2024 Springtime in Chicago was quite rainy. As a result, some trees could not stay rooted, especially a wide branching tree like the native Redbuds. We planted this tree almost 30 years ago and the owner never wanted it pruned. As a result, it became very heavy and could not remain upright. Sadly we removed it and hapily replaced a new Forest Pansy Redbud in it's place.

I met my client at a home show, and we completed our selections when the Covid Lockdown started. I remember her saying, "If you had not organized these selection meetings, they NEVER would have happened." As soon as the word was given, we took care of business. Thanks to SWO General Contracting for taking care of the prep and finish. No-seam counter by The Top Shop. Alexanian Carpet and Flooring, Verbeek Kitchen and Bath take care of the rest.

George Oakley
Inspiration for a contemporary exterior home remodel in Salt Lake City

This home was originally built in the 1990’s and though it had never received any upgrades, it had great bones and a functional layout. To make it more efficient, we replaced all of the windows and the baseboard heat, and we cleaned and replaced the siding. In the kitchen, we switched out all of the cabinetry, counters, and fixtures. In the master bedroom, we added a sliding door to allow access to the hot tub, and in the master bath, we turned the tub into a two-person shower. We also removed some closets to open up space in the master bath, as well as in the mudroom.

Our client wanted to remove the tub that they never used, and instead we created an area where they could sit and dry off, wash the sand off their feet after a day at the beach, or wash their pets with ease.

Mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, shaker cabinets, gray backsplash and matchstick tile backsplash

© Will Sullivan, Emerald Coast Real Estate Photography, LLC
Inspiration for a coastal bedroom remodel in Miami

Example of a trendy l-shaped gray floor eat-in kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, window backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Photographer: Will Keown
Large elegant formal and enclosed light wood floor and brown floor living room photo with gray walls, no fireplace and no tv

Example of a mid-sized transitional dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, quartz countertops, white backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white countertops, shaker cabinets and gray cabinets

Large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

3wire Photography is a professional real estate photography and digital marketing firm located in Little Rock, Arkansas. We specialize is showcasing premier properties and luxury estates for sale from hundreds of real estate agents and custom homes builders across Central Arkansas. Photography Credit: CHRIS WHITE 3wirePhotography.com

We created a mud room from an old butler's pantry. I designed a custom storage bench with sold maple wood seat and wall cabinet. The client never had a back door or a mud room and is thrilled to have a place for everything! Karen Walson, NCIDQ Interior Designer 617-308-2789

If you know Archadeck of Austin, you know a great kitchen builder around Austin and Round Rock, Texas. We never build too much kitchen, or too little. We’re expert outdoor kitchen designers. Whether you want a simple outdoor kitchen or all the “bells and whistles,” we can help you use that space efficiently and effectively.

Master bath needed some serious reconfiguring. The huge jacuzzi tub was removed as it was never used. Client wanted more functional space and more closet space. So we expanded the master closet. In addition we updated the vanity space. We reorganized the shower removing the steam, giving us another 2 ft in the shower allowing to add a long niche and bench.

Skyline Sunrooms & Patio Covers: Our Skyline patio covers are all about creating an outdoor environment that enhances your lifestyle and improves and protects your home. We offer many styles of solid or lattice covers, either attached to your home or as a freestanding pergola or trellis in your yard. We are experts at designing and building patio covers with the best aluminum products in the industry that look like premium grade wood but will never warp, crack, dry rot, burn or become infested with termites. They will never need to be re-painted or re-stained because they are factory painted in several colors with finishes that last for the lifetime of the product.

Bud Kane has remodeled nearly every room in his own home over many years. Now reaching his 70’s, he contemplated heading up a major kitchen and laundry room renovation himself, planning on doing the carpentry work with his own hands. “I was not convinced I would ever meet anyone who could do it as well as I could do it myself”, said Bud. Ruth and Bud spent 5 years visiting kitchen firms and interviewing designers. They couldn’t however bring themselves to pull the trigger on the project, until they met Advance Design Studio in 2015. “No one understood what I wanted”, said Ruth. She was continually frustrated by experiences with designers who weren’t hearing what was important to her. “Everyone kept designing my kitchen with what they thought it should look like; I couldn’t find anyone who would listen to me”! When they met designer Scott Christensen from Advance Design Studio, they liked him right away. He listened to Ruth and designed a kitchen that she loved, all the while interjecting years of wisdom and design expertise that Ruth appreciated. “The finished product is better than I expected”, says Ruth. “I respected Scott’s opinions and together we created the perfect place for me to bake with my grandkids and truly enjoy the kitchen and laundry room I’ve been dreaming of for many years!” The kitchen transformation began with removing the home’s soffits, and extending new painted maple cabinetry to the ceiling with the addition of an elegant crown molding. Ruth’s new Vita Mix holds a coveted place on her counter, and adjustments were planned to size the cabinets in conjunction with the under cabinet decorative light molding to fit this appliance just right. “This one small detail was really important to me”, says Ruth smiling. An elegant new island replaced the original island, complete with room for 3 stools where her grandchildren will sit to make home-made pasta every Thanksgiving, and cookies at Christmas time. “Traditions are very important in my family, and making my kitchen work to suit cherished activities with my family was the number one reason this renovation was so desired”, replied Ruth when asked about the island. A picture perfect new tea station replaced a cluttered unused desk area, creating a wonderful place to prepare hot drinks for sipping any season of the year while overlooking the couple’s wonderfully manicured gardens from the lovely 3 season’s room just off the kitchen. The soft sage island bead panel detail was repeated on the backsplash, replicating the feel of a fine old piece of furniture. The biggest problem with the laundry room was 3 doors, one from the garage, one from the closet, and one to the hallway. “Scott designed a pocket door, and oh what a dream it is now to bring groceries in from the garage!” exclaims Bud who grew to disdain this task! Doing laundry is now a breeze in this attractive new space that doubles as a wonderful pantry for the kitchen with room to store food items that didn’t have a home in the poorly designed original space. New Hickory distressed wood flooring was laid both in the kitchen and leading to the hall foyer. Soft gray wood-replicating porcelain was placed in the laundry area, making for an easily cleanable surface for what doubles as a mud room from the garage. Creamy tumbled marble graces an unobtrusive backsplash spilling onto shiny granite counter tops in a rich earthy pattern of fall colors that mimic colors throughout the home. Advance is known details that included custom crafted furniture toe kicks, luxurious crown moldings, and beaded under cabinet moldings. The kitchen is complete with a glass display cabinet showing Ruth’s treasured china tea collection. Early on, it was initially only their intention of purchasing cabinets for the new design. They were so impressed however with Advance Design’s complete program for budgeting, design, installation and management that it became clear to them both that they wanted Advance to handle the entire project from start to finish. “After seeing the quality work they did, coupled with the in-house team completely dedicated to our satisfaction, it became apparent there was no other choice but to hire them to handle everything. And we’re so glad we did, we have not one regret”, says Bud. “The attention to detail by the carpentry crew more than satisfied my perfectionist expectations of the finished carpentry,” exclaimed Bud. “Every one of Advance Design’s people we encountered from design through construction was wonderful. We’ve never met a group of people so dedicated to making sure we were happy with every single detail, and every single part of this experience”, said Ruth and Bud. Designer: Scott Christensen Photographer: Joe Nowak

We added a nook off the living space so the Franklin stove would not take up precious interior space. Not only does it add warmth to the room, but it also frames a large oak in the rear of the house. PHOTO: Ignacio Salas-Humara

[Our Clients] We were so excited to help these new homeowners re-envision their split-level diamond in the rough. There was so much potential in those walls, and we couldn’t wait to delve in and start transforming spaces. Our primary goal was to re-imagine the main level of the home and create an open flow between the space. So, we started by converting the existing single car garage into their living room (complete with a new fireplace) and opening up the kitchen to the rest of the level. [Kitchen] The original kitchen had been on the small side and cut-off from the rest of the home, but after we removed the coat closet, this kitchen opened up beautifully. Our plan was to create an open and light filled kitchen with a design that translated well to the other spaces in this home, and a layout that offered plenty of space for multiple cooks. We utilized clean white cabinets around the perimeter of the kitchen and popped the island with a spunky shade of blue. To add a real element of fun, we jazzed it up with the colorful escher tile at the backsplash and brought in accents of brass in the hardware and light fixtures to tie it all together. Through out this home we brought in warm wood accents and the kitchen was no exception, with its custom floating shelves and graceful waterfall butcher block counter at the island. [Dining Room] The dining room had once been the home’s living room, but we had other plans in mind. With its dramatic vaulted ceiling and new custom steel railing, this room was just screaming for a dramatic light fixture and a large table to welcome one-and-all. [Living Room] We converted the original garage into a lovely little living room with a cozy fireplace. There is plenty of new storage in this space (that ties in with the kitchen finishes), but the real gem is the reading nook with two of the most comfortable armchairs you’ve ever sat in. [Master Suite] This home didn’t originally have a master suite, so we decided to convert one of the bedrooms and create a charming suite that you’d never want to leave. The master bathroom aesthetic quickly became all about the textures. With a sultry black hex on the floor and a dimensional geometric tile on the walls we set the stage for a calm space. The warm walnut vanity and touches of brass cozy up the space and relate with the feel of the rest of the home. We continued the warm wood touches into the master bedroom, but went for a rich accent wall that elevated the sophistication level and sets this space apart. [Hall Bathroom] The floor tile in this bathroom still makes our hearts skip a beat. We designed the rest of the space to be a clean and bright white, and really let the lovely blue of the floor tile pop. The walnut vanity cabinet (complete with hairpin legs) adds a lovely level of warmth to this bathroom, and the black and brass accents add the sophisticated touch we were looking for. [Office] We loved the original built-ins in this space, and knew they needed to always be a part of this house, but these 60-year-old beauties definitely needed a little help. We cleaned up the cabinets and brass hardware, switched out the formica counter for a new quartz top, and painted wall a cheery accent color to liven it up a bit. And voila! We have an office that is the envy of the neighborhood.