This full landscaping renovation didn’t come without its challenges. The project included plants, lawn area, natural boulder steps, flagstone on the concrete front walk, large flagstone patio on the stone dust, parged block walls, a paver driveway, a gravel drainage area, landscaping lighting and irrigation. A sizable project for a small area, we wanted to focus on meeting the client’s expectations in both cost and end results. Some changes in scope were made but fortunately did not cause any delays in installation. The final product resulted in a sanctuary like space for the client to enjoy for years to come.

This full landscaping renovation didn’t come without its challenges. The project included plants, lawn area, natural boulder steps, flagstone on the concrete front walk, large flagstone patio on the stone dust, parged block walls, a paver driveway, a gravel drainage area, landscaping lighting and irrigation. A sizable project for a small area, we wanted to focus on meeting the client’s expectations in both cost and end results. Some changes in scope were made but fortunately did not cause any delays in installation. The final product resulted in a sanctuary like space for the client to enjoy for years to come.

Chicagoland Home Products continually exceeds customer expectations by delivering the best storage solutions, so, it is not shocking to find them helping a client in Glen Ellyn surprise his wife with a custom built-in project. CHP’s customer wanted to surprise his wife with a special entertainment center. It needed to house books and receivers on the upper sections. Eight shelves provided exactly what he, and, maybe, more importantly, she was looking for. Below the shelves, storage cabinets provide room to hide all the things that would create clutter. A perfect surface, with conveniently placed hook ups, set the scene for entertainment. Below the platform for television or other devices, more cabinets wait to do what Chicagoland Home Products does best, provide space for organization and storage. All this would be helpful even if it didn’t look good but, CHP always makes sure their projects look great. This was no exception, with the white shaker fronts, crown and base molding, and round polished chrome knobs. Top it off with white panel backing and the customization of this entertainment center is complete. Keep in mind that, if you don’t like shaker or white or polished chrome knobs, CHP will provide what you prefer. Your project doesn’t have to be a surprise. CHP, you, your child, a significant other can all collaborate on your storage, window treatment and closet solutions.

This full landscaping renovation didn’t come without its challenges. The project included plants, lawn area, natural boulder steps, flagstone on the concrete front walk, large flagstone patio on the stone dust, parged block walls, a paver driveway, a gravel drainage area, landscaping lighting and irrigation. A sizable project for a small area, we wanted to focus on meeting the client’s expectations in both cost and end results. Some changes in scope were made but fortunately did not cause any delays in installation. The final product resulted in a sanctuary like space for the client to enjoy for years to come.

This full landscaping renovation didn’t come without its challenges. The project included plants, lawn area, natural boulder steps, flagstone on the concrete front walk, large flagstone patio on the stone dust, parged block walls, a paver driveway, a gravel drainage area, landscaping lighting and irrigation. A sizable project for a small area, we wanted to focus on meeting the client’s expectations in both cost and end results. Some changes in scope were made but fortunately did not cause any delays in installation. The final product resulted in a sanctuary like space for the client to enjoy for years to come.

This full landscaping renovation didn’t come without its challenges. The project included plants, lawn area, natural boulder steps, flagstone on the concrete front walk, large flagstone patio on the stone dust, parged block walls, a paver driveway, a gravel drainage area, landscaping lighting and irrigation. A sizable project for a small area, we wanted to focus on meeting the client’s expectations in both cost and end results. Some changes in scope were made but fortunately did not cause any delays in installation. The final product resulted in a sanctuary like space for the client to enjoy for years to come.

This full landscaping renovation didn’t come without its challenges. The project included plants, lawn area, natural boulder steps, flagstone on the concrete front walk, large flagstone patio on the stone dust, parged block walls, a paver driveway, a gravel drainage area, landscaping lighting and irrigation. A sizable project for a small area, we wanted to focus on meeting the client’s expectations in both cost and end results. Some changes in scope were made but fortunately did not cause any delays in installation. The final product resulted in a sanctuary like space for the client to enjoy for years to come.

This full landscaping renovation didn’t come without its challenges. The project included plants, lawn area, natural boulder steps, flagstone on the concrete front walk, large flagstone patio on the stone dust, parged block walls, a paver driveway, a gravel drainage area, landscaping lighting and irrigation. A sizable project for a small area, we wanted to focus on meeting the client’s expectations in both cost and end results. Some changes in scope were made but fortunately did not cause any delays in installation. The final product resulted in a sanctuary like space for the client to enjoy for years to come.

Photo: Kimberley Bryan © 2016 Houzz
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

As quoted in the January 14, 2016 Alexandria Gazette and Connection Newspapers feature article 'Color of the Year: Pantone honor bestowed on two colors for 2016'...'Designer Courtney Cox of Ivy Lane Living in Alexandria says she and her partner Alex Deringer used the pink hue in a bedroom of the D.C. Design House last year. “While we didn’t expect that Pantone would select two shades for its color of the year, we were charmed but not completely surprised to see Rose Quartz in the mix,” she said. “We have been loving the warm, inviting hue for a while now."' Please refer to the January 14, 2016 edition of Alexandria Gazette and Connection Newspapers online for the full article.

Bruce Damonte
Inspiration for a 1960s porcelain tile kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash and stone slab backsplash

"We wanted new windows, which required us to tear into two walls," Mackenzie continued. "Then when we did so, we realized – since it was such an old house – that the walls were leaning in. None of the angles were square. So we opened up all of the walls and the ceiling just to see what we were getting into. We ended up doing a lot more demo, sheet-rocking, and that kind of work than we had planned. Those sorts of things we didn’t necessarily expect." Learn more: https://www.cliqstudios.com/gallery/clean-bright-galley-kitchen/

After photos of this Stanford CT county Tuscan farmhouse kitchen renovation. We were able to update this space to be a modern classic farmhouse while keeping the clients personal style to flow with the rest of the main floor. Fieldstone cabinetry allowed us to put the perfect touches of color, style, & function our clients expected. Moss Green awakens this space as Spring has sprung. It glows in this new space serving the pop of color we did not want to loose from the green marble clients wanted to salvage, we were able to repurpose a portion to tie in the new color cabinets, custom matching the maple wood opening and adding new matching shelves. Antique bronze hardware, Carrara Marble countertops and backsplash pairs perfectly with the Esmeralda Marble. Using a new mitered Rembrandt door in simply white and moss green allows us to updated this space from the traditional raised panel in hospital white that didn't allow the space to feel like home.

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.”

After photos of this Stanford CT county Tuscan farmhouse kitchen renovation. We were able to update this space to be a modern classic farmhouse while keeping the clients personal style to flow with the rest of the main floor. Fieldstone cabinetry allowed us to put the perfect touches of color, style, & function our clients expected. Moss Green awakens this space as Spring has sprung. It glows in this new space serving the pop of color we did not want to loose from the green marble clients wanted to salvage, we were able to repurpose a portion to tie in the new color cabinets, custom matching the maple wood opening and adding new matching shelves. Antique bronze hardware, Carrara Marble countertops and backsplash pairs perfectly with the Esmeralda Marble. Using a new mitered Rembrandt door in simply white and moss green allows us to updated this space from the traditional raised panel in hospital white that didn't allow the space to feel like home.

After photos of this Stanford CT county Tuscan farmhouse kitchen renovation. We were able to update this space to be a modern classic farmhouse while keeping the clients personal style to flow with the rest of the main floor. Fieldstone cabinetry allowed us to put the perfect touches of color, style, & function our clients expected. Moss Green awakens this space as Spring has sprung. It glows in this new space serving the pop of color we did not want to loose from the green marble clients wanted to salvage, we were able to repurpose a portion to tie in the new color cabinets, custom matching the maple wood opening and adding new matching shelves. Antique bronze hardware, Carrara Marble countertops and backsplash pairs perfectly with the Esmeralda Marble. Using a new mitered Rembrandt door in simply white and moss green allows us to updated this space from the traditional raised panel in hospital white that didn't allow the space to feel like home.

After photos of this Stanford CT county Tuscan farmhouse kitchen renovation. We were able to update this space to be a modern classic farmhouse while keeping the clients personal style to flow with the rest of the main floor. Fieldstone cabinetry allowed us to put the perfect touches of color, style, & function our clients expected. Moss Green awakens this space as Spring has sprung. It glows in this new space serving the pop of color we did not want to loose from the green marble clients wanted to salvage, we were able to repurpose a portion to tie in the new color cabinets, custom matching the maple wood opening and adding new matching shelves. Antique bronze hardware, Carrara Marble countertops and backsplash pairs perfectly with the Esmeralda Marble. Using a new mitered Rembrandt door in simply white and moss green allows us to updated this space from the traditional raised panel in hospital white that didn't allow the space to feel like home.

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.”

After photos of this Stanford CT county Tuscan farmhouse kitchen renovation. We were able to update this space to be a modern classic farmhouse while keeping the clients personal style to flow with the rest of the main floor. Fieldstone cabinetry allowed us to put the perfect touches of color, style, & function our clients expected. Moss Green awakens this space as Spring has sprung. It glows in this new space serving the pop of color we did not want to loose from the green marble clients wanted to salvage, we were able to repurpose a portion to tie in the new color cabinets, custom matching the maple wood opening and adding new matching shelves. Antique bronze hardware, Carrara Marble countertops and backsplash pairs perfectly with the Esmeralda Marble. Using a new mitered Rembrandt door in simply white and moss green allows us to updated this space from the traditional raised panel in hospital white that didn't allow the space to feel like home.