ational Association of the Remodeling Industry Contractor of the Year (CoTY) Award Winning Design The new Marietta kitchen you see below is a far cry from the old, outdated and poorly designed kitchen that AK first saw. The homeowners complained that, among other issues, you could not open the oven and the refrigerator at the same time! The new kitchen boasts an incredible amount of customized storage, rich textures, colors a professional design plan that suited their unique lifestyle and acclaimed tile design.

Oh, the kitchen remodel, by far my most challenging project at #flipmagnolia and by far the one I am the proudest of. It’s true that small houses do come with small kitchens. However, the size of this kitchen was not really the problem here. As I stood in this old kitchen absolutely in awe, I just knew this was my biggest project yet. I was staring at rusted yellow cabinets, mixed countertops, a whimsical wallpaper border, and a big old washer right next to the stove. What? Click to see the before photos. This was a fun and rewarding project.

Oh, the kitchen remodel, by far my most challenging project at #flipmagnolia and by far the one I am the proudest of. It’s true that small houses do come with small kitchens. However, the size of this kitchen was not really the problem here. As I stood in this old kitchen absolutely in awe, I just knew this was my biggest project yet. I was staring at rusted yellow cabinets, mixed countertops, a whimsical wallpaper border, and a big old washer right next to the stove. What? Click to see the before photos. This was a fun and rewarding project.

Here's a luxurious bathroom remodel that incorporates a soaking tub, a custom glass shower, and his-and-hers white vanity cabinets: Step into Serenity: Imagine stepping into a spa-like retreat every morning. The walls are adorned with large, light-colored tiles that catch the morning sun, casting a warm glow throughout the space. Gleaming white his-and-hers vanity cabinets with sleek brushed nickel hardware line the far wall, offering ample storage for toiletries and towels. Bathroom spa retreat with white vanity cabinets Soaking Sanctuary: The centerpiece of the room is an inviting soaking tub nestled against the window. Crafted from a smooth, white composite material, the tub promises hours of relaxation and rejuvenation. Imagine sinking into the warm water, surrounded by candles and soft music, as you gaze out at the greenery outside. Shower Bliss: Adjacent to the tub sits a custom glass shower, its frameless design creating an illusion of spaciousness. His-and-Hers Haven: The his-and-hers vanity cabinets flank a large countertop made of a luxurious granite. Double sinks with modern faucets provide ample space for both partners to get ready in the morning rush. With careful planning and execution, you can create a bathroom that is both beautiful and functional, a space that is a true oasis of calm in your busy life. I hope this inspires you to create your own perfect bathroom retreat!

ational Association of the Remodeling Industry Contractor of the Year (CoTY) Award Winning Design The new Marietta kitchen you see below is a far cry from the old, outdated and poorly designed kitchen that AK first saw. The homeowners complained that, among other issues, you could not open the oven and the refrigerator at the same time! The new kitchen boasts an incredible amount of customized storage, rich textures, colors a professional design plan that suited their unique lifestyle and acclaimed tile design.

Curtis and Peggy had been thinking of a kitchen remodel for quite some time, but they knew their house would have a unique set of challenges. Their older Victorian house was built in 1891. The kitchen cabinetry was original, and they wanted to keep the authenticity of their period home while adding modern comforts that would improve their quality of life. A friend recommended Advance Design Studio for their exceptional experience and quality of work. After meeting with designer Michelle Lecinski at Advance Design, they were confident they could partner with Advance to accomplish the unique kitchen renovation they’d been talking about for years. “We wanted to do the kitchen for a long, long time,” Curtis said. “(We asked ourselves) what are we actually going to do? How are we going to do this? And who are we going to find to do exactly what we want?” The goal for the project was to keep the home renovation and new kitchen feeling authentic to the time in which it was built. They desperately wanted the modern comforts that come with a larger refrigerator and the dishwasher that they never had! The old home was also a bit drafty so adding a fireplace, wall insulation and new windows became a priority. They very much wanted to create a comfortable hearth room adjacent to the kitchen, complete with old world brick. The original cabinetry had to go to make way for beautiful new kitchen cabinetry that appears as if it was a hundred years old, but with all the benefits of cutting-edge storage, self-closing drawers, and a brand-new look. “We just wanted to keep it old looking, but with some modern updates,” Peggy said. Dura Supreme Highland Cabinets with a Heritage Old World Painted Finish replaced the original 1891 cabinets. The hand-applied careful rubbed-off detailing makes these exquisite cabinets look as if they came from a far-gone era. Despite the small size of the kitchen, Peggy, Curtis and Michelle utilized every inch with custom cabinet sizes to increase storage capacity. The custom cabinets allowed for the addition of a 24” Fisher Paykel dishwasher with a concealing Dura Supreme door panel. Michelle was also able to work into the new design a larger 30” Fisher Paykel French refrigerator. “We made every ¼ inch count in this small space,” designer Michelle said. “Having the ability to custom size the cabinetry was the only way to achieve this.” “The kitchen essentially was designed around the Heartland Vintage range and oven,” says Michelle. A classic appliance that combines nostalgic beauty and craftsmanship for modern cooking, with nickel plated trim and elegantly shaped handles and legs; the not to miss range is a striking focal point of the entire room and an engaging conversation piece. Granite countertops in Kodiak Satin with subtle veining kept with the old-world style. The delicate porcelain La Vie Crackle Sonoma tile kitchen backsplash compliments the home’s style perfectly. A handcrafted passthrough designed to show off Peggy’s fine china was custom built by project carpenters Justin Davis and Jeff Dallain to physically and visually open the space. Additional storage was created in the custom panty room with Latte Edinburg cabinets, hand-made weathered wood shelving with authentic black iron brackets, and an intricate tin copper ceiling. Peggy and Curtis loved the idea of adding a Vermont stove to make the hearth-room not only functional, but a truly beckoning place to be. A stunning Bordeaux red Vermont Castings Stove with crisp black ventilation was chosen and combined with the authentic reclaimed Chicago brick wall. Advance’s talented carpenters custom-built elegant weathered shelves to house family memorabilia, installed carefully chosen barn sconces, and made the hearth room an inviting place to relax with a cup of coffee and a good book. “Peggy and Curtis’ project was so much fun to work on. Creating a space that looks and feels like it always belonged in this beautiful old Victorian home is a designer’s dream. To see the delight in their faces when they saw the design details coming together truly made it worth the time and effort that went into making the very compact kitchen space work”, said Michelle. “The result is an amazing custom kitchen, packed with functionality in every inch, nook and cranny!” exclaims Michelle. The renovation didn’t end with the kitchen. New Pella windows were added to help lessen the drafts. The removal of the original windows and trim necessitated the re-creation of hand-made corbels and trim details no longer available today. The talented carpenter team came to the rescue, crafting new pieces and masterfully finishing them as if they were always there. New custom gutters were formed and installed with a front entry rework necessary to accommodate the changes. The whole house functions better, but it still feels like the original 1891 home. “From start to finish it’s just a much better space than we used to have,” Peggy said. “Jeff and Justin were amazing.” Curtis added; “We were lucky to find Advance Design, because they really came through for us. I loved that they had everything in house, anything you needed to have done, they could do it”.

This two-toned kitchen was designed by Paula Greer, CKD of Bilotta Kitchens with Robin Zahn of Robin Prince Zahn Architecture. The u-shaped space has perimeter cabinets in Bilotta’s own line, the Bilotta Collection in a custom gray paint. The island is Wood-Mode Cabinetry in cherry with a stain. Countertops are Caesarstone’s London Grey with a built-in walnut cutting board on one corner of the island from Brooks Custom. The custom Madison Hood by Rangecraft is in a Dark Antique Steel finish and extends up accentuating the high ceiling above the cooking triangle. Two of the most interesting elements of this space are the banquette area and the coffered ceilings. By far, the most frequent installation of banquettes is tucking them into a corner of the room, regardless of how much seating is available at the island. In this kitchen, the island provides enough space for four to five stools. But because the space is separated from the rest of the house, the client wanted to ensure there was sufficient seating for their frequent entertaining. Also, the house is situated in a secluded wooded area; the new kitchen includes an abundance of unobstructed windows to fully experience the beautiful outdoor surroundings. The corner banquette (under more windows!) makes it feel like you’re dining in the trees. The bonus feature is that there’s extra storage below for table linens or seldom-used serving pieces. This really functions like a couch, complete with throw pillows and a TV, where the empty-nesters love spending time even when it isn’t mealtime. As for the ceiling, coffers don’t necessarily have to be large and intricately detailed with layers of moldings in order to be effective. This kitchen features two different ceiling heights: a small section of an addition contains a vaulted ceiling, while the larger island and eating area are tucked under a 2nd floor balcony and bedrooms. The client wanted to distinguish the lower area from the vaulted section, but in a subtle manner. The architect chose to implement shallow coffers with minimal trim for a softer result. The geometric pattern also reflects the floor tile and other lines within the room. The most interesting aspect, though, is that the vaulted area is actually concealed from view when you’re standing in the breakfast area; but as you approach the sink and window, the ceiling explodes above you for a visual surprise. And lastly, of course during this time of “work from home” the desk tucked in a nook opposite the banquette creates the perfect space for Zoom meetings, email checking and just the day-to-day activities we used to go into the office to do. The kitchen is an all-around perfect space for cooking, entertaining, relaxing or working! Bilotta Designer: Paula Greer Photographer: Philip Jensen-Carter Architect: Robin Prince Zahn Architecture

ational Association of the Remodeling Industry Contractor of the Year (CoTY) Award Winning Design The new Marietta kitchen you see below is a far cry from the old, outdated and poorly designed kitchen that AK first saw. The homeowners complained that, among other issues, you could not open the oven and the refrigerator at the same time! The new kitchen boasts an incredible amount of customized storage, rich textures, colors a professional design plan that suited their unique lifestyle and acclaimed tile design.

THE DOOR NAME ORIGIN - "ALLUMINIO ELIVIA VERTICAL WOOD GRAIN 4HS" Of all the interior door models in the Elivia collection, this one is perhaps the most unapologetically elegant. Why? Hmm … That which is self-evident can be the most difficult to explain. Is it because it is built using the latest breakthroughs in interior door making technology? Look at the finish: the process of applying it utilizes something called “stretching” by professionals, which is to say that instead of simply slapping the finish on top of the interior door’s surface, our company fuses (for lack of a better word) the materials (on molecular level, no less), the result being that the finished product is more warp-resistant, scratch-resistant, and fade-proof than any interior door put together in the past. This is especially important in climates known for their high humidity levels. Yes, but this has more to do with engineering than aesthetics, right? Okay, so, is this interior door super-elegant because ... Show more! FINISH: WALNUT When it comes to interior door finishes, walnut may not be king per se, since “different folk have different views,” as the poet said, and it behooves a proper collection of finishes to be thoroughly democratic; but, but … you could view walnut as an important majority leader descended from royalty – like, say, Louis Napoleon back when he was still an elected official and not, as he eventually came to style himself, Napoleon III. Strictly speaking, a walnut is the seed of a drupaceous nut, and not a true nut in the botanical sense. It is native to Persia (walnut oil is a staple in Iranian cuisine to this day) and North America, even though approximately one half of the world’s production today is done in China. That said, one of its more historically curious uses would be the production of ink and dyes. Those are made, or used to be made, at least, from the husk surrounding the nut. The ink could be used to produce drawings – or darken paper to make it look older. It has (as it turned out by the by) excellent archival properties. It was used liberally by many capable and honest artists in the past. A keen observer of the human condition, a Florentine named Leonardo da Vinci never left his house (which featured some pretty interesting interior doors, but that’s a story for another day) … never left it without a vial – and a sketch book. As he took leisurely strolls around the streets and piazzas, he observed folks – socializing, arguing, fighting, striking bargains, and gossiping. Let us mention in passing – and this is merely an opinion, mind you – that his sketches seem to be a great deal livelier than his portraits, which for the most part adhere to the epoch’s somewhat mawkish standards and the algebraic, rather than harmonious, approach to depicting humans. The perpetual beguiling mystery of Mona Lisa’s smile is undoubtedly magnificent, but it is the Tuscan polymath’s quick yet amazingly insightful drawings that give us an idea – oftentimes a very comprehensive one – of what everyday life was truly like in Florence in the Sixteenth Century. An old man gloating at someone’s misfortune, two passionate merchants arguing over the price of some highly important delivery, a young woman lamenting the lack of decent men whom a reasonable person could view as husband material, and on and on – it’s all there in Leonardo’s sketches characterized by masterful lines and elegant shading despite the obvious – and necessary – impetuosity of each sketch. So precious and brilliant are those casual masterpieces that, had the scientifically inclined fellow eliminated the need for outdoor sketching by inventing photography, it would have been an historian’s immeasurable gain, certainly, but also an art lover’s great loss. The idea behind our Walnut Finish is to invoke in the interior door owner a feeling of timeless historicity. Some things change, but others are forever. Stability is an important quality in an interior door, is it not? Rembrandt van Rijn, who also used walnut ink extensively, was a studio artist, with only a few outdoor paintings in his legacy. Truth be told, he was a better draftsman than Leonardo, at least as far as technique goes (don’t let this get around). Well. He lived a century later and had the benefit of all the development art had undergone since the great Italian master. Just like these interior doors – your interior doors – are a huge improvement on anything that was available only twenty years ago, never mind a hundred years ago. The “oscillation” of Rembrandt’s line, the delightful shift from the descriptive to the aesthetic stroke, makes his production in that category quite unique. Upon reaching artistic maturity, the stubborn Dutch master began to shun the unbroken contour line, which caused a lot of trouble for his drawings a century later, when dealers and collectors who wished to “update” his sketches to fit the current fashion had the audacity to “complete” Rembrandt’s pen-and-inks. Fortunately, some of the sketches escaped this sorry fate and have been preserved in their original glorious state to this day. Rembrandt’s mastery is yet another thing this interior door finish might remind you of each time you look at your doors.

There is a skilful use of precious woods, glass and stone in all areas of the residence, not just in the “Social Hall“, the name Joao Armentano uses to denote hall and staircase. The discreet exit leads to the spa areas. The picture to the right shows the spacious dining room not far from the “main kitchen“. Like the entire building, the room is characterised by a cool elegance and bears all the marks of the architect.

A contemporary bathroom just off the Modern Home Gym is converted into a home sauna. The one piece pedestal sink and wall mounted faucet stand next to a far infrared sauna that took the place of a shower.

Oh, the kitchen remodel, by far my most challenging project at #flipmagnolia and by far the one I am the proudest of. It’s true that small houses do come with small kitchens. However, the size of this kitchen was not really the problem here. As I stood in this old kitchen absolutely in awe, I just knew this was my biggest project yet. I was staring at rusted yellow cabinets, mixed countertops, a whimsical wallpaper border, and a big old washer right next to the stove. What? Click to see the before photos. This was a fun and rewarding project.

2013 Sunset Magazine Idea Home in Seabrook WA, featuring ASC Building Products' beautiful metal standing seam Skyline Roofing. Photo Credit Sunset Magazine.