Mike and Michelle of Lake Barrington knew they needed extra space. Their home was becoming too crowded for their family with blossoming teenagers, so a basement renovation offered the perfect solution for more space for the kids and more room to entertain for the adults. “Our project consisted of expanding our laundry room, putting in a first floor wet bar so we had adult space upstairs, while also renovating our basement for a family-friendly and teen-functional area as well,” Michelle says. They found Advance Design Studio through a neighbor who gave a glowing recommendation, giving Michelle and Mike the confidence they needed to move forward with a major home renovation. They felt like they knew Advance Design before they even worked together. When they met with the owner Todd Jurs and designer Nicole Ryan, Mike and Michelle knew they were getting a trustworthy, dependable team that could create the project they had been dreaming about for 7 years. Having virtually no natural light to work with, one of the biggest design challenges was creating a basement that did not feel dark and depressing. The Advance team got to work creating architectural archways and custom detailed dry-stack stone columns artfully designed into the space, adding a dramatic element that made the space feel less like a basement or more like a relaxing family room. Color 3D renderings were created to portray what the space would look like so Mike and Michelle could visualize the space in advance. Detailed trim and crown moldings grace the built in buffet and wet bar making for an amazingly functional space that lacks nothing in style and visual interest. Cherry wood cabinetry by Dura Supreme is featured in the space with a “Cocoa Brown” finish and includes beautiful mirrored glass doors embellished with unique elliptical mullion details. A built-in microwave, dishwasher and mini fridge add practicality to the ample entertainment mecca. An under mounted sink finishes the space joined with a intricate mosaic tile backsplash and “Ventisca Polished” quartz countertops. The basement is absolutely perfect for hosting friends and family with expertly designed key areas such as a game space for the kids, a movie area for the family, an ample workout room with luxurious full bath, and even built in wine storage. The family absolutely loves the new basement living space, and has already enjoyed numerous family movie nights and sleep-overs with friends. While custom cabinets made by Dura Supreme were used to create unique spaces that lived up to Mike and Michelle’s expectations., heated flooring under the 16”x16” “Mongolian Spring” tile was installed giving all tiled areas of the basement a much cozier feel, eliminating that cold hard surface most of us hate in our basements! The new basement must-have requirement list included a new bath space, which was incorporated adjacent to the work out room. The sleek shower door and cabinets in the new bathroom make guests and family feel like they are in an elegant hotel. The new guest bath features 4”x36” “Silver Screen” honed marble tile in a brick pattern on the shower walls and 2”x2” “Chenille” limestone tile in a hexagon mosaic pattern on the shower floor. “I came in with very specific requirements for our three project areas,” Michelle says. “There was not one time that I felt like I was asking for something that was not going to turn out how I anticipated.” Tying in multiple rooms during a renovation if you have can do it makes a lot of sense and saves money in the long run. A fully functional laundry room as well was a must on this family’s wish list. Michelle wanted to add space to the existing cramped and awkward laundry room, and Mike wanted to make sure they could still park a car in the garage. Reconfiguring interior walls required borrowing unused space cleverly from the garage in order to enlarge the laundry room space. Drawers under the stairs added beautiful hidden storage created almost magically out of dead space. White painted Dura Supreme cabinets bring additional light into the small space; while the 16”x16” cleft slate tile flooring provides excellent contrast and the naturally earthy feel Michelle wanted. Quartz countertops with a 3”x12” “Debut Dew” subway tile backsplash add elegance to the now upliftingly bright laundry room. The extra space makes doing laundry much more pleasurable and the added storage is a great for all those little things like winter hats and gloves, umbrellas and the like. “The Advance Design project team was phenomenal to work with,” Michelle says. “They came in, shared the plans with us and walked us through the expectations. We always knew what was coming next.” Converting an existing closet space, the wet bar upstairs was challenging because they wanted a functional area that didn’t look or feel like cabinets just sticking out of a closet. So the Advance team transformed this ordinary closet space into a stunning wet bar that architecturally appears as if it’s always been there. Traditional, elegant hand carved custom molding matching the adjacent fireplace ties the new entertainment bar area in nicely with the existing family room and kitchen area. Featuring a built in wine refrigerator, Dura Supreme cabinetry in deep cherry wood elegantly displays wine bottles and etched glass mullion doors that fill with soft light in the evening hours. Cambria “Windermere” quartz countertops with a sophisticated hammered copper sink and a glimmering backsplash round out the stunning wet bar. Hosting parties and family functions has become much more enjoyable now that they have a dedicated beverage serving area large enough to include hors devours. All three projects were designed and constructed together at the same time, making for a cohesive project that was administered smoothly and easily both for the design team and for the family. Disruption to the home was minimal as each phase was completed in each project conclusively, and design and meeting time for the homeowner was efficient and organized making for an enjoyable process. “Advance Design was great to work with,” Michelle says. “I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a home improvement project. They took the time at the beginning to understand our needs, our budget, and our vision for our home. The field team was great, attentive, on time, cleaned up each day and made the overall experience very positive. We couldn't be happier with the finished product.” With the help of our talented, award winning design team you can create the basement, laundry room, or any other home renovation that you have been dreaming of. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating you home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-836-2600 or schedule an appointment to talk with us about that kitchen remodeling project. Joe Nowak

This beautiful kitchen combines shaker style painted MDF cabinets with frosted glass cabinet doors and matte finish walnut veneer. Kitchen island serves a double purpose as a dinning table, which is illuminated by pendant lighting suspended from walnut veneer dropped ceiling with LED light around the perimeter. The space features a wine rack, LeMan II corner organizer and a custom build pantry.

Beach style home bar photo in DC Metro

The glamour of the outdoor space continues by day with multiple cushioned chaise lounges on a decorative grasses patio. The calming lap pool provides a centerpiece for the lounge area. Photos by Joe Traina.

Photo: Janet Paik © 2016 Houzz Design: Dalma Darling Designs
Kids' room - contemporary kids' room idea in San Francisco

Tuscan backyard custom-shaped lap pool photo in Houston

Dining room - transitional dining room idea in Charlotte with blue walls

An amazing glow occurs throughout the entire home’s outdoor space from landscape spots to onyx fire torches and pool-lining LED lighting. The combination provides a truly magical appeal and the perfect ambiance for entertainment and enjoyment by all. Photos by Joe Traina

Large elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Detroit with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, wood countertops, green backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, medium tone wood cabinets and window backsplash

We design pools for all spaces! There is no yard too small for a quick dip! We love this traditional rectangular pool just the right size for a dip or soak!

Bright walk-out basement, turned ultimate entertainment space. Complete with wet bar, lots of counter space for mixing up cocktails and a bar height table to set your beverage on. Large wine rack has plenty of space to store your favorite vintage and a beverage fridge to keep your drinks cool while working up a sweat playing a game of billiards. Custom build corner seating area has a larger table to enjoy a bite to eat while taking a break from the game. Photo by: Eymeric Widling Photography

A galley type kitchen that opens up to both the dining room on one side and the living room on the other. A combination of Oak veneer and acrylic high gloss flat panel cabinetry keeps things sleek and modern. Two islands are ideal for entertaining and provide lots of counter space for large meal prep. Finishing top cabinets all the way up to the ceiling provides more storage space on top most shelves, and makes the space feel tall and airy. Open shelving is great for displaying family memorabilia or keeping favorite cook books handy. Eymeric Widling Photography

A galley type kitchen that opens up to both the dining room on one side and the living room on the other. A combination of Oak veneer and acrylic high gloss flat panel cabinetry keeps things sleek and modern. Two islands are ideal for entertaining and provide lots of counter space for large meal prep. Finishing top cabinets all the way up to the ceiling provides more storage space on top most shelves, and makes the space feel tall and airy. Open shelving is great for displaying family memorabilia or keeping favorite cook books handy. Eymeric Widling Photography

A galley type kitchen that opens up to both the dining room on one side and the living room on the other. A combination of Walnut veneer and white acrylic high gloss flat panel cabinetry keeps things sleek and modern. Two islands are ideal for entertaining and provide lots of counter space for large meal prep. Finishing top cabinets all the way up to the ceiling provides more storage space on top most shelves, and makes the space feel tall and airy. Open shelving is great for displaying family memorabilia or keeping favorite cook books handy. Eymeric Widling Photography

Large his and hers vanity in master bathroom. Clean and simple design with painted MDF shaker style exterior. Lots of storage with three drawers to keep things organized.

Eymeric Widling Photography
Mid-sized trendy galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Calgary with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Custom new build in Marda Loop. Clean and warm combination of white acrylic high gloss and walnut veneer. Custom built hood cover. Lots of LED lighting in header, display niches, as well as island toe kick. Paneled fridge and dishwasher. Walk in pantry behind walnut paneling.

Elevation of various builder floors designed by Dream Space Architects in Gurgaon.
Inspiration for a modern exterior home remodel in Delhi

The kitchen includes cabinets by Columbia in two different colors. The cabinets are maple with a furniture finish. Some of the upper cabinets were finished out with clear glass. The custom granite countertops installed by Bay Works unify the space with an eat-in area and dramatic lighting completes this lovely remodel. The Zephyr Venezia exhaust fan adds a nice finishing touch. Treve Johnson Photography HDR Remodeling Inc. specializes in classic East Bay homes. Whole-house remodels, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, garage and basement conversions are our specialties. Our start-to-finish process -- from design concept to permit-ready plans to production -- will guide you along the way to make sure your project is completed on time and on budget and take the uncertainty and stress out of remodeling your home. Our philosophy -- and passion -- is to help our clients make their remodeling dreams come true.