Vivian Johnson
Cottage built-in desk light wood floor and beige floor home office photo in San Francisco with white walls

Custom-made Koa wood stools surround the quartzite counters and lend natural warmth to the kitchen’s muted color palette.
Eat-in kitchen - large contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Staircase with window seat on landing
Staircase - large traditional wooden u-shaped mixed material railing staircase idea in Chicago with painted risers

Photo: Lauren Andersen © 2018 Houzz Design: Mead Quin Design Plants: Living Green Design
This is an example of a mediterranean landscaping in San Francisco.

Example of a trendy freestanding desk medium tone wood floor study room design in Chicago 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. Photography: Joe Nowak

Inspiration for a transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor dining room remodel in London with white walls

Designer: Barbara Stowe, Allied ASID The clients were looking for a complete update of their original 1960's kitchen. They requested a clean and fresh look that would withstand the test of time. Although the footprint remained the same, eliminating soffits allowed for full height cabinets and made the space look larger. Brookhaven by Wood-Mode cabinetry, a narrow pull-out pantry cabinet and custom built-in plate rack provide plenty of storage and the dual-fuel Wolf range and Sub-Zero refrigerator are welcome upgrades. Classic colors of gray and yellow are repeated in the handmade ceramic tile back splash, the granite counter tops, porcelain plank tile flooring, decorative valance and the numerous fabrics. Antique chairs upholstered with new fabrics and a farmhouse table made from old doors add warmth, while polished nickel hardware and Schonbek crystal pendants add a bit of bling. The result is a kitchen that is wonderful to cook in as well as being a lovely gathering place for family and friends.

Harbor View is a modern-day interpretation of the shingled vacation houses of its seaside community. The gambrel roof, horizontal, ground-hugging emphasis, and feeling of simplicity, are all part of the character of the place. While fitting in with local traditions, Harbor View is meant for modern living. The kitchen is a central gathering spot, open to the main combined living/dining room and to the waterside porch. One easily moves between indoors and outdoors. The house is designed for an active family, a couple with three grown children and a growing number of grandchildren. It is zoned so that the whole family can be there together but retain privacy. Living, dining, kitchen, library, and porch occupy the center of the main floor. One-story wings on each side house two bedrooms and bathrooms apiece, and two more bedrooms and bathrooms and a study occupy the second floor of the central block. The house is mostly one room deep, allowing cross breezes and light from both sides. The porch, a third of which is screened, is a main dining and living space, with a stone fireplace offering a cozy place to gather on summer evenings. A barn with a loft provides storage for a car or boat off-season and serves as a big space for projects or parties in summer.

Overlooking of the surrounding meadows of the historic C Lazy U Ranch, this single family residence was carefully sited on a sloping site to maximize spectacular views of Willow Creek Resevoir and the Indian Peaks mountain range. The project was designed to fulfill budgetary and time frame constraints while addressing the client’s goal of creating a home that would become the backdrop for a very active and growing family for generations to come. In terms of style, the owners were drawn to more traditional materials and intimate spaces of associated with a cabin scale structure.

Kitchen pantry - traditional kitchen pantry idea in Dallas with open cabinets and white cabinets

Builder: Orchard Hills Design and Construction, LLC Interior Designer: ML Designs Kitchen Designer: Heidi Piron Landscape Architect: J. Kest & Company, LLC Photographer: Christian Garibaldi

Layering your cutlery in a Tiered Cutlery Divider maximizes your space and keeps your silverware and cutlery organized. A Must Have for any kitchen!

Dan Ryan — Southfield Media
Mid-sized trendy galley eat-in kitchen photo with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and an undermount sink

CHAD CHENIER PHOTOGRAPHY
Example of a classic formal and enclosed light wood floor family room design in New Orleans with brown walls

Hallway - small rustic medium tone wood floor and brown floor hallway idea in Toronto with beige walls

Here is a great way to store your step stool in the toe kick of the cabinets
Example of a transitional cork floor eat-in kitchen design in Albuquerque with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets

Open format loft living, a view through the bedroom. Alyssa Lee Photography
Example of a small urban master medium tone wood floor bedroom design in Minneapolis with brown walls

The kitchen was a full remodel which incorporated all new high-end appliances like a 48” Sub Zero refrigerator and Thermador cooktop and ovens. Bead board was added to the ceiling and a heavy crown molding adds detail to the transitional kitchen. The cabinets are painted Swiss coffee by Benjamin Moore, which contrast against the brown granite and creamy subway tile backsplash. A custom mosaic is the centerpiece of the kitchen, adding an organic element. The refrigerator and dishwasher are paneled to help conceal the appliances. A wine fridge was incorporated into the peninsula. Pendants add extra light to peninsula where there is bar stools for extra seating. Photography by: Erika Bierman