Bud Kane has remodeled nearly every room in his own home over many years. Now reaching his 70’s, he contemplated heading up a major kitchen and laundry room renovation himself, planning on doing the carpentry work with his own hands. “I was not convinced I would ever meet anyone who could do it as well as I could do it myself”, said Bud. Ruth and Bud spent 5 years visiting kitchen firms and interviewing designers. They couldn’t however bring themselves to pull the trigger on the project, until they met Advance Design Studio in 2015. “No one understood what I wanted”, said Ruth. She was continually frustrated by experiences with designers who weren’t hearing what was important to her. “Everyone kept designing my kitchen with what they thought it should look like; I couldn’t find anyone who would listen to me”! When they met designer Scott Christensen from Advance Design Studio, they liked him right away. He listened to Ruth and designed a kitchen that she loved, all the while interjecting years of wisdom and design expertise that Ruth appreciated. “The finished product is better than I expected”, says Ruth. “I respected Scott’s opinions and together we created the perfect place for me to bake with my grandkids and truly enjoy the kitchen and laundry room I’ve been dreaming of for many years!” The kitchen transformation began with removing the home’s soffits, and extending new painted maple cabinetry to the ceiling with the addition of an elegant crown molding. Ruth’s new Vita Mix holds a coveted place on her counter, and adjustments were planned to size the cabinets in conjunction with the under cabinet decorative light molding to fit this appliance just right. “This one small detail was really important to me”, says Ruth smiling. An elegant new island replaced the original island, complete with room for 3 stools where her grandchildren will sit to make home-made pasta every Thanksgiving, and cookies at Christmas time. “Traditions are very important in my family, and making my kitchen work to suit cherished activities with my family was the number one reason this renovation was so desired”, replied Ruth when asked about the island. A picture perfect new tea station replaced a cluttered unused desk area, creating a wonderful place to prepare hot drinks for sipping any season of the year while overlooking the couple’s wonderfully manicured gardens from the lovely 3 season’s room just off the kitchen. The soft sage island bead panel detail was repeated on the backsplash, replicating the feel of a fine old piece of furniture. The biggest problem with the laundry room was 3 doors, one from the garage, one from the closet, and one to the hallway. “Scott designed a pocket door, and oh what a dream it is now to bring groceries in from the garage!” exclaims Bud who grew to disdain this task! Doing laundry is now a breeze in this attractive new space that doubles as a wonderful pantry for the kitchen with room to store food items that didn’t have a home in the poorly designed original space. New Hickory distressed wood flooring was laid both in the kitchen and leading to the hall foyer. Soft gray wood-replicating porcelain was placed in the laundry area, making for an easily cleanable surface for what doubles as a mud room from the garage. Creamy tumbled marble graces an unobtrusive backsplash spilling onto shiny granite counter tops in a rich earthy pattern of fall colors that mimic colors throughout the home. Advance is known details that included custom crafted furniture toe kicks, luxurious crown moldings, and beaded under cabinet moldings. The kitchen is complete with a glass display cabinet showing Ruth’s treasured china tea collection. Early on, it was initially only their intention of purchasing cabinets for the new design. They were so impressed however with Advance Design’s complete program for budgeting, design, installation and management that it became clear to them both that they wanted Advance to handle the entire project from start to finish. “After seeing the quality work they did, coupled with the in-house team completely dedicated to our satisfaction, it became apparent there was no other choice but to hire them to handle everything. And we’re so glad we did, we have not one regret”, says Bud. “The attention to detail by the carpentry crew more than satisfied my perfectionist expectations of the finished carpentry,” exclaimed Bud. “Every one of Advance Design’s people we encountered from design through construction was wonderful. We’ve never met a group of people so dedicated to making sure we were happy with every single detail, and every single part of this experience”, said Ruth and Bud. Designer: Scott Christensen Photographer: Joe Nowak

This pair of organic hand rails we made and installed in Fairfield, CT. The cap rail is made from bundles of textured 3/4" round steel, and all of the "branches" are similarly textured to achieve a convincing bark appearance. The posts are all tapered and textured 1-1/4" round steel. The two posts at the bottom of the stairs are hollow to allow wiring for LED strip lighting that was installed in the underside of the cap rail. The leaves were all textured and molded to give additional depth to the design, and the acorns were forged right here in our shop in CT.

Ivan Muller Photography A garage with a twist - still safe for parking that very expensive vehicle but in terms of design value, an outstanding space worthy of a proper stare... yes, lets linger for a moment shall we? The garage – noun – a building for housing a motor vehicle or vehicles. That’s it? Really? No features? *Usually not decorated and possibly quite boring. *A room with a large door allowing a car to safely enter and exit the space. *May be purposed for storing other items beside vehicles. *May be a very neat, organised space with loads of shelving and cabinets. *Can also be an unorganized space filled with clutter. In this case the focus is on art. It is just about too beautiful to be a garage. One almost get the feeling that you want to linger in the open door for a while longer to appreciate the splendor before safely parking the car. Collaboration is key! It takes the vision of a single person setting a snowball into motion, delivering an outcome that is above and beyond all expectation. Do you need more reason to be convinced of the benefits of having an Interior Designer on speed dial? The [colored] back wall was done by The Singing Palette company – an abstract of Johannesburg skyline built up with 4mm plaster to create a 3D effect. The [black and white with blue] side wall is covered in a street scene wallpaper with digitally printed photographic images applied to two perspex panels, manufactured by The Cow Artworks and Just-Us Crafts. Who would have thought that art belongs in a garage? Only an Interior Designer? Deborah perhaps? Now, which car would YOU leave in this garage? I have my favorite, what is yours?

A classic select grade natural oak. Timeless and versatile. Available in Base. he Modin Rigid luxury vinyl plank flooring collection is the new standard in resilient flooring. Modin Rigid offers true embossed-in-register texture, creating a surface that is convincing to the eye and to the touch; a low sheen level to ensure a natural look that wears well over time; four-sided enhanced bevels to more accurately emulate the look of real wood floors; wider and longer waterproof planks; an industry-leading wear layer; and a pre-attached underlayment.

Large minimalist master white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile, beige floor, double-sink and coffered ceiling bathroom photo in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a floating vanity

Custom poured Portland Concrete slabs used for a modern driveway. Artificial grass used for gaps to add greenery to front yard.
This is an example of a mid-sized modern partial sun front yard concrete paver landscaping in Toronto.

This customer came to us after a series of unfortunate health issues. They were having health complications that would simply not clear up. After seeing on the news that certain hardwood floors can cause the symptoms they were experiencing, the homeowner started shopping for a responsible, domestically manufactured hardwood floor that could be trusted. With our strict manufacturing standards, we were excited to re-do their hardwoods with this American-made product. The result? The homeowner's medical issues completely went away almost immediately. If we weren't convinced before, we certainly are now that what you put in your home is as important as what you put in your body. This home features our Colonial Floor from The American Tavern Collection: https://revelwoods.com/products/865/detail?space=e1489276-963a-45a5-a192-f36a9d86aa9c

Your bathroom will remain dry and free of extra moisture thanks to the shower screens offered by Austpek Bathrooms. We're convinced we can assist you with enclosing your shower in a style that's both fashionable and useful. https://www.austpekbathrooms.com.au/collections/shower-screens

A leaky tub and some cracked tiles convinced our returning clients that an update to their primary suite was long overdue. The old bathroom’s traditional travertine tiles, stained wood cabinets, and bulky tub deck made the space feel heavy and dated. Our goal was to create a sophisticated, light, and serene space that was more aligned with their evolving style. Replacing the sizeable tub deck with a freestanding bathtub opened up the room and allowed us to expand the walk-in shower. A slim niche was strategically tucked into the corner ensuring products are within easy reach. Separate his and hers vanities provide ample storage with an abundance of drawers.. The dramatic veining in the marble-look porcelain provides the perfect backdrop for the minimalist tub and modern plumbing fixtures while the natural marble in the shower plays off the warm golds and grays. With thoughtful design choices and striking finishes, we transformed a dark and drab bathroom into a refined and refreshing retreat.

This project was for a long time client of mine who lives in a wonderful patio home with a finished basement. There were several challenges with which to contend. First, as you enter the Foyer, all of the spaces are open to each other so we had to make sure everything worked together. Second, furniture arrangement had always been a struggle for the large living area with the fireplace on an angled corner wall and large built-in. Last, although the homeowner loves color – especially blue/greens – we had to convince her to bring it into her home as an accent and make it work with the other spaces. We started with a neutral sofa positioned across from the built-ins and paired it with a settee in a blue/green fabric. The settee does not block the fireplace and reinforces our color scheme. The homeowner upgraded her husband’s chair and ottoman with a contemporary leather one, and we added a perfectly scaled swivel chair to the corner next to the built-ins. We finished off the space with a mixture of unique accent tables including a beautiful coffee table with wood inlay, a small metal french drink table, a two-tiered egg shaped table, and a pedestal table with marble top. We added lighting, artwork and accessories to the built-ins and tables to complete the space. We also added blue/green accessories to the breakfast area to make the spaces flow seamlessly. We love how these spaces in the Open Concept Redesign turned out. It is a very pleasing palette that does not overwhelm the spaces, but adds interest. Enjoy!

A dramatic upstairs addition to a simple 1950’s tract house provided much need space a growing family and a much appreciated transformation for a changing community. Some persuasion was needed to convince planning authorities that a curved roof was actually compatible with the neighborhood, yet the final home and front porch nestles comfortably under a towering redwood. The arc motif is echoed with a stainless steel inlay in clear maple cabinet doors. Photos by Stuart Locklear

Cozy and Colorful Beach House Remodel! When you think funky little house by the beach – images like what you are about to see may not be what you would have anticipated. This furnishings project aimed to capture a colorful, fun, active space for a family who wanted to feel at home .Thus, creating casual and comfortable but not boring in the least. A little traveled, a lot of texture, and not much clutter! From the start, the space was not much to write home about! The common living areas were boxy with lower ceilings. Quirky ins and outs needed to be optimized. Overall, this project was a prime opportunity for us to really dig in. From treating each room top to bottom and finding the client’s mojo when it came to wallcoverings. Selecting funky lighting and the right mix and match of bold colors and more natural, organic textures. We came in too late to get involved with the kitchen but helped the client with a few little accents and color choices. Thus, acting as a jumping off point for the large dining space featuring a beautiful (and resilient!) wooden trestle table. We created a mix of seating that offers a little funk, and the fun additional cabinet storage to each end which offered a hideaway. We loved that this vista had such opportunity for great lighting and art, also! A Colorful, Cozy Living Room We knew we needed a cozy, lower profile seating area but also some sort of great reading nook by the fireplace. With the large windows and the main entry just off this space, a traffic pattern was delianted that helped guide decisions with the furniture. A funky, nubbier woven fabric on the sectional that hinted towards mid-century modern. The irregular shaped, petrified wood coffee table. The bold statement and colors carried through in the wallcovering and area rug. Jumping to the fireplace area where you can lounge or read with those gorgeous cognac leather recliners. This space needed to feel separate and the same all at once. The balance of scale and colors really helped achieve this! Can’t forget the bedrooms! Of course we can’t get by without mentioning a little bedroom love, either. In the master the overall designs dictated by a bold, saturated woven wood cloth on the headboard wall. We love the mix of color and pattern in here. The bold, sexier mood is 100% a byproduct of the level of rich colors and unusual combinations. Those bold hand-glazed ceramic lamps against those strict geo-pattern bed pillows – so good! Our sweet tween bedroom that should grow with her for a good, long time. All in all, filled with original art and layered in a softer palette. There was a lot of matching in here at first, but once we convinced her to trust us she started to understand why adding in the unexpected hit of bright coral and spring green made everything sing!

Joe and Denise purchased a large Tudor style home that never truly fit their needs. While interviewing contractors to replace the roof and stucco on their home, it prompted them to consider a complete remodel. With two young daughters and pets in the home, our clients were convinced they needed an open concept to entertain and enjoy family and friends together. The couple also desired a blend of traditional and contemporary styles with sophisticated finishes for the project. JRP embarked on a new floor plan design for both stories of the home. The top floor would include a complete rearrangement of the master suite allowing for separate vanities, spacious master shower, soaking tub, and bigger walk-in closet. On the main floor, walls separating the kitchen and formal dining room would come down. Steel beams and new SQFT was added to open the spaces up to one another. Central to the open-concept layout is a breathtaking great room with an expansive 6-panel bi-folding door creating a seamless view to the gorgeous hills. It became an entirely new space with structural changes, additional living space, and all-new finishes, inside and out to embody our clients’ dream home. PROJECT DETAILS: • Style: Transitional • Colors: Gray & White • Countertops: Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo • Cabinets: DeWils Frameless Shaker, White • Hardware/Plumbing Fixture Finish: Chrome • Lighting Fixtures: unique and bold lighting fixtures throughout every room in the house (pendant lighting, chandeliers, sconces, etc) • Flooring: White Oak (Titanium wash) • Tile/Backsplash: Calacatta Marble • Photographer: Andrew (Open House VC)

A dramatic upstairs addition to a simple 1950’s tract house provided much need space a growing family and a much appreciated transformation for a changing community. Some persuasion was needed to convince planning authorities that a curved roof was actually compatible with the neighborhood, yet the final home and front porch nestles comfortably under a towering redwood. The arc motif is echoed with a stainless steel inlay in clear maple cabinet doors. Photos by Stuart Locklear

These clients (who were referred by their realtor) are lucky enough to escape the brutal Minnesota winters. They trusted the PID team to remodel their home with Landmark Remodeling while they were away enjoying the sun and escaping the pains of remodeling... dust, noise, and so many boxes. The clients wanted to update without a major remodel. They also wanted to keep some of the warm golden oak in their space...something we are not used to! We landed on painting the cabinetry, new counters, new backsplash, lighting, and floors. We also refaced the corner fireplace in the living room with a natural stacked stone and mantle. The powder bath got a little face lift too and convinced another victim... we mean client that wallpaper was a must.

Here you can see the glass see through walk in pantry. This kitchen was designed for convince and luxury. We strive to create kitchens that fit both necessity and luxury needs of our clients. This space transformation has increased our clients living space, given them all new Cabinetry and countertop space, while providing a Modern Kitchen theme so there kitchen wont go out of style.

A restored antique, hand painted polychrome bare painted bulb fixture was intended as a hidden jewel on the inside ceiling of her closet. She was convinced to buy this antique at that price, and when I explained that it was like wearing beautiful lingerie for one lover:) Craftsman, Jewel Box Bungalow, Seattle WA. Belltown Design. Photography by Paula McHugh

Complementing the existing neo-classical architecture, we designed a bright transitional kitchen with walnut accents. We convinced the client to go electric with a bosch induction cooktop and range, stainless steel fridge, and drawer microwave (not pictured). Mixed metals with hardware and lighting help to bring this beautiful kitchen to life! Oh, and a car-sized island clad in this gorgeous dolomite we found at Absolute Stone.

This unique and classic Victorian property, once defining of Chicago architecture was preserved through our efforts to convince the developer to preserve special beauty. We provided a major restoration of the property including rear and second story additions in order to increase the home's size, as well as digging in an entirely new basement to be utilized as a third story - all while preserving and renovating classic and elegant facade.