We recently completed construction on this backyard in Chino! The rock swimming pool and spa was designed to fit around the existing canary date palm that was already large and mature. (side note: we can also install large canary date palms in at your house, just like this one) With beautifully detailed rocks around the entire pool, the main focus is the large waterfall and slide, which also has a side water feature and bubblers below on a small reef. The giant 20’ wide lounging area or reef step provides ample room for lounge chairs or small children to play. The spa features a stand up well with jets all around you for ultimate relaxation. Around the pool, the hardscape follows the shape of the pool along the grass line. Along the back wall there is tasteful landscaping that will mature in the years to come and look fantastic. In addition to the pool, masonry and landscaping, we also designed and constructed a rock fire pit and large built in BBQ. This is a large backyard and is now ready for entertaining!

The Owners approached their new project with the thought that it should be a quiet addition, have an appropriate scale, and use the same architectural language as the existing house. What the Owners wanted was a more functional family space for their older children and needed a large kitchen and back entry for this original Myers Park home. The new family room would need to include the antique wood paneling the Owners had acquired. The new kitchen would need to incorporate antique wood beams, a large family table and access to a new pool deck. The back entry would need to have a place for sports bags, coats and charging station. A new landscape plan would be provided which would have a new pool requiring a renovation of an existing guest house. The kitchen plan does not include a kitchen island at the request of the Owners. They wanted to have a large freestanding table for everyone to gather around. The kitchen appliances needed to be integrated or hidden from view for clear countertop spaces. The large French doors would open out onto the new pool deck. The kitchen is connected to the main house through two doorways. The first doorway goes through to the renovated family space and the second doorway goes to a new butler’s pantry hall.

This home for a family of five young children is located on two acres in Chicago's North Shore. The house has been designed to be open, flexible, and pre-weathered, with a European cottage feel. The first floor has been completely renovated to create a space that is perfect for family gatherings and entertaining friends. Reclaimed materials, such as French terra cotta tile flooring, white oak wood beams, and salvage mushroom palette wood planks for the ceiling, have been used throughout the main floor rooms. The family room features a new fireplace made from brick salvaged from the original home. The master bath is a spa-like retreat for parents, with reclaimed wood beams used to create the counter of the vanity, mixed with the clean lines of the sinks, faucets, and tub. The addition of three large dormers has transformed the old, musty attic into three bedrooms, two baths, and a bright, inspiring homework area for the kids. View more of this home through #BBAEuropeanCottage and #BBAEuropeanCottageGrounds on Instagram.

Initially designed as a bachelor's Sonoma weekend getaway, The Fan House features glass and steel garage-style doors that take advantage of the verdant 40-acre hilltop property. With the addition of a wife and children, the secondary residence's interiors needed to change. Ann Lowengart Interiors created a family-friendly environment while adhering to the homeowner's preference for streamlined silhouettes. In the open living-dining room, a neutral color palette and contemporary furnishings showcase the modern architecture and stunning views. A separate guest house provides a respite for visiting urban dwellers.

CPL collection is created for those, who value practicality and functionality in their Interior. CPL finish makes perfect for homes with children and for places with a high traffic like hotels and offices. CPL is an innovative, high-quality decorative material, which is manufactured according to a Japanese technology. As a result, we get a dense material with a sealed surface, which can be easily exposed to intensive stresses with no damage to the surface. CPL is represented by various extremely realistic natural wood texture. High-quality surface properties make doors with CPL finish a perfect addition to any Interior style.

This 1990s brick home had decent square footage and a massive front yard, but no way to enjoy it. Each room needed an update, so the entire house was renovated and remodeled, and an addition was put on over the existing garage to create a symmetrical front. The old brown brick was painted a distressed white. The 500sf 2nd floor addition includes 2 new bedrooms for their teen children, and the 12'x30' front porch lanai with standing seam metal roof is a nod to the homeowners' love for the Islands. Each room is beautifully appointed with large windows, wood floors, white walls, white bead board ceilings, glass doors and knobs, and interior wood details reminiscent of Hawaiian plantation architecture. The kitchen was remodeled to increase width and flow, and a new laundry / mudroom was added in the back of the existing garage. The master bath was completely remodeled. Every room is filled with books, and shelves, many made by the homeowner. Project photography by Kmiecik Imagery.

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary. The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light. The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

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.

The Owners approached their new project with the thought that it should be a quiet addition, have an appropriate scale, and use the same architectural language as the existing house. What the Owners wanted was a more functional family space for their older children and needed a large kitchen and back entry for this original Myers Park home. The new family room would need to include the antique wood paneling the Owners had acquired. The new kitchen would need to incorporate antique wood beams, a large family table and access to a new pool deck. The back entry would need to have a place for sports bags, coats and charging station. A new landscape plan would be provided which would have a new pool requiring a renovation of an existing guest house. The kitchen plan does not include a kitchen island at the request of the Owners. They wanted to have a large freestanding table for everyone to gather around. The kitchen appliances needed to be integrated or hidden from view for clear countertop spaces. The large French doors would open out onto the new pool deck. The kitchen is connected to the main house through two doorways. The first doorway goes through to the renovated family space and the second doorway goes to a new butler’s pantry hall.

This home for a family of five young children is located on two acres in Chicago's North Shore. The house has been designed to be open, flexible, and pre-weathered, with a European cottage feel. The first floor has been completely renovated to create a space that is perfect for family gatherings and entertaining friends. Reclaimed materials, such as French terra cotta tile flooring, white oak wood beams, and salvage mushroom palette wood planks for the ceiling, have been used throughout the main floor rooms. The family room features a new fireplace made from brick salvaged from the original home. The master bath is a spa-like retreat for parents, with reclaimed wood beams used to create the counter of the vanity, mixed with the clean lines of the sinks, faucets, and tub. The addition of three large dormers has transformed the old, musty attic into three bedrooms, two baths, and a bright, inspiring homework area for the kids. View more of this home through #BBAEuropeanCottage and #BBAEuropeanCottageGrounds on Instagram.

Initially designed as a bachelor's Sonoma weekend getaway, The Fan House features glass and steel garage-style doors that take advantage of the verdant 40-acre hilltop property. With the addition of a wife and children, the secondary residence's interiors needed to change. Ann Lowengart Interiors created a family-friendly environment while adhering to the homeowner's preference for streamlined silhouettes. In the open living-dining room, a neutral color palette and contemporary furnishings showcase the modern architecture and stunning views. A separate guest house provides a respite for visiting urban dwellers.

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary. The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light. The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

This expansive backyard serves as a family's ultimate entertainment destination. Beginning with the spacious outdoor cabana, complete with a covered spa, it offers a central gathering spot for connectivity. Adjacent to the cabana, the pool provides a refreshing escape from the day's heat. To the right, a sprawling lawn offers ample space for activities from morning until night. Additionally, children can enjoy themselves with the basketball court and play structure conveniently situated along the property line. Designed with large gatherings in mind, this space promises endless enjoyment for all.

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary. The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light. The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary. The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light. The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

This 1990s brick home had decent square footage and a massive front yard, but no way to enjoy it. Each room needed an update, so the entire house was renovated and remodeled, and an addition was put on over the existing garage to create a symmetrical front. The old brown brick was painted a distressed white. The 500sf 2nd floor addition includes 2 new bedrooms for their teen children, and the 12'x30' front porch lanai with standing seam metal roof is a nod to the homeowners' love for the Islands. Each room is beautifully appointed with large windows, wood floors, white walls, white bead board ceilings, glass doors and knobs, and interior wood details reminiscent of Hawaiian plantation architecture. The kitchen was remodeled to increase width and flow, and a new laundry / mudroom was added in the back of the existing garage. The master bath was completely remodeled. Every room is filled with books, and shelves, many made by the homeowner. Project photography by Kmiecik Imagery.

The goal of this project was to replace a small single-story seasonal family cottage with a year-round home that takes advantage of the views and topography of this lakefront site while providing privacy for the occupants. The program called for a large open living area, a master suite, study, a small home gym and five additional bedrooms. The style was to be distinctly contemporary. The house is shielded from the street by the placement of the garage and by limiting the amount of window area facing the road. The main entry is recessed and glazed with frosted glass for privacy. Due to the narrowness of the site and the proximity of the neighboring houses, the windows on the sides of the house were also limited and mostly high up on the walls. The limited fenestration on the front and sides is made up for by the full wall of glass on the lake side, facing north. The house is anchored by an exposed masonry foundation. This masonry also cuts through the center of the house on the fireplace chimney to separate the public and private spaces on the first floor, becoming a primary material on the interior. The house is clad with three different siding material: horizontal longboard siding, vertical ribbed steel siding and cement board panels installed as a rain screen. The standing seam metal-clad roof rises from a low point at the street elevation to a height of 24 feet at the lakefront to capture the views and the north light. The house is organized into two levels and is entered on the upper level. This level contains the main living spaces, the master suite and the study. The angled stair railing guides visitors into the main living area. The kitchen, dining area and living area are each distinct areas within one large space. This space is visually connected to the outside by the soaring ceilings and large fireplace mass that penetrate the exterior wall. The lower level contains the children’s and guest bedrooms, a secondary living space and the home gym.

This home for a family of five young children is located on two acres in Chicago's North Shore. The house has been designed to be open, flexible, and pre-weathered, with a European cottage feel. The first floor has been completely renovated to create a space that is perfect for family gatherings and entertaining friends. Reclaimed materials, such as French terra cotta tile flooring, white oak wood beams, and salvage mushroom palette wood planks for the ceiling, have been used throughout the main floor rooms. The family room features a new fireplace made from brick salvaged from the original home. The master bath is a spa-like retreat for parents, with reclaimed wood beams used to create the counter of the vanity, mixed with the clean lines of the sinks, faucets, and tub. The addition of three large dormers has transformed the old, musty attic into three bedrooms, two baths, and a bright, inspiring homework area for the kids. View more of this home through #BBAEuropeanCottage and #BBAEuropeanCottageGrounds on Instagram.

This home for a family of five young children is located on two acres in Chicago's North Shore. The house has been designed to be open, flexible, and pre-weathered, with a European cottage feel. The first floor has been completely renovated to create a space that is perfect for family gatherings and entertaining friends. Reclaimed materials, such as French terra cotta tile flooring, white oak wood beams, and salvage mushroom palette wood planks for the ceiling, have been used throughout the main floor rooms. The family room features a new fireplace made from brick salvaged from the original home. The master bath is a spa-like retreat for parents, with reclaimed wood beams used to create the counter of the vanity, mixed with the clean lines of the sinks, faucets, and tub. The addition of three large dormers has transformed the old, musty attic into three bedrooms, two baths, and a bright, inspiring homework area for the kids. View more of this home through #BBAEuropeanCottage and #BBAEuropeanCottageGrounds on Instagram.