This artisanal space takes its rightful place as the heart of the home. Authentic elements such as handmade tiles, quartersawn white oak cabinetry, and a custom low-divide stainless steel sink bring flow, warmth, and energy to this polished yet eclectic kitchen.

The Hunter House “Cenote” project draws from the raw, organic feel of Mexico’s natural swimming caves, brought to life using RicoRock cast concrete elements. Rock Formations Texas (RFT) transformed the space with textured limestone interiors, substantial 6-foot structural footings, a dramatic 35-foot bridge crossing, and vertical piers sculpted to resemble authentic tree bark. Flowing water features and a grotto-style retreat complete the scene, showcasing how RicoRock products help RFT turn imaginative concepts into fully immersive backyard experiences.

This artisanal space takes its rightful place as the heart of the home. Authentic elements such as handmade tiles, quartersawn white oak cabinetry, and a custom low-divide stainless steel sink bring flow, warmth, and energy to this polished yet eclectic kitchen.

This artisanal space takes its rightful place as the heart of the home. Authentic elements such as handmade tiles, quartersawn white oak cabinetry, and a custom low-divide stainless steel sink bring flow, warmth, and energy to this polished yet eclectic kitchen.

The Hunter House “Cenote” project draws from the raw, organic feel of Mexico’s natural swimming caves, brought to life using RicoRock cast concrete elements. Rock Formations Texas (RFT) transformed the space with textured limestone interiors, substantial 6-foot structural footings, a dramatic 35-foot bridge crossing, and vertical piers sculpted to resemble authentic tree bark. Flowing water features and a grotto-style retreat complete the scene, showcasing how RicoRock products help RFT turn imaginative concepts into fully immersive backyard experiences.

The Hunter House “Cenote” project draws from the raw, organic feel of Mexico’s natural swimming caves, brought to life using RicoRock cast concrete elements. Rock Formations Texas (RFT) transformed the space with textured limestone interiors, substantial 6-foot structural footings, a dramatic 35-foot bridge crossing, and vertical piers sculpted to resemble authentic tree bark. Flowing water features and a grotto-style retreat complete the scene, showcasing how RicoRock products help RFT turn imaginative concepts into fully immersive backyard experiences.

This artisanal space takes its rightful place as the heart of the home. Authentic elements such as handmade tiles, quartersawn white oak cabinetry, and a custom low-divide stainless steel sink bring flow, warmth, and energy to this polished yet eclectic kitchen.

The Hunter House “Cenote” project draws from the raw, organic feel of Mexico’s natural swimming caves, brought to life using RicoRock cast concrete elements. Rock Formations Texas (RFT) transformed the space with textured limestone interiors, substantial 6-foot structural footings, a dramatic 35-foot bridge crossing, and vertical piers sculpted to resemble authentic tree bark. Flowing water features and a grotto-style retreat complete the scene, showcasing how RicoRock products help RFT turn imaginative concepts into fully immersive backyard experiences.

This artisanal space takes its rightful place as the heart of the home. Authentic elements such as handmade tiles, quartersawn white oak cabinetry, and a custom low-divide stainless steel sink bring flow, warmth, and energy to this polished yet eclectic kitchen.

This artisanal space takes its rightful place as the heart of the home. Authentic elements such as handmade tiles, quartersawn white oak cabinetry, and a custom low-divide stainless steel sink bring flow, warmth, and energy to this polished yet eclectic kitchen.

This artisanal space takes its rightful place as the heart of the home. Authentic elements such as handmade tiles, quartersawn white oak cabinetry, and a custom low-divide stainless steel sink bring flow, warmth, and energy to this polished yet eclectic kitchen.

To improve storage and increase counter space near the range, the refrigerator was relocated in favor of a shallow pantry cabinet. Andrea Rugg Photography

Photography by Carlos Esteva. When this private client, a married couple, first approached Álvarez-Díaz & Villalón to build ‘the house of their dreams’ on the grounds of their sprawling family estate, the first challenge was to identify the exact location that would maximize the positive aspects of the topography while affording the most gracious views. Propped up on scaffolding, juggling digital cameras and folding ladders, the design team photographed the property from hundreds of angles before the ideal site was selected. Once the site was selected, construction could begin. The building’s foundation was raised slightly off the ground to disperse geothermal heat. In addition, the designers studied daily sunlight patterns and positioned the structure accordingly in order to warm the swimming pool during the cooler morning hours and illuminate the principal living quarters during the late afternoon. Finally, the main house was designed with functional balconies on all sides: each balcony meticulously planned ~ and precisely positioned ~ to both optimize wind flow and frame the property’s most breath-taking views. Stylistically, the goal was to create an authentic Spanish hacienda. Following Old World tradition, the house was anchored around a centralized interior patio in the Moorish style: enclosed on three sides ~ yet open on the fourth (similar to the Alcázar of Seville) ~ to reveal a reflecting pool ~ and mirror the water motif of the home’s magnificent marble fountain. A bell tower, horseshoe arches, a colonnaded,vineyard-style patio, and ornamental Moorish mosaic tilework (“azulejos”) completed this picturesque portrait of a faraway fantasy world of castles, chivalry, and swordsplay, reminiscent of Medieval Spain. Shortly after completion, this showcase home was showcased on the TVE Spanish television series Spaniards Around The World (Españoles Alrededor Del Mundo) as a prime example of authentic Spanish architecture designed outside the peninsula. Not surprising. After all, the story of a fairy-tale retreat as magical as this one deserves a happy ending.

Working with the owner, the kitchen was carefully built to the specifications of the owner. The final product embodied the spirit of their ideas using knotty alder and traditional Mexican tile. The wall between family room and the kitchen was removed at the suggestion of the owner, to provide better flow. The original beams were sand blasted early in the renovation to provide a more authentic feel, and to match the overall theme of the project. Photo - John Sartin

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.”

Shown in this photo: Leather sectional with custom pillows, tufted ottoman, stack stone wall, one-tier chandelier with authentic seashells, custom upholstered tufted dining chairs with nail heads, custom iron French door and windows, crackle glass brick backsplash, bronze 3-light pendant chandeliers, European oak wire brushed flooring and accessories/finishing touches designed by LMOH Home. | Photography Joshua Caldwell.

This stunning staircase encircles the grand Entry Hall. The room volumes & flow & fine finishes of this luxury home are absolutely sumptuous. (When was the last time you glimpsed pulled plaster profiles in a residential ceiling?) With painstaking attention to detail, even new construction can be imbued with timeless authenticity & heartfelt feeling. -- DeAngelis Custom Builders

Architect: Michelle Penn, AIA This barn home is modeled after an existing Nebraska barn in Lancaster County. Heating is by passive solar design, supplemented by a geothermal radiant floor system. Cooling will rely on a whole house fan and a passive air flow system. The passive system is created with the cupola, windows, transoms and passive venting for cooling, rather than a forced air system. The railings are made from goat fencing and walls are tongue and groove pine. The paint color in the hall below is Paper Mache AF-25 Benjamin Moore. Photo Credits: Jackson Studios. Notice the traditional style interior transoms above the doors!

Architect: Michelle Penn, AIA This barn home is modeled after an existing Nebraska barn in Lancaster County. Heating is by passive solar design, supplemented by a geothermal radiant floor system. Cooling will rely on a whole house fan and a passive air flow system. The passive system is created with the cupola, windows, transoms and passive venting for cooling, rather than a forced air system. Here you can see the underside of the gambrel roof and the ladder leading up to the cupola. The stair & guard railing was created using goat fencing. Photo Credits: Jackson Studios