Summary of Scope: gut renovation/reconfiguration of kitchen, coffee bar, mudroom, powder room, 2 kids baths, guest bath, master bath and dressing room, kids study and playroom, study/office, laundry room, restoration of windows, adding wallpapers and window treatments Background/description: The house was built in 1908, my clients are only the 3rd owners of the house. The prior owner lived there from 1940s until she died at age of 98! The old home had loads of character and charm but was in pretty bad condition and desperately needed updates. The clients purchased the home a few years ago and did some work before they moved in (roof, HVAC, electrical) but decided to live in the house for a 6 months or so before embarking on the next renovation phase. I had worked with the clients previously on the wife's office space and a few projects in a previous home including the nursery design for their first child so they reached out when they were ready to start thinking about the interior renovations. The goal was to respect and enhance the historic architecture of the home but make the spaces more functional for this couple with two small kids. Clients were open to color and some more bold/unexpected design choices. The design style is updated traditional with some eclectic elements. An early design decision was to incorporate a dark colored french range which would be the focal point of the kitchen and to do dark high gloss lacquered cabinets in the adjacent coffee bar, and we ultimately went with dark green.

Séura Storm Ultra Bright™ combines incredible brightness with sophisticated anti-reflective and anti-glare technology to provide remarkable picture clarity in any lighting conditions, including bright sunlight.

In the backyard, our clients wanted to create a space for entertaining, hanging out with their grandchildren, and growing their own vegetables. The yard was replaced with a flagstone patio including a large raised bed. We also hid the air conditioning unit to create a convivial and functional area.

Beautiful, open master bathroom. Photo by Blake Mistich.
Mid-sized cottage master medium tone wood floor claw-foot bathtub photo in Austin with a vessel sink and white walls

The original house suffered from issues common in many older homes: the existing kitchen was cramped, poorly laid out, and separated from the back yard by several tiny inefficient rooms, storage was inadequate, and the old deck was oversized and in poor condition. https://saikleyarchitects.com/portfolio/open-kitchen/

Flagstone patio showing condition of teak furniture after refinishing work. Photo: Steve Spratt
Inspiration for a large craftsman backyard stone patio remodel in San Francisco with no cover

A generous light well wraps around the below-grade guest bedroom, allowing natural light to enter from two sides while also hiding the air conditioning condenser and the on-demand water heater from view.

This property was completely outdated and in very poor condition. The LKRDC team gave this waterfront cottage a MAJOR renovation from foundation to rooftop and everything in between. For more renovation projects visit, http://www.lkrdc.com photo by Melissa Quintal

This was a long, narrow entryway. We chose to make a "drifting corner" rather than an "articulated corner" to help with the layout which was not consistent from end to end or left to right. Very often in design, we make allowances for existing site conditions.

This 1960s home was in original condition and badly in need of some functional and cosmetic updates. We opened up the great room into an open concept space, converted the half bathroom downstairs into a full bath, and updated finishes all throughout with finishes that felt period-appropriate and reflective of the owner's Asian heritage.

This 1960s home was in original condition and badly in need of some functional and cosmetic updates. We opened up the great room into an open concept space, converted the half bathroom downstairs into a full bath, and updated finishes all throughout with finishes that felt period-appropriate and reflective of the owner's Asian heritage.

Jackie and Sean loved the Algonquin neighborhood they lived in with the peaceful neighborhood and the close proximity to work and school. What they didn’t love was how outdated their home had become. With a cramped kitchen and an unused dining room, they decided a remodel was the perfect solution to their problem. They would be able to continue to live in the area they loved, while at the same time they could have the dream home they envisioned. After a thorough search, Jackie came across Advance Design Studio. She was impressed by all of the positive reviews she saw on the internet and saw herself identifying with all of the project stories she saw on the website. Once they met with designer Scott Christensen and owner Todd Jurs, they knew Advance Design was the right company to make their dreams a reality. The project consisted of four main areas: the kitchen/dining/powder room, the laundry room, the master bathroom, and the kid’s bathroom. They wanted to expand the kitchen into the seldom used dining room and add a large island for hosting parties and family gatherings. They also wanted new hardwood flooring throughout the first level. The laundry room needed to be more functional, and all three bathrooms were in dire need of updating. The closed off kitchen was opened up to create a sweeping space between the new eating area and the much larger kitchen. A handsome dry bar complete with a beverage refrigerator and lighted glass door cabinetry makes an elegant transition across from a peninsula area filled with storage. An additional decorative cabinet lighting up elegant dishware through the mullioned glass sits directly across from the drybar. An expansive island was critical to the kitchen plans. Jackie, Sean and Scott worked closely together to create just the right details for their design. They wanted the island to be functional in addition to being the centerpiece of the room. Added storage for the kid’s school supplies was hidden behind cabinet doors so the children could do their schoolwork right at the island, and a microwave drawer glides open with the touch of a finger hidden inconspicuously within the island space. The easy to care for Cambria Britannica Quartz island top with its sweeping grey and white marble look perched atop hand-carved Craftsman corbels was absolutely what they were hoping for, blending both beauty and function perfectly. Adding a nice contrast to the brightness of the quartz and the white cabinetry, Kodiak - Leather granite countertops were used to balance the light and dark tones of the space. Dura Supreme Classic White painted cabinets grace the perimeter, while Maple Poppy Seed stained cabinets with a beautiful soft grey woodgrain were used in the beverage center and island. The two tones compliment the large space balancing it out nicely creating interest and elegance with the simple Craftsman style full overlay doors. A deep warm Barnwood White Oak flooring was added throughout the lower level. The new floor brings additional contrast to the bright kitchen and provides unity with the now open floorplan as it rolls in to the foyer and family room. Final details like the show-stopping lunar like duo light fixtures complete the space and intermix expertly with crisscross details of the glass door mullions, the island bar seating and even accessories in the space. The small cluttered laundry room needed more space and more storage. With a busy family it seemed to overflow daily and did not have anywhere to hide the families “in and out stuff.” Scott designed the new space with a stackable washer and dryer and much more efficiently organized cabinetry. Doing laundry is now (almost!) a pleasure and keeping everyone’s “stuff” hidden, but readily accessible is now a snap. The master bath was not a place where the couple enjoyed spending time getting ready for their day. The tub almost never was used, so removing it made it possible to build an extra-large shower, replacing the small cramped cube of the previous shower they hated. Clean, horizontal lines softly draw your eye around the space with porcelain tile called Driftwood Sea spray. Full overlay cabinetry in a soft white vanity with double sinks makes getting ready for the day much more convenient for the busy couple. Long floor planks made of porcelain tile mimic real hardwood floors in a soft grey to compliment the shower, but with the ease and care of a tile surface. Cambrian Black Granite counters with a matte finish and under mount porcelain sinks with handsome brushed chrome hardware complete the handsome space. A real bonus in any master bath; a custom built in storage nook was tucked in the corner of the space for linens and heavenly storage. The kid’s bath was in sad shape because it was original to the house. To keep the budget in control, the tub which was in great condition was retained, but focus was on the new large brick style porcelain charcoal tile on the floor, crisp white new Craftsman style cabinetry with pretty furniture details on the corner base, a striking granite top with white under mount porcelain sinks and fresh hardware and faucets. Some beautiful soft grey wood mirrors to match mom and dads were custom sized and placed under new lighting, and 4 hooks were smartly arranged down the wall for kids’ towels. This couple was determined not to move, and made their house their dream home. Not only does their home function greatly now, but Jackie says, “When the neighbors come to visit, they’re asking if they can “steal” the design”! The added functionality, elegance, and open floor plan were exactly what this family needed in order to stay. Advance Design Studio, Joe Nowak

Bathroom - bathroom idea in New York

Photographer- Nathan Spotts Our client needed to repair damage from a failed heating system and get the house ready for sale. In addition to installing a new central heating and air conditioning system, we added new hardwood flooring in the kitchen and family room, refinished the floors in the rest of the house and painted the house from top to bottom. We re-purposed a cool old work bench from the basement and gave it a new life as an Industrial themed island. The light fixture and base were custom made to go along with the theme.

California native, Mediterranean, Australian & other lower water plants replaced a lawn on a hot, busy, suburban corner. A mound of fast draining soil, boulders, and a Chilopsis & Manzanita tree added height and better planting conditions to a flat yard of compacted dirt.

The Storboss Steel Storage Chest from Arrow Sheds offer over all protection for your toys, tools, patio accessories and much more: Features: - HDG STEEL™ - hot dipped galvanized steel provides superior corrosion resistance and protects against rot, insects, and extreme weather conditions - G90 zinc coating - over twice the thickness as used on standard STORBOSS™ products – to guard against intense marine weather conditions - 135 dry gallons / 21 cu. ft. of storage space is perfect for marine storage of equipment and supplies, as well as swim/pool accessories - Built-in floor keeps items dry and secure With off-set hinges, lid stays open at most angles for safety and convenience - Locking system for tamper and theft resistant storage - Attractive white exterior finish - DIY assembly with pre-cut and pre-drilled parts

This 1960s home was in original condition and badly in need of some functional and cosmetic updates. We opened up the great room into an open concept space, converted the half bathroom downstairs into a full bath, and updated finishes all throughout with finishes that felt period-appropriate and reflective of the owner's Asian heritage.

The furnace is hidden in the closet - a nice ventilation system to prevent overheating, and a great way to hide it! Beautifully done! Photo Credit: ACE Home Services

The Retro Bullet Planter™ is a stylish addition to any space. Use it for plants, as an ice bucket, or to hold odds and ends. Our planter is an authentic reproduction of the vintage originals, in shape, size, and the distinctive texture of molded fiberglass. Bowls measure 15.75 inches across the top. Planters will tolerate covered outdoor conditions.