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.”

This home is dedicated to the idea that beauty can be found in the artistic expression of hand-made processes. The project included rigorous material research and close partnership with local craftspeople in order to realize the final architecture. The timeless quality of this collaboration is most visible in the ribbon stair and the raked stucco walls on the exterior facade. Working hand in hand with local artisans, layers of wood and plaster were stapled, raked, sanded, bent, and laminated in order to realize the curve of the stair and the precise lines of the facade. In contrast to the manipulation of materials, a garden courtyard and spa add an intimate experience of nature within the heart of the home. The concealed space is a case study in contrast from the lush vegetation against the stark steel, to the shallow hot plunge and six-foot deep cold plunge. The result is a home that elevates the integrity of local craft and the refreshment of nature’s touch to augment a lifestyle dedicated to health, artistry, and authenticity.

Modern living room showcasing sustainable materials such as EarthWall, with a large two sided fireplace. Photo Credit: Roger Wade
Trendy open concept concrete floor living room photo with a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace

The best kitchen design begins with the goal of enhancing functionality. We were looking for the shortest distance from fridge to stove to sink. This is known as the “golden triangle” of kitchen design. We also wanted the food preparation process to flow in one direction: From food storage to preparation to cooking to cleaning. This is the ideal kitchen flow because it eliminates traffic jams and keeps fresh food safer by moving from cold to warm.

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

Toast cool design with this sturdy and stunning white wine decanter featuring an open ice chamber that keeps wine cold without diluting it. Handmade in Colombia from recycled glass, each decanter has a slight green hue from the tint originally added to lessen the sun's glare. These are free form pieces, not made from molds, but wonderful organic shapes that are thick and hefty. Best of all, the glass is recycled from old windows, automobile glass, and all sorts of bottles. Each design is one-of-a-kind, and yes, as always, you can count on unique variations in each piece. For after all... this is no ordinary piece of glass! Due to the hand-crafted process, the texture of each item will differ. Air bubbles and small "imperfections" add individual charm to each one-of-a-kind piece!

The best kitchen design begins with the goal of enhancing functionality. We were looking for the shortest distance from fridge to stove to sink. This is known as the “golden triangle” of kitchen design. We also wanted the food preparation process to flow in one direction: From food storage to preparation to cooking to cleaning. This is the ideal kitchen flow because it eliminates traffic jams and keeps fresh food safer by moving from cold to warm.

They hired Rick Jacobson to offer his design, materials, and construction advice to remodel their home’s exterior. Rick Jacobson recommended that they replace the original Masonite siding with LP Smartside. LP siding offers the look of wood without the maintenance. It’s treated with a process helps keep out moisture for long-term durability and strength against harsh weather. It’s also less costly than cement board and easier to work with. It comes prefinished in popular colors with calking of the same color, which means little or no painting is required. Rick also replaced the existing windows with new energy-efficient windows that not only enhanced the home’s beauty but also will keep the cold out on winter days and nights.

Reclaimed wood timber posts and header beams in warm gray brown weathered tones with deep checking frame this luxury basement golf simulator and man cave, bringing warmth, texture, and material character to a space that could easily feel cold and utilitarian. The reclaimed wood framing alone is enough to transform the entire feel of the room. This install shows how reclaimed wood timber framing elevates luxury recreational spaces including golf simulators, home theaters, and game rooms into high character destination spaces. At Manomin Resawn Timbers, every piece goes through a detailed process of denailing, kiln drying, and precision milling so that antique character is preserved while performing beautifully in any application. Whether you are a homebuilder, a home remodeling contractor, or a homeowner looking to bring reclaimed wood into a basement, golf simulator, or luxury recreational space, Manomin Resawn Timbers has been helping people discover the antique charm of reclaimed wood since 2002. We serve homebuilders, contractors, and designers across the country. Visit our showroom in Hugo, MN or reach out to us with a call or a message to get started. Image via Landmark Photography

Walnut cabinets, soapstone countertops, built-in oven hood with floating shelves.
1950s u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Sacramento with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Stylish brewery owners with airline miles that match George Clooney’s decided to hire Regan Baker Design to transform their beloved Duboce Park second home into an organic modern oasis reflecting their modern aesthetic and sustainable, green conscience lifestyle. From hops to floors, we worked extensively with our design savvy clients to provide a new footprint for their kitchen, dining and living room area, redesigned three bathrooms, reconfigured and designed the master suite, and replaced an existing spiral staircase with a new modern, steel staircase. We collaborated with an architect to expedite the permit process, as well as hired a structural engineer to help with the new loads from removing the stairs and load bearing walls in the kitchen and Master bedroom. We also used LED light fixtures, FSC certified cabinetry and low VOC paint finishes. Regan Baker Design was responsible for the overall schematics, design development, construction documentation, construction administration, as well as the selection and procurement of all fixtures, cabinets, equipment, furniture,and accessories. Key Contributors: Green Home Construction; Photography: Sarah Hebenstreit / Modern Kids Co. In this photo: We encased the existing fireplace in steel to give it an industrial feel. We also collaborated on a yellow upholstered chair from Uhuru Design in Brooklyn.

This home is dedicated to the idea that beauty can be found in the artistic expression of hand-made processes. The project included rigorous material research and close partnership with local craftspeople in order to realize the final architecture. The timeless quality of this collaboration is most visible in the ribbon stair and the raked stucco walls on the exterior facade. Working hand in hand with local artisans, layers of wood and plaster were stapled, raked, sanded, bent, and laminated in order to realize the curve of the stair and the precise lines of the facade. In contrast to the manipulation of materials, a garden courtyard and spa add an intimate experience of nature within the heart of the home. The concealed space is a case study in contrast from the lush vegetation against the stark steel, to the shallow hot plunge and six-foot deep cold plunge. The result is a home that elevates the integrity of local craft and the refreshment of nature’s touch to augment a lifestyle dedicated to health, artistry, and authenticity.

Beautifully designed kitchens aren’t found only in magazines or online. To start bringing yours to life, visit a Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove showroom.

Mid-century modern white tile claw-foot bathtub photo in Los Angeles with a pedestal sink

Lead Time: 3 - 4 Months All doors are made of heavy 12 gauge steel with 16 x 16 mm or custom specifications. The glass on all doors is Aquatex. Hinged glass opens allowing easy access for cleaning and ventilating. Window lock controls the opening and closing of glass frame. Polyurethane foam layer adds insulation from the heat or the cold. All thresholds are hand- forged and fully-welded. All of our doors undergo a unique seven-step process: Sandblast, Zinc-coat, anti-corrosive prime, middle coat, top coat, faux finish, clear coat. Rubber weatherstripping is installed around the door frame and around the interior glass frame. Door sweep is installed underneath the door. Up and down extension ball latches are installed on all doors. On the lower half of the window, there is a small decline for water to run-off. All doors come with a standard deadbolt lock.

Indoor-outdoor dog run for 2 small dogs to be able to be outside to relieve themselves without being vulnerable to foxes, coyotes and bobcats.
Mid-sized arts and crafts gray one-story stone gable roof photo in New York with a shingle roof

Inspiration for a transitional medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Denver with beige walls

Simply Revolutionary The beautiful, patented stainless steel tap is designed to be built into any tabletop. The simplicity of the TopBrewer fits elegantly into any surroundings and allows you to focus on a more direct contact with your customers or clients. The TopBrewer brews a perfect cup of fresh-bean coffee – every time. Put coffee in the centre of your workplace. Imagine a product which adapts to your needs. The TopBrewer is designed to seamlessly become a part of your regular work environment, and enhances it. If you're looking for cold water, juice or a piping hot espresso, this is the solution for you. Your café, reception or meeting area will never be the same. With the TopBrewer you take up only 1% counterspace in return for 100% customer satisfaction. Combine multiple TopBrewer units, to cater for all your needs, easily adapting to your environment and allowing for several servings simultaneously. Low energy usage. Not only does the TopBrewer have more drinks than any other coffeebrewer. It offers higher performance than any previous coffeebrewers, it’s also more energy efficient, using up to 90 per cent less energy in the idle state than our competitors. Friendly to the environment. The coffee-brewer is mostly produced using steel. Steel is the most recycled material in the world, and in it's recycled state it saves 80% CO2 emissions and 75% of the energy needed to create steel from raw materials. Steel can be recycled infinitively without loss of strength or durability. Power saving - standby timer. With most units in the coffee world, they very rarely want to switch them to standby or even switch them completely off. The reason being there is a internal water tank which is being kept warm. In the TopBrewer, we encourage you to use the powersaving mode, the unit is designed so that from a cold start to the first brew it only takes 45 sec. The schedule system within the machine ensures, that it will not be using energy when you dont desire it. Single touch brewing. One-Click function for fast and easy operations with a clean surfaced animation - interacting with our app and brewing a cup of coffee, is all part of the coffee experience. Brew status always in presence: As a user of the TopBrewer, you will always be presented with the current state. Is the machine ready to brew, queuing a drink or is it in the process of grinding your fresh beans. No matter what happens in the process, the TopBrewer will inform you of it's current activity.

Four years ago, we began the design process of the main house to align with the owner's retirement and move back to the Seattle area from Chicago in 2015. Although the Boathouse and Carriage house are more Pacific Northwest shingle in character, this time around the owners wanted a modern interpretation for the main house. Now in 2016 - 10 years later - they are settled in and their little "compound" has become the family gathering place for their three grown sons, their wives, and the owner's grandchildren. The main house is a contemporary interpretation of Northwest Regionalism in which dramatic waterfront conditions are complemented with aesthetic consideration of massing, materials and the embracing of natural light. The interior spaces are highlighted in marble, steel, walnut, sapele and limestone finishes.