Formerly a custom builders house, this kitchen remodel entailed incorporating a trio of existing round-top windows into the new space plan. The hood cabinetry and Cooking wall were designed with Custom Cupboards Heartland Ply construction using raised panel doors with a "Shalimar" finish. The perimeter and island cabinets are Alder wood with a custom antiquity burnished finish. All cabinets included Blumotion full extension and soft close glides and door brake hardware. The tall display glass doored wall cabinet replaces the outdated peninsula that existed in this home.

At the edge of the Minnesota/Canadian border sits this stunning private estate. Perched on a rocky ledge overlooking an adjoined private island, the landscape install entailed blasting into the rock to form a pool. The impressive exterior of the house is clad in ORIJIN STONE's beautiful Wolfeboro™ Granite veneer, and interior features include ORIJIN natural stone tile and custom stone work. **featured here: ORIJIN STONE's Wolfeboro™ Granite veneer for the wet bar backsplash. Architecture: Eskuche Design Group Builder: Wagner Construction, International Falls, MN Landscape Design: Mom's Design Build Interior Design: Studio M Interiors Photography: Scott Amundson Photography

This custom-built residence was our client’s childhood home, holding sentimental memories for her. Today as a detail-oriented Dentist and her husband, a retired Sea Captain, they wanted to put their own stamp on the house, making it suitable for their own unique lifestyle. The main objective of the design was to increase the Puget Sound views in every room possible. This entailed some areas receiving major overhaul, such as the master suite, lesser updates to the kitchen and office, and a surprise remodel to the expansive wine cellar. All these were done while preserving the home’s 1970s-era quirkiness.

Our Clients wanted to update a family lakeside retreat with a modern sensibility. The resulting design is a warm, contemporary space intimate enough for the couple to enjoy alone, but flexible to accommodate additional guests. This project entailed the teardown of an existing structure and new construction of a two-story building. As required by zoning, the existing footprint was maintained. On the first floor, a traditional woodstove juxtaposed to a floating stair anchors the open floor plan. Large picture windows provide lake views for the dining and living areas. An adjacent galley kitchen makes for easy entertaining. The first floor also includes a guest suite. The second floor includes a master suite, secondary seating area, floor to ceiling built-ins, office space and an upper deck. Barn and pocket doors create additional sleeping accommodations as needed. Cable railings are used throughout so as to not impede sightlines.

The project encompassed design and build of the front and rear areas of the property as well as the building stone of the home. The project entailed front and rear hardscape, landscape, lighting, drainage, and irrigation. The design was very challenging due to the size of the home and the overall space constraints of the lot and topography. The project was situated with a very severe slope in the rear yard with limited space as shown in the water feature area finished photography. Additionally, the project was challenging with respect to stormwater runoff and county specifics as it relates to infiltration requirements. Photography: Morgan Howarth. Landscape Architect: Chad Talton, Surrounds Inc.

Water leaks can be frustrating and happen often unexpectedly… especially when the water is coming from your upstairs neighbor! Once the leak occurred, the homeowners decided that it was the perfect opportunity to create their dream kitchen and entryway. The decision was made and the homeowners went shopping to purchase materials for their renovation. One problem; they hadn’t hired a contractor yet. They quickly discovered they would need help building their dream kitchen and entryway which is where we came in. Scope: Create a versatile space that reflects the homeowners’ vibrant personalities where they could cook, work, relax and entertain. Desired features include: Color changing LED tape lighting was essential to help create ambiance. Smaller can lights with updated trim to modernize the lighting. Disguising a “workspace” into the island design. Installing a compost bin that doubles as a wine chiller for entertaining. Separate wine bar. Installing an intricate piece of mirror art and lighting in the entryway. Installing custom waved back splash tile. Challenges: Creating a working set of construction plans from cabinet drawings was a challenge. The process entailed continuous communication with the clients including several walkthroughs before final installation of each aspect throughout the project. Incorporating high-gloss and muted surfaces into the space without creating glare from the natural light coming in from many existing windows. Wavy tile became difficult to install with the desired layout of backsplash outlet style and locations. Solutions: The core design issues were resolved with exceptional communication between our field team and the homeowners. Satin finish countertops and matte paint offset the high gloss cabinetry and backsplash. Because of the size of tiles in the space, the outlets needed to be cut in the center of the tile to look uniform. Time and a steady hand made this possible for the best visual result. Result: Thoughtful execution helped to create a versatile dream kitchen and entry way that also provides an at-home workspace. This now versatile space is useful and aesthetically pleasing, exceeding the homeowners’ vision. The small details ranging from accent lighting to the compost bin turned wine chiller make this a luxurious statement piece.

2011 NARI CAPITAL COTY FINALIST AWARD WINNER Project Scope-- The owners of this 1990’s colonial home were seeking to convert the existing space-constricted builder-grade kitchen into a generously-apportioned Tuscan-style country kitchen with lots of natural light, high-end appointments and a warmly textured interior design concept. Among other features they sought a mid-room island that would house critical appliances, complete the work triangle and provide dining counter space for three. They also wanted to include a professional-grade gas range. Challenges-- Situated between dining room and family room, the existing kitchen was small and poorly planned. The sink faced a blank wall and the appliances were inadequate for the owner’s gourmet cooking ambitions. To create the desired footprint, the contractor, Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, created a plan that called for consolidating square footage in several rooms adjacent to the kitchen. This entailed removing two load bearing walls– one between the kitchen and dining room, a second separating the kitchen and family room– and shifting loads to newly installed structural supports carefully concealed within the resultant “open” floor plan. To accommodate new appliances (and work efficiencies) called for by this radically altered space plan, the design located the new professional gas range and other key features in the footprint formerly occupied by the breakfast room, a change that takes advantage of opportunities for a higher cathedral ceiling, better natural lighting and greater space. Solutions-- With this space plan resolved, the design team could now eliminate a picture window on the west elevation, designing a new elevation to accommodate a stucco cooktop flanked by a pair of custom Palladium windows. A side elevation slider was replaced with a French door. Infrastructure considerations included introducing gas lines needed for the 48” Viking cooktop range and re-routing plumbing. The 5’ x 9’ granite-surfaced custom designed island includes the primary kitchen sink, a dishwasher, microwave and dining overhang that provided seating for up to four. On another wall, the design called for installing ceiling flush “beaded” display pantries with open bookcases, and routed-in plumbing for a water fountain, a faucet and an ice-making machine. Glazed maple and cherry cabinetry increased available storage by over 50%. A recessed space was also created for a built-in vertical wine rack. Style-appropriate terra cotta tiling with mosaic bordering detailing extends into the home’s foyer. Other finishing work elements include crown molding with rounded turn posts and corbels.

This project in Strongsville, Ohio entailed a revamping of the entire first floor. The wall between the formal dining room and kitchen was demolished, creating an open space to share conversation and bond with family. The kitchen was fully remodeled with an optimized layout for seating, storage and counterspace. The laundry room, den, living room, bathroom and office were also updated to carry the aesthetic flow from the upgraded kitchen.

This beautiful kitchen entails amazing beaded inset doors and frames with hand-crafted corbels through-out. The Island is made out of a rich black walnut and stained and coated with a ML Campbell Conversion Varnish. The remainder of the space is painted a pigmented lacquer by Mohawk. With solid maple dovetail drawer boxes and solid poplar cabinet doors are analogous with the rest of the beaded inset doors and frames. Complimented by bright candlestick lighting above and LED tape lighting below the upper cabinets. And very well finished off with antique style iron knobs and pulls.

This well-loved home belonging to a family of seven was overdue for some more room. Renovations by the team at Advance Design Studio entailed both a lower and upper level addition to original home. Included in the project was a much larger kitchen, eating area, family room and mud room with a renovated powder room on the first floor. The new upper level included a new master suite with his and hers closets, a new master bath, outdoor balcony patio space, and a renovation to the only other full bath on in that part of the house. Having five children formerly meant that when everyone was seated at the large kitchen table, they couldn’t open the refrigerator door! So naturally the main focus was on the kitchen, with a desire to create a gathering place where the whole family could hang out easily with room to spare. The homeowner had a love of all things Irish, and careful details in the crown molding, hardware and tile backsplash were a reflection. Rich cherry cabinetry and green granite counter tops complete a traditional look so as to fit right in with the elegant old molding and door profiles in this fine old home. The second focus for these parents was a master suite and bathroom of their own! After years of sharing, this was an important feature in the new space. This simple yet efficient bath space needed to accommodate a long wall of windows to work with the exterior design. A generous shower enclosure with a comfortable bench seat is open visually to the his and hers vanity areas, and a spacious tub. The makeup table enjoys lots of natural light spilling through large windows and an exit door to the adult’s only exclusive coffee retreat on the rooftop adjacent. Added square footage to the footprint of the house allowed for a spacious family room and much needed breakfast area. The dining room pass through was accentuated by a period appropriate transom detail encasing custom designed carved glass detailing that appears as if it’s been there all along. Reclaimed painted tin panels were added to the dining room ceiling amongst elegant crown molding for unique and dramatic dining room flair. An efficient dry bar area was tucked neatly between the great room spaces, offering an excellent entertainment area to circulating guests and family at any time. This large family now enjoys regular Sunday breakfasts and dinners in a space that they all love to hang out in. The client reports that they spend more time as a family now than they did before because their house is more accommodating to them all. That’s quite a feat anyone with teenagers can relate to! Advance Design was thrilled to work on this project and bring this family the home they had been dreaming about for many, many years. Photographer: Joe Nowak

This project was an addition to an existing residence, located in Bender's Landing Estates, in Spring, Texas. It entailed adding a 2 story addition to the left side of the house: a covered parking area, and an upstairs man-cave, as well as a new covered outdoor kitchen in the rear of the home. The owner told me it was a much needed escape, for a little bit of quite relaxation and solitude. One of my smaller projects, but I like how it came out - the key was blending it with the existing residence.

This project entailed updating a finished basement and boys' playroom that was underutilized and contained many design obstacles from lolly columns to mechanical equipment. The client wanted the space to blend with the eclectic old style of the rest of her home, and also wanted to incorporate a couple of existing custom millwork pieces. With three boys, all with varying interests from art to toy collections, the client needed this space to cater to their hobbies. Ultimately the clients received exactly what they wanted- a multifunctional space that all could enjoy that can only be defined as breathtaking. Photography: Maryland Photography Inc.

The Cambridge Terrace Condominium project entailed a complete renovation of a triple-decker building into three luxury condominiums. A combination of white and black throughout creates a clean contrast, while the clear coat wood floor adds a splash of color and natural material. Outdoor decks and large double hung windows throughout flood the interior with natural light year round.

This custom-built residence was our client’s childhood home, holding sentimental memories for her. Today as a detail-oriented Dentist and her husband, a retired Sea Captain, they wanted to put their own stamp on the house, making it suitable for their own unique lifestyle. The main objective of the design was to increase the Puget Sound views in every room possible. This entailed some areas receiving major overhaul, such as the master suite, lesser updates to the kitchen and office, and a surprise remodel to the expansive wine cellar. All these were done while preserving the home’s 1970s-era quirkiness.

This project entailed updating a finished basement and boys' playroom that was underutilized and contained many design obstacles from lolly columns to mechanical equipment. The client wanted the space to blend with the eclectic old style of the rest of her home, and also wanted to incorporate a couple of existing custom millwork pieces. With three boys, all with varying interests from art to toy collections, the client needed this space to cater to their hobbies. Ultimately the clients received exactly what they wanted- a multifunctional space that all could enjoy that can only be defined as breathtaking. Photography: Maryland Photography Inc.

Nature itself inspires most of our designs. It has given us some amazing aesthetic proportions. These natural proportions tend to unify diverse objects into captivating compositions such as sunsets, mountainscapes, and bodies. Adhering to these ratios ensure that our designs embody nature’s beauty and are cohesive with a variety of décor. To accomplish this, our creative process entails multiple paper sketches, computer animated designs, and tweaks to real life prototypes. This progression ensures that anything brought into your home has the mark of great design.

The Ossido line stems from a wager against time, in an attempt to crystallise a material at a specific point in its life and have it stay that way forever. Specifically, it entails the reproduction of a oxidation process on slabs of copper and metal, which generates a very strong and rich colour, yet which inevitably disappears as the oxidation process progresses.

Modern, luxury, custom cottage designed by Tamarack North Ltd. for the entire family to enjoy. This unique build entails a combination of our favourite components of the traditional Muskoka style cottage as well as a modern take on landscape design. With a spectacular view of Lake Joseph and a beautiful open concept design, this home will ensure a space where memories can be made for generations. Tamarack North prides their company off of professional engineers and builders passionate about serving Muskoka, Lake of Bays and Georgian Bay with fine seasonal homes.

This project entailed the draining of a 200,000 cubic foot pond which was originally constructed in the early 1900s in order to install a water feature. I had previously dammed the lower pond, which was roughly equivalent in size to the upper pond, with stonework to match the existing stone walkways. The lower pond will be utilized as a catch-basin in an effort to keep the upper pond’s water level at a sufficient height through a pump system. After the removal of over a 100 years worth of sediment, I began constructing several terraces, stone steps, stone walkways, and several stone retaining walls — all stone features were built without the use of mortar so as to allow plant growth, such as vines and flowering plants to grow through the stonework. The difficulty I faced, oddly enough, was trying to be as random as possible with the placement of the stones, so as to make the stonework appear as though it had been built alongside some of the pre-existing 100-year-old stone walls scattered across other areas of the property. In essence, I forced myself to leave larger gaps in between stones where I typically wouldn’t, as well as leave some stones protruding from the wall, and allowing the wall to slightly fluctuate in height. All of which required me to become a perfectionist of randomness, which was quite trying of me. The top 2 feet of the 2,000-foot upper pond was then faced and retained with stone.