Powder room - transitional powder room idea in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, multicolored walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and white countertops

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Mark Lohmann
Mid-sized farmhouse guest light wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in Milwaukee with red walls and no fireplace

Looking towards entry Photo by Michael Heeney
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Mill Valley Scandinavian, Living room with chrome and rustic accessories Photographer: John Merkl
Inspiration for a scandinavian open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room remodel in San Francisco with white walls, a standard fireplace and a concrete fireplace

Major Renovation and Addition to a Victorian House in San Francisco, California’s Noe Valley Neighborhood “Respectful but not reverential” was the phrase which guided our work in restoring and remodeling this Noe Valley Victorian residence. Once a single-family residence, the home had been clumsily divided into two flats in an earlier remodel. The owners wished to re-combine the two upper floors to create a single-family residence and create a small au pair unit at the rear of the ground floor, behind the garage. This work resulted in doubling the size of the house and completely gutting and reconfiguring the interior. Period hardware and light fixtures combine with custom casings and moldings to respect the existing architecture. Skylights and limestone counters introduce contemporary touches. Complete restoration of the façade included new custom windows with colored glass and new entry stairs.

Inspiration for an eclectic open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls and a bar

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.”

Photo: Alexander Vasiljev
Trendy medium tone wood floor living room photo in DC Metro with beige walls

Example of an eclectic dark wood floor bedroom design in DC Metro with blue walls

Located in Bumpass, Virginia, one of our current projects is sited on the shore of Lake Anna. The owners, a realtor and graphic artist, desired an aesthetic that was rustic and lodge-like while staying within their tight budget constraints. Our solution employs large, central great rooms on each level with expansive window walls to capture natural light and views of the lake. At 3250 sf, this vacation home serves as both a rural weekend retreat and a destination for extended family gatherings. The structure can sleep up to 14 comfortably. While Bumpass has achieved moderate fame for its unusual name (from the French Bon Pas meaning "good step"), the small town is actually named for the family who lived in this area when it was originally settled. Bumpass contains several houses and estates from the 18th to early 20th centuries, including Jerdone Castle, a Virginia Historic Landmark plantation dating to 1742 that is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The nostalgic phrase “George Washington slept here” also applies to this area as on June 10, 1791, the former President made an overnight visit to Jerdone Castle.

Located in Bumpass, Virginia, one of our current projects is sited on the shore of Lake Anna. The owners, a realtor and graphic artist, desired an aesthetic that was rustic and lodge-like while staying within their tight budget constraints. Our solution employs large, central great rooms on each level with expansive window walls to capture natural light and views of the lake. At 3250 sf, this vacation home serves as both a rural weekend retreat and a destination for extended family gatherings. The structure can sleep up to 14 comfortably. While Bumpass has achieved moderate fame for its unusual name (from the French Bon Pas meaning "good step"), the small town is actually named for the family who lived in this area when it was originally settled. Bumpass contains several houses and estates from the 18th to early 20th centuries, including Jerdone Castle, a Virginia Historic Landmark plantation dating to 1742 that is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The nostalgic phrase “George Washington slept here” also applies to this area as on June 10, 1791, the former President made an overnight visit to Jerdone Castle.

Located in Bumpass, Virginia, one of our current projects is sited on the shore of Lake Anna. The owners, a realtor and graphic artist, desired an aesthetic that was rustic and lodge-like while staying within their tight budget constraints. Our solution employs large, central great rooms on each level with expansive window walls to capture natural light and views of the lake. At 3250 sf, this vacation home serves as both a rural weekend retreat and a destination for extended family gatherings. The structure can sleep up to 14 comfortably. While Bumpass has achieved moderate fame for its unusual name (from the French Bon Pas meaning "good step"), the small town is actually named for the family who lived in this area when it was originally settled. Bumpass contains several houses and estates from the 18th to early 20th centuries, including Jerdone Castle, a Virginia Historic Landmark plantation dating to 1742 that is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The nostalgic phrase “George Washington slept here” also applies to this area as on June 10, 1791, the former President made an overnight visit to Jerdone Castle.

Hill Country Modern
Example of a trendy living room design in Austin

Located in Bumpass, Virginia, one of our current projects is sited on the shore of Lake Anna. The owners, a realtor and graphic artist, desired an aesthetic that was rustic and lodge-like while staying within their tight budget constraints. Our solution employs large, central great rooms on each level with expansive window walls to capture natural light and views of the lake. At 3250 sf, this vacation home serves as both a rural weekend retreat and a destination for extended family gatherings. The structure can sleep up to 14 comfortably. While Bumpass has achieved moderate fame for its unusual name (from the French Bon Pas meaning "good step"), the small town is actually named for the family who lived in this area when it was originally settled. Bumpass contains several houses and estates from the 18th to early 20th centuries, including Jerdone Castle, a Virginia Historic Landmark plantation dating to 1742 that is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The nostalgic phrase “George Washington slept here” also applies to this area as on June 10, 1791, the former President made an overnight visit to Jerdone Castle.

Inspiration for a modern bedroom remodel in Seattle

Charles is from San Francisco and currently lives in Oakland, California. He has been an artist since he was a young child and loves the process of creating art. Charles studied at Sacramento City College, where he learned from inspiring teachers and became very interested in conceptual art and film. As a young man, he was involved in an accident that caused him to lose the majority of his eyesight, keeping only some peripheral vision. Charles continues to be a believer in the phrase, “take your challenges and make them an asset,” as he finds that the loss of his vision has opened him up to an entirely new style, freedom, and way of working as an artist that he may never have known without this experience. He has won numerous service awards for his volunteer work and advocacy for the arts and is the author of three books: Redemption Beyond Blindness; Fiery Responses to Love’s Calling; and Is, the Color of Mississippi Mud. It is his hope to be able to increase his income through the sale of his artwork, obtain stable housing, and continue to inspire as many people as he can by sharing his art. Buy this print here: https://www.artlifting.com/products/recording-session-1

The Holt - 3,781 sq.ft Bungalow - Winner of Durham Region Home Builders Association Award of Excellence in Design 3,500 sq.ft - 4,000 sq.ft
Kitchen/dining room combo - contemporary dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Toronto with beige walls