What a fun project to work on with an artist and her husband. We collaborated to create a unique soft modern kitchen that has hints of mid-century modern details while expanding the clients storage and cooking space. Subtle details that make a bold statement. It was through the clients interviewing process that they choose to go with Signature Designs Kitchen Bath over other large firms because of the personal collaboration connection. We created a curved island that resembles a piano while it maximized there countertop space it left plenty of room for them to entertain many guest in their nook.

Mike and Anne of Barrington Hills desperately needed to update and renovate both their kid’s hall bath and guest bath, and in their 1980’s home each project presented a different set of unique challenges to overcome. When they set out to identify the right remodeling company to partner with, it was important to find a company that could help them to visualize design solutions for the bath renovations. When they came across Advance Design Studio’s website, they were immediately drawn to the solution-oriented remodeling process and the family friendly company. They say they chose Advance Design because of the integrated approach of “Common Sense Remodeling”, making the design, project management and construction all happen in one place. When they met with Project Designer Michelle Lecinski, they knew they chose the right company. “Michelle’s excellent work on the initial designs made it easy to proceed with Advance Design Studio,” Mike said. Like most homeowners anticipating a big renovation project, they had some healthy fears; with two bathrooms being remodeled at the same time they worried about timeframes and staying within budget. With the help of Michelle, and the “Common Sense” guidelines, they were confident that Advance Design would stay true, orchestrating all the moving parts to stay within both the estimated timeline and budget. The guest bath offered the biggest design challenge. A dormer obstruction made the already cramped shower awkward to access. Mike and Anne also wanted the shower size to be expanded, making it more accommodating. Working with Advance’s construction expert DJ Yurik, Michelle relocated the shower concealing the original dormer and creating a larger, more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing guest shower. The unsightly and not at all user-friendly closet was removed and replaced with elegant White Maple Dura Supreme cabinetry with much improved function featuring dual tall linen cabinets, a special makeup area and two sinks, providing a dual vanity which was extremely important for better guest use. The Fossil Brown quartz countertop is in pleasing contrast to the white cabinetry, and coordinates nicely with the mocha porcelain tile gracing the shower for an accent. The decorative glazed turquoise tile backsplash, tile border, and bottle niche adds a taste of marine green to the room, while marble-looking porcelain tile makes guests feel they are staying in a 5-star hotel. Polished nickel Kohler plumbing fixtures were chosen to add a touch of sophistication. This renovated guest bath is comfortable and elegant, and Anne and Mike’s house guests may never want to leave! “The end result was updated and restyled bathrooms that the client will enjoy and increase the value of their home,” Designer Michelle said. The children’s hall bath had its own set of challenges. The current placement of the sink was not conducive to the best use of the existing space, nor did it allow for any visual interest, something Advance’s designers always work to achieve even within the tight confines of a small bath. Advance removed the linen closet and used the gain in wall space to create a dramatic focal point on the vanity wall. They also took additional space that wasn’t being used for new Storm Gray Dura Supreme tall built-in linen cabinets, creating functional storage space that the former bath lacked. A customized glass splash panel was created for the bath, and the high ceilings with skylights were accented with a custom-made track lighting fixture featuring industrial pipe and cage materials. Authentic cement encaustic tile was used wall to wall surrounding the vanity to create a dramatic and interesting back drop for the new elegant and stately furniture-like double sink wall. Hand-made encaustic tile originated in Western Europe beginning in the 1850’s and reminded Mike and Anne of tile they had seen and loved from their travels overseas. Today, encaustic tile has made a re-appearance in today’s modern bath design with its wide array of appealing patterns and artistic use of color. Oil rubbed bronze Kohler fixtures echo the black accents in the beautiful tile pattern and reflect the matte black of the unique lighting detail. Easy to maintain Blanca Arabescato Quartz countertops add practicality and natural beauty and compliments the warm wood porcelain tile floors. This handsome bath has generated praise from friends and family even before it’s complete unveiling as photos of the space leaked out on social media! It’s not only completely functional to use, but especially pretty to look at. “Advance Design Studio did a terrific job for us. We really appreciated how easy it was to work with them on a complex project of the complete remodeling of two bathrooms. They very capably handled all the details from design, to project management, to construction. It is a great group of people to work with and we would welcome the opportunity to work with them again anytime,” Mike said.

Carolyn & Peter were looking brighten their kitchen space, expand its ocean view, and update their cabinetry. To begin their kitchen renovation, we created a 3D rendering that addressed all their goals. During the design process, Carolyn & Peter selected Decora cabinetry for their kitchen; Prescott Maple Extra White cabinetry with a Prescott Maple Retreat painted island. They were happy with original footprint, so we updated that very little. Instead, we focused on ways to increase their storage and functionality all while, lightening the room to make it appear larger and blending the color palette into their home and their beautiful ocean view. Photo credit: Nicola Richard

What a fun project to work on with an artist and her husband. We collaborated to create a unique soft modern kitchen that has hints of mid-century modern details while expanding the clients storage and cooking space. Subtle details that make a bold statement. It was through the clients interviewing process that they choose to go with Signature Designs Kitchen Bath over other large firms because of the personal collaboration connection. We created a curved island that resembles a piano while it maximized there countertop space it left plenty of room for them to entertain many guest in their nook.

Xtreme Renovations has completed a Major Renovation Project near the Tomball area of Harris County. This project required demolition of the existing Kitchen Cabinetry and removing fur downs, rerouting HVAC Registers, Electrical and installation of Natural Gas lines for converting from an All Electric Kitchen to Natural Gas cooktop with an Xtreme Exhaust System above the new gas cooktop. Existing walls wear moved during the demolition process to expand the original footprint of the Kitchen to include additional cabinetry and relocation of the new Double Oven as well as an open Pantry area. All new Custom Built Cabinetry were installed made from Maple wood and stained to the specification of our clients. New Quartz countertops were fabricated and installed throughout the Kitchen as well as a Bar Area in the Great Room which also included Custom Built Cabinetry. New tile flooring was installed throughout the Mud Room, Kitchen, Breakfast Area, Hall Way adjoining the Formal Dining Room and Powder Bath. Back splash included both Ceramic and Glass Tile to and a touch of class and the Wow Factor our clients desired and deserved. Major drywall work was required throughout the Kitchen, Great Room, Powder Bath and Breakfast Area. Many added features such as LED lighting on dimmers were installed throughout the Kitchen including under cabinet lighting. Installation of all new appliances was included in the Kitchen as well as the Bar Area in the Great Room. Custom Built Corner Cabinetry was also installed in the Formal Dining Room. Custom Built Crown Molding was also part of this project in the Great Room designed to match Crown Molding above doorways. Existing paneling was removed and replaced with drywall to add to this Major Update of the 1970’s constructed home. Floating, texturing and painting throughout both levels of this 2 Story Home was also completed. The existing stairway in the Great Room was removed and new Wrought Iron Spindles, Handrails, Hardwood Flooring were installed. New Carpeting and Hardwood Flooring were included in the Renovation Project. State of the Art CAT 6 cabling was installed in the entire home adding to the functionality of the New Home Entertainment and Computer Networking System as well as connectivity throughout the home. The Central hub area for the new cabling is climate controlled and vented for precise temperature control. Many other items were addressed during this Renovation Project including upgrading the Main Electrical Service, Custom Built Cabinetry throughout the Mud Room and creating a closet where the existing Double Oven was located with access to new shelving and coat racks in the Mud Room Area. At Xtreme Renovations, “It’s All In The Details” and our Xtreme Team from Design Concept to delivering the final product to our clients is Job One.

The Park Union Building at 910 Union Street in Park Slope, Brooklyn has Vermont Plank Flooring’s “Roasted” Red Oak wide plank flooring in each of its 15 condominiums. The developer, American Development Group, selected Vermont Plank both for its uniquely beautiful product, and for the sustainable methods used to harvest the local timber. “I was able to find a local supplier with a local harvest, keeping Americans employed, with a superior product,” said Perry Finkelman, the development group’s CEO. Vermont Planks “Roasted” Red Oak is thermally treated at 500 degrees Fahrenheit in a special kiln that removes all oxygen to prevent the timber from combusting. The process caramelizes the wood, giving it a dark, almost walnut-like appearance all the way through each plank. It also makes the planks more structurally sound and less likely to expand or contract with moisture. The floor was finished with a zero VOC finish, Rubio Monocoat, along with a single coat of Rubio 5% White Oil. Click here for the full story on 910 Union Street. Flooring: Roasted Red Oak in varied widths Finish: Custom Rubio 5% White Oil Finish

The guest bathroom plays an important role on how your guests will perceive the architecture and style of your home. In this house we totally transformed the outdated bathroom. In collaboration with Roberto Lugo a daring designer from New York, the design process was focused on creating a contemporary space that could be elegant and comfortable. The initial renovation on this project started with the demolition of entire bathroom including doors, vanity, floor, plumbing and light fixture, toilet, tub, tile switches and outlet. An existing wall between toilet/shower room and vanity room was also removed. The existing door frame was expanded to 27" wide (interior) and the existing floor was inspected to determine a depression on the vanity side. The existing door frame was converted into a pocket door frame (door opens to the right). To accommodate for standard crown molding the ceiling above the shower was dropped 4". For the vanity, a furniture-like cabinet style with soft close hardware was installed. The grain stain was paired perfectly with a gray marble countertop. The shower turned out beautifully. A Shower/Bathtub combination with a sliding door was installed. Porcelain tile was installed vertically on the returns walls, glass mosaic for the long walls, glass mosaic was also used along leading edge of tub enclosure. Porcelain tile was used on the floor.

The goal for this master suite was to replace a dated, heavy layout with a sense of "Warm Minimalism." We wanted to trade visual clutter for intentional textures. By pairing the natural grain of White Oak with the crisp, architectural lines of Matte Black fixtures, we created a space that feels grounded, airy, and deeply restorative. A master bath is a high-stakes environment where every inch counts. We took absolute ownership of the "inch-by-inch" planning required to expand the shower and incorporate a freestanding soaking tub without making the room feel crowded. Our Guided Process ensured the client felt confident in the bold choice of vertical stack tile—a design-forward move that draws the eye upward and adds a custom, boutique-hotel feel to the space. This is a "Host’s Private Oasis." While the rest of the home is ready for guests, this bathroom is a master-grade sanctuary for the homeowners. The elite craftsmanship is visible in the precision of the tile alignments and the seamless integration of the natural wood elements, providing a feeling of pride and daily joy.

Joseph Eichler developed his moderately priced houses for the mass-market starting in 1949. His homes were designed using affordable materials and simple construction techniques. Nearly 70 years later these homes are in need of updating and remodeling an Eichler home today can become an imposing and costly project if you’re not careful. For this project the clients, who had undergone several previous house renovations, were determined to stick with an established budget from the beginning. Klopf Architecture helped them modernize their Eichler with a premium appearance on a reasonable budget. The clients challenged the Klopf team to create a design that had a high-end feel and nicely done while adhering to their budget. That meant not all of the initial project scope could be built. Like many other Eichler homes, the original floor plan did not meet the family’s needs leaving them feeling disconnected from one room to another. While an early goal was to expand the house into a carport and create a larger garage, it did not survive the contractor pricing phase of the project. The goals that did survive through to the end of the project included blurring some of the boundaries and opening up some of the spaces, making them more functional and creating a smoother flow in the house. The Klopf team joined the former separate kitchen and formal living room into one large space and shift the dining room where it is now connected to the kitchen. Klopf swapped the family room to the front alongside the living room, so the spaces feel more cohesive and are now better suited for family activities. The functional layout of the master bathroom was changed to include a large, curbless shower. Installing a complete IKEA kitchen including cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and furnishings was key to staying within budget. Bath fixtures in this house are also exclusively IKEA. Klopf Architecture has designed many homes using IKEA products, which are quite compatible offering an affordable, contemporary take on Eichler homes. The clients saved additional money from the simplicity and availability of IKEA products and by orchestrating the orders and purchases themselves. Following each construction meeting, the clients would make a run to IKEA and purchase items, pick up needed spare parts, and bring them back right away to stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule and minimize the chance of delays and bottlenecks. Klopf balanced material selections by retaining some of the original woodwork and simply refinishing the mahogany paneling. They were able to retain the original windows and sliding doors which were still in good shape, avoiding some of the most costly replacement expenses. Additionally interior doors were simply refinished and the exterior siding cleaned up and repainted. Formerly dark interiors are now illuminated with new slimmer semi-recessed lighting eliminating the need for costly roof work. Attention to design details allowed the Klopf team to ensure the house ended up with a high quality feel. Key visual elements were strictly aligned and Klopf worked with the clients to select a unified materials palette throughout the spaces so the house flows seamlessly together. Aligning the tile layout with the trusses and keeping it level with the concrete slab outside allowed them to achieve a level of quality that may otherwise be missed. The clients were able to keep their budget on track by determining clear goals and making critical decisions upfront, choosing materials and furnishings wisely, working with the right design and construction teams in place and to a large part, their willingness to participate throughout the process. In the end the clients were much happier with their reconfigured Eichler home and Klopf Architecture managed to keep their remodeling costs to about $325/sf – a good amount below the average Bay Area Eichler remodel. Project Team: John Klopf, Angela Todorova, Sherry Tan Contractor: Keycon Construction Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Photography: Sabrina Huang Year Completed: 2020

e4 Interior Design This farmhouse was purchased by the clients in the end of 2015. The timeframe for the renovation was tight, as the home is a hot summer rental in the historic district of Kennebunkport. This antique colonial home had been expanded over the years. The intention behind the renovation was quite simple; to remove wall paper, apply fresh paint, change out some light fixtures and renovate the kitchen. A somewhat small project turned into a massive renovation, with the renovation of 3 bathrooms and a powder room, a kitchen, adding a staircase, plumbing, floors, changing windows, not to mention furnishing the entire house afterwords. The finished product really speaks for itself! The aesthetic is "coastal farmhouse". We did not want to make it too coastal (as it is not on the water, but rather in a coastal town) or too farmhouse-y (while still trying to maintain some of the character of the house.) Old floors on both the first and second levels were made plumb (reused as vertical supports), and the old wood beams were repurposed as well - both in the floors and in the architectural details. For example - in the fireplace in the kitchen and around the door openings into the dining room you can see the repurposed wood! The newel post and balusters on the mudroom stairs were also from the repurposed lot of wood, but completely refinished for a new use. The clients were young and savvy, with a very hands on approach to the design and construction process. A very skilled bargain hunter, the client spent much of her free time when she was not working, going to estate sales and outlets to outfit the house. Their builder, as stated earlier, was very savvy in reusing wood where he could as well as salvaging things such as the original doors and door hardware while at the same time bringing the house up to date.

Joseph Eichler developed his moderately priced houses for the mass-market starting in 1949. His homes were designed using affordable materials and simple construction techniques. Nearly 70 years later these homes are in need of updating and remodeling an Eichler home today can become an imposing and costly project if you’re not careful. For this project the clients, who had undergone several previous house renovations, were determined to stick with an established budget from the beginning. Klopf Architecture helped them modernize their Eichler with a premium appearance on a reasonable budget. The clients challenged the Klopf team to create a design that had a high-end feel and nicely done while adhering to their budget. That meant not all of the initial project scope could be built. Like many other Eichler homes, the original floor plan did not meet the family’s needs leaving them feeling disconnected from one room to another. While an early goal was to expand the house into a carport and create a larger garage, it did not survive the contractor pricing phase of the project. The goals that did survive through to the end of the project included blurring some of the boundaries and opening up some of the spaces, making them more functional and creating a smoother flow in the house. The Klopf team joined the former separate kitchen and formal living room into one large space and shift the dining room where it is now connected to the kitchen. Klopf swapped the family room to the front alongside the living room, so the spaces feel more cohesive and are now better suited for family activities. The functional layout of the master bathroom was changed to include a large, curbless shower. Installing a complete IKEA kitchen including cabinets, countertops, appliances, light fixtures, and furnishings was key to staying within budget. Bath fixtures in this house are also exclusively IKEA. Klopf Architecture has designed many homes using IKEA products, which are quite compatible offering an affordable, contemporary take on Eichler homes. The clients saved additional money from the simplicity and availability of IKEA products and by orchestrating the orders and purchases themselves. Following each construction meeting, the clients would make a run to IKEA and purchase items, pick up needed spare parts, and bring them back right away to stay ahead of the contractor’s schedule and minimize the chance of delays and bottlenecks. Klopf balanced material selections by retaining some of the original woodwork and simply refinishing the mahogany paneling. They were able to retain the original windows and sliding doors which were still in good shape, avoiding some of the most costly replacement expenses. Additionally interior doors were simply refinished and the exterior siding cleaned up and repainted. Formerly dark interiors are now illuminated with new slimmer semi-recessed lighting eliminating the need for costly roof work. Attention to design details allowed the Klopf team to ensure the house ended up with a high quality feel. Key visual elements were strictly aligned and Klopf worked with the clients to select a unified materials palette throughout the spaces so the house flows seamlessly together. Aligning the tile layout with the trusses and keeping it level with the concrete slab outside allowed them to achieve a level of quality that may otherwise be missed. The clients were able to keep their budget on track by determining clear goals and making critical decisions upfront, choosing materials and furnishings wisely, working with the right design and construction teams in place and to a large part, their willingness to participate throughout the process. In the end the clients were much happier with their reconfigured Eichler home and Klopf Architecture managed to keep their remodeling costs to about $325/sf – a good amount below the average Bay Area Eichler remodel. Project Team: John Klopf, Angela Todorova, Sherry Tan Contractor: Keycon Construction Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Photography: Sabrina Huang Year Completed: 2020

Our clients approached us to renovate their home, as it was lacking function for their family’s changing needs. They were facing issues with insufficient storage, and underutilised areas. The entry was cramped, which was especially noticeable when several people were coming in, or when carrying in groceries. The Shared Bathroom was too small, and lacked enough room for their teenage children to store their individual belongings. Additionally, since both clients work from home, a dedicated office space was essential. On the Main Floor, we relocated the closet at the entry, making the entrance more spacious, and the Powder Room was given an update and new fixtures. The wall between the Kitchen and Dining Room was removed, which opened up the Main Floor. Half of the space this created was used to create a much larger Kitchen with ample gathering space for our client’s large family. The new custom Kitchen boasts plenty of dark cabinetry with wood accents, and is complimented by a beautiful quartz countertop and matching black fixtures. The other half of the newly created space was transformed into a quiet, functional home office. In the new office, a wall of built-in cabinetry offers useful storage for both work and hobby items, creating the perfect space for both work and crafting. On the Second Floor, we expanded the Shared Bathroom by using space from the Guest Bedroom closet and the Second Floor Office. We replaced the bathtub shower combo with a spacious grand shower and added a large vanity and makeup area, giving each teenager their own dedicated personal storage space. In the Master Ensuite, we altered the entryway location, allowing for a redesigned layout that includes a large vanity and double sink, enhancing both functionality and storage. Our clients expressed their happiness with the renovation process with Sosna, specifically how clean the construction area was kept, and how respectful the Sosna team was of their home and neighbours. They were pleased that all deadlines were met, and the project was completed on time, and looked even better than they had dreamed. Sosna Inc 416-888-7366 ext 1 email: contact@sosna.ca website: sosna.ca

Located in the Houston Heights, the Waverly Residence is a modern home on an established street of two story homes boasting front porch typologies. The family’s desire for privacy resulted in a porch that rotates to internalize most of its function while still addressing the street. For this active family, yard activity and it’s visibility from within the home emerged as a priority for approaching the building’s relationship to the lot. Justifying the building mass to the Northern half of the site reinforces the scale of the design to the surrounding buildings and creates a large southern yard dedicated to play and brisket (is a Texas house a house without a barbeque?). The ground floor is clad in metal panel and a wood rainscreen that peels away from the structure to become both a fence and an entry threshold, blending the registration between the yard's privacy enclosure and the building skin. Variable width fiber-cement siding clads the second floor as a nod to the neighborhood vernacular. The pool and outdoor kitchen sit at the center of the yard, forming an island that divides the open play from private vehicular access at the alley. Shifted volumes delineate private space from the open public areas. The second floor extends over the public entryway to create a covered procession with cascading steps into the southern yard that traverses the length of the living spaces. The public program expands beyond the building enclosure to encompass the yard and living spaces. A horizontal shift in the ground floor volume produces both a private courtyard away from the lively public spaces and exterior delineation between private vehicular access and public entry. Within the open, ground floor plan, a change in elevation indicates the boundary between private and public space. Custom millwork provides ample storage for the young family. Playful patterns of enclosed storage with contrasting display boxes creates a cohesive millwork language throughout the home.

This vanity's original design will give your bathroom the aesthetics that it deserves. Made out of Grade-A solid oak wood and featuring frame type construction, this vanity exudes a sense of durability. The 12 step hand applied Antique Ocean finish prevents cracking and fading while giving the vanity a rustic country living appeal. By choosing one of Cream Marble, Carrera White Marble, Travertine, Black Granite or Tropical Brown Granite counter tops a polished sparkle will brighten up your bathroom. There are also a multitude of other wood finishes available to choose from. By mixing and matching finishes and counter tops a vanity that bests fits your style can be created. Don't forget to look at the add ons such as the mirror and linen cabinet while you are at it. Dimensions Vanity 36"W x 23.5"D x 34.75"H Optional Accessories Mirror 26"W x 3.7"D x 41.5"H Linen Cabinet 20.5"W x 16.25"D x 65"H Features

• Grade A, Solid kiln-dried Oak
• Double-Door cabinet with antique-style handles
• Choose from Cream Marble, Black Granite, Tropical Brown Granite, Carrera White Marble, or Travertine tops
• Comes with full sized 17" porcelain sink
• 100% solid timber construction
• Frame type construction featuring Old World joinery
• Hand applied varnish in 3 layers for added durability and warping prevention
• 12-step hand glaze finish to ensure cabinet won't peal, crack, or fade
• Pre-drilled for 8" faucet spread
• **Faucets Not Included**

The Solid Oak Advantage
Quality materials are important to the longevity of your bathroom vanity. Cheap vanities made with particle board or MDF tend to sag, warp, split, discolor, and expand over time. This is especially true in humid climates, such as the environment found in a normal bathroom. Since bathroom humidity is so common, bathroom vanities need to be extremely durable. They also need to be strong enough to endure lots of usage-based wear and tear. Vanities are typically made of MDF, birch, rubberwood, or natural oak. Generally, MDF is approximately 30 % the quality of oak, birch is 50% the quality of oak, and rubberwood is typically 90% the quality of oak, where "quality" is defined as the strength, integrity, and durability of the material. Solid oak is without question the strongest, most durable, and most resilient of all vanity materials. Only the highest-quality and best made vanities are manufactured from natural oak. Premier Collection
Vanities that are marked as Premier Collection are the best vanities in the industry where no expense has been spared. These are the best vanities money can buy made from small quantities of handpicked solid hard woods that are hand finished to perfection. To be considered part of the Premium Collection the vanity must get A+++ grades in: Wood used, Interior Construction, Counter Top, and Finish.

Wood Used:
Premier Collections uses Kiln dried wood in small batches to insure proper drying to prevent cracking and warping. All wood is cared for in great detail to prevent cracking and warping so that your vanity looks as good as they day it arrived for many years.

Vanity Tops:
Premier Collections vanities that have stone tops use a thicker stone, up to 3cm (1cm more than industry average), providing a more luxurious look. All of the vanities with stone tops are sealed to prevent watermarks and minor stains.

Construction:
Premium Collection vanities use hard wood box framed construction that provides strength and durability for decades. All vanities have working drawers with able storage made with slide ball bearing drawers and or soft close mounts. Center drawers are boxed and fitted around plumbing for additional storage.

Finish:
Premium Collection vanities are all hand stained, hand painted, using up to a 15 layer sealing and finishing process to avoid future fading, cracking, or peeling.

Located in the Houston Heights, the Waverly Residence is a modern home on an established street of two story homes boasting front porch typologies. The family’s desire for privacy resulted in a porch that rotates to internalize most of its function while still addressing the street. For this active family, yard activity and it’s visibility from within the home emerged as a priority for approaching the building’s relationship to the lot. Justifying the building mass to the Northern half of the site reinforces the scale of the design to the surrounding buildings and creates a large southern yard dedicated to play and brisket (is a Texas house a house without a barbeque?). The ground floor is clad in metal panel and a wood rainscreen that peels away from the structure to become both a fence and an entry threshold, blending the registration between the yard's privacy enclosure and the building skin. Variable width fiber-cement siding clads the second floor as a nod to the neighborhood vernacular. The pool and outdoor kitchen sit at the center of the yard, forming an island that divides the open play from private vehicular access at the alley. Shifted volumes delineate private space from the open public areas. The second floor extends over the public entryway to create a covered procession with cascading steps into the southern yard that traverses the length of the living spaces. The public program expands beyond the building enclosure to encompass the yard and living spaces. A horizontal shift in the ground floor volume produces both a private courtyard away from the lively public spaces and exterior delineation between private vehicular access and public entry. Within the open, ground floor plan, a change in elevation indicates the boundary between private and public space. Custom millwork provides ample storage for the young family. Playful patterns of enclosed storage with contrasting display boxes creates a cohesive millwork language throughout the home.

This North York home renovation was designed to perfectly suit a vibrant professional couple, their two active teenagers, and their pets, combining beauty and functionality to match their busy lifestyle. The home needed a functional overhaul, particularly in the kitchen, powder room, master ensuite, and underutilized basement. The clients, eager for an upgrade but short on time, entrusted the project to a team that prioritized communication, thoughtful design, and a seamless process. The kitchen was completely reimagined with custom cabinetry, maximizing storage and accessibility. A redesigned island now allows access from all sides, improving flow for cooking and family gatherings. New countertops, contemporary flooring, and a balanced mix of crisp tiles and warm wall tones created a cohesive, inviting atmosphere. The master ensuite was transformed into a luxurious retreat with elegant stone-style tiles, an expanded glass-enclosed shower, and a striking tiled feature wall framing the bathtub, delivering both beauty and improved functionality. To refresh the powder room and entryway on a budget, professional grout cleaning gave existing tiles a new life. Modern lighting and bright wallpaper added charm and energy, welcoming guests into the home. The basement, tailored for the teens and pets, became a cozy entertainment space, separated by subtle partitions for added privacy and comfort. One notable challenge involved seamlessly transitioning between wood-look porcelain tiles in the kitchen and the existing hardwood floors—a task achieved through careful planning and execution, ensuring a flawless blend. A highlight of the project came when the client saw the near-final result and expressed amazement at the transformation, calling it a “WOW factor.” The result is a home that perfectly balances style and practicality. The streamlined kitchen, spa-like ensuite, refreshed powder room, and tailored basement now enhance daily life and encourage quality time as a family. This project stands as a testament to thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship, creating a space that reflects the family’s energy and personality while supporting their needs for years to come.

This North York home renovation was designed to perfectly suit a vibrant professional couple, their two active teenagers, and their pets, combining beauty and functionality to match their busy lifestyle. The home needed a functional overhaul, particularly in the kitchen, powder room, master ensuite, and underutilized basement. The clients, eager for an upgrade but short on time, entrusted the project to a team that prioritized communication, thoughtful design, and a seamless process. The kitchen was completely reimagined with custom cabinetry, maximizing storage and accessibility. A redesigned island now allows access from all sides, improving flow for cooking and family gatherings. New countertops, contemporary flooring, and a balanced mix of crisp tiles and warm wall tones created a cohesive, inviting atmosphere. The master ensuite was transformed into a luxurious retreat with elegant stone-style tiles, an expanded glass-enclosed shower, and a striking tiled feature wall framing the bathtub, delivering both beauty and improved functionality. To refresh the powder room and entryway on a budget, professional grout cleaning gave existing tiles a new life. Modern lighting and bright wallpaper added charm and energy, welcoming guests into the home. The basement, tailored for the teens and pets, became a cozy entertainment space, separated by subtle partitions for added privacy and comfort. One notable challenge involved seamlessly transitioning between wood-look porcelain tiles in the kitchen and the existing hardwood floors—a task achieved through careful planning and execution, ensuring a flawless blend. A highlight of the project came when the client saw the near-final result and expressed amazement at the transformation, calling it a “WOW factor.” The result is a home that perfectly balances style and practicality. The streamlined kitchen, spa-like ensuite, refreshed powder room, and tailored basement now enhance daily life and encourage quality time as a family. This project stands as a testament to thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship, creating a space that reflects the family’s energy and personality while supporting their needs for years to come.

My traditional home's kitchen/family room needed a face lift. The layout works for me so I was able to save money by not having to re-design it. It's currently in the process of being finished and will be updated accordingly. I wanted to finish out the oak hardwood floors that are in the rest of the first floor, that was my first priority. The second was to change out the lighting from builders grade fluorescent to recessed and a crystal chandelier over an expanded island. I wasn't in need of a desk area in the kitchen so a drybar was a must. A lady must have a place for her wine! I decided to use Kitchen Savers for the remodel and they've been amazing. I highly recommend them. I will be finishing out the paint, crown molding and backsplash on my own.

Mike and Anne of Barrington Hills desperately needed to update and renovate both their kid’s hall bath and guest bath, and in their 1980’s home each project presented a different set of unique challenges to overcome. When they set out to identify the right remodeling company to partner with, it was important to find a company that could help them to visualize design solutions for the bath renovations. When they came across Advance Design Studio’s website, they were immediately drawn to the solution-oriented remodeling process and the family friendly company. They say they chose Advance Design because of the integrated approach of “Common Sense Remodeling”, making the design, project management and construction all happen in one place. When they met with Project Designer Michelle Lecinski, they knew they chose the right company. “Michelle’s excellent work on the initial designs made it easy to proceed with Advance Design Studio,” Mike said. Like most homeowners anticipating a big renovation project, they had some healthy fears; with two bathrooms being remodeled at the same time they worried about timeframes and staying within budget. With the help of Michelle, and the “Common Sense” guidelines, they were confident that Advance Design would stay true, orchestrating all the moving parts to stay within both the estimated timeline and budget. The guest bath offered the biggest design challenge. A dormer obstruction made the already cramped shower awkward to access. Mike and Anne also wanted the shower size to be expanded, making it more accommodating. Working with Advance’s construction expert DJ Yurik, Michelle relocated the shower concealing the original dormer and creating a larger, more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing guest shower. The unsightly and not at all user-friendly closet was removed and replaced with elegant White Maple Dura Supreme cabinetry with much improved function featuring dual tall linen cabinets, a special makeup area and two sinks, providing a dual vanity which was extremely important for better guest use. The Fossil Brown quartz countertop is in pleasing contrast to the white cabinetry, and coordinates nicely with the mocha porcelain tile gracing the shower for an accent. The decorative glazed turquoise tile backsplash, tile border, and bottle niche adds a taste of marine green to the room, while marble-looking porcelain tile makes guests feel they are staying in a 5-star hotel. Polished nickel Kohler plumbing fixtures were chosen to add a touch of sophistication. This renovated guest bath is comfortable and elegant, and Anne and Mike’s house guests may never want to leave! “The end result was updated and restyled bathrooms that the client will enjoy and increase the value of their home,” Designer Michelle said. The children’s hall bath had its own set of challenges. The current placement of the sink was not conducive to the best use of the existing space, nor did it allow for any visual interest, something Advance’s designers always work to achieve even within the tight confines of a small bath. Advance removed the linen closet and used the gain in wall space to create a dramatic focal point on the vanity wall. They also took additional space that wasn’t being used for new Storm Gray Dura Supreme tall built-in linen cabinets, creating functional storage space that the former bath lacked. A customized glass splash panel was created for the bath, and the high ceilings with skylights were accented with a custom-made track lighting fixture featuring industrial pipe and cage materials. Authentic cement encaustic tile was used wall to wall surrounding the vanity to create a dramatic and interesting back drop for the new elegant and stately furniture-like double sink wall. Hand-made encaustic tile originated in Western Europe beginning in the 1850’s and reminded Mike and Anne of tile they had seen and loved from their travels overseas. Today, encaustic tile has made a re-appearance in today’s modern bath design with its wide array of appealing patterns and artistic use of color. Oil rubbed bronze Kohler fixtures echo the black accents in the beautiful tile pattern and reflect the matte black of the unique lighting detail. Easy to maintain Blanca Arabescato Quartz countertops add practicality and natural beauty and compliments the warm wood porcelain tile floors. This handsome bath has generated praise from friends and family even before it’s complete unveiling as photos of the space leaked out on social media! It’s not only completely functional to use, but especially pretty to look at. “Advance Design Studio did a terrific job for us. We really appreciated how easy it was to work with them on a complex project of the complete remodeling of two bathrooms. They very capably handled all the details from design, to project management, to construction. It is a great group of people to work with and we would welcome the opportunity to work with them again anytime,” Mike said.