The design intent for this project was to seamlessly integrate modern function into a classic residence while preserving its architectural integrity. The homeowners sought improved accessibility and a more practical use of the upper levels without detracting from the home’s original charm. The new dormer was designed as a natural extension of the existing structure, with careful attention paid to proportion, materials, and roofline continuity. The result is a balanced addition that enhances daily living while maintaining a timeless aesthetic consistent with the rest of the home.

The design intent for this project was to seamlessly integrate modern function into a classic residence while preserving its architectural integrity. The homeowners sought improved accessibility and a more practical use of the upper levels without detracting from the home’s original charm. The new dormer was designed as a natural extension of the existing structure, with careful attention paid to proportion, materials, and roofline continuity. The result is a balanced addition that enhances daily living while maintaining a timeless aesthetic consistent with the rest of the home.

The design intent for this project was to seamlessly integrate modern function into a classic residence while preserving its architectural integrity. The homeowners sought improved accessibility and a more practical use of the upper levels without detracting from the home’s original charm. The new dormer was designed as a natural extension of the existing structure, with careful attention paid to proportion, materials, and roofline continuity. The result is a balanced addition that enhances daily living while maintaining a timeless aesthetic consistent with the rest of the home.

The Inspiration for this master bathroom remodel was the homeowners' desire for improved functionality of this small bath and updated design and products befitting the English Cottage style home. The goals for this projects were: 1. Redesign the bath to accommodate a more functional floor plan, better accessibility and storage. 2. Create the illusion of a larger space as the homeowners stated "the space felt too small and crammed in". 3. a "warmer and cozy feel, for the bath to become a comfortable and relaxing refuge". The arch to the shower was raised 3", opening the space visually to the bath and maintaining the English cottage charm. The vanity area features a Kohler recessed medicine cabinet that fits appropriately on top of the chair rail, a traditional three bulb light fixture, and a neo traditional designed Kohler Tresham rectangular sink. The goal was to create clean lines and use the geometric form of the Delta Dryden lavatory faucet. Brazilian Bordeax Siena Granite was selected for its organic, warm, and lighter background colors consisting mainly of cream with burgundy flowing throughout, drawing out the rich hues of the cabinetry. The toilet and tub were relocated on the opposite wall, creating an easily accessible and functional work space. The wainscoting and chair rail extend into the shower in a linear fashion. The basket weave pattern of the floor adds a visual and tactual texture.

The design intent for this project was to seamlessly integrate modern function into a classic residence while preserving its architectural integrity. The homeowners sought improved accessibility and a more practical use of the upper levels without detracting from the home’s original charm. The new dormer was designed as a natural extension of the existing structure, with careful attention paid to proportion, materials, and roofline continuity. The result is a balanced addition that enhances daily living while maintaining a timeless aesthetic consistent with the rest of the home.

Lochmór is an expansive residential property that consists of two conjoined lots that overlook lake Michigan with sweeping lake views. The client’s vision is to build both a private residence and a guest cottage on the site. BLD developed a master plan and conceptual design for the site that includes revetment construction, ramps/stairs for lake access, amenity areas at the top of the bluff, and multiple gardens throughout.

The design intent for this project was to seamlessly integrate modern function into a classic residence while preserving its architectural integrity. The homeowners sought improved accessibility and a more practical use of the upper levels without detracting from the home’s original charm. The new dormer was designed as a natural extension of the existing structure, with careful attention paid to proportion, materials, and roofline continuity. The result is a balanced addition that enhances daily living while maintaining a timeless aesthetic consistent with the rest of the home.

Woods consisting of Birch, Melamine, Maple and Plywood created these custom cabinets and drawers in Irvine
Minimalist white tile and porcelain tile porcelain tile, multicolored floor and double-sink wet room photo in Orange County with medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

The design intent for this project was to seamlessly integrate modern function into a classic residence while preserving its architectural integrity. The homeowners sought improved accessibility and a more practical use of the upper levels without detracting from the home’s original charm. The new dormer was designed as a natural extension of the existing structure, with careful attention paid to proportion, materials, and roofline continuity. The result is a balanced addition that enhances daily living while maintaining a timeless aesthetic consistent with the rest of the home.

The design intent for this project was to seamlessly integrate modern function into a classic residence while preserving its architectural integrity. The homeowners sought improved accessibility and a more practical use of the upper levels without detracting from the home’s original charm. The new dormer was designed as a natural extension of the existing structure, with careful attention paid to proportion, materials, and roofline continuity. The result is a balanced addition that enhances daily living while maintaining a timeless aesthetic consistent with the rest of the home.

Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse open concept porcelain tile and gray floor living room remodel in Burlington with no tv and white walls

Living room - transitional living room idea in Minneapolis

Each space in this estate is designed to enjoy the beautiful views ailed by the use of a wall to wall glass windows. The backyard is made to enjoy outdoor living and entertaining with a TV area, kitchen, swimming pool, jacuzzi, and even a basketball court. The upstairs floor has balconies all around with glass railings for unhindered views and a minimalistic look, with an additional outside lounge area. Spotlights lined on the edge of the roof for the perfect outdoor lighting, reflecting in the pool in the evening. � This family loves the outdoor life and we made sure they could enjoy the outdoors even from the inside.

This home is located on a one acre parcel of land near the banks of the Milwaukee River in the older established subdivision of Sleepy Hollow Estates in Mequon, Wisconsin. The inspiration for this Glen Cove Residence was to bring the desired by many, contemporary and modern lifestyle of a down town loft and establish it in a neighborhood in the suburbs amongst traditional style homes. Sleepy Hollow Estates like many older established neighborhoods throughout the North shore and Westside communities of Milwaukee had great local architects such as John Randall McDonald and Russell Barr Williamson, who built contemporary master pieces amongst very traditional style homes. This created diversity in the style of homes in these neighborhoods which for the people living in them and the people just passing by, an experience of harmony and cultural lifestyle. Unfortunately today, many new neighborhood developments lack harmony and cultural lifestyle and don’t allow for homes such as this Glen Cove Residence to be built. And for that matter many of the homes built by John Randall McDonald and Russell Barr Williamson back in the 1950’s. When driving through these new developments, one would experience beautiful traditional style homes, but all the homes tend to look the same. There is no diversity in the styles of homes thus these neighborhoods lack the harmony and a cultural life style for the people who live there or what people are looking for when buying a home that reflects their lifestyle. This Glen Cove Residence is an example that a contemporary home which offers a modern lifestyle that many desires can be established amongst traditional homes while blending in with the neighborhood. Don’t be fooled by the flat roof of this home, building technology has come a long way since Frank Lloyd Wright! The roof system on this home is more energy efficient than most roof systems builders are putting on traditional homes today and it doesn’t leak! This Glen Cove Residence was built using all traditional building materials that you would see in homes being built in new developments today. There is a misconception out there that modern homes are expensive to build. That is not true! This Glen Cove Residence was built for roughly $130 per square foot which is the same price one would pay for a similar builder’s model traditional style home with the same upgrades. This Glen Cove Residence consists of three bedrooms and three and one half baths. All bedrooms are located on second floor with laundry, guest bath and a master suite. Located between the first and second floors off of the landing is an office/den space. The first floor is open concept with the kitchen, dining and living areas located at the rear of the home with expansive windows allowing a great connection to back yard area and outdoors. On the back of the home is a covered deck area allowing for outdoor entertaining without the worry of the elements. The first floor also offers a powder room, mudroom and walk-in pantry off the kitchen area. From the mudroom there is access to an attached four car tandem garage. From the first floor to the finished basement is an open stair allowing the basement area to feel as part of the house and not just a basement? The basement consists of a main living area, game area with wet bar, exercise room, kids play room with 14’ ceilings, full bathroom and mechanical room with storage closets throughout.

This remodel consisted of a whole house transformation. We took this 3 bedroom dated home and turned it into a 5 bedroom award winning showpiece, all without an addition. By reworking the awkward floor plan and lowering the living room floor to be level with the rest of the house we were able to create additional space within the existing footprint of the home. What was once the small lack-luster master suite, is now 2 kids bedrooms that share a jack and jill bath. The master suite was relocated to the first floor, and the kitchen that was located right at the front door, is now located in the back of the home with great access to the patio overlooking the golf course. View more about this project and our company at our website: www.davefox.com

This brownstone, located in Harlem, consists of five stories which had been duplexed to create a two story rental unit and a 3 story home for the owners. The owner hired us to do a modern renovation of their home and rear garden. The garden was under utilized, barely visible from the interior and could only be accessed via a small steel stair at the rear of the second floor. We enlarged the owner’s home to include the rear third of the floor below which had walk out access to the garden. The additional square footage became a new family room connected to the living room and kitchen on the floor above via a double height space and a new sculptural stair. The rear facade was completely restructured to allow us to install a wall to wall two story window and door system within the new double height space creating a connection not only between the two floors but with the outside. The garden itself was terraced into two levels, the bottom level of which is directly accessed from the new family room space, the upper level accessed via a few stone clad steps. The upper level of the garden features a playful interplay of stone pavers with wood decking adjacent to a large seating area and a new planting bed. Wet bar cabinetry at the family room level is mirrored by an outside cabinetry/grill configuration as another way to visually tie inside to out. The second floor features the dining room, kitchen and living room in a large open space. Wall to wall builtins from the front to the rear transition from storage to dining display to kitchen; ending at an open shelf display with a fireplace feature in the base. The third floor serves as the children’s floor with two bedrooms and two ensuite baths. The fourth floor is a master suite with a large bedroom and a large bathroom bridged by a walnut clad hall that conceals a closet system and features a built in desk. The master bath consists of a tiled partition wall dividing the space to create a large walkthrough shower for two on one side and showcasing a free standing tub on the other. The house is full of custom modern details such as the recessed, lit handrail at the house’s main stair, floor to ceiling glass partitions separating the halls from the stairs and a whimsical builtin bench in the entry.

Suspended 4" thick bluestone benches create border along the walk and provide options for seating. The walkways consist of dry laid flagstone with sawn tight joints to allow easy accessibility. Planting beds of Geranium, Hakonechloa, and Pachysandra give year round interest.

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.”

Inspiration for a coastal kids' room remodel in Atlanta