Our homeowner had dreamt about one day redoing her beyond outdated kitchen since they day her husband carried her over the threshold. Vinyl flooring used for a backsplash, dingy carpeting, laminate with no sheen left to speak of and mismatched cabinetry…. it was time to make it happen. A year’s worth of planning later, her time capsule became one dreamy kitchen. Functionality reigns supreme in this small, but efficient kitchen where every cabinet has a story to tell and a place to store it. Countertop space to the right of the stove was an added necessity for function and safety. The raised snack bar is perfect for day to day meals and the lowered countertop was a must for this petite baker. A new lighting plan includes recessed lights, under-cabinet and accent lights, while new lighting fixtures reflect the client’s sense of style. Dingy brick patterned carpet was removed making way for new hardwood floors toothed in from the dining room. An airy palette gained some weight with the use of larger details; the oversized hood, beefy turned posts, prominent apron front sink and a grouping of tall cabinets on the refrigerator wall. Glass cabinet fronts, shiny beveled subway tile, and granite countertops allow light to dance around the space. Zachary Seib Photography

Photographer: Bernard Andre'
Example of a cottage family room design in San Francisco

An open house lot is like a blank canvas. When Mathew first visited the wooded lot where this home would ultimately be built, the landscape spoke to him clearly. Standing with the homeowner, it took Mathew only twenty minutes to produce an initial color sketch that captured his vision - a long, circular driveway and a home with many gables set at a picturesque angle that complemented the contours of the lot perfectly. The interior was designed using a modern mix of architectural styles – a dash of craftsman combined with some colonial elements – to create a sophisticated yet truly comfortable home that would never look or feel ostentatious. Features include a bright, open study off the entry. This office space is flanked on two sides by walls of expansive windows and provides a view out to the driveway and the woods beyond. There is also a contemporary, two-story great room with a see-through fireplace. This space is the heart of the home and provides a gracious transition, through two sets of double French doors, to a four-season porch located in the landscape of the rear yard. This home offers the best in modern amenities and design sensibilities while still maintaining an approachable sense of warmth and ease. Photo by Eric Roth

The sophisticated study adds a touch of moodiness to the home. Our team custom designed the 12' tall built in bookcases and wainscoting to add some much needed architectural detailing to the plain white space and 22' tall walls. A hidden pullout drawer for the printer and additional file storage drawers add function to the home office. The windows are dressed in contrasting velvet drapery panels and simple sophisticated woven window shades. The woven textural element is picked up again in the area rug, the chandelier and the caned guest chairs. The ceiling boasts patterned wallpaper with gold accents. A natural stone and iron desk and a comfortable desk chair complete the space.

This white-on-white kitchen design has a transitional style and incorporates beautiful clean lines. It features a Personal Paint Match finish on the Kitchen Island matched to Sherwin-Williams "Threshold Taupe" SW7501 and a mix of light tan paint and vibrant orange décor. These colors really pop out on the “white canvas” of this design. The designer chose a beautiful combination of white Dura Supreme cabinetry (in "Classic White" paint), white subway tile backsplash, white countertops, white trim, and a white sink. The built-in breakfast nook (L-shaped banquette bench seating) attached to the kitchen island was the perfect choice to give this kitchen seating for entertaining and a kitchen island that will still have free counter space while the homeowner entertains. Design by Studio M Kitchen & Bath, Plymouth, Minnesota. Request a FREE Dura Supreme Brochure Packet: https://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochures/ Find a Dura Supreme Showroom near you today: https://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochures Want to become a Dura Supreme Dealer? Go to: https://www.durasupreme.com/become-a-cabinet-dealer-request-form/

About these photos: The cabinetry is Mastro Rosolino- our private line of cabinets. The cabinets on the perimeter are painted white, the island is walnut with a stain & glaze. The tops are Honed Dandy Marble by Stone Surfaces in East Rutherford, NJ. The backsplash is "MOS" pattern "Manilla" in marble, the butler's pantry is "art" antiqued mirror in diamond pattern with brushed nickel rosettes overlaid at the corners. The mosaic rug above the stove is calacatta oro, timber grey & lagos blue. Tile by Stratta Tile in Wyckoff, NJ. The flooring was handled by the home owner, it is a hardwood with a medium/dark stain. The appliances are: Sub-Zero BI36R/O & BI36F/O, Wolf 48" Range DF486G, Wolf 30" DO30F/S, Miele DW, GE ZEM200SF microwave, Wolf 30" warming drawer, Sub-Zero 27" warming drawers. The main sink is a 30" Rohl Farm Sink. All lighting fixtures, chairs, other items in the kitchen were purchased separately by the home owner so we have no information on file! Please don't comment asking about the lights! Peter Rymwid (www,peterrymwid.com)

Our clients built their Manhattan dream house years ago, but a couple of decades in, the yellow and green palette seemed stale. We brightened the home with new paint and countertops, white oak flooring and updated carpet, custom fixtures and furniture, and new finishes, window treatments, and accessories. For enhanced functionality, we added built-in storage throughout, reupholstered existing furniture and the breakfast nook in performance fabric, and created a custom dining table that seats a dozen. To keep the dining room coastal and informal, we paired plush head chairs with rattan-backed side chairs and accented with sea-foam and sandy-hued floor and window coverings. The addition of a murphy bed, as well as shelving and file storage, made the office more suited to their growing family’s needs. In the second office, a standing desk, as well as a customized craft desk with built-ins for specific supplies, transformed the area into a completely personalized and effective space. New furniture and a ceiling-length fireplace facade of soft ivory and gray stone transformed the family room into a cozy and welcoming retreat. The overall effect is a home that feels spacious, beachy, and comfortable.

If you were to take the splash of pink out of this bathroom, it would still be beautiful, but you wouldn't be staring at it like you are now. The richness of the colored cabinets makes this room feel spa like and the mixture of stone, tile and mosaics exemplify that mixing materials is the way to go.

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Staging & Photos by: Betsy Konaxis, BK Classic Collections Home Stagers
Example of a small classic open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Boston with beige walls, a standard fireplace and no tv

The sophisticated study adds a touch of moodiness to the home. Our team custom designed the 12' tall built in bookcases and wainscoting to add some much needed architectural detailing to the plain white space and 22' tall walls. A hidden pullout drawer for the printer and additional file storage drawers add function to the home office. The windows are dressed in contrasting velvet drapery panels and simple sophisticated woven window shades. The woven textural element is picked up again in the area rug, the chandelier and the caned guest chairs. The ceiling boasts patterned wallpaper with gold accents. A natural stone and iron desk and a comfortable desk chair complete the space.

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath.

Michael Lee
Example of an eclectic living room design in Boston

A newly renovated home office that includes a modern executive desk, floor to ceiling built in bookshelves for books, files and decorative mementos. Additional lighting solutions with overhead LED lights, a stylish desk lamp and decorative lighting above the window. Comfortable leather seating, and an ergonomic desk chair make this an ideal workspace.

Our Bellevue studio created a calm, peaceful sanctuary in this beautiful Sammamish home for our busy clients and their young children. We chose a neutral palette with pops of blues, greens, and wood tones to create a warm coastal appeal. In the living room, elegant furniture and comfortable fabrics create a charming, welcoming vibe. The primary bedroom is designed as a sanctuary for relaxation with cozy furnishings, soft colors, and a hint of greenery. Meanwhile, in the kids' bedrooms, we chose playful colors and cute decor that create a cheerful ambiance. The open-concept kitchen and family living room have a bright, airy feel, making it a great place for warm get-togethers. We also added a fun and functional office space with plenty of storage space for files and documents.

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath.

To obtain sources, copy and paste this link into your browser. https://www.arlingtonhomeinteriors.com/retro-retreat Photographer: Stacy Zarin-Goldberg

Karen and Chad of Tower Lakes, IL were tired of their unfinished basement functioning as nothing more than a storage area and depressing gym. They wanted to increase the livable square footage of their home with a cohesive finished basement design, while incorporating space for the kids and adults to hang out. “We wanted to make sure that upon renovating the basement, that we can have a place where we can spend time and watch movies, but also entertain and showcase the wine collection that we have,” Karen said. After a long search comparing many different remodeling companies, Karen and Chad found Advance Design Studio. They were drawn towards the unique “Common Sense Remodeling” process that simplifies the renovation experience into predictable steps focused on customer satisfaction. “There are so many other design/build companies, who may not have transparency, or a focused process in mind and I think that is what separated Advance Design Studio from the rest,” Karen said. Karen loved how designer Claudia Pop was able to take very high-level concepts, “non-negotiable items” and implement them in the initial 3D drawings. Claudia and Project Manager DJ Yurik kept the couple in constant communication through the project. “Claudia was very receptive to the ideas we had, but she was also very good at infusing her own points and thoughts, she was very responsive, and we had an open line of communication,” Karen said. A very important part of the basement renovation for the couple was the home gym and sauna. The “high-end hotel” look and feel of the openly blended work out area is both highly functional and beautiful to look at. The home sauna gives them a place to relax after a long day of work or a tough workout. “The gym was a very important feature for us,” Karen said. “And I think (Advance Design) did a very great job in not only making the gym a functional area, but also an aesthetic point in our basement”. An extremely unique wow-factor in this basement is the walk in glass wine cellar that elegantly displays Karen and Chad’s extensive wine collection. Immediate access to the stunning wet bar accompanies the wine cellar to make this basement a popular spot for friends and family. The custom-built wine bar brings together two natural elements; Calacatta Vicenza Quartz and thick distressed Black Walnut. Sophisticated yet warm Graphite Dura Supreme cabinetry provides contrast to the soft beige walls and the Calacatta Gold backsplash. An undermount sink across from the bar in a matching Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop adds functionality and convenience to the bar, while identical distressed walnut floating shelves add an interesting design element and increased storage. Rich true brown Rustic Oak hardwood floors soften and warm the space drawing all the areas together. Across from the bar is a comfortable living area perfect for the family to sit down at a watch a movie. A full bath completes this finished basement with a spacious walk-in shower, Cocoa Brown Dura Supreme vanity with Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop, a crisp white sink and a stainless-steel Voss faucet. Advance Design’s Common Sense process gives clients the opportunity to walk through the basement renovation process one step at a time, in a completely predictable and controlled environment. “Everything was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to it’s full potential,” Karen said. Constantly striving for customer satisfaction, Advance Design’s success is heavily reliant upon happy clients referring their friends and family. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a remodeling project small or large,” Karen exclaimed at the completion of her project.