The playful design solution incorporated natural palette of materials such as recycled timber, stone and weatherboard creating a blended connection between the indoor and outdoor environment. The controlled interplay of details and natural materials have developed a language reminiscent of the Currumbin Beach style and develops an aesthetic that provides a soft human scale appropriate for children. The Timber battened Entry façade creates a contemporary cubic form of which replicates consistently through the integrated hubby house playground design. Renovation of the existing house created three classrooms, staffroom and utility spaces creating a feeling of home and strong connection to the Currumbin creek through the dappled landscaped vista. Extension areas created two classrooms and administrative areas are linked by a series of breezeway covered areas which provide shelter and safe sanctuary. Joint Venture between the Childcare and Wellness Centre to the front enabled carparking and accessibility of the battle-axe site.

This year round two-family cottage is comprised of seven modules which required just 25 days to construct in an off-site facility. When assembled, these prefabricated units form a building that is 38 metres long but less than 5 metres wide. The length offers a variety of living spaces while the constricted width maintains a level of intimacy and affords views of the lake from every room. Sited along a north-south axis, the cottage sits obliquely on a ridge. Each of the three levels has a point of access at grade. The shared living spaces are entered from the top of the ridge with the sleeping spaces a level below. Facing the lake, the east elevation consists entirely of sliding glass doors and provides every room with access to the forest or balconies. Materials fall into two categories: reflective surfaces – glazing and mirror, and those with a muted colouration – unfinished cedar, zinc cladding, and galvanized steel. The objective is to visually push the structure into the background. Photos by Tom Arban

The Ranch Pass Project consisted of architectural design services for a new home of around 3,400 square feet. The design of the new house includes four bedrooms, one office, a living room, dining room, kitchen, scullery, laundry/mud room, upstairs children’s playroom and a three-car garage, including the design of built-in cabinets throughout. The design style is traditional with Northeast turn-of-the-century architectural elements and a white brick exterior. Design challenges encountered with this project included working with a flood plain encroachment in the property as well as situating the house appropriately in relation to the street and everyday use of the site. The design solution was to site the home to the east of the property, to allow easy vehicle access, views of the site and minimal tree disturbance while accommodating the flood plain accordingly.

Stunning Mill Valley contemporary filled with light! Beautifully remodeled with attention to detail and the finest finishes. Perfectly situated on the lower level of Mount Tamalpais and a short drive to downtown. Upper level consists of a master bedroom and bath, architecturally pleasing great room with fireplace, large dining area and open kitchen with a long countertop-bar. Sliding doors off of the great room lead to a fabulous deck for entertaining with views out to the San Francisco Bay. The lower level has two additional bedrooms and a full bath and access to a 2-car attached garage with plenty of room for storage. An additional detached storage shed, a hot tub, outdoor shower, level lawn, and cozy outdoor spaces complete this exceptional property. Close to downtown Mill Valley, easy San Francisco commute, hiking trails not far from your front door, and all of the beauty that Mill Valley has to offer.

The playful design solution incorporated natural palette of materials such as recycled timber, stone and weatherboard creating a blended connection between the indoor and outdoor environment. The controlled interplay of details and natural materials have developed a language reminiscent of the Currumbin Beach style and develops an aesthetic that provides a soft human scale appropriate for children. The Timber battened Entry façade creates a contemporary cubic form of which replicates consistently through the integrated hubby house playground design. Renovation of the existing house created three classrooms, staffroom and utility spaces creating a feeling of home and strong connection to the Currumbin creek through the dappled landscaped vista. Extension areas created two classrooms and administrative areas are linked by a series of breezeway covered areas which provide shelter and safe sanctuary. Joint Venture between the Childcare and Wellness Centre to the front enabled carparking and accessibility of the battle-axe site.

The original design of the bedroom had low ceilings with no access to ocean views. We opened up the walls with sliding glass doors to bring the outside in. The open floor plan consists of vaulted ceilings and a direct opening to the master bathroom suite.

Green Solar Technologies has installed a photovoltaic system for Derek of Fleming, CO. GST walked him through the solar process which was quick and thorough. We were able to engineer a solar energy system to meet his electricity requirements living in this wonderful home as well as collect all necessary permits from the city. Derek’s system consisted of 20 solar panels manufactured in the USA by SolarWorld and a SolarEdge inverter system with convenient monitoring access 24/7. With a solar panel installation, you can increase your property value, drastically reduce your electricity costs, cut pollution and toxic waste, and become energy independent. GST has helped thousands make the switch go solar. Check out other installations and customer reviews at https://www.greensolartechnologies.com/reviews.

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 year round two-family cottage is comprised of seven modules which required just 25 days to construct in an off-site facility. When assembled, these prefabricated units form a building that is 38 metres long but less than 5 metres wide. The length offers a variety of living spaces while the constricted width maintains a level of intimacy and affords views of the lake from every room. Sited along a north-south axis, the cottage sits obliquely on a ridge. Each of the three levels has a point of access at grade. The shared living spaces are entered from the top of the ridge with the sleeping spaces a level below. Facing the lake, the east elevation consists entirely of sliding glass doors and provides every room with access to the forest or balconies. Materials fall into two categories: reflective surfaces – glazing and mirror, and those with a muted colouration – unfinished cedar, zinc cladding, and galvanized steel. The objective is to visually push the structure into the background. Photos by Tom Arban

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.

The playful design solution incorporated natural palette of materials such as recycled timber, stone and weatherboard creating a blended connection between the indoor and outdoor environment. The controlled interplay of details and natural materials have developed a language reminiscent of the Currumbin Beach style and develops an aesthetic that provides a soft human scale appropriate for children. The Timber battened Entry façade creates a contemporary cubic form of which replicates consistently through the integrated hubby house playground design. Renovation of the existing house created three classrooms, staffroom and utility spaces creating a feeling of home and strong connection to the Currumbin creek through the dappled landscaped vista. Extension areas created two classrooms and administrative areas are linked by a series of breezeway covered areas which provide shelter and safe sanctuary. Joint Venture between the Childcare and Wellness Centre to the front enabled carparking and accessibility of the battle-axe site.

This project is a kitchen remodel that consists of new cabinetry, backsplash, countertops, lighting, appliances, and fixtures. This home features tall arched doorways and 10 foot ceilings. In the kitchen a tall soffit sat above the existing wall cabinets. We removed the soffit and added tall stacked wall cabinets to maximize storage and lengthen the walls. In the bar area, vibrant green cabinets were added with floating shelves along with a drawer refrigerator, making this the perfect place to mix cocktails. Across from the bar sat a walk-in pantry. In place of the pantry, built-in cabinetry with easy access sliding shelves were installed.

Our clients purchased a property in a sought-after neighborhood adjacent to a golf course and with views of greenery and the mountains beyond. However, the floor plan from the 1970s was dark and consisted of many small rooms. We fully gutted the interior of the home, created a modest addition on the front, and reconfigured the garage access for better flow and more expansive interior spaces. Replacement and expanded windows bring light into the space, making it feel much larger, even without the cost of raising the existing ceiling. Indoor-outdoor living is achieved along the entire back side of the home, with covered and uncovered exterior spaces, a fire pit, and three large sliding doors. The interiors use simple high-contrast materials with touches of warm wood throughout, with custom details like wood screens creating unique and functional spaces.

For a neglected 1928 Mission Revival house on San Francisco’s Potrero Hill, we were charged with enlarging it to the rear as well as reconfiguring and redesigning the entire interior. The kitchen and baths hadn’t been remodeled since the 60s and the original heavy wood detailing throughout and small rooms cried out for updating. The rear yard was overgrown and on a much lower level which required traversing a long side stair to access. We extended the ground floor 9 feet where we created a large new family room, a new bedroom, a bathroom, and wine storage with a new roof deck up top. Large sliding doors at the family room open to a new deck and terraced gardens which we collaborated on the design of with a landscape architect. At the main living level, we added a small bay addition to the rear and opened things up to create a new great room consisting of breakfast, kitchen, and dining areas with maximum glazing to open it up to the views and access a new roof deck above the ground floor addition. On the top floor, we reconfigured the bedrooms and created a new primary suite with a separate tub, shower, double vanity, water closet, and our signature slot skylight. New stairs and finishes throughout completed the modernization.

or a neglected 1928 Mission Revival house on San Francisco’s Potrero Hill, we were charged with enlarging it to the rear as well as reconfiguring and redesigning the entire interior. The kitchen and baths hadn’t been remodeled since the 60s and the original heavy wood detailing throughout and small rooms cried out for updating. The rear yard was overgrown and on a much lower level which required traversing a long side stair to access. We extended the ground floor 9 feet where we created a large new family room, a new bedroom, a bathroom, and wine storage with a new roof deck up top. Large sliding doors at the family room open to a new deck and terraced gardens which we collaborated on the design of with a landscape architect. At the main living level, we added a small bay addition to the rear and opened things up to create a new great room consisting of breakfast, kitchen, and dining areas with maximum glazing to open it up to the views and access a new roof deck above the ground floor addition. On the top floor, we reconfigured the bedrooms and created a new primary suite with a separate tub, shower, double vanity, water closet, and our signature slot skylight. New stairs and finishes throughout completed the modernization.

Clever way to create an access panel and have it blend in to the wall! We were hired to finish the basement of our clients cottage in Haliburton. The house is a woodsy craftsman style. Basements can be dark so we used pickled pine to brighten up this 3000 sf space which allowed us to remain consistent with the vibe of the overall cottage. We delineated the large open space in to four functions - a Family Room (with projector screen TV viewing above the fireplace and a reading niche); a Game Room with access to large doors open to the lake; a Guest Bedroom with sitting nook; and an Exercise Room. Glass was used in the french and barn doors to allow light to penetrate each space. Shelving units were used to provide some visual separation between the Family Room and Game Room. The fireplace referenced the upstairs fireplace with added inspiration from a photo our clients saw and loved. We provided all construction docs and furnishings will installed soon.

or a neglected 1928 Mission Revival house on San Francisco’s Potrero Hill, we were charged with enlarging it to the rear as well as reconfiguring and redesigning the entire interior. The kitchen and baths hadn’t been remodeled since the 60s and the original heavy wood detailing throughout and small rooms cried out for updating. The rear yard was overgrown and on a much lower level which required traversing a long side stair to access. We extended the ground floor 9 feet where we created a large new family room, a new bedroom, a bathroom, and wine storage with a new roof deck up top. Large sliding doors at the family room open to a new deck and terraced gardens which we collaborated on the design of with a landscape architect. At the main living level, we added a small bay addition to the rear and opened things up to create a new great room consisting of breakfast, kitchen, and dining areas with maximum glazing to open it up to the views and access a new roof deck above the ground floor addition. On the top floor, we reconfigured the bedrooms and created a new primary suite with a separate tub, shower, double vanity, water closet, and our signature slot skylight. New stairs and finishes throughout completed the modernization.

or a neglected 1928 Mission Revival house on San Francisco’s Potrero Hill, we were charged with enlarging it to the rear as well as reconfiguring and redesigning the entire interior. The kitchen and baths hadn’t been remodeled since the 60s and the original heavy wood detailing throughout and small rooms cried out for updating. The rear yard was overgrown and on a much lower level which required traversing a long side stair to access. We extended the ground floor 9 feet where we created a large new family room, a new bedroom, a bathroom, and wine storage with a new roof deck up top. Large sliding doors at the family room open to a new deck and terraced gardens which we collaborated on the design of with a landscape architect. At the main living level, we added a small bay addition to the rear and opened things up to create a new great room consisting of breakfast, kitchen, and dining areas with maximum glazing to open it up to the views and access a new roof deck above the ground floor addition. On the top floor, we reconfigured the bedrooms and created a new primary suite with a separate tub, shower, double vanity, water closet, and our signature slot skylight. New stairs and finishes throughout completed the modernization.

or a neglected 1928 Mission Revival house on San Francisco’s Potrero Hill, we were charged with enlarging it to the rear as well as reconfiguring and redesigning the entire interior. The kitchen and baths hadn’t been remodeled since the 60s and the original heavy wood detailing throughout and small rooms cried out for updating. The rear yard was overgrown and on a much lower level which required traversing a long side stair to access. We extended the ground floor 9 feet where we created a large new family room, a new bedroom, a bathroom, and wine storage with a new roof deck up top. Large sliding doors at the family room open to a new deck and terraced gardens which we collaborated on the design of with a landscape architect. At the main living level, we added a small bay addition to the rear and opened things up to create a new great room consisting of breakfast, kitchen, and dining areas with maximum glazing to open it up to the views and access a new roof deck above the ground floor addition. On the top floor, we reconfigured the bedrooms and created a new primary suite with a separate tub, shower, double vanity, water closet, and our signature slot skylight. New stairs and finishes throughout completed the modernization.