Stor-More Closet & Blinds
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped terra-cotta tile kitchen pantry remodel in Vancouver with white cabinets and no island

What do you put in the kitchen that has everything, well a guitar can't hurt. With knick knacks galore this kitchen is still a great place to eat.
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal l-shaped ceramic tile open concept kitchen remodel in Tampa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and white walls

Curtis and Peggy had been thinking of a kitchen remodel for quite some time, but they knew their house would have a unique set of challenges. Their older Victorian house was built in 1891. The kitchen cabinetry was original, and they wanted to keep the authenticity of their period home while adding modern comforts that would improve their quality of life. A friend recommended Advance Design Studio for their exceptional experience and quality of work. After meeting with designer Michelle Lecinski at Advance Design, they were confident they could partner with Advance to accomplish the unique kitchen renovation they’d been talking about for years. “We wanted to do the kitchen for a long, long time,” Curtis said. “(We asked ourselves) what are we actually going to do? How are we going to do this? And who are we going to find to do exactly what we want?” The goal for the project was to keep the home renovation and new kitchen feeling authentic to the time in which it was built. They desperately wanted the modern comforts that come with a larger refrigerator and the dishwasher that they never had! The old home was also a bit drafty so adding a fireplace, wall insulation and new windows became a priority. They very much wanted to create a comfortable hearth room adjacent to the kitchen, complete with old world brick. The original cabinetry had to go to make way for beautiful new kitchen cabinetry that appears as if it was a hundred years old, but with all the benefits of cutting-edge storage, self-closing drawers, and a brand-new look. “We just wanted to keep it old looking, but with some modern updates,” Peggy said. Dura Supreme Highland Cabinets with a Heritage Old World Painted Finish replaced the original 1891 cabinets. The hand-applied careful rubbed-off detailing makes these exquisite cabinets look as if they came from a far-gone era. Despite the small size of the kitchen, Peggy, Curtis and Michelle utilized every inch with custom cabinet sizes to increase storage capacity. The custom cabinets allowed for the addition of a 24” Fisher Paykel dishwasher with a concealing Dura Supreme door panel. Michelle was also able to work into the new design a larger 30” Fisher Paykel French refrigerator. “We made every ¼ inch count in this small space,” designer Michelle said. “Having the ability to custom size the cabinetry was the only way to achieve this.” “The kitchen essentially was designed around the Heartland Vintage range and oven,” says Michelle. A classic appliance that combines nostalgic beauty and craftsmanship for modern cooking, with nickel plated trim and elegantly shaped handles and legs; the not to miss range is a striking focal point of the entire room and an engaging conversation piece. Granite countertops in Kodiak Satin with subtle veining kept with the old-world style. The delicate porcelain La Vie Crackle Sonoma tile kitchen backsplash compliments the home’s style perfectly. A handcrafted passthrough designed to show off Peggy’s fine china was custom built by project carpenters Justin Davis and Jeff Dallain to physically and visually open the space. Additional storage was created in the custom panty room with Latte Edinburg cabinets, hand-made weathered wood shelving with authentic black iron brackets, and an intricate tin copper ceiling. Peggy and Curtis loved the idea of adding a Vermont stove to make the hearth-room not only functional, but a truly beckoning place to be. A stunning Bordeaux red Vermont Castings Stove with crisp black ventilation was chosen and combined with the authentic reclaimed Chicago brick wall. Advance’s talented carpenters custom-built elegant weathered shelves to house family memorabilia, installed carefully chosen barn sconces, and made the hearth room an inviting place to relax with a cup of coffee and a good book. “Peggy and Curtis’ project was so much fun to work on. Creating a space that looks and feels like it always belonged in this beautiful old Victorian home is a designer’s dream. To see the delight in their faces when they saw the design details coming together truly made it worth the time and effort that went into making the very compact kitchen space work”, said Michelle. “The result is an amazing custom kitchen, packed with functionality in every inch, nook and cranny!” exclaims Michelle. The renovation didn’t end with the kitchen. New Pella windows were added to help lessen the drafts. The removal of the original windows and trim necessitated the re-creation of hand-made corbels and trim details no longer available today. The talented carpenter team came to the rescue, crafting new pieces and masterfully finishing them as if they were always there. New custom gutters were formed and installed with a front entry rework necessary to accommodate the changes. The whole house functions better, but it still feels like the original 1891 home. “From start to finish it’s just a much better space than we used to have,” Peggy said. “Jeff and Justin were amazing.” Curtis added; “We were lucky to find Advance Design, because they really came through for us. I loved that they had everything in house, anything you needed to have done, they could do it”.

Photo: Rachel Loewen © 2019 Houzz
Basement - eclectic basement idea in Chicago

Foto: Giacomo Cosua © 2015 Houzz
Example of a farmhouse home design design in Venice

Example of a large cottage u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, brown backsplash, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Bathroom - small rustic 3/4 ceramic tile and brown floor bathroom idea with shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink and granite countertops

Alex Lepe
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional wine cellar remodel in Dallas

Even though this before-Blisshaus kitchen already uses mason jars, there's lots and lots of room for improvement.
Kitchen - small craftsman kitchen idea in San Francisco

Photo: Robert Burns © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic basement remodel in Portland

Home design - mediterranean home design idea in Dallas

Mountain style family room photo in New York

Exhibiting a modern farmhouse feel, this vast kitchen remodel features distressed alder cabinets, custom-made hutch and ventilation hood and a pair of sliding barn doors that house a food pantry and add a bold red hue to this open, sunny room. Cabinets: Crystal Cabinet Works, Hanover beaded inset door style, Natural finish on Knotty Alder with a black highlight and various distressed elements. Countertop: granite, color not known Design by: Lilly Troy

Large mountain style slate floor wine cellar photo in Dallas with storage racks

Photo: Kayla Stark © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for a timeless home design remodel in New Orleans

Living room - modern medium tone wood floor living room idea

Inspiration for a large coastal women's light wood floor walk-in closet remodel in San Diego with glass-front cabinets and white cabinets