It is such a pleasure to be able to continue the process of landscape lighting for my clients who had selected us to design and install the landscaping. The strategic placement of the landscaping elements and focal plants are awaiting the brightness of light to continue to shine all 8 seasons four season both day and night. This Landscape Lighting project was such a gratifying and rewarding experience for the client and the neighbors. Such a success when your friends and neighbors welcome outdoor lighting as a great way to tie the neighborhood in at night.

It is such a pleasure to be able to continue the process of landscape lighting for my clients who had selected us to design and install the landscaping. The strategic placement of the landscaping elements and focal plants are awaiting the brightness of light to continue to shine all 8 seasons four season both day and night. This Landscape Lighting project was such a gratifying and rewarding experience for the client and the neighbors. Such a success when your friends and neighbors welcome outdoor lighting as a great way to tie the neighborhood in at night.

This project had a failed coating applied to it that was faulty from the manufacture. We ground off the existing coating and exposed a heavy full exposure aggregate surface. We then continued the polishing process up to a highly reflective sheen. This floor will provide a extremely durable, stain resistant and long lasting surface while looking stunning.

The walnut boxes and appliance shelf provide easily accessible space for storing frequently used items while keeping the countertop clutter-free for preparing food. Photo by Scott Norsworthy

Open concept kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Salt Lake City with flat-panel cabinets, metallic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white walls, an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, marble countertops, metal backsplash and two islands

Our client’s goal was to create a small, high-performance, healthy home for herself and her teenage son while providing a place for her father to age in place. An attached private accessory dwelling provides a space for him as well as flexibility in the future. The new home was designed to minimize its footprint on site, made smaller than the original 1930’s house. Embracing adaptability and efficiency, the residence includes two dwellings: a one-bedroom 795 square-foot accessory dwelling at the lower grade and a two-story 1330 square-foot primary dwelling located above. Involved in all aspects of project execution, our client oversaw the process by living in a used trailer parked in the backyard throughout the project’s construction. Family-Share focused on maximizing the footprint’s performance, access to natural light and the health of the occupants. Sustainable features include high-performance glazing, solar preheat for domestic and hot water in-floor heating and reclaimed fir car decking rainscreen siding.

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.”

Aware of the financial investment clients put into their homes, I combine my business and design expertise while working with each client to understand their taste, enhance their style and create spaces they will enjoy for years to come. It’s been said that I have a “good” eye. I won’t discount that statement and I’d add I have an affinity to people, places and things that tell a story. My clients benefit from my passion and ability to turn their homes into finely curated spaces through the use of beautiful textiles, amazing lighting and furniture pieces that are as timeless as they are wonderfully unique. I enjoy the creative process and work with people who are building their dream homes, remodeling existing homes or desire a fresh take on a well lived-in space. I see the client–designer relationship as a partnership with a desire to deliver an end result that exceeds my client’s expectations. I approach each project with professionalism, unparalleled excitement and a commitment for designing homes that are as livable as they are beautiful.

In many Parisian apartment buildings, the water pressure can be quite low, which can make taking a shower or filling up a bathtub a slow and frustrating process. To combat this issue, many Parisians have installed water pressure boosting systems or use specialized showerheads that help to increase the water flow. Despite this challenge, however, Parisians continue to make the most of their bathroom facilities, taking pride in the functionality and style that their apartment bathrooms have to offer.

This custom kitchen renovation features elegant quartz countertops and a full-height quartz backsplash, expertly fabricated and installed by VE STONE Ltd. The design showcases clean lines and soft veining that complement the warm wood cabinetry, creating a bright and timeless kitchen space. The large island provides generous prep and seating space, while the continuous backsplash delivers a seamless, modern look that is both durable and easy to maintain. VE STONE handled the entire process—from precise measurement and CNC fabrication to professional installation—ensuring smooth seams, crisp edges, and a flawless finish throughout the kitchen.

Jacqueline is a Haute Culture creation, a place without limits, where culture and experimentation merge into a single essence, becoming the focus of a continuous exploration of boundless worlds, giving rise to exclusive creations. The Jacqueline collection is the first and only to be created in real bamboo. One of the foremost values of Haute Culture is its inherent uniqueness: just like a tailored outfit, every Gessi collection stands out for its unmistakeable originality. Similarly, as the creation of a haute couture garment involves meticulous steps, each mixer in the Jacqueline collection undergoes a comparable handmade process, making them unique and incompatible with mass production. Jacqueline represents the perfect encounter between the excellence of Italian haute couture and the finest craftsmanship. Inspired by the timeless appeal of style icons, Jacqueline reinterprets the concept of exclusive tailoring with a design that stands out for its timeless elegance and refinement, bringing bamboo into the bathroom for the first time. Each element of the collection is born from a sartorial process, designed to harmoniously adapt to the personality of those who choose it, like a haute couture garment. Material innovation is at the heart of Jacqueline where bamboo represents a deep connection with nature. The roots, hand-selected, are processed to create organic shapes that make each element unique. Gessi has reinterpreted tradition through a patented process that combines bamboo with metal, resulting in exclusive, cutting-edge solutions including the Matte Black finish, which gives the collection a contemporary and sophisticated effect.

Jacqueline is a Haute Culture creation, a place without limits, where culture and experimentation merge into a single essence, becoming the focus of a continuous exploration of boundless worlds, giving rise to exclusive creations. The Jacqueline collection is the first and only to be created in real bamboo. One of the foremost values of Haute Culture is its inherent uniqueness: just like a tailored outfit, every Gessi collection stands out for its unmistakeable originality. Similarly, as the creation of a haute couture garment involves meticulous steps, each mixer in the Jacqueline collection undergoes a comparable handmade process, making them unique and incompatible with mass production. Jacqueline represents the perfect encounter between the excellence of Italian haute couture and the finest craftsmanship. Inspired by the timeless appeal of style icons, Jacqueline reinterprets the concept of exclusive tailoring with a design that stands out for its timeless elegance and refinement, bringing bamboo into the bathroom for the first time. Each element of the collection is born from a sartorial process, designed to harmoniously adapt to the personality of those who choose it, like a haute couture garment. Material innovation is at the heart of Jacqueline where bamboo represents a deep connection with nature. The roots, hand-selected, are processed to create organic shapes that make each element unique. Gessi has reinterpreted tradition through a patented process that combines bamboo with metal, resulting in exclusive, cutting-edge solutions including the Matte Black finish, which gives the collection a contemporary and sophisticated effect.

Jacqueline is a Haute Culture creation, a place without limits, where culture and experimentation merge into a single essence, becoming the focus of a continuous exploration of boundless worlds, giving rise to exclusive creations. The Jacqueline collection is the first and only to be created in real bamboo. One of the foremost values of Haute Culture is its inherent uniqueness: just like a tailored outfit, every Gessi collection stands out for its unmistakeable originality. Similarly, as the creation of a haute couture garment involves meticulous steps, each mixer in the Jacqueline collection undergoes a comparable handmade process, making them unique and incompatible with mass production. Jacqueline represents the perfect encounter between the excellence of Italian haute couture and the finest craftsmanship. Inspired by the timeless appeal of style icons, Jacqueline reinterprets the concept of exclusive tailoring with a design that stands out for its timeless elegance and refinement, bringing bamboo into the bathroom for the first time. Each element of the collection is born from a sartorial process, designed to harmoniously adapt to the personality of those who choose it, like a haute couture garment. Material innovation is at the heart of Jacqueline where bamboo represents a deep connection with nature. The roots, hand-selected, are processed to create organic shapes that make each element unique. Gessi has reinterpreted tradition through a patented process that combines bamboo with metal, resulting in exclusive, cutting-edge solutions including the Matte Black finish, which gives the collection a contemporary and sophisticated effect.

Close-up of the bluestone inlays within the concrete patio. Renn Kuhnen Photography
Example of a mid-sized 1960s backyard concrete patio design in Milwaukee

Jacqueline is a Haute Culture creation, a place without limits, where culture and experimentation merge into a single essence, becoming the focus of a continuous exploration of boundless worlds, giving rise to exclusive creations. The Jacqueline collection is the first and only to be created in real bamboo. One of the foremost values of Haute Culture is its inherent uniqueness: just like a tailored outfit, every Gessi collection stands out for its unmistakeable originality. Similarly, as the creation of a haute couture garment involves meticulous steps, each mixer in the Jacqueline collection undergoes a comparable handmade process, making them unique and incompatible with mass production. Jacqueline represents the perfect encounter between the excellence of Italian haute couture and the finest craftsmanship. Inspired by the timeless appeal of style icons, Jacqueline reinterprets the concept of exclusive tailoring with a design that stands out for its timeless elegance and refinement, bringing bamboo into the bathroom for the first time. Each element of the collection is born from a sartorial process, designed to harmoniously adapt to the personality of those who choose it, like a haute couture garment. Material innovation is at the heart of Jacqueline where bamboo represents a deep connection with nature. The roots, hand-selected, are processed to create organic shapes that make each element unique. Gessi has reinterpreted tradition through a patented process that combines bamboo with metal, resulting in exclusive, cutting-edge solutions including the Matte Black finish, which gives the collection a contemporary and sophisticated effect.

New Urban Luxury Private Residence – Alys Beach, Florida Architect: Khoury & Vogt Architects Builder: BRW Builders of Destin E. F. San Juan supplied all the interior and exterior wood millwork for this expertly designed residence adjacent to the snow-white dunes found in the serene New Urban townscape of Alys Beach, Florida. Challenges: The most significant design challenge of this project was to engineer a processing method to fabricate the complex millwork components in mass for the outdoor lounge. Khoury & Vogt Architects created a custom design for an inspiring and elegant outdoor living space. Fortunately, this house had a resourceful and creative team ensuring the vision of the design stayed intact. Solution: The intricate design required a creative approach which entailed high-level fabricating skills. “This project stands out in my mind because it required that I personally design and build numerous jigs,” says Edward San Juan. Taking on the challenge, San Juan designed and handcrafted each jig to the exact specification required for the exterior design. The team at E. F. San Juan continued with the creative approach, integrating and assembling the custom jigs to produce a work of art. The millwork beautifully complements the sleek white design on the deep indoor-outdoor decks, allowing the feel of the surrounding nature to flow inside. The result is a breathtaking and inspiring New Urban home in a luxurious beach town along Scenic Highway 30-A. --- Photography by Jack Gardner

The Mazama house is located in the Methow Valley of Washington State, a secluded mountain valley on the eastern edge of the North Cascades, about 200 miles northeast of Seattle. The house has been carefully placed in a copse of trees at the easterly end of a large meadow. Two major building volumes indicate the house organization. A grounded 2-story bedroom wing anchors a raised living pavilion that is lifted off the ground by a series of exposed steel columns. Seen from the access road, the large meadow in front of the house continues right under the main living space, making the living pavilion into a kind of bridge structure spanning over the meadow grass, with the house touching the ground lightly on six steel columns. The raised floor level provides enhanced views as well as keeping the main living level well above the 3-4 feet of winter snow accumulation that is typical for the upper Methow Valley. To further emphasize the idea of lightness, the exposed wood structure of the living pavilion roof changes pitch along its length, so the roof warps upward at each end. The interior exposed wood beams appear like an unfolding fan as the roof pitch changes. The main interior bearing columns are steel with a tapered “V”-shape, recalling the lightness of a dancer. The house reflects the continuing FINNE investigation into the idea of crafted modernism, with cast bronze inserts at the front door, variegated laser-cut steel railing panels, a curvilinear cast-glass kitchen counter, waterjet-cut aluminum light fixtures, and many custom furniture pieces. The house interior has been designed to be completely integral with the exterior. The living pavilion contains more than twelve pieces of custom furniture and lighting, creating a totality of the designed environment that recalls the idea of Gesamtkunstverk, as seen in the work of Josef Hoffman and the Viennese Secessionist movement in the early 20th century. The house has been designed from the start as a sustainable structure, with 40% higher insulation values than required by code, radiant concrete slab heating, efficient natural ventilation, large amounts of natural lighting, water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and locally sourced materials. Windows have high-performance LowE insulated glazing and are equipped with concealed shades. A radiant hydronic heat system with exposed concrete floors allows lower operating temperatures and higher occupant comfort levels. The concrete slabs conserve heat and provide great warmth and comfort for the feet. Deep roof overhangs, built-in shades and high operating clerestory windows are used to reduce heat gain in summer months. During the winter, the lower sun angle is able to penetrate into living spaces and passively warm the exposed concrete floor. Low VOC paints and stains have been used throughout the house. The high level of craft evident in the house reflects another key principle of sustainable design: build it well and make it last for many years! Photo by Benjamin Benschneider

Peter Simpson
Mid-sized beach style master beige tile mosaic tile floor doorless shower photo in Miami with a console sink, furniture-like cabinets, dark wood cabinets, glass countertops, a two-piece toilet and multicolored walls