Designer: Kelly Taaffe Design, Inc. Photographer: Andrea Hope
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor wet bar remodel in Tampa with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash and white countertops

Custom bar area that opens to outdoor living area, includes natural wood details
Large mountain style brown floor and dark wood floor seated home bar photo in Other with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, brown cabinets, metal backsplash and white countertops

Karen and Chad of Tower Lakes, IL were tired of their unfinished basement functioning as nothing more than a storage area and depressing gym. They wanted to increase the livable square footage of their home with a cohesive finished basement design, while incorporating space for the kids and adults to hang out. “We wanted to make sure that upon renovating the basement, that we can have a place where we can spend time and watch movies, but also entertain and showcase the wine collection that we have,” Karen said. After a long search comparing many different remodeling companies, Karen and Chad found Advance Design Studio. They were drawn towards the unique “Common Sense Remodeling” process that simplifies the renovation experience into predictable steps focused on customer satisfaction. “There are so many other design/build companies, who may not have transparency, or a focused process in mind and I think that is what separated Advance Design Studio from the rest,” Karen said. Karen loved how designer Claudia Pop was able to take very high-level concepts, “non-negotiable items” and implement them in the initial 3D drawings. Claudia and Project Manager DJ Yurik kept the couple in constant communication through the project. “Claudia was very receptive to the ideas we had, but she was also very good at infusing her own points and thoughts, she was very responsive, and we had an open line of communication,” Karen said. A very important part of the basement renovation for the couple was the home gym and sauna. The “high-end hotel” look and feel of the openly blended work out area is both highly functional and beautiful to look at. The home sauna gives them a place to relax after a long day of work or a tough workout. “The gym was a very important feature for us,” Karen said. “And I think (Advance Design) did a very great job in not only making the gym a functional area, but also an aesthetic point in our basement”. An extremely unique wow-factor in this basement is the walk in glass wine cellar that elegantly displays Karen and Chad’s extensive wine collection. Immediate access to the stunning wet bar accompanies the wine cellar to make this basement a popular spot for friends and family. The custom-built wine bar brings together two natural elements; Calacatta Vicenza Quartz and thick distressed Black Walnut. Sophisticated yet warm Graphite Dura Supreme cabinetry provides contrast to the soft beige walls and the Calacatta Gold backsplash. An undermount sink across from the bar in a matching Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop adds functionality and convenience to the bar, while identical distressed walnut floating shelves add an interesting design element and increased storage. Rich true brown Rustic Oak hardwood floors soften and warm the space drawing all the areas together. Across from the bar is a comfortable living area perfect for the family to sit down at a watch a movie. A full bath completes this finished basement with a spacious walk-in shower, Cocoa Brown Dura Supreme vanity with Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop, a crisp white sink and a stainless-steel Voss faucet. Advance Design’s Common Sense process gives clients the opportunity to walk through the basement renovation process one step at a time, in a completely predictable and controlled environment. “Everything was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to it’s full potential,” Karen said. Constantly striving for customer satisfaction, Advance Design’s success is heavily reliant upon happy clients referring their friends and family. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a remodeling project small or large,” Karen exclaimed at the completion of her project.

Photographer: Greg Premru
Small transitional single-wall light wood floor home bar photo in Boston with blue cabinets, no sink, open cabinets, mirror backsplash and white countertops

AFTER: BAR | We completely redesigned the bar structure by opening it up. It was previously closed on one side so we wanted to be able to walk through to the living room. We created a floor to ceiling split vase accent wall behind the bar to give the room some texture and break up the white walls. We carried over the tile from the entry to the bar and used hand stamped carrara marble to line the front of the bar and used a smoky blue glass for the bar counters. | Renovations + Design by Blackband Design | Photography by Tessa Neustadt

Example of a large urban single-wall concrete floor and gray floor seated home bar design in Omaha with open cabinets, brick backsplash, medium tone wood cabinets and granite countertops

Transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar photo in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, mirror backsplash and white countertops

Small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar photo in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, black backsplash, porcelain backsplash and black countertops

Wet bar - mid-sized modern single-wall light wood floor and beige floor wet bar idea in Boston with glass-front cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash and ceramic backsplash

Aaron Leitz Photography
Wet bar - small transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, mirror backsplash and white countertops

Kip Dawkins
Example of a small transitional single-wall dark wood floor seated home bar design in Richmond with dark wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and recessed-panel cabinets

2nd bar area for this home. Located as part of their foyer for entertaining purposes.
Wet bar - huge 1960s single-wall porcelain tile and gray floor wet bar idea in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, concrete countertops, black backsplash, glass tile backsplash and black countertops

Mid-sized urban u-shaped concrete floor and brown floor seated home bar photo in Other with brown backsplash, stone tile backsplash and black countertops

Small trendy single-wall porcelain tile and gray floor wet bar photo in Houston with an undermount sink, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash and shaker cabinets

Here is an example of DEANE Inc’s custom cabinetry in this fresh and beautiful bar layout. Perfect for entertaining, this new look provides easy access with both opened and closed shelving as well as a wine cooler and sink perfect for having guests.

Inspiration for a small timeless single-wall home bar remodel in New York with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, concrete countertops and mirror backsplash

Large transitional l-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor home bar photo in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, black backsplash, granite backsplash and black countertops

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

Custom bar built for the homeowner, with butcher block countertops, custom made cabinets with built-in beverage fridge, & 8 lighted floating shelves. The cabinets color is Behr cracked pepper and the brick is Mcnear Greenich.