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. Joe Nowak

Red built-in bookcases, layered Persian rugs, and a concrete fireplace enliven this eclectic Library/Famiy room. Photo credit: Angie Seckinger
Inspiration for a large transitional open concept light wood floor living room library remodel in DC Metro with red walls, a standard fireplace, a concrete fireplace and no tv

Example of a transitional master dark wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Los Angeles with white walls

Private home office with plenty of storage. Mirrored door fronts with cabinetry down to counter. Plenty of file storage found below mirrored door fronts. A matching wood top completes the built-in look.

Built in 1915, this classic craftsman style home is located in the Capitol Mansions Historic District. When the time came to remodel, the homeowners wanted to continue to celebrate its history by keeping with the craftsman style but elevating the kitchen’s function to include the latest in quality cabinetry and modern appliances. The new spacious kitchen (and adjacent walk-in pantry) provides the perfect environment for a couple who loves to cook and entertain. White perimeter cabinets and dark soapstone counters make a timeless and classic color palette. Designed to have a more furniture-like feel, the large island has seating on one end and is finished in an historically inspired warm grey paint color. The vertical stone “legs” on either side of the gas range-top highlight the cooking area and add custom detail within the long run of cabinets. Wide barn doors designed to match the cabinet inset door style slide open to reveal a spacious appliance garage, and close when the kitchen goes into entertainer mode. Finishing touches such as the brushed nickel pendants add period style over the island. A bookcase anchors the corner between the kitchen and breakfast area providing convenient access for frequently referenced cookbooks from either location. Just around the corner from the kitchen, a large walk-in butler’s pantry in cheerful yellow provides even more counter space and storage ability. Complete with an undercounter wine refrigerator, a deep prep sink, and upper storage at a glance, it’s any chef’s happy place. Photo credit: Fred Donham of Photographerlink

Amber Frederiksen Photography
Home office library - transitional freestanding desk brown floor home office library idea in Other with beige walls

Bright and white hand brush painted built-in bookcase wall and mantle surrounding the fireplace in this North Kansas City living room. Simple and clean inset doors on the cabinet storage sit below arched bookcases. Photos by Brynn Burns Photography

We created a built in work space on the back end of the new family room. The blue gray color scheme, with pops of orange was carried through to add some interest. Ada Chairs from Mitchell Gold were selected to add a luxurious, yet comfortable desk seat. Kayla Lynne Photography

John Gruen
Kids' bedroom - mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor kids' bedroom idea in New York with white walls

Living Room with Built-in Bookcase, Photo by David Lauer Photography
Large transitional dark wood floor and brown floor family room library photo in Denver with beige walls and no tv

Custom built-in cabinets and bookshelves with textured grasscloth wallpaper makes the perfect backdrop for this cozy family room. Sheer striped roman shades still lets plenty of light it while still allowing for privacy. Vintage swivel club chairs upholstered in an updated blue plaid fabric. The yummy rich brown tufted leather ottoman allows for plenty of room to rest your feet on.

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in DC Metro with a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and white walls

Although this Hinsdale home was only about a decade old, the floor plan and finishes already felt dated. The homeowners expressed that the layout wasn’t working—particularly the disconnect between spaces they used and those they didn’t. O’Brien Harris was originally brought in to renovate the kitchen, but it quickly became clear that a more holistic transformation was needed. The formal dining room, located at the front of the house, had long gone unused. Along with design Brynn Olson, O’Brien Harris reimagined the space as a high-gloss wine lounge that now opens onto the front terrace. The adjacent covered porch was enclosed and converted into a light-filled new dining room, making entertaining and everyday meals more inviting and accessible. O’Brien Harris also fully paneled the great room, adding built-in bookcases and reshaping existing arches to bring depth, warmth, and architectural continuity. The galley-style kitchen is now the heart of the home. Designed for a family that loves to cook and entertain, it features a central island and a secondary wall of storage with floor-to-ceiling cabinetry to house refrigeration, freezer drawers, and extensive dish storage, outfitted with a library ladder. The cabinet finishes are a blend of painted surfaces and light oak, offering warmth without heaviness. Icebox-style strap hinges and latches bring refined vintage character to the space while emphasizing functionality with beauty. In the primary bath, O’Brien Harris introduced painted cabinetry beneath a waterfall stone counter to coordinate with upholstered panels and full marble finishes. His-and-hers vanities and custom stone flooring complete the serene, tailored retreat. This was a deeply transformative project, not only in terms of layout, but in the way the spaces now flow and function together—with O’Brien Harris cabinetry anchoring it all in timeless craftsmanship.

Study/Library in beautiful Sepele Mahogany, raised panel doors, true raised panel wall treatment, coffered ceiling.
Mid-sized elegant freestanding desk medium tone wood floor home office library photo in Raleigh with brown walls

Casual yet refined family room with custom built-in, custom fireplace, wood beam, custom storage, picture lights. Natural elements.
Huge beach style open concept and formal medium tone wood floor living room photo in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Making the Most of a Small Footprint We maximized the room’s small footprint by designing a custom built-in bed, nightstands, and desk. We then added visual interest and sound dampening with the acoustic slat walls. The end result is a guest suite as beautiful and luxurious as the finest hotels. SCOPE OF SERVICES Interior Architecture & Design, Project Management, Custom Millwork and Built-In Design and Elevation DrawingsSpace Planning, Furniture, Lighting, Window Treatments, Textiles, and Decor Sourcing and Procurement, Art Curation, and final Styling to deliver a fully realized space.

The library/music room desk wall was fabricated from quarter-sawn white oak. The white coffered ceiling was enhanced with a larger crown moulding. Dual gray rugs sit beneath the desk chair and piano. The entry from the grand hall is made through double french doors. Design by MWHarris Photo by Christopher Wright, CR Built by WrightWorks, LLC Serving Indianapolis and Carmel, IN

Family room - contemporary open concept gray floor family room idea in Los Angeles with white walls and a media wall

This elegant 2600 sf home epitomizes swank city living in the heart of Los Angeles. Originally built in the late 1970's, this Century City home has a lovely vintage style which we retained while streamlining and updating. The lovely bold bones created an architectural dream canvas to which we created a new open space plan that could easily entertain high profile guests and family alike.