Updated Spec Home: Basement Bathroom In our Updated Spec Home: Basement Bath, we reveal the newest addition to my mom and sister’s home – a half bath in the Basement. Since they were spending so much time in their Basement Family Room, the need to add a bath on that level quickly became apparent. Fortunately, they had unfinished storage area we could borrow from to make a nice size 8′ x 5′ bath. Working with a Budget and a Sister We were working with a budget, but as usual, my sister and I blew the budget on this awesome patterned tile flooring. (Don’t worry design clients – I can stick to a budget when my sister is not around to be a bad influence!). With that said, I do think this flooring makes a great focal point for the bath and worth the expense! On the Walls We painted the walls Sherwin Williams Sea Salt (SW6204). Then, we brought in lots of interest and color with this gorgeous acrylic wrapped canvas art and oversized decorative medallions. All of the plumbing fixtures, lighting and vanity were purchased at a local big box store. We were able to find streamlined options that work great in the space. We used brushed nickel as a light and airy metal option. As you can see this Updated Spec Home: Basement Bath is a functional and fabulous addition to this gorgeous home. Be sure to check out these other Powder Baths we have designed (here and here). And That’s a Wrap! Unless my mom and sister build an addition, we have come to the end of our blog series Updated Spec Home. I hope you have enjoyed this series as much as I enjoyed being a part of making this Spec House a warm, inviting, and gorgeous home for two of my very favorite people!

Add organic appeal to your home with woven wood shades.
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Traditional Style Bathroom Remodel on a budget. Quartz countertops, undermount sinks, brushed nickel hardware, vinyl plank flooring, oak cabinetry in peppercorn stain. Milgard Style Line windows. Fiberglass shower.

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The master bathroom was a total gut. We also opened up the shower quite a bit. Initially there was a ceiling with recessed light in shower but it was built down and helped "close-in" the space. We love to use the 6X24 Distressed Wood Tile (in blue/grey or brown/champagne) and a dark grout color to accentuate the white and/or neutral tones.

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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.

Layered window treatments featuring pinch pleat draperies, roller shades with a cordless lift feature, and fabric-wrapped cornices.
Elegant living room photo in Orange County

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Thomas Hayes
Example of a small classic bathroom design in Atlanta

Small cottage kids' brown tile and terra-cotta tile terra-cotta tile freestanding bathtub photo in New York with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, concrete countertops, a two-piece toilet and yellow walls

Budget-friendly contemporary condo remodel with lively color block design motif is inspired by the homeowners modern art collection. Pet-friendly Fruitwood vinyl plank flooring flows from the kitchen throughout the public spaces and into the bath as a unifying element. Brushed aluminum thermofoil cabinetry provides a soft neutral in contrast to the highly-figured wood pattern in the flooring.

A kitchen remodel is a project that involves changing the layout, fixtures, and finishes of your kitchen. It can be a small project, such as painting the cabinets and replacing the hardware, or a major project, such as tearing down walls and installing new appliances. Here are some of the things that you might do during a kitchen remodel: Change the layout of the kitchen. This could involve moving walls, relocating plumbing and electrical fixtures, and adding or removing cabinets. Install new cabinets and countertops. Cabinets and countertops are the two most important elements of a kitchen, so choosing the right ones is important. There are many different styles and materials to choose from, so you can find something that fits your taste and budget. Kitchen remodel countertops Install new appliances. If your appliances are old or outdated, you may want to replace them with new ones. There are many different appliances to choose from, so you can find ones that meet your needs and budget. Kitchen remodel appliances Install new flooring. The flooring in your kitchen should be durable and easy to clean. There are many different flooring types, such as tile, hardwood, and laminate. Kitchen remodel flooring Install new lighting. Good lighting is essential in a kitchen. You can add task lighting under cabinets and over the sink and ambient lighting in the ceiling. Kitchen remodel lighting Add a backsplash. A backsplash is a decorative tile or panel behind the stove and sink. It can add a touch of personality to your kitchen. Kitchen remodel backsplash A kitchen remodel can be a big investment, but it can also be a very rewarding experience. If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, it is important to do your research and plan your project carefully. Here are some additional tips for kitchen remodels: Set a budget and stick to it. Knowing how much you can afford to spend on your remodel before you start is important. Once you have a budget, get quotes from several contractors to ensure you get the best price. Get permits. Some kitchen remodels require permits. Be sure to check with your local building department to see if you need any permits before you start your project. Be patient. Kitchen remodels can take several weeks or even months to complete. Be patient, and don't try to rush the process. I hope this gives you a general idea of what a kitchen remodel is all about. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask.