Marvin Windows and Doors are made from Ultrex, a patented pultruded fiberglass, a material that is 8 times stronger then vinyl. Integrity doors are made with Ultrex®, a pultruded fiberglass Marvin patented that outperforms and outlasts vinyl, roll-form aluminum and other fiberglass composites. Ultrex and the Integrity proprietary pultrusion process delivers high-demand doors that endure all elements without showing age or wear. With a strong Ultrex Fiberglass exterior paired with a rich wood interior, Integrity Wood-Ultrex doors have both strength and beauty. Constructed with Ultrex from the inside out, Integrity All Ultrex doors offer outstanding strength and durability.

Michael J. Lee Photography
Inspiration for a coastal medium tone wood floor entryway remodel in Boston with gray walls

The mud room in this Bloomfield Hills residence was a part of a whole house renovation and addition, completed in 2016. Directly adjacent to the indoor gym, outdoor pool, and motor court, this room had to serve a variety of functions. The tile floor in the mud room is in a herringbone pattern with a tile border that extends the length of the hallway. Two sliding doors conceal a utility room that features cabinet storage of the children's backpacks, supplies, coats, and shoes. The room also has a stackable washer/dryer and sink to clean off items after using the gym, pool, or from outside. Arched French doors along the motor court wall allow natural light to fill the space and help the hallway feel more open.

Nantucket Architectural Photography
Example of a large beach style gray floor entryway design in Boston with white walls and a glass front door

(separated by comma) gray wash finish xgray master bedroom xneutral walls xtufted king bed xtufted headboard xflax xgray chairs xgray upholstered chairs xtufted chairs xbuilt in cabinets xbuilt in desk xbuilt in storage xbuilt in tv xinterior doors xinterior barn doors xbarn doors xdistressed gray xjacobean xdark wood floor xchandelier xmaster bedroom xmaster bath xmaster suite xsitting area xwhite lamps xgray bedside table xbedside table xmaster bedroom rug xgray tile x KAZART PHOTOGRAPHY

Patrick Barta
Trendy single front door photo in Seattle with a medium wood front door

JNMRustic Designs Reclaimed Wood Headboard with Lexington Clothing Co. Bedding and Linens.
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Maine Photo Company - Liz Donnelly
Bedroom - mid-sized coastal master light wood floor bedroom idea in Portland Maine with gray walls

Jim Scmid
Example of a classic medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Charlotte with stainless steel appliances

A modern kitchen with a farmhouse feel, with open shelving and an eat-in kitchen island. Backsplash tile from Pratt & Larson, AGA appliances. Island countertop is from Paperstone, and pendant lighting is J Schatz. Photo by David Agnello

A simple modern palette encompasses the home and is evident in the dining room. Modern lighting, art and neutral tones feel contemporary, juxtaposed by rustic barn doors. ©Shoot2Sell Photography

In 2014, we were approached by a couple to achieve a dream space within their existing home. They wanted to expand their existing bar, wine, and cigar storage into a new one-of-a-kind room. Proud of their Italian heritage, they also wanted to bring an “old-world” feel into this project to be reminded of the unique character they experienced in Italian cellars. The dramatic tone of the space revolves around the signature piece of the project; a custom milled stone spiral stair that provides access from the first floor to the entry of the room. This stair tower features stone walls, custom iron handrails and spindles, and dry-laid milled stone treads and riser blocks. Once down the staircase, the entry to the cellar is through a French door assembly. The interior of the room is clad with stone veneer on the walls and a brick barrel vault ceiling. The natural stone and brick color bring in the cellar feel the client was looking for, while the rustic alder beams, flooring, and cabinetry help provide warmth. The entry door sequence is repeated along both walls in the room to provide rhythm in each ceiling barrel vault. These French doors also act as wine and cigar storage. To allow for ample cigar storage, a fully custom walk-in humidor was designed opposite the entry doors. The room is controlled by a fully concealed, state-of-the-art HVAC smoke eater system that allows for cigar enjoyment without any odor.

A SpeedDesign client relocates from Los Angeles to an empty Manhattan apartment. We started and finished this job on both coasts in two weeks. Tufted headboard and bedskirt and Boomerang side chair all custom-made with us in L.A.; sideboard, glass table lamp, and accent pillows from our shop, rumba. All L.A. pieces shipped to New York in a week's time. Photo credit: Brett Beyer