Located on a partially wooded lot in Elburn, Illinois, this home needed an eye-catching interior redo to match the unique period exterior. The residence was originally designed by Bow House, a company that reproduces the look of 300-year old bow roof Cape-Cod style homes. Since typical kitchens in old Cape Cod-style homes tend to run a bit small- or as some would like to say, cozy – this kitchen was in need of plenty of efficient storage to house a modern day family of three. Advance Design Studio, Ltd. was able to evaluate the kitchen’s adjacent spaces and determine that there were several walls that could be relocated to allow for more usable space in the kitchen. The refrigerator was moved to the newly excavated space and incorporated into a handsome dinette, an intimate banquette, and a new coffee bar area. This allowed for more countertop and prep space in the primary area of the kitchen. It now became possible to incorporate a ball and claw foot tub and a larger vanity in the elegant new full bath that was once just an adjacent guest powder room. Reclaimed vintage Chicago brick paver flooring was carefully installed in a herringbone pattern to give the space a truly unique touch and feel. And to top off this revamped redo, a handsome custom green-toned island with a distressed black walnut counter top graces the center of the room, the perfect final touch in this charming little kitchen.

Beach style home design photo in Chicago

The redesign of the foyer included the addition of a board and batten detail on the walls, new wood flooring, along with new railing that gave the home the character and warmth it so greatly needed. We also included a unique bench with a lovely base detail and a lovely antique mirrored pendant light. The stairwell was also designed to include an accent light integrated into the base trim which not only serves the function of illumination, but also adds warmth. The homeowner also had a fun idea of adding all the family members names on the risers going up to the second floor.

Photography by Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Elegant exterior home photo in DC Metro

Shanna Wolf
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, wood backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Large trendy backyard concrete patio fountain photo in New Orleans

Photo: Caroline Sharpnack © 2018 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic living room remodel in Nashville

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

Family kitchen for busy parents and children to gather and share their day. A kitchen perfect for catching up with friends, baking cookies with grandkids, trying new recipes and recreating old favorites.

White shaker style cabinetry with carrara marble countertops. Porcelain tile floors provide durability while having a realistic carrara marble pattern. The white space is contrasted with rustic Restoration Hardware mirrors and chrome fixtures. Stephen Allen Photography

Darren Sinnett
Example of a large trendy u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Cleveland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Inspiration for a contemporary master concrete floor bedroom remodel in Houston

Angle Eye Photography
Huge elegant u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen photo in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, soapstone countertops, beige backsplash, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Showcase Photographers
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Nashville with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Eclectic home design photo in Calgary

Despite it shows itself with simplicity and pure linearity, the peculiarities of Simplicia are multiple and all determinants, to reveal an immense creative character. A constructive modularity of remarkable compositional flexibility allows customizations of great aesthetic functional innovation, thanks to the strong contribution of a targeted range of colors: matte finish doors with ABS edging to match the color CONFETTO, SABBIA, CANAPA, LAVAGNA and wood finishes TABACCO, CENERE, OLMO, DAMA, CONCHIGLIA, LONDRA and NATURALE with pore synchronized. To theseare added also a complete set of attachments multi-purpose, together with electric appliances and hoods of high technology.

Inspiration for a coastal blue two-story mixed siding exterior home remodel in San Diego

This 7,900-square-foot Italian-inspired Mediterranean estate in Grand Islands at Seven Oaks, Bakersfield, features graceful arches, natural materials, custom wrought-iron details, sculptural stairwork, and integrated water features. Designed for elegant California living, the custom home combines grand entertaining spaces, private retreats, a home theater, and seamless indoor-outdoor connections with enduring Mediterranean craftsmanship and architectural character.

Photography by: AudreyHall.com
Example of a small eclectic sunroom design in Other with a standard ceiling