THE NEW TRANSITIONAL Designed by Micqui McGowen. Photographed by Julie Soefer. This was a remodel of an older traditional home where we enlarged the space by incorporating an enclosed porch into the kitchen and living area. Our unique design challenge was to create a fresh clean transitional look with a hint of whimsy that would fit naturally into the traditional lines of the home but reflect the fun nature of the client. The Main Kitchen is designed in an “L” shape configuration with a custom island running the length of the working kitchen. A second lowered island sits at the end of the main island across from the refrigerator as an additional prep area. The main kitchen wall features a 48” Dual-Fuel Range and custom plaster hood with a 48” Pro-Style refrigerator on the adjoining wall. Between the range and refrigerator is a secondary prep sink with in-counter steam unit for healthy cooking. The main island separates the kitchen from the Butler’s Pantry and Living Area. Counter height seating runs along the island back to encourage guest interaction while cooking. The Island also features the main kitchen sink, dish drawers and 27” integrated refrigerator drawers to cool extra drinks for guests. The result… warm, friendly, fun and functional.

Quinn and Paige, residents of this tired 1960’s tri-level home hated their kitchen. As a matter of fact, prior to making plans to renovate the first floor - they considered selling the home, but were reluctant because of its enviable location near the heart of downtown Barrington which was within walking distance to local stores and all their favorite places. So instead they contacted Advance Design Studio after hearing about them from a neighbor, to rescue their tired home and give it new life. The very first plan was to remove the constricting walls surrounding the original kitchen, and open the expansive first floor living room and dining area to the new heart of the space; a stunning state of the art coastal designed kitchen. Exposing attractive beams in the vaulted ceiling created an interesting structural detail that suits the open plan and salutes the original architecture of the home, further emphasizing the height of the new space enjoyed now by the family as a great room. The stage was set for the seaside feel of this kitchen by pairing crisp white painted maple cabinets with Dura Supreme’s one of kind hand weathered finish on the island in soft blue-green finish. But the authentic feeling of being on your favorite beach was supremely achieved by the matching of unique Mt. Claire marble on the island and the specialty Wareham acid washed stone on the perimeter counter tops. Pictures don’t do justice to the feel of this stone under your hand; its water-washed texture reminds instantly of summer vacations collecting rocks softly etched by hundreds of waves. Stainless steel appliances and satin nickel hardware shine brightly against the backdrop of bright white subway tiles accentuated by subtle grey grout lines contributing to the nautical feel of this comfortable kitchen. Seeded glass door cabinetry reminiscent of beach grasses dress up the space just enough, and a proud 6” stacked crown molding extends above 36” wall cabinets into the expanse of the now taller space; balancing this kitchen nicely within its newly integrated home. Features in this kitchen include a built in standard depth refrigerator, pull out spice racks, tall tray dividers and wood super Susan with double pull out trash and recycling. A cutlery divider holds sharp knives, and an angled cabinet was customized to hold a secret USB charging station. The bright white Kohler farm sink is graced by an elegant bridge faucet in brushed nickel. This now airy and spacious kitchen has room for guest and family to congregate around the large island, complete with stools and attractive hidden storage for seldom used entertainment pieces. “I was sold when I saw the drawings. My designer nailed it, down to every last storage idea and coastal detail I envisioned, it was all in there. It was unbelievable how accurate her interpretation was of what was in my head; working with her made my kitchen renovation so easy, it’s as if she literally read my mind”, said Paige enthusiastically. The woman of the house expressed upon completion not only her love for her fantastic new cooking space, but how renovating her kitchen has given new life to the entire home. Talk of moving has been relegated to the recycling bin, and instead the family is discussing plans to renovate the master bath now that they’ve decided to stay for the long term. Friends who visit the home do a double-take as they recognize the new space’s dramatic transformation from original cramped and closed spaces - to the now amazingly fresh open kitchen that has become the center of every gathering and family meal. Designer: Nicole Ryan Photographer: Joe Nowak

The first decision we made was to change the foot print of the home to make it more functional for today’s living. The original kitchen was no more than 100 sq ft. We couldn’t remove the walls to expand it so we decided to relocate the kitchen to the heart of the home where it could double in size and be open to the family room. photo by Myndi Pressly

New minimalist master bathroom in Ukrainian Village. Very bright with plenty of natural light. The shower comes with a view.
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Photo by Roehner + Ryan
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Photo: Margaret Wright Photography © 2018 Houzz
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The genesis of design for this desert retreat was the informal dining area in which the clients, along with family and friends, would gather. Located in north Scottsdale’s prestigious Silverleaf, this ranch hacienda offers 6,500 square feet of gracious hospitality for family and friends. Focused around the informal dining area, the home’s living spaces, both indoor and outdoor, offer warmth of materials and proximity for expansion of the casual dining space that the owners envisioned for hosting gatherings to include their two grown children, parents, and many friends. The kitchen, adjacent to the informal dining, serves as the functioning heart of the home and is open to the great room, informal dining room, and office, and is mere steps away from the outdoor patio lounge and poolside guest casita. Additionally, the main house master suite enjoys spectacular vistas of the adjacent McDowell mountains and distant Phoenix city lights. The clients, who desired ample guest quarters for their visiting adult children, decided on a detached guest casita featuring two bedroom suites, a living area, and a small kitchen. The guest casita’s spectacular bedroom mountain views are surpassed only by the living area views of distant mountains seen beyond the spectacular pool and outdoor living spaces. Project Details | Desert Retreat, Silverleaf – Scottsdale, AZ Architect: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB; Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Builder: Sonora West Development, Scottsdale, AZ Photographer: Dino Tonn Featured in Phoenix Home and Garden, May 2015, “Sporting Style: Golf Enthusiast Christie Austin Earns Top Scores on the Home Front” See more of this project here: http://drewettworks.com/desert-retreat-at-silverleaf/

Modern design by Alberto Juarez and Darin Radac of Novum Architecture in Los Angeles.
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Photo: Faith Towers © 2017 Houzz
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The homeowners decided to update their kitchen with new cabinets to give it a more transitional look. They went with the Bridgewood Advantage Mission Shaker door done in Maple. The wall cabinets were done in painted white while the base cabinets were done in grey. We also installed a white Quartzite countertop along with a white glass subway tile backsplash. Some additional items we installed were a 5 shelf Pantry pull out, 3 stacked to the ceiling base and wall pullout units next to fridge, a double 50qt waste pullout, the Hardware Resources Blind Corner swing out, 2 stacked wine cubes, base and wall spice pullouts to left of range, Sheet Pan organizer to right of range, double pullout shelves in peninsula cabinets, Pot & Pan organizer in peninsula cabinets, pullout shelf in outside door of peninsula and under mount & accent lighting. Stacked Shaker Crown was custom installed, and continued throughout the dining room for a seamless transition. We also recreated the Shaker look with custom made battens on all end panels. Base, wall and tall cabinets as well as Microwave placard were trimmed with custom made battens to simulate the shaker doors. To complete the look a new oak hardwood floor was also installed.

Bedroom - mid-sized 1960s master light wood floor, beige floor and exposed beam bedroom idea in New York with white walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Rare Brick
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A poorly operating bathroom was creating a negative effect on how it was functioning for Tyrone and Veronica. This 120-square-foot bathroom in Atlanta, GA had problems which needed to be addressed. A leaking, moldy shower stall and a large unused jacuzzi tub were the impetus for this bathroom renovation. The lack of storage in the long narrow double vanity with oversized frameless mirror created yet another problem. Our immediate attention focused on replacing the large double window above the jacuzzi tub with a long narrow 6-foot window. Because the jacuzzi tub was rarely used my clients wanted to remove it; instead, they wanted a 9-foot his and hers double shower. We decided to modify the vanity with a custom-built double vanity with an attached tall linen closet. The linen closet inside the bathroom was then turned it into a shoe closet. There is a lack of storage space in the owner’s suite closet, so we decided to convert the linen closet into a shoe closet.

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Taylor Cole Photography
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Shop the Look and See the Photo Tour here: https://www.studio-mcgee.com/studioblog/2015/9/7/coastal-prep-in-the-pacific-palisades-entry-and-formal-living-tour?rq=Pacific%20Palisades Photos by Tessa Neustadt

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