Modern kitchen design by Benning Design Construction. Photos by Matt Rosendahl at Premier Visuals.
Mid-sized beach style master gray tile beige floor walk-in shower photo in Sacramento with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, a hinged shower door and an undermount sink

sleek modern master bathroom with floating vanity wrapped in quartz on all 4 sides. Porcelain slabs that mimic marble with a freestanding air tub in the corner. Steam shower with marble walls and decorative inlay at niche.

Mid-sized minimalist master marble floor and white floor bathroom photo in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and a hinged shower door

This fall, Amethyst had the opportunity to partner with Freeman Custom Homes of Kansas City to furnish this 5000 sq ft European Modern designed home for the Artisan Home Tour 2020! Every square inch of this home was magical -- from the secret staircase in the master bath leading to a private shuttered plunge pool to the vaulted kitchen with sky high mushroom colored cabinetry and handmade zellige tile. We met the builders during the cabinetry phase and watching their final, thoughtful design details evolve was such full of over-the-top surprises like the unique valet-like storage in the entry and limestone fireplace! As soon as we saw their vision for the home, we knew our furnishings would be a great match as our design style celebrates handmade rugs, artisan handmade custom seating, old-meets-new art, and let's be honest -- we love to go big! They trusted us to do our thing on the entire main level and we enjoyed every minute. The load in took 3 full trucks and fortunately for us -- the homeowners fell in love with several pieces so our uninstall trip was significantly lighter. I think we were all a little emotional leaving this masterpiece but sooooo happy for the owners and just hoping we get invited to a Christmas party... Here are some of the highlights -- 90% of the furnishings and rugs were from our shop and we filled in the gaps with some extra special pieces!

Mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and white floor corner shower photo in Phoenix with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, granite countertops, a hinged shower door and black countertops

Master bathroom remodeling project in Alpharetta Georgia. With herringbone pattern, faux weathered wood ceramic tile. Gray walls with ship lap wall treatment. Free standing tub, chandelier,

This classic Americana-inspired home exquisitely incorporates design elements from the early 20th century and combines them with modern amenities and features.

Ann Arbor homeowner was looking to remodel a bathroom for mother-in-law moving in. Merillat Masterpiece in Quarter Sawn Oak, Peppercorn finish. The countertops are Athena Granite, fixtures are in polished chrome, and the tile is all from Virginia Tile. The floor tile which looks like wood is Tabula Cenere 6x36 Rectified. It ties in beautifully with the soft brown tones in the shower of Stone Project Gold Falda Vein 12x24. The real show stopper here and focal point is the beautiful pepple accent running vertical to match with the floor - Random Cobbles Sterling MegaMix. The drop down bench on left makes it easy for Mom to maneuver in and out of the shower. Access - grab bars along the outside and inside shower walls provide needed assistance and serve also as towel racks.

Mid-sized elegant master beige tile and travertine tile beige floor bathroom photo in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige walls, an integrated sink and a hinged shower door

Bathroom - victorian master stone tile medium tone wood floor bathroom idea in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets and white cabinets

Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic 3/4 brown tile, multicolored tile and stone tile porcelain tile corner shower remodel in Denver with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, beige walls and granite countertops

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.”

Our clients had been in their home since the early 1980’s and decided it was time for some updates. We took on the kitchen, two bathrooms and a powder room. This petite master bathroom primarily had storage and space planning challenges. Since the wife uses a larger bath down the hall, this bath is primarily the husband’s domain and was designed with his needs in mind. We started out by converting an existing alcove tub to a new shower since the tub was never used. The custom shower base and decorative tile are now visible through the glass shower door and help to visually elongate the small room. A Kohler tailored vanity provides as much storage as possible in a small space, along with a small wall niche and large medicine cabinet to supplement. “Wood” plank tile, specialty wall covering and the darker vanity and glass accents give the room a more masculine feel as was desired. Floor heating and 1 piece ceramic vanity top add a bit of luxury to this updated modern feeling space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

The small bathroom feels spacious with white walls and a small pattern hexagonal floor tile. The IKEA vanity is made for small spaces but gives ample storage and a scandinavian vibe to this light and airy space.

Phil Goldman Photography
Example of a small transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor powder room design in Chicago with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops and white countertops

Example of a small classic 3/4 beige tile, white tile and mosaic tile travertine floor alcove shower design in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink and solid surface countertops

Example of a mid-sized classic master white tile and marble tile light wood floor, white floor and double-sink bathroom design in Oklahoma City with shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Beautiful Primary ensuite Bathroom
Inspiration for a large farmhouse master white tile and subway tile ceramic tile, gray floor and double-sink bathroom remodel in Portland with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Master Suite with walk-in closet and master bath with zero threshold shower
Bathroom - mid-sized transitional master white tile and porcelain tile marble floor, white floor and double-sink bathroom idea in Seattle with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door, multicolored countertops and a built-in vanity