This cozy cottage was long overdue for some much‑needed care. The owners envisioned a peaceful retreat with a dedicated primary suite of their own, leading to a second‑storey addition that completely transformed the home. Renovating the entire space allowed the couple to reimagine the cottage from the inside out, turning it into their dream getaway along the quiet riverfront. The result is a refreshed, functional, and inviting space that blends modern comfort with the charm of its natural surroundings. Key features include a new second‑storey primary suite complete with a spacious walk‑in closet and ensuite, a re‑faced fireplace with a new insert, and all‑new windows throughout the home. Large 10' sliding glass doors open the interior to the outdoors, while a new Muskoka Room (screened porch) provides a serene spot to enjoy river views. The redesigned kitchen offers ample storage, a custom island, and improved functionality, complemented by added built‑in storage solutions and a new laundry room. The exterior received a full upgrade with brand‑new cladding, giving the cottage a fresh, cohesive look that feels right at home in its natural setting.

Extraordinary functionality meets timeless elegance and charm This renovation is a true testament to grasping the full potential of a space and turning it into a highly functional yet spacious and completely stylish laundry. Practicality meets luxury and innovative storage solutions blend seamlessly with modern aesthetics and Hamptons charm. The spacious Caesarstone benchtop, dedicated drying rack, high-efficiency appliances and roomy ceramic sink allow difficult chores, like folding clothes, to be handled with ease. Stunning grey splashback tiles and well-placed downlights were carefully selected to accentuate the timeless beauty of white shaker cabinetry with black feature accents and sleek black tapware

Example of a large cottage concrete floor and gray floor great room design in San Francisco with white walls and no fireplace

© Francis Dzikowski
Mid-sized minimalist galley light wood floor wet bar photo in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets and solid surface countertops

See "5-Year Kitchen in Elgin" for the kitchen featured in this description. 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

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Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped porcelain tile and multicolored floor dedicated laundry room remodel with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Bill Johnson Photography
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Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Concept Design: Charlie & Co. Design | Interiors: Martha O'Hara Interiors | Landscaping: TOPO | Photography: Landmark Photography

Our Ridgewood Estate project is a new build custom home located on acreage with a lake. It is filled with luxurious materials and family friendly details.

Home is where the heart is for this family and not surprisingly, a much needed mudroom entrance for their teenage boys and a soothing master suite to escape from everyday life are at the heart of this home renovation. With some small interior modifications and a 6′ x 20′ addition, MainStreet Design Build was able to create the perfect space this family had been hoping for. In the original layout, the side entry of the home converged directly on the laundry room, which opened up into the family room. This unappealing room configuration created a difficult traffic pattern across carpeted flooring to the rest of the home. Additionally, the garage entry came in from a separate entrance near the powder room and basement, which also lead directly into the family room. With the new addition, all traffic was directed through the new mudroom, providing both locker and closet storage for outerwear before entering the family room. In the newly remodeled family room space, MainStreet Design Build removed the old side entry door wall and made a game area with French sliding doors that opens directly into the backyard patio. On the second floor, the addition made it possible to expand and re-design the master bath and bedroom. The new bedroom now has an entry foyer and large living space, complete with crown molding and a very large private bath. The new luxurious master bath invites room for two at the elongated custom inset furniture vanity, a freestanding tub surrounded by built-in’s and a separate toilet/steam shower room. Kate Benjamin Photography

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Extraordinary functionality meets timeless elegance and charm This renovation is a true testament to grasping the full potential of a space and turning it into a highly functional yet spacious and completely stylish laundry. Practicality meets luxury and innovative storage solutions blend seamlessly with modern aesthetics and Hamptons charm. The spacious Caesarstone benchtop, dedicated drying rack, high-efficiency appliances and roomy ceramic sink allow difficult chores, like folding clothes, to be handled with ease. Stunning grey splashback tiles and well-placed downlights were carefully selected to accentuate the timeless beauty of white shaker cabinetry with black feature accents and sleek black tapware

We love the penny round tiles and we think completes very well the modern industrial style in that space, it’s like a highlight for the countertop.
Trendy home design photo in Detroit with a farmhouse sink, granite countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This project was a complete gut remodel of the owner's childhood home. They demolished it and rebuilt it as a brand-new two-story home to house both her retired parents in an attached ADU in-law unit, as well as her own family of six. Though there is a fire door separating the ADU from the main house, it is often left open to create a truly multi-generational home. For the design of the home, the owner's one request was to create something timeless, and we aimed to honor that.

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