Scott and Janet of Elgin have had four design to build renovations with Advance Design over the last decade. We got the chance to sit down and talk with Janet about her experience working with Advance Design on so many different areas of her home. Starting with her kitchen in 2009, Janet proclaimed, “The reason we kept coming back is because our first [renovation] went so extremely well, exceeding all of my expectations.” Since their kitchen renovation with Advance Design ten years ago, Scott and Janet have also worked with Advance to remodel their master bedroom, their power room, a wet bar, and most recently their master bath. Having renovated practically every major room in the house with the team, we asked Janet what made her experience with Advance Design so special. “We went with Advance Design because we trusted them so much more, their experience, and everything that they brought. We were confident they were giving us what we wanted for the money we were spending.” For their most recent renovation, Scott and Janet clearly knew what to expect going into their master bath renovation. They were familiar with Advance’s step by step design process that epitomizes the “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy applied in every project Advance creates. After once again experiencing the careful budgeting analysis, the pointed design meetings, and the clear documentation that leads up the a thoroughly managed installation, Janet’s simple summary of their experience is this; “The word I would use to describe the process is – collaboration!” Working closely with Advance Design kitchen designer Michelle Lecinski, together they were able to develop a new master bath design that not only worked with their investment goal, but also made sense for their lifestyle. “Oh Michelle, my designer! I connected with her immediately. She spent time getting to know us, our lifestyle, even the setting of our house.” The threesome had a great experience designing and producing yet another successful project together. When it came to their new project plans, Scott and Janet were interested in creating a relaxing “spa-like” experience in their master bath. One of the many ideas Michelle introduced during the design process was installing a Kohler Alteo series showerhead for a rain-like shower experience. This designer showerhead, mixed with the warm ambiance of the lighting and pebble accent running throughout the shower make for what Janet calls a “luxury spa essence”. From the oversized glass sliding door to the recessed niche for accessories, each special detail was considered and implemented intentionally so as to create the maximumly optimized use of the compact space. Not only was this transformation one of beauty and luxury, but special attention was given to every way possible to provide additional storage to maximize the functionality of the bath area as a whole. Once design was complete and the bath construction project began in their home, making sure everything happened efficiently and on schedule became new priority number one. “Having a project manager made an enormous difference,” Janet said, “It was so worth it to hire professionals that knew exactly what they were doing. Even after all of these years, I wouldn’t change a thing.” “It was a pleasure working together with Janet and Scott to create this beautiful space that will enhance their lives for many years,” says Michelle. “It is so much fun to get to do this job every day, I love that I can have this sort of impact on their lives by doing something for them [Janet & Scott] that comes so naturally to me!” After reviewing the long-term relationship with clients like Scott and Janet, owner Todd Jurs had this to say, “Clients returning and asking us to transform that next area of their home really warms my heart. It reaffirms that every decision to please clients no matter what is always the right choice, and that our honesty and integrity along with the immense collective talent of this team is recognized and appreciated by those who continue to return to us year after year.” He continued to say, “I always say how blessed we truly are to be able to do what we do, and experiences like this one put a smile on my face every time.”

Living beyond the walls of your home turned out to be quite fabulous for this Avon, Connecticut family thanks to the artistic envision of Michael Gotowala and his Preferred Properties crew. Outdoor Living designer and master builder of outdoor kitchens Michael Gotowala founder of THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE by PREFERRED PROPERTIES reveals to us the insight of multi level outdoor living beyond the walls of your home outdoors. The secret to success for this trendy outdoor living lifestyle is to understand the family members lifestyle indoors and portray that familiar lifestyle outdoors. This equates to endless hours of quality time spent outdoors. Gotowala's artistic display of outdoor living fabulously can be for entertaining large catered gatherings or intimate outdoor kitchens for fun with family and friends. The Difference in Outdoor Living and Living outdoors fabulously begins with a fabulous design and ends with meticulous workmanship. For more outdoor kitchen inspiration see our website where Great Outdoor kitchen ideas begin. THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGN STORE at www.OUTDOORKITCHENDESIGNER.com

Inspiration for a modern bathroom remodel in Milwaukee

CALDWELL, NJ Award Winner Alert! This beauty in Caldwell, NJ was a national award winner last year! The KnotWood columns clearly steal the show. From the ground, up through the deck and then through the Equinox Louvered Roof, the posts of the deck went from just a necessity to an architectural design element. Using Knotwood on the columns and kitchen provides a warm element, in contrast with the cool pallet of the decking. The use of Quartz on the caps and countertop was an unexpected and stunning element. Ultra-modern cable rails make this space feel less like a deck and more like a luxurious room. Additionally, the custom concrete fireplace is a striking focal point, keeping with the modern lines with a cozy feel. The steel frame, haven underdeck and the clear spanning with just 4 columns is like being at a resort. This space is completed with a NatureKast galley kitchen, covered with an Equinox louvered roof to keep the showers away while grilling. Not familiar with the Equinox Louvered Roof System? Think pergola on steroids! Open or close it with just the touch of a button – it’s that simple. And Deck Remodelers is the exclusive dealer of Equinox Louvered Roofs in NY, NJ and CT. Call today to be our next award winner! Serving most of NJ, Westchester and Rockland Counties in NY, and lower Fairfield County in CT, we’ve got you covered! If you are looking for a modern, traditional or transitional deck builder, call the experts at Deck Remodelers! 973.729.2125

The homeowners love to entertain, and they wanted an open and airy space for doing so. Key elements of this transitional design brought this dream space to life for these homeowners. The fire lounge area at mid-level steals the show in this space – with stadium seating around the fire feature, there is plenty of room for those large gatherings, yet the area still feels cozy and inviting. Having no rails at all was key to the design. It gave the entire outdoor space that open and airy feel the homeowner’s wanted. Notice how the space was brilliantly designed to echo the shape of the house. This space is completed with a NatureKast galley kitchen, covered with an Equinox louvered roof to keep the showers away while grilling. Not familiar with the Equinox Louvered Roof System? Think pergola on steroids! Open or close it with just the touch of a button – it’s that simple. And Deck Remodelers is the exclusive dealer of Equinox Louvered Roofs in NY, NJ and CT. Call today to inquire about your own Party Central! Serving most of NJ, Westchester and Rockland Counties in NY, and lower Fairfield County in CT, we’ve got you covered! If you are looking for a modern, traditional or transitional deck builder, call the experts at Deck Remodelers! 973.729.2125973.729.2125

Out with the Old and in with the New In the first three pictures you will see the old kitchen. Old cabinets, old appliances, old sink, old wallpaper, old floor. You get the picture. It’s old. So, an update is in order. First, the clients chose to have their “still good cabinets” to be refaced. They chose a creamy white and the doors and drawers were replaced. If you aren’t familiar with refacing, the other wood on the cabinet is covered with a thin veneer making the entire cabinet look new. Countertops – Not wanting granite with its swirls and shiny surface, the clients opted for quartz. At the time of this renovation, quartz was a rather new concept. The quartz pattern is Sonora Gold which is in the textured category of Silestone. They wanted a warm inviting kitchen and the tan/orange undertone fit the bill. Next, Sink – Of course, as almost everyone who renovates their kitchen, they wanted an undermount sink. They chose a double granite undermount sink with an oil rubbed faucet set to go along with the drawer pulls and black trim in the kitchen. After that, flooring was installed. This is a vinyl that looks like stone. Not wanting the cold feel of stone and the hardness on the ol’ knees, this was a good choice. The vinyl picked up the colors of the countertops and paint along with a few flecks of black. Good choice! A custom made island was installed. This has a black base and the quartz countertop. When this was made, the installer said no, an island will not fit in this kitchen. You need the cabinets to open with 3’ clearance. I measured and put down paper in the shape of the island to simulate where the island would be. It fit nicely and as you can see, added not only storage but another surface on which to work. Appliances were added and the client wanted top of the line so GE Profile with its good reviews and quality, were installed. We went with white to contrast the white cabinets but overall give the kitchen a brighter feel. The paint chosen is Sienna Sand on top which blended well with the countertops as both have orange undertones and played nicely together. The bottom half of the oak chair rail was painted Pencil Point black to go with the island and faucets and drawer pulls. The finished look is an unexpected kitchen with warmth and comfort along with plenty of storage and working areas. The clients were very happy with the finished project. Out with the old and in with the new!

Photo: Angela Flournoy © 2017 Houzz
Example of a bedroom design in Dallas

Example of a minimalist home design design in Mexico City

Tower Creek Construction
Inspiration for a small contemporary look-out carpeted basement remodel in Baltimore with gray walls

The design philosophy for this project rests on the belief that memory is an essential part of landscape experience. Instead of recreating the Rain tree in a literal form, the design interprets the sensations it once offered. The shifting light, the sound of leaves, the comfort of shade and the smell of earth. These elements form a quiet yet powerful form of heritage that often goes unrecognised in redevelopment. By carrying these sensations into the new landscape, the project creates continuity within change. It shows how design can hold onto the emotional identity of a place and offer familiarity to residents returning to a transformed site. This approach suggests a way of thinking about urban growth where memory and development do not stand in opposition but work together.

Once again, Tyler Homes has put its distinctive touch on a familiar architectural design, this time a prairie home interpreted for the 21st century. The main level offers a central great room with 12-foot beamed ceiling and a study with sliding barn doors. In the kitchen, commercial grade appliances and a hidden walk-in pantry offer modern convenience. A master suite with luxurious amenities, including a walk-in shower and separate tub, offers a private retreat with separate access to the covered patio as well as the laundry room. On the second floor, you’ll find two bedrooms with a Jack-and-Jill bath; a third bedroom with private bath and loft access; and a raised loft with views of the back yard. The home’s walkout lower level continues the prairie styling but with the best features of contemporary living. A sunken family room with bar, a game room, and a fifth bedroom/exercise room provide plenty of space for relaxing and entertaining. Tyler Homes has even included a dog room with its own little entrance. Wood ceiling beams and unique architectural accents throughout the home enhance the prairie design

The Retro Collection represents today’s sense of timeless style. The Shaker lines are familiar, yet updated with a smooth contemporary attitude. This is not your Grandfather’s Shaker cabinet. Choose the serenity of Whisper Grey finish, Matte White, soft Cashmere, or the warmth of Walnut woodgrain, all protected by layers of polyurethane for strength and durability. This Collection offers great storage and functionality with spacious deep drawers complete with soft-closing, 18” full-extension European hardware and polished chrome or brushed nickel pulls. Available with nine countertop options including X-Stone™ Solid Surface, Quartzstone™ and a pristine two-color glass top with ceramic bowls, the Retro Collection is today’s classic.

Situated along the perimeter of the property, this unique home creates a continuous street wall, both preserving plenty of open yard space and maintaining privacy from the prominent street corner. A one-story mudroom connects the garage to the house at the rear of the lot which required a local zoning variance. The resulting L-shaped plan and the central location of a glass-enclosed stair allow natural light to enter the home from multiple sides of nearly every room. The Arts & Crafts inspired detailing creates a familiar yet unique facade that is sympathetic to the character and scale of the neighborhood. A chevron pattern is a key design element on the window bays and doors and continues inside throughout the interior of the home. 2022 NAHB Platinum Best in American Living Award View more of this home through #BBAModernCraftsman on Instagram.

This Spanish Revival takes its place among the graceful and genteel tradition of Santa Barbara architecture. Located in a secreted area of Montecito, the house is tucked amidst a wooded glen along a riparian creek bed. Carefully sited at the top of a rolling green, the building provides a strong form in the natural landscape. With its reference to historical precedent, the house is both undeniably familiar and tangibly rich. Site sensitivity and pure spatial relationships combine in new ways, showing that what’s old can be new again. An entry courtyard concealed behind a pair of wooden doors of Moorish design begins the entry sequence. The courtyard, wrapped around an existing mature oak tree, creates an outdoor room, which establishes an interplay between interior and exterior spaces, a theme that recurs throughout the house. An exercise in scale and proportion, the 5,000-square-foot residence is imbued with classic detail and richness found in the Spanish Colonial architecture characteristic of George Washington Smith and others. Interior spaces are created through pure and varied geometric volumes, and are elaborated by opened beamed ceilings, groin vaults and Moorish arches.

Crooked, designed by Alberto Sala, is an amusing cuckoo clock of unconventional style with crooked and uneven shapes that intensify its impactful design. The recurrence of uneven shapes and cheerful colours skilfully mixed by the designer and applied from the base to the roof of the cuckoo 'house', make it unique. The round pendulum which is also coloured, is the only shape we are familiar with. It appears almost unnaturally at the tilted base of the clock highlighting its dissymmetrical shape. The clock is made of wood and is varnished with nontoxic paint. It is available in four versions: the first two are orange and red or green and navy, the third and fourth have a wooden element and are made in pale wood with blue and navy details or dark wood with red and green details. It features a quartz mechanism, battery run, with an intelligent sensor that automatically turns off the cuckoo sound in the absence of light.

This beloved seaside home received a thoughtful, multi-phase expansion designed around one simple goal: more room for family. The project included a new attached 2-car garage with a finished suite above — featuring a kitchenette and in-unit laundry — plus a structural addition to the right side of the home that opened up the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Exterior decks were updated with modern materials, the landscaping was reimagined from the ground up, and the entire interior was remodeled and refreshed. The result is a home that feels both brand new and deeply familiar.

The Motus kitchen and living, designed by Vittore Niolu, brings together function and entertainment, privacy and familiarity.The idea of kitchen and living room evolves in total creative liberty. A brand new proposal that allows an infinite number of configurations: surprising not only in its unusual lines but also in its essential and elegant design with details that reveal a new identity of the environment we work and live in today.

You can admire the Autumn Sage and Red Yucca decorating the slope down to the canyon in the morning while drinking a cup of coffee.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary backyard concrete patio remodel in San Diego with a roof extension

When Blues music legend and fourth generation builder, Albert Cummings and his interior designer wife, Christina decided to build their forever home in the Berkshire Mountains, they knew they wanted Wood-Mode cabinetry throughout. After specifying Wood-Mode in many of their customers’ homes, the Cummings collaborated with Wood-Mode dealer Vonnie Marcyoniak of Kitchens & Baths by Herzenberg to translate their vision into ideal spaces within their own build. The “House That Blues Built” features spaces inspired by the homeowners’ vision and unique background. The Cummings put enormous thought into every space of their home, spending years collecting the design ideas they would eventually incorporate. It is Wood-Mode’s craftmanship they were familiar with and wanted the “feel” of their cabinetry – a quality that they know will last a lifetime – and the finishing touches inside each drawer and behind every cabinet. Starting in the kitchen where Christina gave a lot of thought to how the space would be used, pulling inspiration from a range hood, and incorporating furniture details such as the Vintage Navy Blue island that would become the focal point of the room. Taking advantage of the kitchen’s 10 foot ceilings, upper glass front cabinets were designed to safely store yet publicly showcase heirloom cookie jars. Professional-grade appliances were selected, such as an integrated coffee machine, not only for appearance but because of Christina’s love for cooking and entertaining. Christina shared that her favorite room in the house is the pantry, which is open and visible to the kitchen. Fitted with floor to ceiling cabinets in the same Vintage Navy Blue as the island, the space includes floating walnut shelves and a farmhouse sink with a mountaintop view. The most innovative space of the home can be found on the lower floor in the guitar bar. Designed for acoustic perfection, the space includes a full-size bar where friends and family can gather to enjoy nights of music. To create the look and feel of a New Orleans Blues Bar, the Cummings’ chose Plain Sawn American Oak, which provides an interesting texture, and then finished it in an Ebony stain. Designed by Vonnie Marcyoniak Kitchens & Baths by Herzenberg