Eileen Casey
Inspiration for a large rustic l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in New Orleans with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Our client recently purchased a newly-constructed home in order to downsize and have a low- maintenance home and yard. The existing side yard/back yard was undeveloped by the builder, leaving the homeowner with the huge challenge of creating a great outdoor entertaining space for family and friends, while creating privacy and overcoming the over 8-foot steep drop from the existing back porch down to the alley. The grade was the largest challenge because the space was so narrow with such a large fall from existing porch to the property line. The second largest challenge is that this residence is located in a semi-private community where HOA approval of plans and materials is difficult, as all the residences here share a similar look and feel with a very clean and contemporary aesthetic. We had to precisely shoot grades to know what kinds of retaining walls would need to be constructed along with how much backfill soil and dirt movement would need to be done. After that the design had to carefully consider the space with maximum functionality for outdoor entertainment with newly constructed walls to ensure it would last for many years to come. All of this was done with multiple meetings with the homeowners who are a retired engineer and active architect themselves. Once a design was settled upon, then submission to the HOA board of approval had to be completed and signed off on with all questions and concerns answered for the community by-laws. The two biggest difficulties within the construction phase were that the neighbor next to the back yard had a large retaining wall not properly backfilled up to the property line. That neighbor wouldn’t allow us proper access and control to help alleviate the issues, so we had to skillfully work around this to ensure what we constructed would last, despite their property not being properly addressed. We also had to go through multiple shipments from the manufacturer due to large variances in the material’s appearance on the steps and another shipment that was broken during shipping. These two things delayed the project we were working to complete before the spring so the homeowner could have the maximum use of the space this year. Topping off this challenging construction was a beautiful palette of native grasses, rosemary, groundcover, granite walkways, and synthetic grass to ensure year-round, practically effortless beauty.

Example of a mid-sized transitional galley dark wood floor enclosed kitchen design in San Francisco with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash and no island

This wooden area was overgrown and had no functional use for the homeowners. We were able to clear out the area and create useful space for them to enjoy the outdoors. By adding a dry stream bed we alleviated any potential issues with standing water, a mixture of medium river gravel and Glacier boulders were used in this feature. This project also included adding a seating area, a flagstone pathway, using Oakfield steppers, that provides access from the driveway. We added in greenery that is easier for the homeowner to maintain and still gives you the rustic appeal of being in the woods. In the front yard the walkway was completed using Copthorne Liberty pavers and Coral Bells were planted along the entrance.

Not unlike other 1937 kitchens, this remodel required a solid amount of pre-planning to alleviate various old home obstacles and create a plan universal to 21st century living. The family residing within this home enjoys an artistic flair in life, thus the design reflects character. Yet they maintain a respect for the homes original era, thus throw-back design elements are integrated to achieve this functional and vibrant kitchen remodel. Karli Moore Photography, hard wood flooring, double basin farm house sink, steel gray granite, custom pale green and white shaker style cabinetry, white back splash subway tile - brick laid, decorative clay glazed hand formed 3 x 3 stove back splash tiles, accent of hand punched clay glazed tile, farm house bridge sink 8" faucet with sprayer, under cabinet lighting warm white flexible LED light strip, corbel accents

Large windows along the back of the house alleviate the harsh barrier between indoors and out. This transparent wall lets the living space extend on to the back deck.

A symbol of eternity, the Arco Floor Lamp by Barcelona Designs is a replica of Achille Castiglioni’s brainchild. A timeless masterpiece, the Arco Floor Lamp by Barcelona Designs is a replica of Achille Castiglioni’s brainchild. At the pediment, is the exquisite and credible Carrara Marble stone. Using the marble stone as the sublime base, Barcelona Designs Arco Floor Lamp has a long, curved stainless steel arch which has three individual adjusting points, that looms through it. The whole structure culminates into an alluring dome shaped head, implemented with pores that allow light to shine through creating a beauteous pattern. Alongside, this Arco Lamp reproduction, has 2 Circumference hole bored through the marble base for alleviation. As a result of a very well thought of design, Arco Floor Lamp Replica is embedded with eight 45 degree swerves have been provided for in the marble base, four on top and four at the bottom, to avoid collision.

These clients came to us with a tiny galley kitchen with a refrigerator in a separate room! Utilizing space from an adjacent three-season porch we created a larger, brighter more functional kitchen, with a slider to the patio. The "fridge room" became pantry space and the substitution of a barn door at the powder room and living room alleviated awkward door swings. The kitchen is now a great gathering space for this busy family. Cabinetry by Fabuwood, Counters by Silestone, Hardware by Amerock, Plumbing by Artisan

Not unlike other 1937 kitchens, this remodel required a solid amount of pre-planning to alleviate various old home obstacles and create a plan universal to 21st century living. The family residing within this home enjoys an artistic flair in life, thus the design reflects character. Yet they maintain a respect for the homes original era, thus throw-back design elements are integrated to achieve this functional and vibrant kitchen remodel. Karli Moore Photography, hard wood flooring, steel gray granite, custom pale green and white shaker style cabinetry, white back splash subway tile - brick laid, decorative clay glazed hand formed 3 x 3 stove back splash tiles, accent of hand punched clay glazed tile, farm house bridge sink 8" faucet with sprayer, under cabinet lighting warm white flexible LED light strip, corbel accents

A few fixes here: 1. Renovation of concrete curb to create less busy, more aesthetically appealing curvature 2. Expansion of sod area for greater dog run 3. Installation of french drain to alleviate a soggy yard 4. Organization of rocks in swale to create a more pleasing dry river bed.

Ample shoe storage to replace a collapsed shoe tower alleviates the client's annoyance with her disorganized shoe collection. Photo Credit: Mike Green

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

Homeowner was having problems with too much sunlight coming through their front windows, causing the room to be incredibly hot and unusable in the summer, and also fading and damaging their furniture. They had tried curtains, shades, even thick blankets over the windows. To alleviate the problem, we installed sun control film directly to the existing windows, cutting 99% of UV, 97% of infrared, and 60% of the heat, all while allowing plenty of light into the room and avoiding the high cost of full window replacement! (The center and right window have the film, the left one does not; as you can see, there is very little difference in appearance) Photo by Robert Citrone

Winchester Hospital added a healing garden to help cancer patients and family members reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and promote the natural healing process. Olde New England Granite provided aged granite pieces incorporated in this beautiful and serene outdoor healing garden.

Managing water flow and drainage is always a top priority for hardscape projects. Behind all of this is drain tile to alleviate any build up of hydrostatic pressure caused by water.

A small and elegant condominium rises out of a 90’s era building. Turning a dated studio apartment into a luxury short-term rental property alleviates the stress that tourists experience when booking accommodations in Vancouver. Rivaling any 5-star downtown hotel this gem, across from the Seabreeze Walkway, was renovated to attract tourists from all over the world. The floor plan was kept intact and given a much-needed facelift. The dated flooring was removed and durable vinyl-plank flooring was put in its place. The custom cabinetry in the kitchen has a fresh feel with ivory flush doors juxtaposed with walnut cubbies and accents. Quartz, Stratuarietto counters with an elegant waterfall peninsula partition the kitchen from the living room. The peninsula island was deepened to accommodate seating. “It’s important to use the same materials throughout a small space, notes the designer, as you don’t want to overstimulate the senses”. The same walnut millwork and quartz are seen again in the bathroom. The tub was removed to make way for a walk-in shower, tiled in a floral and herringbone pattern. Plumbing fixtures and accessories are in brass or flat black finishes giving this space the perfect balance of femininity and masculinity. Complete with a washer and dryer and storage room, a small space designed right, can feel grandiose.

A small and elegant condominium rises out of a 90’s era building. Turning a dated studio apartment into a luxury short-term rental property alleviates the stress that tourists experience when booking accommodations in Vancouver. Rivaling any 5-star downtown hotel this gem, across from the Seabreeze Walkway, was renovated to attract tourists from all over the world. The floor plan was kept intact and given a much-needed facelift. The dated flooring was removed and durable vinyl-plank flooring was put in its place. The custom cabinetry in the kitchen has a fresh feel with ivory flush doors juxtaposed with walnut cubbies and accents. Quartz, Stratuarietto counters with an elegant waterfall peninsula partition the kitchen from the living room. The peninsula island was deepened to accommodate seating. “It’s important to use the same materials throughout a small space, notes the designer, as you don’t want to overstimulate the senses”. The same walnut millwork and quartz are seen again in the bathroom. The tub was removed to make way for a walk-in shower, tiled in a floral and herringbone pattern. Plumbing fixtures and accessories are in brass or flat black finishes giving this space the perfect balance of femininity and masculinity. Complete with a washer and dryer and storage room, a small space designed right, can feel grandiose.

A small and elegant condominium rises out of a 90’s era building. Turning a dated studio apartment into a luxury short-term rental property alleviates the stress that tourists experience when booking accommodations in Vancouver. Rivaling any 5-star downtown hotel this gem, across from the Seabreeze Walkway, was renovated to attract tourists from all over the world. The floor plan was kept intact and given a much-needed facelift. The dated flooring was removed and durable vinyl-plank flooring was put in its place. The custom cabinetry in the kitchen has a fresh feel with ivory flush doors juxtaposed with walnut cubbies and accents. Quartz, Stratuarietto counters with an elegant waterfall peninsula partition the kitchen from the living room. The peninsula island was deepened to accommodate seating. “It’s important to use the same materials throughout a small space, notes the designer, as you don’t want to overstimulate the senses”. The same walnut millwork and quartz are seen again in the bathroom. The tub was removed to make way for a walk-in shower, tiled in a floral and herringbone pattern. Plumbing fixtures and accessories are in brass or flat black finishes giving this space the perfect balance of femininity and masculinity. Complete with a washer and dryer and storage room, a small space designed right, can feel grandiose.