To celebrate the ascent of its highly anticipated condominium tower, Bleu Ciel, Harwood International teamed up with Cantoni design consultants Elizabeth Lewis and Josh Delafuente to energize the development’s model home with a fresh new design. Read the full story here: http://cantoni.com/interior-design-services/projects/a-new-residential-landmark/ Photos by Michael Hunter

Though it’s located just a few miles from downtown Miami, Park Grove luxury condo feels like a peaceful world unto itself. And in addition to its unmatched bayside location, residents will have access to a wealth of services and amenities that rival those at any of the area’s high-end hotels or members clubs. Residents’ needs are anticipated, their desires fulfilled, and their expectations exceeded. Residences have been designed by world-renowned interiorist William Sofield.

To celebrate the ascent of its highly anticipated condominium tower, Bleu Ciel, Harwood International teamed up with Cantoni design consultants Elizabeth Lewis and Josh Delafuente to energize the development’s model home with a fresh new design. Read the full story here: http://cantoni.com/interior-design-services/projects/a-new-residential-landmark/ Photos by Michael Hunter

These homeowners opted for the increased organization, more convenient storage, and enhanced visual flow a full remodel would bring. Of course, they assumed the new cabinets, tile, and hardware would look nice. What they hadn’t anticipated was how stunningly beautiful the completed kitchen was going to be. Photos by Terry Poe Photography

These homeowners opted for the increased organization, more convenient storage, and enhanced visual flow a full remodel would bring. Of course, they assumed the new cabinets, tile, and hardware would look nice. What they hadn’t anticipated was how stunningly beautiful the completed kitchen was going to be. Photos by Terry Poe Photography

Anticipation deco field in Crema and Menta jewel glaze.
Example of a transitional kitchen design in Orange County

Location: Bethesda, MD, USA This total revamp turned out better than anticipated leaving the clients thrilled with the outcome. Finecraft Contractors, Inc. Interior Designer: Anna Cave Susie Soleimani Photography Blog: http://graciousinteriors.blogspot.com/2016/07/from-cellar-to-stellar-lower-level.html

Taken from an unexpected vantage point, this photo highlights the beauty of the mosaic design and reveals the fixtures that one may enjoy while using this space. The owners have added grab bars to the shower for future use, anticipating a desire to age in place. Design: Lerond Design Studios. Photo: Dan Bawden.

It is always good to buy the best furniture that you can afford. This client was starting out in a brand new home and we began the project by staying in the neutral tones and selecting some key pieces to create good bones for the room. Slipcovers were in the plan for the anticipated addition of adding children! Gina Fitzsimmons Photography

Photo by Gibeon Photography

Within the much-anticipated Legacy Park neighborhood in Mechanicsburg, PA is the new townhome community, Madison Court. The innovative townhome designs at Madison Court will include both front load and rear load plans, with select plans featuring a first-floor owner’s suite. These modern townhomes, with prices starting in the upper $200’s, will complement the small-town charm of the Legacy Park neighborhood, which will feature a community clubhouse, retail space, walking trails, natural meadows, pocket parks, a dog park, and single-family homes, with more phases to come. Located just off of route 114 in Mechanicsburg borough, the community is just minutes from major travel routes. Reserve now and enjoy no HOA fees until 2023!

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   I am still sometimes shocked myself at how much of a difference a kitchen remodel can make in a space, you think I would know by now! This was one of those jobs. The small U-shaped room was a bit cramped, a bit dark and a bit dated. A neighboring sunroom/breakfast room addition was awkwardly used, and most of the time the couple hung out together at the small peninsula. The client wish list included a larger, lighter kitchen with an island that would seat 7 people. They have a large family and wanted to be able to gather and entertain in the space. Right outside is a lovely backyard and patio with a fireplace, so having easy access and flow to that area was also important. Our first move was to eliminate the wall between kitchen and breakfast room, which we anticipated would need a large beam and some structural maneuvering since it was the old exterior wall. However, what we didn’t anticipate was that the stucco exterior of the original home was layered over hollow clay tiles which was impossible to shore up in the typical manner. After much back and forth with our structural team, we were able to develop a plan to shore the wall and install a large steal & wood structural beam with minimal disruption to the original floor plan. That was important because we had already ordered everything customized to fit the plan. We all breathed a collective sigh of relief once that part was completed. Now we could move on to building the kitchen we had all been waiting for. Oh, and let’s not forget that this was all being done amidst COVID 2020. We covered the rough beam with cedar and stained it to coordinate with the floors. It’s actually one of my favorite elements in the space. The homeowners now have a big beautiful island that seats up to 7 people and has a wonderful flow to the outdoor space just like they wanted. The large island provides not only seating but also substantial prep area perfectly situated between the sink and cooktop. In addition to a built-in oven below the large gas cooktop, there is also a steam oven to the left of the sink. The steam oven is great for baking as well for heating daily meals without having to heat up the large oven. The other side of the room houses a substantial pantry, the refrigerator, a small bar area as well as a TV. The homeowner fell in love the with the Aqua quartzite that is on the island, so we married that with a custom mosaic in a similar tone behind the cooktop. Soft white cabinetry, Cambria quartz and Thassos marble subway tile complete the soft traditional look. Gold accents, wood wrapped beams and oak barstools add warmth the room. The little powder room was also included in the project. Some fun wallpaper, a vanity with a pop of color and pretty fixtures and accessories finish off this cute little space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This nursery was a Gender Surprise Nursery and was one of our most memorable designs to date. The client was having her second baby and didn't want to know the baby's gender, yet wanted to have an over-the-top, elegant royal nursery completed to her liking before she had the baby. So we designed two complete nurseries down to every detail...one for a boy and one for a girl. Then when the mom-to-be went for her ultrasound, the doctor sealed up a picture in an envelope and mailed it to our studio. I couldn't wait for the secret to be revealed and was so tickled to be the only person besides the doctor to know the gender of the baby! I opened the envelop and saw an obvious BOY in the image and got right to work ordering up all of the appropriate boy nursery furniture, bedding, wall art, lighting and decor. We had to stage most of the nursery's decor here in our studio and when the furniture was set to arrive, we drove to NJ, the family left the house, and we kicked into gear receiving the nursery furniture and installing the crib bedding, wall art, rug, and accessories down to the tiniest little detail. We completed the decorative mural around the room and when finished, locked the door behind us! We even taped paper over the windows and taped around the outside of the door so no "glow" might show through the door crack at night! The nursery would sit and wait for Mommy and baby to arrive home from the hospital. Such a fun project and so full of excitement and anticipation. When Mom and baby Luke arrived home from the hospital and she saw her nursery for the first time, she contacted me and said "the nursery is breath taking and made me cry!" I love a happy ending...don't you? Photo by: Linda Birdsall Photo by: Linda Birdsall http://www.portraitartistrybylindamarie.com

Jennifer and Dan have lived in their Deer Park Illinois home for 15 years, slowly making minor fixes like painting and decorating; but they had a new plan for their kitchen the entire time. An awkwardly placed garage door, and an island cooktop with a terrible downdraft made a full-scale kitchen remodel an absolute must. Jennifer had many ideas in mind and wanted to work with a company that could provide high-end work, while partnering with a designer that would tailor the kitchen to her ideas. She was intrigued by the phrase “Common Sense Remodeling” in Advance Design’s feature she discovered while perusing an issue of the community’s Quintessential Barrington Magazine. Doing further research on the company’s website, as she looked through project profiles and read about Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy, she promptly scheduled an appointment to see if the people and ideas she read about were truly who they said they were. The more she read, the more she knew that the “Common Sense” approach to remodeling they described was exactly the type of company she was looking for. The partnership was sealed after an initial consultation with Owner Todd Jurs and Project Designer Michelle Lecinski. They displayed a combination of friendliness, professionalism and respect that was unmatched by any of the other companies Jennifer talked to. She knew that with Advance Design, she would be able to retain the vision that she had in mind with high-quality craftsmanship. “I reached out to Advance Design because of the ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ tagline,” Jennifer said. “That’s what lingered for me”. “Advance Design was the most respectful- of the house and of my design ideas, and the most professional of the handful of companies that looked at my project”. Soon after the meeting Jennifer began working with Michelle on the project design. They quickly developed chemistry. Jennifer loved how Michelle researched and located every detail that Jennifer wanted for the kitchen. Between the two of them, every concept and idea was worked through and perfected. “Jennifer had definite ideas about what she wanted the new kitchen to look like, she just didn’t know how to bring it all together. We worked together really well to make her ideas into the practical reality necessary for a well-functioning kitchen, with the look and feel that she had envisioned”, says Michelle. “Michelle was wonderful in using the CAD system she would show me new drawings every time we changed the layout while working through the design,” Jennifer said. “She was a really wonderful partner in execution, she made sure everything happened quickly and easily.” The finished design drew out elements of Jennifer’s style and personality. The pair call the look “sophisticated farmhouse” to describe the kitchen renovation to family and friends. The result was a beautifully crafted, authentic-feeling space that satisfied Jennifer’s dreams 15 years in the making. The whole project consisted of a kitchen remodel, mudroom upgrade with powder room, and garage entry relocation. “The projects I personally like the best, are the ones that put the client’s dreams on display,” Project Designer Michelle said. “And this is one of those projects.” The main focal point of the kitchen is custom zinc and brass ventilation hood with a vintage sheen, which was hand made to order by a small company in Indiana named Vogler Metalworking. “It’s like sculpture, a true work of art”, says Jennifer. Your eye is immediately drawn towards this elegant yet practical hood that eliminated the home’s downdraft problem and added a striking conversation piece at the same time. The carpenters had to use special gloves when transporting and installing it, so they didn’t smudge it with fingerprints. The beautiful hood centers proudly over the stunning black enamel and brass LaCornue Range. “I had a friend who had a LaCornue range and after learning how easy it was to cook perfect meals, I was convinced I wanted to have one”, says Jennifer. This unique, breathtaking combination anchors the entire kitchen and is apparent immediately as you walk into the great room the surrounds the space. DuraSupreme Crestwood cabinets with a Kendall Panel add function and sophistication. A custom gray paint color paired with a storm blue was developed so that the new kitchen looked like it belonged to the existing space. Unlacquered brass faucets and hardware were important to Jennifer because she wanted the living finishes to age over time. Remarkable brass diamond mesh cabinet door inserts imported from the UK continue to add this one-of-a-kind kitchen renovation; giving it a “you won’t see this everywhere” quality. The use of old railcar flooring for the coffee bar countertop and reclaimed oak for the open shelving gives an authenticity to the space uncommon in kitchens today. Jennifer and Michelle fell in love with the Limestone Grey Stone while they were investigating unique island countertop ideas. They liked the fact that the limestone as a living finish will age and change over time. Calcutta Miel Quartz countertops made for an excellent pairing around the perimeter, as it’s durable and perfect for cooking preparations. A textured white subway tile backsplash that runs to the ceiling keeps your eye moving towards the open shelving, and to the main focal point of the stunning range hood combination. “The kitchen functions beautifully, and it’s gorgeous,” beams Jennifer as she gestures with both hands while smiling ear to ear. “The most important thing was I wanted a kitchen that had a wonderful flow, cooked beautiful meals and was a great gathering place for family and friends, and this space does that perfectly! Beauty wise, it turned out exactly how I had envisioned. I felt the function part was the hardest part, and that was nailed”! Relocating the garage entry to the new mudroom was a huge priority and has finally separated the family’s arriving home functions from their kitchen. Now coats and shoes and bags have their own area for dropping once members arrive home. Matching gray DuraSupreme cabinetry helped create gorgeous, purposeful lockers for the family. A reclaimed vintage sink and custom wall paper were added to the tiny powder room to beautify the once previously only functional space. Advance Design was even able to create a custom space for their dog to sleep while the family is away. “It was unbelievable that a project of this size was completed in such a short time, and I think that’s because of the large amount of planning and preparation that went into it,” Jennifer marveled, “When we started, we were ready, and everything was prepared”. When it came to execution, Project Manager Justin Davis and his crew were quick, accessible, and organized. Projects like this kitchen are typically completed in as little as 8-10 weeks. Jennifer’s kitchen however despite the relocation of some challenging HVAC in a soffit and moving of an exterior door was completed remarkably fast in part because the team was working with an existing tile floor that ran throughout the first floor that the client really loved. “You get to know these people really well because they’re living in your house while you’re living in your house. They were so fast and really good, it didn’t take as long as even planned” reported Jennifer. “I would text Justin and he always responded almost immediately. I got to know all the guys who were working in our house and they were all wonderful people”. Details in a customized kitchen like this one require skill and care from the people who install it. “All the guys on the job were skilled at what the did. I wanted small details like little feet to look like furniture, that is where their carpentry skill came in to make these all perfect”, said Jennifer. “The tile guys were wonderful. They even let me determine how I wanted the texture with the grout to appear for a salt and pepper look; now that is a very skilled trade person making it custom”. In Jennifer’s interview, she continued to reference Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling”, so I took a minute to ask her exactly what that phrase meant to her and how it played out in her experience with her project and the Advance Design team. Here is what she said: “I was intrigued about Common Sense Remodeling and in my head that there would be clear costs and prices, great communication between the design team, the execution team and me”, said Jennifer. They did deliver on that, it was so clear about the cost breakdown, what I could expect from everyone who came to my house, and everything that we had ordered. That to me is the Common Sense”! It’s great to see a client take literally our assertion that a well-planned remodeling project is simply “Common Sense”! She anticipated each step of the way would be clear, concise, and predictable, all the while protecting the outcome due to the careful upfront planning. “Advance Design delivered on their ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ promise,” Jennifer said. “From the design team, to the execution team - everything was straight forward like I imagined. The project turned out exactly how I envisioned, I enjoyed this process and absolutely would recommend Advance Design Studio to anyone.”

Set in Montana's tranquil Shields River Valley, the Shilo Ranch Compound is a collection of structures that were specifically built on a relatively smaller scale, to maximize efficiency. The main house has two bedrooms, a living area, dining and kitchen, bath and adjacent greenhouse, while two guest homes within the compound can sleep a total of 12 friends and family. There's also a common gathering hall, for dinners, games, and time together. The overall feel here is of sophisticated simplicity, with plaster walls, concrete and wood floors, and weathered boards for exteriors. The placement of each building was considered closely when envisioning how people would move through the property, based on anticipated needs and interests. Sustainability and consumption was also taken into consideration, as evidenced by the photovoltaic panels on roof of the garage, and the capability to shut down any of the compound's buildings when not in use.

Photo: Le Klein © 2016 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic bedroom remodel in San Francisco

To celebrate the ascent of its highly anticipated condominium tower, Bleu Ciel, Harwood International teamed up with Cantoni design consultants Elizabeth Lewis and Josh Delafuente to energize the development’s model home with a fresh new design. Read the full story here: http://cantoni.com/interior-design-services/projects/a-new-residential-landmark/ Photos by Michael Hunter

Anticipation deco field is hand-glazed in Alabaster sheer, and set on the diagonal for the backsplash in this contemporary kitchen. 3x8 field tile is also hand-glazed in Alabaster sheer to keep the fresh clean feel in this white kitchen.