With the elegant double roller shade, light regulation is achieved through alternating opaque or black out and transparent woven fabrics.

Mike and Anne of Barrington Hills desperately needed to update and renovate both their kid’s hall bath and guest bath, and in their 1980’s home each project presented a different set of unique challenges to overcome. When they set out to identify the right remodeling company to partner with, it was important to find a company that could help them to visualize design solutions for the bath renovations. When they came across Advance Design Studio’s website, they were immediately drawn to the solution-oriented remodeling process and the family friendly company. They say they chose Advance Design because of the integrated approach of “Common Sense Remodeling”, making the design, project management and construction all happen in one place. When they met with Project Designer Michelle Lecinski, they knew they chose the right company. “Michelle’s excellent work on the initial designs made it easy to proceed with Advance Design Studio,” Mike said. Like most homeowners anticipating a big renovation project, they had some healthy fears; with two bathrooms being remodeled at the same time they worried about timeframes and staying within budget. With the help of Michelle, and the “Common Sense” guidelines, they were confident that Advance Design would stay true, orchestrating all the moving parts to stay within both the estimated timeline and budget. The guest bath offered the biggest design challenge. A dormer obstruction made the already cramped shower awkward to access. Mike and Anne also wanted the shower size to be expanded, making it more accommodating. Working with Advance’s construction expert DJ Yurik, Michelle relocated the shower concealing the original dormer and creating a larger, more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing guest shower. The unsightly and not at all user-friendly closet was removed and replaced with elegant White Maple Dura Supreme cabinetry with much improved function featuring dual tall linen cabinets, a special makeup area and two sinks, providing a dual vanity which was extremely important for better guest use. The Fossil Brown quartz countertop is in pleasing contrast to the white cabinetry, and coordinates nicely with the mocha porcelain tile gracing the shower for an accent. The decorative glazed turquoise tile backsplash, tile border, and bottle niche adds a taste of marine green to the room, while marble-looking porcelain tile makes guests feel they are staying in a 5-star hotel. Polished nickel Kohler plumbing fixtures were chosen to add a touch of sophistication. This renovated guest bath is comfortable and elegant, and Anne and Mike’s house guests may never want to leave! “The end result was updated and restyled bathrooms that the client will enjoy and increase the value of their home,” Designer Michelle said. The children’s hall bath had its own set of challenges. The current placement of the sink was not conducive to the best use of the existing space, nor did it allow for any visual interest, something Advance’s designers always work to achieve even within the tight confines of a small bath. Advance removed the linen closet and used the gain in wall space to create a dramatic focal point on the vanity wall. They also took additional space that wasn’t being used for new Storm Gray Dura Supreme tall built-in linen cabinets, creating functional storage space that the former bath lacked. A customized glass splash panel was created for the bath, and the high ceilings with skylights were accented with a custom-made track lighting fixture featuring industrial pipe and cage materials. Authentic cement encaustic tile was used wall to wall surrounding the vanity to create a dramatic and interesting back drop for the new elegant and stately furniture-like double sink wall. Hand-made encaustic tile originated in Western Europe beginning in the 1850’s and reminded Mike and Anne of tile they had seen and loved from their travels overseas. Today, encaustic tile has made a re-appearance in today’s modern bath design with its wide array of appealing patterns and artistic use of color. Oil rubbed bronze Kohler fixtures echo the black accents in the beautiful tile pattern and reflect the matte black of the unique lighting detail. Easy to maintain Blanca Arabescato Quartz countertops add practicality and natural beauty and compliments the warm wood porcelain tile floors. This handsome bath has generated praise from friends and family even before it’s complete unveiling as photos of the space leaked out on social media! It’s not only completely functional to use, but especially pretty to look at. “Advance Design Studio did a terrific job for us. We really appreciated how easy it was to work with them on a complex project of the complete remodeling of two bathrooms. They very capably handled all the details from design, to project management, to construction. It is a great group of people to work with and we would welcome the opportunity to work with them again anytime,” Mike said.

Beauty and durability come together in a scratch- and stain-resistant surface that’s glossy and easy to clean.
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Chicago

Example of a transitional freestanding bathtub design in Phoenix with an undermount sink, white countertops and a niche

Transform your master bath into a contemporary luxury suite when you add the simply elegant 72" Sheba Acrylic Double-Slipper Tub. Both comfortable and attractive, this acrylic bathtub features sloping backrests on each end.

Craftsman double entry door
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman entryway remodel in Kansas City with a medium wood front door

Custom designed modern double door decorated with Zebrano panel, long stainless steel square door pulls, and frosted glass.
Entryway - contemporary entryway idea in New York

Zola Windows now offers the American Heritage SDH, a high-performance, all-wood simulated double hung window for landmarked and other historic buildings. This replica-quality window has been engineered to include a lower Zola Tilt & Turn and a Fixed upper that provide outstanding performance, all while maintaining the style and proportions of a traditional double hung window. Today’s renovations of historic buildings are becoming increasingly focused on achieving maximum energy efficiency for reduced monthly utilities costs and a minimized carbon footprint. In energy efficient retrofits, air tightness and R-values of the windows become crucial, which cannot be achieved with sliding windows. Double hung windows, which are very common in older buildings, present a major challenge to architects and builders aiming to significantly improve energy efficiency of historic buildings while preserving their architectural heritage. The Zola American Heritage SDH features R-11 glass and triple air seals. At the same time, it maintains the original architectural aesthetic due to its historic style, proportions, and also the clever use of offset glass planes that create the shadow line that is characteristic of a historic double hung window. With its triple seals and top of the line low-iron European glass, the American Heritage SDH offers superior acoustic performance. For increased sound protection, Zola also offers the window with custom asymmetrical glazing, which provides up to 51 decibels (dB) of sound deadening performance. The American Heritage SDH also boasts outstanding visible light transmittance of VT=0.71, allowing for maximum daylighting. Zola’s all-wood American Heritage SDH is available in a variety of furniture-grade species, including FSC-certified pine, oak, and meranti. Photo Credit: Amiaga Architectural Photography

We love this rustic-modern Houston patio addition with an outdoor kitchen and double pergola! It not only made the most of a long, narrow space while satisfying strict homeowners association rules, but did so affordably in a warm, timeless style. “The client really enjoys outdoor living, but had a specific budget they wanted to meet,” explains Outdoor Homescapes owner Wayne Franks. “They also live on a golf course and had to meet particular HOA requirements.” The HOA requirements restricted how far back the new 450-square-foot patio and pergola could extend back into the yard. The HOA also wanted to make sure the patio’s colors and materials matched the existing home and others around it. “We chose colors and materials that offered texture and character, but that would go with just about anything around it,” says Wayne. “We found what we were looking for in the Fantastico travertine and Austin limestone – two materials clients love and just can’t go wrong with.” The Austin limestone facing the 8-foot-square, L-shaped kitchen island is dry-stacked in a castle pattern for a naturalistic, rustic look. Yet its light, neutral color keeps the style fresh and modern. Adding to the modern look are the stainless steel appliances: an RCS 30-inch stainless steel grill, double burner and outdoor fridge. Even though the finishes on the sink and light fixtures (Hunter pendant lamps and Hampton Bay light/fan combos) have a different finish – oil-rubbed-bronze – this actually follows the recent trend of mixing different metals, materials and finishes. “The look’s not so matchy-matchy anymore,” explains Wayne. “Mixing it up makes it look more authentic and personalized.” That’s why backsplashes like the one in this project – done in glass and metal mosaic – are also becoming more popular than traditional ceramic tile. Another recent trend can be seen here, too – an amping up of color variation and texture. “In addition to the split-face texture of the rock, you can definitely see the bold color variation in the travertine,” says Wayne. The flooring is a Fantastico travertine, laid out in a Versailles pattern. “The Fantastico tile is killer,” says Wayne. “The warm reds go great with red brick, which we have a lot of around here.” The countertop with the rounded, raised bar at the end is English walnut travertine. The red bar stools also add a pop of exciting color that contrasts nicely with the greenery around the patio. The double pergola, continues Wayne, is No. 2 pine stained a Minwax honey-gold. One side of the pergola – the side over the seating area – is covered with Lexan, a clear material that keeps out rain, heat and UV rays. The pergola also juts further into the yard on that side. “It’s called a scallop, and it just lends some visual interest,” explains Wayne. “It prevents the pergola from just looking like one big rectangular hunk of wood.” Wayne particularly likes how everything blended so well with the brick – which was a big concern – yet didn’t come off as too neutral or boring. “The Fantastico travertine and red chairs do an excellent job of pulling the red from the brick and working with the warmth of that color to make a super-inviting space,” says Wayne. “We’re really pleased with how it all ties together so well.”

camilleriparismode projects and design team were approached to rethink a previously unused double height room in a wonderful villa. the lower part of the room was planned as a sitting and dining area, the sub level above as a tv den and games room. as the occupants enjoy their time together as a family, as well as their shared love of books, a floor-to-ceiling library was an ideal way of using and linking the large volume. the large library covers one wall of the room spilling into the den area above. it is given a sense of movement by the differing sizes of the verticals and shelves, broken up by randomly placed closed cupboards. the floating marble fireplace at the base of the library unit helps achieve a feeling of lightness despite it being a complex structure, while offering a cosy atmosphere to the family area below. the split-level den is reached via a solid oak staircase, below which is a custom made wine room. the staircase is concealed from the dining area by a high wall, painted in a bold colour on which a collection of paintings is displayed. photos by: brian grech

This Master Bathroom was outdated in appearance and although the size of the room was sufficient, the space felt crowded. The toilet location was undesirable, the shower was cramped and the bathroom floor was cold to stand on. The client wanted a new configuration that would eliminate the corner tub, but still have a bathtub in the room, plus a larger shower and more privacy to the toilet area. The 1980’s look needed to be replaced with a clean, contemporary look. A new room layout created a more functional space. A separated space was achieved for the toilet by relocating it and adding a cabinet and custom hanging pipe shelf above for privacy. By adding a double sink vanity, we gained valuable floor space to still have a soaking tub and larger shower. In-floor heat keeps the room cozy and warm all year long. The entry door was replaced with a pocket door to keep the area in front of the vanity unobstructed. The cabinet next to the toilet has sliding doors and adds storage for towels and toiletries and the vanity has a pull-out hair station. Rich, walnut cabinetry is accented nicely with the soft, blue/green color palette of the tiles and wall color. New window shades that can be lifted from the bottom or top are ideal if they want full light or an unobstructed view, while maintaining privacy. Handcrafted swirl pendants illuminate the vanity and are made from 100% recycled glass.

Excerpt via our website ~ The Gibraltar Cabin is a clever little cabin design that includes a porch with a very attractive eye-catching barrel arch at the entrance. The single door is complimented by an additional five foot wide double door on the gable end. The elegant country charm is achieved with the large barn sash windows and rustic board and batten siding and is protected by a green corrugated metal roof. The post and beam frame makes this cabin a strong backyard out-building. A sturdy interior work bench has also been included. This rugged and attractive design is beautiful from the front view. This versatile design can be configured for many uses. It will make a perfect cabin, tiny house, getaway retreat, art studio, home office, garden or potting shed, kids playhouse, a pool house. Fitted with large double doors, the Gibraltar cabin is very capable of handling all your storage needs. Any of our buildings can be customized to fit all of your needs. We offer insulation, plumbing and electrical packages; alternative choices for roofing, siding, flooring, windows, and doors; and other custom options such as built-in storage, decorative arches, cupolas, painting, staining, and flower boxes. Take a look at what we have to offer on our Options Pricing page or give our design team a call for a quote. The basic model of this style is available as cabin kits (estimated assembly time - 2 people, 32 hours), diy micro cottage house plans, or fully assembled micro cabins. Picture shows customer chosen options including ~ skinned hemlock posts, painted red salvaged farmhouse door and stone foundation.

Doors are in the Ralph L. Carr Judicial Center in Denver, Co. It is always exciting to find a balance in double doors between curves and straight lines. Not all the doors are equal in width, adding to its unique nature. Each door is a sculpture within itself.

Family bathroom for three small kids with double ended bath and separate shower, two vanity units and mirror cabinets. Photos: Fraser Marr
Trendy kids' drop-in bathtub photo in Oxfordshire with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, yellow walls and a drop-in sink

This West Village is the combination of 2 apartments into a larger one, which takes advantage of the stunning double height spaces, extremely unusual in NYC. While keeping the pre-war flair the residence maintains a minimal and contemporary design.

Example of a transitional bathroom design in New York

View of the kitchen of the Madrona Residence after the addition and renovation. Paul Bardagjy
Example of a large transitional single-wall laminate floor eat-in kitchen design in Austin with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a double-bowl sink, granite countertops, mosaic tile backsplash and an island

This dream bathroom has everything one can wish for an ideal bathroom escape. It doesn’t just look fabulous – it works well and it is built to stand the test of time. This bathroom was designed as a private oasis, a place to relax and unwind. Spa-like environment is created by expansive double-sink custom vanity, an elegant free standing tub, and a spacious two-person barrier-free shower with a floating bench. Toilet is concealed within a separate nook behind a pocket door. Main bathroom area is outlined by a tray ceiling perimeter. The room looks open, airy and spacious. Nothing interferes with the ceiling design and overall space configuration. It hasn’t always been that way. Former layout had serious pitfalls that made the room look much smaller. The shower concealed behind solid walls protruded into the main area clashing with the tray ceiling geometry. Massive shower stall took up significant amount of the room leaving no continuous wall space for a double sink vanity. There were two separate vanities with a dead corner space between them. At the same time, the toilet room was quite spacious with just one fixture in the far end. New layout not only looks better, it allows for a better functionality and fully reveals the space potential. The toilet was relocated to occupy the former linen closet space slightly expanded into adjacent walk-in closet. Shower was moved into the bigger alcove, away from the tray ceiling area. It opened up the room while giving space for a gorgeous wall-to-wall vanity. Having a full glass wall, the shower extends the space even further. Sparkling glass creates no barrier to the eyesight. The room feels clean, breezy and extra spacious. Gorgeous frameless shower enclosure with glass-to-glass clamps and hinges shows off premium tile designs of the accent shower wall. Free standing tub remained in its original place in front of the window. With no solid shower walls nearby, it became a focal point adorned with the new crystal chandelier above it. This two-tier gorgeous chandelier makes the bathroom feel incredibly grand. A touch of luxury is showing up in timeless polished chrome faucet finish selections as well. New expansive custom vanity has his and her full height linen towers, his and her sink cabinets with two individual banks of drawers on the sides and one shared drawer cabinet in the middle containing a charging station in the upper drawer. Vanity counter tops and floating shower seat top are made of high-end quartz. Vessel sinks resemble the shape and style of the free-standing tub. To make the room feel even more spacious and to showcase the shower area in the reflection, a full size mirror is installed over the vanity. Crystal sconces are installed directly into the mirror. Crisp classic white tile gives the room a timeless sense of polish and luxury. Walls around the perimeter of the entire bathroom are tiled half way. Three rows of 12”x 24” porcelain tile resembling white marble are crowned with a thin row of intricate glass tiles with marble accents, and a chair rail tile. Tile design flows into a spacious barrier-free two-person walk-in shower. Two more tile patterns of the same tile collection are brought into play. Rear wall is adorned with a picture frame made out of 12”x12” tiles laid at 45 degree angle within the same chair rail and glass tile border. Shower floor is made of small hexagon tiles for proper drainage. Shower area has two hidden from plain sight niches to contain shampoo bottles and toiletries. The rear side of the niches is made of glass mosaics for a waterfall effect. To showcase the picture frame inside the shower, the accent shower wall is washed with cascading light from a discrete LED strip tucked in a cove behind “floating” shower ceiling platform. Multiple shower heads (two ceiling-mount rain heads, one multi-functional wall mount shower head, and a handheld shower) are able to provide a fully customizable shower experience. Despite of many hard surfaces and shiny finishes, which can sometimes lead to a cold impersonal feeling, this bathroom is cozy and truly welcoming. This sense of warms is maintained by exclusive multi-functional layered lighting. Carefully designed groups of lights (all having a dimmer control) can be used simultaneously, in various combinations, or separately to create numerous different effects and perfect atmosphere for every mood and occasion. Some lights have smart controls and can be operated remotely. Amazing effect can be achieved by dimmable toe kick perimeter lighting. With the ceiling lights turned off, the vanity looks as if it is floating in the air. Multifaceted crystal fixtures produce cascades of sparkling rainbow reflections dancing around the room and creating an illusion of a starry sky. Programmable radiant heating floor offers additional warmth and comfort to the room. This bathroom is well suited for either a quick morning shower or a night in for ultimate relaxation with a champagne toast and a long soak in the freestanding tub.

The home is able to achieve passive house standards and take full advantage of the views with the use of Glo’s A7 triple pane windows and doors. The PHIUS (Passive House Institute US) certified series boasts triple pane glazing, a larger thermal break, high-performance spacers, and multiple air-seals. The large picture windows frame the landscape while maintaining comfortable interior temperatures year-round. The strategically placed operable windows throughout the residence offer cross-ventilation and a visual connection to the sweeping views of Utah. The modern hardware and color selection of the windows are not only aesthetically exceptional, but remain true to the mid-century modern design.