Stacey van Berkel
Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor dining room remodel in New York with white walls

Mike and Michelle of Lake Barrington knew they needed extra space. Their home was becoming too crowded for their family with blossoming teenagers, so a basement renovation offered the perfect solution for more space for the kids and more room to entertain for the adults. “Our project consisted of expanding our laundry room, putting in a first floor wet bar so we had adult space upstairs, while also renovating our basement for a family-friendly and teen-functional area as well,” Michelle says. They found Advance Design Studio through a neighbor who gave a glowing recommendation, giving Michelle and Mike the confidence they needed to move forward with a major home renovation. They felt like they knew Advance Design before they even worked together. When they met with the owner Todd Jurs and designer Nicole Ryan, Mike and Michelle knew they were getting a trustworthy, dependable team that could create the project they had been dreaming about for 7 years. Having virtually no natural light to work with, one of the biggest design challenges was creating a basement that did not feel dark and depressing. The Advance team got to work creating architectural archways and custom detailed dry-stack stone columns artfully designed into the space, adding a dramatic element that made the space feel less like a basement or more like a relaxing family room. Color 3D renderings were created to portray what the space would look like so Mike and Michelle could visualize the space in advance. Detailed trim and crown moldings grace the built in buffet and wet bar making for an amazingly functional space that lacks nothing in style and visual interest. Cherry wood cabinetry by Dura Supreme is featured in the space with a “Cocoa Brown” finish and includes beautiful mirrored glass doors embellished with unique elliptical mullion details. A built-in microwave, dishwasher and mini fridge add practicality to the ample entertainment mecca. An under mounted sink finishes the space joined with a intricate mosaic tile backsplash and “Ventisca Polished” quartz countertops. The basement is absolutely perfect for hosting friends and family with expertly designed key areas such as a game space for the kids, a movie area for the family, an ample workout room with luxurious full bath, and even built in wine storage. The family absolutely loves the new basement living space, and has already enjoyed numerous family movie nights and sleep-overs with friends. While custom cabinets made by Dura Supreme were used to create unique spaces that lived up to Mike and Michelle’s expectations., heated flooring under the 16”x16” “Mongolian Spring” tile was installed giving all tiled areas of the basement a much cozier feel, eliminating that cold hard surface most of us hate in our basements! The new basement must-have requirement list included a new bath space, which was incorporated adjacent to the work out room. The sleek shower door and cabinets in the new bathroom make guests and family feel like they are in an elegant hotel. The new guest bath features 4”x36” “Silver Screen” honed marble tile in a brick pattern on the shower walls and 2”x2” “Chenille” limestone tile in a hexagon mosaic pattern on the shower floor. “I came in with very specific requirements for our three project areas,” Michelle says. “There was not one time that I felt like I was asking for something that was not going to turn out how I anticipated.” Tying in multiple rooms during a renovation if you have can do it makes a lot of sense and saves money in the long run. A fully functional laundry room as well was a must on this family’s wish list. Michelle wanted to add space to the existing cramped and awkward laundry room, and Mike wanted to make sure they could still park a car in the garage. Reconfiguring interior walls required borrowing unused space cleverly from the garage in order to enlarge the laundry room space. Drawers under the stairs added beautiful hidden storage created almost magically out of dead space. White painted Dura Supreme cabinets bring additional light into the small space; while the 16”x16” cleft slate tile flooring provides excellent contrast and the naturally earthy feel Michelle wanted. Quartz countertops with a 3”x12” “Debut Dew” subway tile backsplash add elegance to the now upliftingly bright laundry room. The extra space makes doing laundry much more pleasurable and the added storage is a great for all those little things like winter hats and gloves, umbrellas and the like. “The Advance Design project team was phenomenal to work with,” Michelle says. “They came in, shared the plans with us and walked us through the expectations. We always knew what was coming next.” Converting an existing closet space, the wet bar upstairs was challenging because they wanted a functional area that didn’t look or feel like cabinets just sticking out of a closet. So the Advance team transformed this ordinary closet space into a stunning wet bar that architecturally appears as if it’s always been there. Traditional, elegant hand carved custom molding matching the adjacent fireplace ties the new entertainment bar area in nicely with the existing family room and kitchen area. Featuring a built in wine refrigerator, Dura Supreme cabinetry in deep cherry wood elegantly displays wine bottles and etched glass mullion doors that fill with soft light in the evening hours. Cambria “Windermere” quartz countertops with a sophisticated hammered copper sink and a glimmering backsplash round out the stunning wet bar. Hosting parties and family functions has become much more enjoyable now that they have a dedicated beverage serving area large enough to include hors devours. All three projects were designed and constructed together at the same time, making for a cohesive project that was administered smoothly and easily both for the design team and for the family. Disruption to the home was minimal as each phase was completed in each project conclusively, and design and meeting time for the homeowner was efficient and organized making for an enjoyable process. “Advance Design was great to work with,” Michelle says. “I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a home improvement project. They took the time at the beginning to understand our needs, our budget, and our vision for our home. The field team was great, attentive, on time, cleaned up each day and made the overall experience very positive. We couldn't be happier with the finished product.” With the help of our talented, award winning design team you can create the basement, laundry room, or any other home renovation that you have been dreaming of. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating you home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-836-2600 or schedule an appointment to talk with us about that kitchen remodeling project. Joe Nowak

This vibrant dining room in the 2nd & 3rd floor unit in a historic victorian home is beautifully detailed, including new windows, a plate rail, and a custom built in buffet and hutch. Formerly a warren of enclosed rooms and dark hallways, this space now flows into the kitchen, yet is clearly detailed as its own space. The custom built in on the right houses full-size laundry with plenty of storage.

Rolfe Hokanson
Inspiration for a light wood floor dining room remodel in Chicago

Large Built in sideboard with glass upper cabinets to display crystal and china in the dining room. Cabinets are painted shaker doors with glass inset panels. the project was designed by David Bauer and built by Cornerstone Builders of SW FL. in Naples the client loved her round mirror and wanted to incorporate it into the project so we used it as part of the backsplash display. The built in actually made the dining room feel larger.

James McCarthy | Retail Photo Graphics
Small transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room photo in Other with blue walls and no fireplace

Jaime Virguez
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Mid-sized elegant brick floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and granite countertops

Large elegant marble floor enclosed dining room photo in Houston with blue walls and no fireplace

James McCarthy | Retail Photo Graphics
Example of a mid-sized transitional open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Other with a music area, blue walls, no fireplace and no tv

Inspiration for a large transitional dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Phoenix with beige walls and no fireplace

James McCarthy | Retail Photo Graphics
Inspiration for a small transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor great room remodel in Other with blue walls and no fireplace

Example of a large trendy light wood floor great room design in St Louis with beige walls and no fireplace

Builder: JENKINS construction Photography: Mol Goodman Architect: William Guidero
Living room - mid-sized coastal open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in Orange County with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

The dining room has a cathedral ceiling and a custom built-in hutch.
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman medium tone wood floor and brown floor dining room remodel in Seattle with white walls and no fireplace

Custom locally built dining table designed by For a family wanting a dramatic entry and dining room, but with requirements that it be an indestructible venue for weekly brunches with guest lists including small children! Our first solution was to create a contrasting border integral to the hardwood floor, in lieu of an area rug. From there, we introduced furniture in resilient materials such as fiberglass chairs and a locally made custom table of Heather's design in reclaimed hardwood, steel and acrylic. Luxurious drapes, dramatic accessories and a chandelier with glimmer added the required panache. Interior design by Heather Garrett Interior Design. Custom original dining table designed by Heather Garrett available through Heather Garrett Interior Design. Contact us for more information. Photography by John Bessler

Kathy Keeney Photography
Example of a classic medium tone wood floor dining room design in DC Metro with green walls and a standard fireplace