Jackie and Sean loved the Algonquin neighborhood they lived in with the peaceful neighborhood and the close proximity to work and school. What they didn’t love was how outdated their home had become. With a cramped kitchen and an unused dining room, they decided a remodel was the perfect solution to their problem. They would be able to continue to live in the area they loved, while at the same time they could have the dream home they envisioned. After a thorough search, Jackie came across Advance Design Studio. She was impressed by all of the positive reviews she saw on the internet and saw herself identifying with all of the project stories she saw on the website. Once they met with designer Scott Christensen and owner Todd Jurs, they knew Advance Design was the right company to make their dreams a reality. The project consisted of four main areas: the kitchen/dining/powder room, the laundry room, the master bathroom, and the kid’s bathroom. They wanted to expand the kitchen into the seldom used dining room and add a large island for hosting parties and family gatherings. They also wanted new hardwood flooring throughout the first level. The laundry room needed to be more functional, and all three bathrooms were in dire need of updating. The closed off kitchen was opened up to create a sweeping space between the new eating area and the much larger kitchen. A handsome dry bar complete with a beverage refrigerator and lighted glass door cabinetry makes an elegant transition across from a peninsula area filled with storage. An additional decorative cabinet lighting up elegant dishware through the mullioned glass sits directly across from the drybar. An expansive island was critical to the kitchen plans. Jackie, Sean and Scott worked closely together to create just the right details for their design. They wanted the island to be functional in addition to being the centerpiece of the room. Added storage for the kid’s school supplies was hidden behind cabinet doors so the children could do their schoolwork right at the island, and a microwave drawer glides open with the touch of a finger hidden inconspicuously within the island space. The easy to care for Cambria Britannica Quartz island top with its sweeping grey and white marble look perched atop hand-carved Craftsman corbels was absolutely what they were hoping for, blending both beauty and function perfectly. Adding a nice contrast to the brightness of the quartz and the white cabinetry, Kodiak - Leather granite countertops were used to balance the light and dark tones of the space. Dura Supreme Classic White painted cabinets grace the perimeter, while Maple Poppy Seed stained cabinets with a beautiful soft grey woodgrain were used in the beverage center and island. The two tones compliment the large space balancing it out nicely creating interest and elegance with the simple Craftsman style full overlay doors. A deep warm Barnwood White Oak flooring was added throughout the lower level. The new floor brings additional contrast to the bright kitchen and provides unity with the now open floorplan as it rolls in to the foyer and family room. Final details like the show-stopping lunar like duo light fixtures complete the space and intermix expertly with crisscross details of the glass door mullions, the island bar seating and even accessories in the space. The small cluttered laundry room needed more space and more storage. With a busy family it seemed to overflow daily and did not have anywhere to hide the families “in and out stuff.” Scott designed the new space with a stackable washer and dryer and much more efficiently organized cabinetry. Doing laundry is now (almost!) a pleasure and keeping everyone’s “stuff” hidden, but readily accessible is now a snap. The master bath was not a place where the couple enjoyed spending time getting ready for their day. The tub almost never was used, so removing it made it possible to build an extra-large shower, replacing the small cramped cube of the previous shower they hated. Clean, horizontal lines softly draw your eye around the space with porcelain tile called Driftwood Sea spray. Full overlay cabinetry in a soft white vanity with double sinks makes getting ready for the day much more convenient for the busy couple. Long floor planks made of porcelain tile mimic real hardwood floors in a soft grey to compliment the shower, but with the ease and care of a tile surface. Cambrian Black Granite counters with a matte finish and under mount porcelain sinks with handsome brushed chrome hardware complete the handsome space. A real bonus in any master bath; a custom built in storage nook was tucked in the corner of the space for linens and heavenly storage. The kid’s bath was in sad shape because it was original to the house. To keep the budget in control, the tub which was in great condition was retained, but focus was on the new large brick style porcelain charcoal tile on the floor, crisp white new Craftsman style cabinetry with pretty furniture details on the corner base, a striking granite top with white under mount porcelain sinks and fresh hardware and faucets. Some beautiful soft grey wood mirrors to match mom and dads were custom sized and placed under new lighting, and 4 hooks were smartly arranged down the wall for kids’ towels. This couple was determined not to move, and made their house their dream home. Not only does their home function greatly now, but Jackie says, “When the neighbors come to visit, they’re asking if they can “steal” the design”! The added functionality, elegance, and open floor plan were exactly what this family needed in order to stay. Advance Design Studio, Joe Nowak

2012 NARI CAPITAL COTY, MERIT AWARD WINNER, RESIDENTIAL BATH $30,000 to $60,000 The owners of this contemporary home in Centreville, Virginia, had a dated master bathroom suite that didn’t meet their modern tastes or their needs. To make the changes they wanted, the design team at Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes determined that the room would need to be gutted. All the partition walls had to go, as did the old whirlpool tub. And all of the plumbing and fixtures had to be relocated to new positions to meet the new design’s criteria. The clients previously replaced the bathroom windows with glass blocks. Thus, contemporary glass blocks were used instead of partition walls to add openness to this new bathroom layout. Large polished limestone tiles were used on the bathroom floors and walls, and stylish glass tiles were used as an accent. A free-standing oval tub adds to the room’s contemporary look and saves a lot of space as well. A two-person shower stall with a modern body spray shower system was also installed. Custom built high level cabinetry and vanities, and modern lighting—both recessed and hanging fixtures— contribute greatly to the success of the final project.

The family of a local firefighter purchased a raw 15.7 acre ranch in the woody, rolling hills of Thousand Oaks to build their 4ksf, 1-story home with a view of the valley to the NE beyond. The husband and wife team, with an abundance of energy and fortitude, tackled every hurdle with optimistic determination and persistence, including the myriad of agency regulations, construction supervision, and material selections & purchases. They came to ENRarchitects with a developed seed of an idea and a manila file full of handmade sketches. Together we continuously refined the ideas and produced the final design, documents and engineering to obtain timely permits and competitive bids from subcontractors and suppliers. The owner’s diligence in research and negotiation paid off significantly in a completed budget that was less than half the typical general contracting rate. The welcoming home, features 4 bedrooms, 3-1/4 baths, kitchen, laundry & pantry, living, dining & family rooms, office, and a 3-car garage with a stall for the speedboat. With the latest in high-density insulation, foil-backed roof sheathing, energy efficient windows, the energy usage is very low, especially considering a whole house fan keeps the usage of the A/C system to a minimum, and a pellet-burning iron stove supplements the furnace. The result is a beautiful oasis, perched in the hills, with ever-changing views in every direction.

Our goal is to make your kitchen remodel as comfortable as possible. After establishing rapport with our client, we used our ingenuity to redesign and build their ideal kitchen in this stunning 10-foot-ceiling Brooklyn home. The warm tones of wood, quartz, and rich greens strike the ideal balance in creating this appealing design. How did we achieve this look? The Backsplash Our client wanted a simple kitchen remodel in the shaker design, but she also wanted to include green. Initially, we proposed green cabinets to create a bold green look in the kitchen. The main objective was to incorporate our complimenting colors while keeping a feeling of lightness. After going through a number of ideas and 3D prototypes, installing as many cabinets as we could without overpowering the kitchen was our goal of optimizing space. We determined that the best way to brighten the space would be to install white shaker cabinets in addition to higher lumen recessed LED lighting. We decided that finding exquisite green backsplash tiles would be the best way to give it the desired green pop. After numerous searches, we came across a company called Mercury Mosaics. While there were many green backsplash tiles to choose from, we opted for the mercury mosaics bluegrass diamond tiles. We loved these tiles because its created an illusion of cubes but at times, diamonds. The pattern is an art of illusion and its really gave us the personality we were looking for. The Flooring of Choice The flooring of choice was made by our client. We wanted the floors to feel soft and natural while capturing every bit of warmth to balance the whites and the greens and bring them together. While we could’ve opted for wood look tiles or luxury vinyl plank flooring, we ended up going with a premium slightly distressed white oak engineered hardwood flooring from Floor and Decor. Accents Although the flooring and the backsplash brought most of the kitchen together, we were still missing the cherry on top. The hardware and maybe something else? We decided on thin profiled brushed brass hardware to give us that luxurious feel we were looking for every time we opened the cabinet. The cherry on top for us were the hand made quarter round oak shelves which really tied in the floors and cabinets together and gave us that final pop we were looking for. It truly added the perfect character for our client who is also a teen-fiction author of multiple books.

This renovation in Manhattan placed us within a block of Central Park, delivering a complete overhaul of an ideally-located 1800-square-foot condo. The project was for a young family, whose newly-purchased property is in a post-war building and was in sponsor-condition when we arrived, warranting quite a bit of love. By delivering a complete interior renovation of the apartment, including two bathrooms, kitchen, floors, lighting, and custom millwork, we provided a modern, highly-functional space the family can proudly call home for years to come. PARENTS NEED SPACE Storage was the most important factor in this renovation. With a small child ready to rumble at all hours, our clients knew they were going to have all kinds of stuff taking over their space. At the same time, they wanted to be able to have guests come in and not see clutter. Our solution was neatly designed opportunities for storage nestled throughout the apartment. To start, we created a custom entertainment unit, offering storage below, with open shelves above. Built-in under the living room window is banquette seating with significant storage beneath. Not only does the dual-purpose nook offer areas to store toys galore, the cozy spot offers beautiful windows with views of the shimmering skyline and rooftop gardens, providing practical peace of mind. Every inch of this renovation was designed with intention, so no space is wasted. UNIQUE KITCHEN DESIGN There are various custom elements that make this particular NYC kitchen renovation stand-out. While the majority of the apartment has herringbone wood flooring, determination was made that having herringbone in the kitchen would have been way too busy. So, we went with straight planks for the kitchen, blended from the living room with a custom wood flooring design. The straight planks not only look better, they were most cost-effective. Additionally, there’s wood paneling lining the kitchen, accenting the off-white and chestnut cabinets with a touch of luxe. Finally, the quartz backsplash and countertop offer a nice and seamless touch to the overall modern design. FORWARD-THINKING DESIGN FOR CHILDREN Our goal with the kid’s bedroom design was to offer a multi-purpose space the child could enjoy and use as needs change over the years. Beyond the playful wallpaper, we provided plenty of timeless built-ins that can be used to store diapers and books early on, while also including a desk space for homework in later years (hopefully). COMPLIMENTARY BATHROOMS When we renovated the two bathrooms in this Manhattan apartment, our goal was to create similar but distinct designs between the two spaces, that still felt unique in their own right and blended with the rest of the home. The wood vanities incorporate the heavy wood tones from other rooms, while the strong accent tiles on the walls and big, bold marble floor tiling create elegant foundations for each space. SOME HIGHLIGHTS - Natural light drop ceilings offer nice recessed lighting throughout the entire apartment - New doors & new hardware throughout, w/crystal doorknobs in various areas - Built-in bar to accommodate guests, complete with lights under cabinet and distressed mirrored backsplash - Plaster crown molding offering a very clean and classic touch throughout the transitional space Considering an apartment renovation in NYC? We specialize in loft, condo and co-op, brownstone and private home renovations in Manhattan and Brooklyn, specializing in pre-war apartments. When you work with a design-build firm like Gallery to renovate your home, you get the full range of our expertise. We handle every step of the process, from architecture and design to filing permits and organizing schedules to sourcing custom pieces and managing all rounds of the remodel. Contact us today to bring your dream home to life.

Marble is known for its premium quality, toughness and aesthetic, making it a very popular choice for bathroom countertops, such as this one at a house in Northampton. However just because it’s tough doesn’t mean that Marble can be cleaned with the usual household cleaners. Like all natural stone, Marble is acid sensitive and unsuitable products can have a very damaging effect on its appearance. In this situation, the property owner had used a limescale remover to remove some unsightly marks from the countertop. Unfortunately, the product was acid-based and instead of making an improvement it just made it worse and caused severe etching. The first photo above shows the limescale marks from where toiletries have been placed on the side whilst wet. Since Northampton is a hard water area, the limescale deposits over time caused these marks to appear. The only way to effectively remove the Limestone deposits – while at the same time rectifying the damaged caused by the botched cleaning attempt – was to use a system of hand-held diamond encrusted pads and hand help blocks of various grits to cut back the stone and re-polish it, a process we call burnishing. Before officially beginning the burnishing process, I ran a few tests to determine the type of pad I would need to use to achieve the best results. I found that, in most areas, I would need to use the Tile Doctor 400 Grit (Coarse) pad to resurface the tile and remove the damaged layer of stone, but in some areas where the etching was worse, I would need to use the 200 Grit (Very Coarse) pad. After burnishing the affected areas with the Coarse and Very Coarse grit pads, I started to incrementally polish the stone to achieve a high-quality shine, working my up through the Medium, Fine and Very grit pads. No chemicals were used during this process – only water for lubrication, combined with the six-inch diamond encrusted burnishing pads fitted to a hand-held buffing machine. The final part of the restoration was to seal the stone to maintain a long-lasting, deep polished appearance. To do this, I used Tile Doctor Shine Powder, which is a crystallising sealer in powder form. The powder is applied directly and combined with water, before being worked into the stone to seal it. The customer was very happy with the results and the level of shine achieved. I gave the customer a complimentary bottle of Tile Doctor Stone Soap, which is our aftercare cleaner for polished natural stone, along with instructions on periodic maintenance to help maintain the finish we had achieved for as long as possible. Phil Vissian Northamptonshire Tile Doctor

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

It’s always a great surprise to find old tiled flooring hidden underneath carpet or linoleum which appears especially common with 19th century properties where it’s not unusual for the owners to uncover fantastically patterned, original Victorian tiled floors and, naturally, they want to restore them to their former glory. If you have a property of this type you might want to look under the carpets. The majority of the time, however, these tiles have been covered up for decades, allowing for thick layers of muck to build-up and are invariably damaged carpet grippers, surface glue and adhesive tape. This was pretty much the case with this customer who lives in the town of Warminster and was keen to have her own newly discovered Victorian hallway brought back to life, and called me down to see what could be done. Upon arrival at the property, I determined that the tiles would definitely require a very deep clean, including the remove of numerous glue stains, followed by the application of a new seal. Before I could begin the deep cleaning process, I needed to remove the carpet grippers and surface glue, attempting to remove as much as possible by hand using a scraper. For the particularly stubborn areas, I applied Tile Doctor Remove & Go, a powerful stripper specially designed to break down adhesives and solvents, and left it to dwell for 20 minutes to eat through the glue deposits. I then attached a black pad to a rotary machine and scrubbed the area thoroughly to clean the affected areas, before removing the resulting slurry using a wet vacuum and rinsed with clean water. Once I was satisfied that all of the glue had been removed, I proceeded to soak the floor using a solution of the high alkaline cleaner known as Tile Doctor Pro Clean. This is a versatile product that can be used on a wide range of natural stone floors to deal with heavy soil build-up. I left the Pro-Clean to dwell for ten minutes, and then scrubbed it into the tiles to remove the ingrained dirt and also to break down any old and ineffectual seals. The floor was then once again rinsed thoroughly with clean water which was then extracted using a wet vacuum before being left to dry for a couple of days. Upon our return to the property I immediately tested the floor for damp using a damp meter. This is an extremely important test to carry out before sealing any kind of tiled flooring, due to the fact that excess moisture left over from cleaning can cloud the sealer and damage its ability to protect against dirt and stains. Thankfully, the damp test revealed no excess moisture, and I was able to proceed with sealing the tiles. My choice of sealer was Tile Doctor Seal and Go, a water-based topical sealer that simultaneously provides both a stain resistant surface seal and a durable and aesthetically pleasing low sheen finish, also being water based it doesn’t give off a smell as it dries. This is a very cost effective product that is highly suitable for use on Victorian and Quarry tiles, I applied five costs to achieve the desired finish. The customer was very pleased with the final results. It’s always satisfying to restore original Victorian tiled floors to looking their best once again – and this one was no exception. Stuart Ford Wiltshire Tile Doctor

The garden beds are the icing on your cake. With such a huge variety of plant palettes available, consultation is vital. We specialise in drought tolerant plants and gardens which may range from thicker bushier species to more localised succulents and cactus based palettes. Allow our irrigation specialists to determine what, if any, systems may be required before we then design the planting and mulching accordingly. With increasing water costs and state water restrictions this final stage of the design / build is critical.

Through the in-house design and engineering team at Pioneer West, home buyers are able to contribute to the planning and objectives for their home. Along with establishing a design concept, Pioneer West and the buyer will determine a budget. Design concepts and budgets can be discussed and adjusted while the final design is established. Progressing through the process as a team assures a high performance home that meets each family’s needs and budget. In this case, the family desired formal living spaces in a informal setting.

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

Our goal is to make your kitchen remodel as comfortable as possible. After establishing rapport with our client, we used our ingenuity to redesign and build their ideal kitchen in this stunning 10-foot-ceiling Brooklyn home. The warm tones of wood, quartz, and rich greens strike the ideal balance in creating this appealing design. How did we achieve this look? The Backsplash Our client wanted a simple kitchen remodel in the shaker design, but she also wanted to include green. Initially, we proposed green cabinets to create a bold green look in the kitchen. The main objective was to incorporate our complimenting colors while keeping a feeling of lightness. After going through a number of ideas and 3D prototypes, installing as many cabinets as we could without overpowering the kitchen was our goal of optimizing space. We determined that the best way to brighten the space would be to install white shaker cabinets in addition to higher lumen recessed LED lighting. We decided that finding exquisite green backsplash tiles would be the best way to give it the desired green pop. After numerous searches, we came across a company called Mercury Mosaics. While there were many green backsplash tiles to choose from, we opted for the mercury mosaics bluegrass diamond tiles. We loved these tiles because its created an illusion of cubes but at times, diamonds. The pattern is an art of illusion and its really gave us the personality we were looking for. The Flooring of Choice The flooring of choice was made by our client. We wanted the floors to feel soft and natural while capturing every bit of warmth to balance the whites and the greens and bring them together. While we could’ve opted for wood look tiles or luxury vinyl plank flooring, we ended up going with a premium slightly distressed white oak engineered hardwood flooring from Floor and Decor. Accents Although the flooring and the backsplash brought most of the kitchen together, we were still missing the cherry on top. The hardware and maybe something else? We decided on thin profiled brushed brass hardware to give us that luxurious feel we were looking for every time we opened the cabinet. The cherry on top for us were the hand made quarter round oak shelves which really tied in the floors and cabinets together and gave us that final pop we were looking for. It truly added the perfect character for our client who is also a teen-fiction author of multiple books.

Jackie and Sean loved the Algonquin neighborhood they lived in with the peaceful neighborhood and the close proximity to work and school. What they didn’t love was how outdated their home had become. With a cramped kitchen and an unused dining room, they decided a remodel was the perfect solution to their problem. They would be able to continue to live in the area they loved, while at the same time they could have the dream home they envisioned. After a thorough search, Jackie came across Advance Design Studio. She was impressed by all of the positive reviews she saw on the internet and saw herself identifying with all of the project stories she saw on the website. Once they met with designer Scott Christensen and owner Todd Jurs, they knew Advance Design was the right company to make their dreams a reality. The project consisted of four main areas: the kitchen/dining/powder room, the laundry room, the master bathroom, and the kid’s bathroom. They wanted to expand the kitchen into the seldom used dining room and add a large island for hosting parties and family gatherings. They also wanted new hardwood flooring throughout the first level. The laundry room needed to be more functional, and all three bathrooms were in dire need of updating. The closed off kitchen was opened up to create a sweeping space between the new eating area and the much larger kitchen. A handsome dry bar complete with a beverage refrigerator and lighted glass door cabinetry makes an elegant transition across from a peninsula area filled with storage. An additional decorative cabinet lighting up elegant dishware through the mullioned glass sits directly across from the drybar. An expansive island was critical to the kitchen plans. Jackie, Sean and Scott worked closely together to create just the right details for their design. They wanted the island to be functional in addition to being the centerpiece of the room. Added storage for the kid’s school supplies was hidden behind cabinet doors so the children could do their schoolwork right at the island, and a microwave drawer glides open with the touch of a finger hidden inconspicuously within the island space. The easy to care for Cambria Britannica Quartz island top with its sweeping grey and white marble look perched atop hand-carved Craftsman corbels was absolutely what they were hoping for, blending both beauty and function perfectly. Adding a nice contrast to the brightness of the quartz and the white cabinetry, Kodiak - Leather granite countertops were used to balance the light and dark tones of the space. Dura Supreme Classic White painted cabinets grace the perimeter, while Maple Poppy Seed stained cabinets with a beautiful soft grey woodgrain were used in the beverage center and island. The two tones compliment the large space balancing it out nicely creating interest and elegance with the simple Craftsman style full overlay doors. A deep warm Barnwood White Oak flooring was added throughout the lower level. The new floor brings additional contrast to the bright kitchen and provides unity with the now open floorplan as it rolls in to the foyer and family room. Final details like the show-stopping lunar like duo light fixtures complete the space and intermix expertly with crisscross details of the glass door mullions, the island bar seating and even accessories in the space. The small cluttered laundry room needed more space and more storage. With a busy family it seemed to overflow daily and did not have anywhere to hide the families “in and out stuff.” Scott designed the new space with a stackable washer and dryer and much more efficiently organized cabinetry. Doing laundry is now (almost!) a pleasure and keeping everyone’s “stuff” hidden, but readily accessible is now a snap. The master bath was not a place where the couple enjoyed spending time getting ready for their day. The tub almost never was used, so removing it made it possible to build an extra-large shower, replacing the small cramped cube of the previous shower they hated. Clean, horizontal lines softly draw your eye around the space with porcelain tile called Driftwood Sea spray. Full overlay cabinetry in a soft white vanity with double sinks makes getting ready for the day much more convenient for the busy couple. Long floor planks made of porcelain tile mimic real hardwood floors in a soft grey to compliment the shower, but with the ease and care of a tile surface. Cambrian Black Granite counters with a matte finish and under mount porcelain sinks with handsome brushed chrome hardware complete the handsome space. A real bonus in any master bath; a custom built in storage nook was tucked in the corner of the space for linens and heavenly storage. The kid’s bath was in sad shape because it was original to the house. To keep the budget in control, the tub which was in great condition was retained, but focus was on the new large brick style porcelain charcoal tile on the floor, crisp white new Craftsman style cabinetry with pretty furniture details on the corner base, a striking granite top with white under mount porcelain sinks and fresh hardware and faucets. Some beautiful soft grey wood mirrors to match mom and dads were custom sized and placed under new lighting, and 4 hooks were smartly arranged down the wall for kids’ towels. This couple was determined not to move, and made their house their dream home. Not only does their home function greatly now, but Jackie says, “When the neighbors come to visit, they’re asking if they can “steal” the design”! The added functionality, elegance, and open floor plan were exactly what this family needed in order to stay. Advance Design Studio, Joe Nowak

See "Cottage Kitchen in Elburn" for the kitchen featured in this description Located on a partially wooded lot in Elburn, Illinois, this home needed an eye-catching interior redo to match the unique period exterior. The residence was originally designed by Bow House, a company that reproduces the look of 300-year old bow roof Cape-Cod style homes. Since typical kitchens in old Cape Cod-style homes tend to run a bit small- or as some would like to say, cozy – this kitchen was in need of plenty of efficient storage to house a modern day family of three. Advance Design Studio, Ltd. was able to evaluate the kitchen’s adjacent spaces and determine that there were several walls that could be relocated to allow for more usable space in the kitchen. The refrigerator was moved to the newly excavated space and incorporated into a handsome dinette, an intimate banquette, and a new coffee bar area. This allowed for more countertop and prep space in the primary area of the kitchen. It now became possible to incorporate a ball and claw foot tub and a larger vanity in the elegant new full bath that was once just an adjacent guest powder room. Reclaimed vintage Chicago brick paver flooring was carefully installed in a herringbone pattern to give the space a truly unique touch and feel. And to top off this revamped redo, a handsome custom green-toned island with a distressed black walnut counter top graces the center of the room, the perfect final touch in this charming little kitchen.

Gayler’s design team and construction crew worked closely with the aquarium experts. Several meetings were held to discuss and review every aspect of the 250-gallon saltwater fish tank. Among those details it was determined that the cabinet needed to be built with a steel frame in order to support the weight of the 3,000-pound tank. A chase cooling system was also installed below the tank in order to keep the water at a required, cooler temperature. New cabinetry had to be measured with extreme care to cover the original cabinet footprint. Since the existing kitchen tile flooring would be difficult to find, Gayler also took special care during construction to protect the tile. The dated cabinetry in the kitchen and butler’s pantry was replaced with all new semi-custom inset maple cabinets painted in a Swiss Coffee finish. A full overlay, custom-built kitchen hood, also in painted maple, anchors the kitchen’s large size and is complimented by a full ceiling-height backsplash in a herringbone pattern. Since the tile was custom-made, it had variations. Gayler Design Build took meticulous care to select and lay the tile to preserve the beautiful pattern. The kitchen counters, the island, and the butler's pantry are finished in a marble-inspired Sereno Bianco Quartz. To the delight of our client, they selected all new high-end appliances. Their appliance package included a SubZero 36” Integrated column refrigerator and freezer, a Wolf 60” dual fuel, 6 burner with a double griddle, a Thermador oven and microwave, a Thermador warming drawer, a Cove 24” dishwasher, a SubZero 15” Ice Maker and a SubZero 24” undercounter wine refrigerator. Finally, pendant lighting, open and glass shelving, and dual sinks make a dramatic statement to this fantastic kitchen and butler's pantry transformation.

Our Double Barn Doors come in a stunning shade of White. A paradigm of elegance and minimalism, these doors blend seamlessly with your existing decor, adding a touch of sophistication and style. They believe in the saying that 'less is more,' and these doors perfectly encapsulate that spirit. The Perfect Balance In design, achieving harmony through a balance of contrasts is a treasured accomplishment. This notion is echoed explicitly in our Double Barn Doors. While the Color Palette is predominantly white, the doors are complemented by a handsome Black Rail. This combination is a testament to a well-balanced palette that never fails to impress. Essence of Simplicity Our Double Barn Doors perfectly blend practicality with simplicity. They circumvent the complexity of adding glass elements and instead, focus on providing a robust and hassle-free solution to your interior door needs. The Mark of Quality When you buy interior doors from us, you can be assured of impeccable quality. Each door is meticulously crafted and checked for quality to ensure it not only meets but exceeds your expectations. We hold ourselves to an exceptionally high standard, and our Double Barn Doors are a reflection of our dedication to providing top-quality components to discerning homeowners. Discover the mark of quality by choosing our Double Barn Doors for your home. Experience the tangible difference they can make in elevating your space from ordinary to extraordinary. Take The Step Today So, why wait? Elevate your living space with the addition of stunning Double Barn Doors. Bring in the perfect balance between style and functionality by making a change that will truly distinguish your home. Order and buy doors from us today and rest assured, your home will be better for it. With a streamlined process and a commitment to providing only the best, we assure you of a home transformation that is nothing short of amazing. A Final Note We specialize in providing high-quality doors that are more than just functional installations. We provide timeless creations that serve to enhance the beauty and charm of your home. This philosophy coupled with our determination to serve you in the best way possible sets us apart. Choose us for a world-class door buying experience and make a statement with your doors today.

Innovative Renovation Services handles kitchen remodel Orange County projects from demolition through final finishing, so each stage of the work is ready for the next. We focus on the construction and installation quality that determines whether a renovated kitchen holds up or starts showing problems within a year.

Renovation of the screened porch into a three-season room required Sweeney to perform structural modifications, including determining wind shear calculations and working with a structural engineer to provide the necessary calculations and drawings to modify the walls, roof, and floor joists. Finally, we removed the screens on all three exterior walls and replaced them with new floor-to-ceiling Scenix tempered glass porch windows with retractable screens.