This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath.

Perfectly settled in the shade of three majestic oak trees, this timeless homestead evokes a deep sense of belonging to the land. The Wilson Architects farmhouse design riffs on the agrarian history of the region while employing contemporary green technologies and methods. Honoring centuries-old artisan traditions and the rich local talent carrying those traditions today, the home is adorned with intricate handmade details including custom site-harvested millwork, forged iron hardware, and inventive stone masonry. Welcome family and guests comfortably in the detached garage apartment. Enjoy long range views of these ancient mountains with ample space, inside and out.

A closer look at the bathroom cabinetry, Carrera countertop, and rehabbed door with restored door hardware.
Inspiration for a small timeless 3/4 white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and white floor alcove shower remodel in San Francisco with white cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and recessed-panel cabinets

Bathroom - small contemporary master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile and black floor bathroom idea in Other with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Bathroom - small 1950s master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, black floor and single-sink bathroom idea in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a built-in vanity

Jeff Beene
Bathroom - large transitional master beige tile and subway tile marble floor and white floor bathroom idea in Phoenix with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls, a drop-in sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Michael Hunter Photography
Example of a mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile and white floor freestanding bathtub design in Dallas with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and gray countertops

Double shower - small transitional master white tile and subway tile porcelain tile and gray floor double shower idea in Other with shaker cabinets, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, medium tone wood cabinets and white walls

These beautiful bathrooms located in Rancho Santa Fe were in need of a major upgrade. Once having dated dark cabinets, the desired bright design was wanted. Beautiful white cabinets with modern pulls and classic faucets complete the double vanity. The shower with long subway tiles and black grout! Colored grout is a trend and it looks fantastic in this bathroom. The walk in shower has beautiful tiles and relaxing shower heads. Both of these bathrooms look fantastic and look modern and complementary to the home.

Mid-sized transitional master white tile and subway tile medium tone wood floor and beige floor bathroom photo in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

An outdated 1920's bathroom in Bayside Queens was turned into a refreshed, classic and timeless space that utilized the very limited space to its maximum capacity. The cabinets were once outdated and a dark brown that made the space look even smaller. Now, they are a bright white, accompanied by white subway tile, a light quartzite countertop and polished chrome hardware throughout. What made all the difference was the use of the tiny hex tile floors. We were also diligent to keep the shower enclosure a clear glass and stainless steel.

Bathroom - coastal 3/4 white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and white floor bathroom idea in Other with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and white countertops

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Architect: TEA2 Architects | Interior Design: Marcia Morine | Photography: Landmark Photography
Bathroom - rustic master white tile and subway tile slate floor bathroom idea in Minneapolis with medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops and brown walls

Mid-sized minimalist master white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor, black floor and single-sink bathroom photo in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an integrated sink, quartzite countertops, white countertops and a floating vanity

Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman blue tile and subway tile marble floor and white floor alcove shower remodel in Portland with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Example of a large minimalist master white tile and subway tile ceramic tile, beige floor and double-sink doorless shower design in Los Angeles with furniture-like cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

This bathroom gives you the fresh, organic, airy and natural feel. It has everything you need to get you ready for the day.
Inspiration for a mid-sized scandinavian master white tile and subway tile dark wood floor and brown floor bathroom remodel in Nashville with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartzite countertops and white countertops

Showcase Photographers
Large elegant kids' white tile and subway tile ceramic tile bathroom photo in Nashville with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, a two-piece toilet and white walls