A classic West Side loft in Hell’s Kitchen, Gallery’s main task was to renovate the large kitchen. The clients like to entertain, so in addition to remodeling the aesthetic, we expanded the footprint of the island and built an entirely new bar at the opposite end of the kitchen. Some design choices are a natural fit for the space. In this case, that meant leaning into the industrial vibe of the exposed concrete while bringing in some character with the material choices. INDUSTRIAL CHIC With an industrial aesthetic in mind, gray was a natural color choice for the fully custom Miralis cabinets. The backsplash was designed in a subway brick pattern, but rather than the typical porcelain or marble, a clay tile in a white matte tone resembling cement was chosen to further coordinate with the exposed concrete. Stacked cabinets were installed to accommodate the tall loft ceilings. For contrast, we incorporated glass front cabinetry with lighting in some areas. The resulting marriage of concrete, glass, and wood is well-matched for an industrial chic loft kitchen. Further highlighting the homeowners’ love of entertaining, we also built an entirely custom bar at one end of the space, featuring open shelving in contrasting wood tones with underlighting and a custom mirrored backsplash for an authentic bar feel. ADVENTURES IN APPROACHING COLUMNS Loft renovations tend to come with two common needs: how to fill all that space tastefully and how to work with those ever present columns. In the case of this loft kitchen renovation, it suited the industrial aesthetic not to wrap the concrete column as one typically would, but rather to leave it exposed, accentuating the raw character of the space. Partially as a result, the island expanded too, creating more room for functional additions such as a built-in microwave, wine fridge, and more open shelving to match the bar, outlined with a countertop overhang to optimize counter space and chair storage. ANCHORED IN SYMMETRY With a loft space as unusually large as this one, an ideal design strategy, especially when high ceilings are involved, is to anchor the kitchen on opposing sides. Here, one side is anchored by a large floor-to-ceiling pantry, while the other is anchored by the counter-depth fridge with cabinetry above. The connecting element is the counter space in the middle, resulting in the visual impact of a long kitchen run within the open floor plan of a loft. SOME HIGHLIGHTS - Entirely custom-built bar with custom mirrored backsplash templated specifically for this project - Large, oversized island with seating all around, open shelving, and built-in microwave - Subway backsplash tiles in clay rather than porcelain or marble - Olympian white marble countertops Considering a kitchen loft renovation in New York? Our expertise is in renovating all kinds of New York Spaces, from gut renovations of historic landmark buildings like brownstones and townhomes to kitchens and bathrooms in lofts and other apartments in managed buildings. Contact us to find out if our full-scale design-and-build approach is right for your project.

All Weather Architectural Aluminum was featured in the “Friends and Family” episode of HGTV’s new series Revealed. Designer Veronica Valencia’s best friend wants to update their home to be able to entertain and celebrate their family legacies. Veronica helps transform the space by adding a brand new kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, office and expands the home to a forever house by adding an additional 500 square feet. All Weather Series 6000 windows brighten the entire home. Series 7000 French Swing doors were featured in the Master Bedroom and Office. Series 8150 Sliding doors connect the the living room to the backyard patio and pool for a seamless transitions to enhance the indoor outdoor lifestyle. Designer and mom of two, Veronica and her expert team consisting of design guru Tommy Rouse, master builder David Bohler and talented artist Joshua Smith meet with their clients to learn about their family background and meaningful moments from their past. This inspiration allows Veronica to transform the home, creating beautiful and modern spaces that honor the family’s cultural heritage. Veronica Valencia worked behind the scenes as a design expert on more than 500 home makeover shows. Now she stars in Revealed, HGTV’s new family heritage centered show.

Our client sought to modernize their classic 1970s home while preserving its original charm. This full-home renovation prioritized openness and functionality. We transformed the kitchen into a bright, welcoming space, leveled the sunken living room to expand the living area, and designed seamless indoor-outdoor connections to showcase breathtaking south-west facing golf course & ocean views. The result? A beautifully updated home that harmonizes mid-century character with contemporary comfort. The architecture was fun to work with, featuring dramatic roof pitches, a striking two-story double-sided fireplace, and thoughtfully designed room-to-room connections. Strategic wall cutouts and varying floor levels added interest and character, making this home a truly unique and dynamic space. The kitchen connects to the exterior, dining room, and living room, and features a peninsula and a cozy morning nook for gathering. Thoughtful flow was essential for this busy space, creating distinct yet harmonious spaces to enjoy throughout the home. Texture was thoughtfully incorporated using natural materials, including quartzite with cloud-like movement, woven light fixtures, and high-variation ceramic tile. The oak flooring, rich with knots and striking grain patterns, adds warmth and character to the space.

In the trails located in the heart of Westlake Village, a homeowner embarked on a transformative journey. Feeling the urge to expand, refresh, and breathe new life into their space, they envisioned more than just additional square footage; they dreamed of a home capable of hosting their large family and grandchildren, becoming the backdrop for countless cherished memories. Understanding our client’s vision, our team set out to create an open, inviting space bathed in natural light. We aimed to seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living while radiating warmth and brightness throughout the home. This commitment to our client’s dream guided us as we transformed every corner of the house. The transformation began with a significant addition to the back of the house. We knocked down walls, relocated the stairs, and reconfigured the floorplan to enhance flow and functionality. To further enhance the connection with the outdoors, we replaced traditional French doors with a stunning LaCantina door. This change not only expanded the view but also invited the beauty of the outdoors into the heart of the home. Turning our attention to the dated red brick that adorned the home’s facade, we applied a mortar overlay with creativity and skill. This transformed the tired brick into a fresh, unique feature that set the tone for the entire remodel. Our dedication to detail extended to every inch of the home, with custom finishes and upgrades in the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces. Each detail was carefully chosen and executed to reflect our client’s taste and elevate their living experience. Understanding our client’s desires for outdoor gatherings, we added two patios—one roofed and one louvered—complete with an outdoor fireplace, lounging, and dining areas. We also built a new pool and added an outdoor BBQ island, creating inviting retreats perfect for family gatherings, relaxation, and making new memories. As the project neared completion, our client’s dream home stood transformed—a bright, open sanctuary perfectly tailored to their family’s needs and desires. While we provided the expertise, guidance, and craftsmanship, it was our client’s vision, passion, and trust that made it all possible. In the end, this project was about more than just remodeling a house; it was about crafting a home where love, laughter, and memories could flourish for years to come. Photographer: Andrew Orozco

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Belleville Coastal in Hilton Head, South Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with coastal charm. Spanning a generous 3,182 square feet, this two-story custom house plan is masterfully engineered for premium multigenerational living or hosting extended guests, showcasing an open great room that serves as the home's central gathering hub. A standout feature of the main level is the primary owner’s retreat, a true private sanctuary complete with a deluxe primary bath, an expansive walk-in closet, and a dedicated flex space. This versatile front room has been masterfully converted into a custom home fitness room and exercise studio, making daily workouts completely effortless. Providing ultimate flexible living, the main floor also includes a second junior suite or secondary main-level guest suite ideal for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful architecture continues across the second story and beyond. Overlooking the open great room below is a bright, 14' x 11' second-story loft that serves as a flexible upstairs lounge or children's play space. The upper level also accommodates the additional secondary bedrooms, which are intelligently arranged to share a functional Jack-and-Jill bath alongside one private en-suite bathroom. Expanding the estate's footprint, the property features a detached garage with a converted bonus room studio above. This fully private detached living space functions as an independent guest apartment or premium home office, complete with its own full bathroom and dedicated workspace to offer the ultimate retreat for long-term visitors.

Spanning 3,250 square feet, this elegant one-story floor plan by Schumacher Homes features a thoughtfully designed layout paired with a desirable courtyard-style garage. At the heart of the main level, culinary enthusiasts will love the main kitchen paired with a dedicated messy kitchen for prep and storage. For outdoor living, a covered rear porch offers the ideal setting for entertaining, while the primary owner's bath serves as a luxurious retreat complete with a freestanding tub and a beautifully tiled shower. The living space expands further into a finished basement, featuring a family room for extra recreational space, an expansive home gym built for heavy strength training or morning yoga, and a custom glass-enclosed wine room highlighted by a rustic brick accent wall, dark cabinetry, and integrated LED lighting. A quiet, secluded bonus room with its own full bathroom serves as the perfect private home office. Balancing high-end architectural details with everyday functionality, this comprehensive custom floor plan by Schumacher Homes creates a welcoming and versatile home environment.

In the trails located in the heart of Westlake Village, a homeowner embarked on a transformative journey. Feeling the urge to expand, refresh, and breathe new life into their space, they envisioned more than just additional square footage; they dreamed of a home capable of hosting their large family and grandchildren, becoming the backdrop for countless cherished memories. Understanding our client’s vision, our team set out to create an open, inviting space bathed in natural light. We aimed to seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living while radiating warmth and brightness throughout the home. This commitment to our client’s dream guided us as we transformed every corner of the house. The transformation began with a significant addition to the back of the house. We knocked down walls, relocated the stairs, and reconfigured the floorplan to enhance flow and functionality. To further enhance the connection with the outdoors, we replaced traditional French doors with a stunning LaCantina door. This change not only expanded the view but also invited the beauty of the outdoors into the heart of the home. Turning our attention to the dated red brick that adorned the home’s facade, we applied a mortar overlay with creativity and skill. This transformed the tired brick into a fresh, unique feature that set the tone for the entire remodel. Our dedication to detail extended to every inch of the home, with custom finishes and upgrades in the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces. Each detail was carefully chosen and executed to reflect our client’s taste and elevate their living experience. Understanding our client’s desires for outdoor gatherings, we added two patios—one roofed and one louvered—complete with an outdoor fireplace, lounging, and dining areas. We also built a new pool and added an outdoor BBQ island, creating inviting retreats perfect for family gatherings, relaxation, and making new memories. As the project neared completion, our client’s dream home stood transformed—a bright, open sanctuary perfectly tailored to their family’s needs and desires. While we provided the expertise, guidance, and craftsmanship, it was our client’s vision, passion, and trust that made it all possible. In the end, this project was about more than just remodeling a house; it was about crafting a home where love, laughter, and memories could flourish for years to come. Photographer: Andrew Orozco

Spanning 3,250 square feet, this elegant one-story floor plan by Schumacher Homes features a thoughtfully designed layout paired with a desirable courtyard-style garage. At the heart of the main level, culinary enthusiasts will love the main kitchen paired with a dedicated messy kitchen for prep and storage. For outdoor living, a covered rear porch offers the ideal setting for entertaining, while the primary owner's bath serves as a luxurious retreat complete with a freestanding tub and a beautifully tiled shower. The living space expands further into a finished basement, featuring a family room for extra recreational space, an expansive home gym built for heavy strength training or morning yoga, and a custom glass-enclosed wine room highlighted by a rustic brick accent wall, dark cabinetry, and integrated LED lighting. A quiet, secluded bonus room with its own full bathroom serves as the perfect private home office. Balancing high-end architectural details with everyday functionality, this comprehensive custom floor plan by Schumacher Homes creates a welcoming and versatile home environment.

Built by Schumacher Homes, America's Largest Custom Home Builder, this stunning Belleville Coastal in Hilton Head, South Carolina, effortlessly balances classic architectural details with coastal charm. Spanning a generous 3,182 square feet, this two-story custom house plan is masterfully engineered for premium multigenerational living or hosting extended guests, showcasing an open great room that serves as the home's central gathering hub. A standout feature of the main level is the primary owner’s retreat, a true private sanctuary complete with a deluxe primary bath, an expansive walk-in closet, and a dedicated flex space. This versatile front room has been masterfully converted into a custom home fitness room and exercise studio, making daily workouts completely effortless. Providing ultimate flexible living, the main floor also includes a second junior suite or secondary main-level guest suite ideal for out-of-town visitors. The thoughtful architecture continues across the second story and beyond. Overlooking the open great room below is a bright, 14' x 11' second-story loft that serves as a flexible upstairs lounge or children's play space. The upper level also accommodates the additional secondary bedrooms, which are intelligently arranged to share a functional Jack-and-Jill bath alongside one private en-suite bathroom. Expanding the estate's footprint, the property features a detached garage with a converted bonus room studio above. This fully private detached living space functions as an independent guest apartment or premium home office, complete with its own full bathroom and dedicated workspace to offer the ultimate retreat for long-term visitors.

All Weather Architectural Aluminum was featured in the “Friends and Family” episode of HGTV’s new series Revealed. Designer Veronica Valencia’s best friend wants to update their home to be able to entertain and celebrate their family legacies. Veronica helps transform the space by adding a brand new kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, office and expands the home to a forever house by adding an additional 500 square feet. All Weather Series 6000 windows brighten the entire home. Series 7000 French Swing doors were featured in the Master Bedroom and Office. Series 8150 Sliding doors connect the the living room to the backyard patio and pool for a seamless transitions to enhance the indoor outdoor lifestyle. Designer and mom of two, Veronica and her expert team consisting of design guru Tommy Rouse, master builder David Bohler and talented artist Joshua Smith meet with their clients to learn about their family background and meaningful moments from their past. This inspiration allows Veronica to transform the home, creating beautiful and modern spaces that honor the family’s cultural heritage. Veronica Valencia worked behind the scenes as a design expert on more than 500 home makeover shows. Now she stars in Revealed, HGTV’s new family heritage centered show.

The goal for this 1939 Tudor-style story-and-a-half home was to create a kitchen that offered the conveniences, storage, and performance of a modern workspace while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and vintage charm that made the home special. The client, an avid home cook, wanted the room to feel as though it had always belonged to the house, with thoughtful upgrades that respected the original architecture rather than competing with it. Just as important, she needed a more efficient layout with enough storage for small appliances, so everyday cooking would no longer require carrying items up from the lower level. Several existing conditions shaped the design approach. The kitchen retained original, amber-stained birch woodwork that the client wished to keep, and the compact footprint was interrupted by six doorways and two windows, none of which were to be moved, altered, or replaced. A previous flooring update had left the door casings undercut too short, creating visible gaps where the casing met the floor. The existing vintage 40-inch range also lacked proper ventilation, yet the client wished to accommodate a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, double ovens, built-in microwave, and effective venting above the cooktop into the new kitchen layout. To honor the original millwork, beaded inset-style cherry cabinetry was selected in a soft, hand-rubbed finish that will deepen over time and develop a natural patina. Charcoal-gray soapstone countertops complement the cabinetry while reinforcing the historic character of the home with an organic, timeworn texture. The former breakfast nook was transformed into a butler’s pantry, adding valuable base cabinet storage and expanded work surfaces for frequently used small appliances. Also in the butler’s pantry, a single upper cabinet was paired with open shelves to give an open, airy feeling while adding character and practical storage. A classic single-bowl apron-front workstation sink contributes both period-appropriate character and practical prep and cleanup function. Because the home’s openings were such a defining feature, the design worked within the existing architecture instead of altering it. Custom plinth blocks were created for each doorway to extend the original casing gracefully down to the new natural red oak flooring, resolving the earlier construction issue while adding a detail that feels authentic to the age of the house. Despite the number of door and window openings, the new layout provides a significantly more functional, built-in kitchen with an improved work triangle for serious cooking. Appliance placement was carefully planned to deliver the requested performance without overwhelming the small room. Three cooking functions (double ovens & microwave) were consolidated into one location with a GE Café double oven featuring Advantium Technology, while the client’s compact 31-inch refrigerator was reused to preserve space. A sleek 30-inch induction cooktop provides efficient cooking, and a Vent-A-Hood ARS ductless vent hood supplies needed ventilation without requiring a duct run to the exterior. The finish palette balances richness, texture, and historical sensitivity. A deeply textured navy backsplash tile adds depth and dramatic shadow play against the soapstone, while wallpaper in the back entry echoes the tile’s geometric pattern to visually connect the adjoining spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and light fixtures enhance the warmth of the cherry cabinetry and complete the antique-inspired feel. Lighting was layered to make the compact kitchen brighter, more useful, and more inviting. Vintage-style semi-flush ceiling fixtures establish the overall tone, while dimmable puck lights highlight select areas and undercabinet task lighting keeps work surfaces well illuminated. The completed kitchen now feels both highly functional and deeply rooted in the home’s history. Rich cherry cabinetry, velvety soapstone, natural red oak flooring, navy tile, bronze accents, and carefully preserved birch trim work together to create a warm, cohesive space that celebrates timeless craftsmanship. By increasing storage, improving workflow, integrating modern appliances, and respecting the Tudor home’s original character, the design achieves the client’s vision: a kitchen that feels personal, practical, historically appropriate, and as though it has always been there.

Our client sought to modernize their classic 1970s home while preserving its original charm. This full-home renovation prioritized openness and functionality. We transformed the kitchen into a bright, welcoming space, leveled the sunken living room to expand the living area, and designed seamless indoor-outdoor connections to showcase breathtaking south-west facing golf course & ocean views. The result? A beautifully updated home that harmonizes mid-century character with contemporary comfort. The architecture was fun to work with, featuring dramatic roof pitches, a striking two-story double-sided fireplace, and thoughtfully designed room-to-room connections. Strategic wall cutouts and varying floor levels added interest and character, making this home a truly unique and dynamic space. The kitchen connects to the exterior, dining room, and living room, and features a peninsula and a cozy morning nook for gathering. Thoughtful flow was essential for this busy space, creating distinct yet harmonious spaces to enjoy throughout the home. Texture was thoughtfully incorporated using natural materials, including quartzite with cloud-like movement, woven light fixtures, and high-variation ceramic tile. The oak flooring, rich with knots and striking grain patterns, adds warmth and character to the space.

An existing wine cellar in a La Jolla, San Diego home was expanded to accommodate the growing collection of the owner. We worked on this project twice. The first installation was completed in 2008. After about 5 years, the client requested us to double the capacity of their wine room, but maintain the contemporary design. We added new sections to the existing racking to provide additional space for more wines. Stunning Wine Cellar for a Contemporary Home We completed a wine cellar installation project in La Jolla, an affluent city of San Diego, California, where we had to match the contemporary design of the home. The beautiful residential space was originally built with glass and wood. All the woodworking was constructed from Sapele Mahogany, which is common in many parts of the house. The cabinetry and furniture had to be the same tone and material. We have worked on this project twice. The first time was in 2008 and the second one was in 2013. We needed to expand and double the size of the custom wine cellar. A very integral part of this homeowner’s life is their wine and the collecting of wine. Our main goal was to create a racking design that consists of various orientations to allow the owner to store different sizes of bottles. Racking Features of the La Jolla Custom Wine Cellar The original room was constructed when the home was built. The architect, designing team, and contractor gave us a palette to match the existing cabinetry. The owners didn’t know what their needs were going to be. When they buy cases of wine, for example, they just put some of the bottles in the diamond bins and some in individual bottle spaces. In 2013, we tried to make the racking as universal as possible. The original capacity of the wine room was 1,100 bottles. It increased to 1,624 after the expansion of the space and adding more wine racks. Elevation 1 The first area of the room consists of racking for individual storage at the top section, with a VC-style cover for concealing the evaporator. There are diamond bins in the middle that can store nine bottles in each opening. We added many slots for large format bottles below the diamond bins because the owners stored bigger bottles in the first room, as big as 9 liters. What we did was to open up a couple of spaces to create a wider wine storage area. The whole racking in this area has a solid end panel. We took out the vertical supports and put the beam supports across to bear the load. We incorporated a coved tray feature to allow the owners to get a feel for the beautiful bottles in their collection. The large format bottles are stored in various heights, resulting in a cascading wine display. This style of racking allows for easy visibility of the wine labels. We installed LED lighting above this area to illuminate the space dramatically without emitting too much heat. Elevation 2 The next racking is labeled Elevation 2, which is the left wall that you will pass by before you go into the other storage area. It consists of horizontal display racks that can store both standard and larger bottles. These display racks, which are 8 ¼” deep, were installed with lighting and mirror at the back. The middle section has two glass shelves that provide an area for the client’s wine cellar accessories and mini car collection. Elevation 3 On the 3rd Elevation, the top racking includes slots with twelve coved trays and six solid backs. We added new individual column wine racks, and custom cabinets with scalloped neck supports to the existing cabinetry. Now, the total capacity of the individual bottle racking is 384, and the custom cabinets can accommodate 34 bottles. There is a double deep Sapele Mahogany tabletop where we installed very large steel supports under it. This will provide structural stability for bearing the weight of this big case storage area. The homeowner buys a lot of wine, so he wanted to have an area where he could stack all the boxes. He didn’t want the boxes to occupy the area at the front. With this feature, he could just bring the wines directly to this storage area, without affecting the aesthetic appeal of the front entrance of his La Jolla custom wine cellar. Elevations 4 and 5 The next wall is Elevation 4, which consists of wine racks for 98 magnum bottles. The top most section has a VC-style evaporator cover. Elevation 5 (in front of elevation 3), had twelve coved trays, 16-bottle custom cabinets with scalloped neck supports, and one hundred eighty individual storage slots. After adding new sections, we ended up having sixteen coved trays, 26-bottle custom cabinets, and 288 individual bottle racking. Rolling Ladder for Easy Access of Wines Another factor that we consider when designing a wine room is the convenience in accessing the bottles. Since the ceiling of this La Jolla custom wine cellar was tall (about 124” height), we added a hook rolling ladder. A hook ladder has fixtures that allow it to slide along the rail and can be lifted off the rail if you want to transfer it to another section of the racking on a different wall. Vintage Cellars has built gorgeous custom wine cellars and wine storage rooms across the United States and World for over 25 years. We are your go-to business for anything wine cellar and wine storage related! Whether you're interested in a wine closet, wine racking, custom wine racks, a custom wine cellar door, or a cooling system for your existing space, Vintage Cellars has you covered! We carry all kinds of wine cellar cooling and refrigeration systems, incuding: Breezaire, CellarCool, WhisperKool, Wine Guardian, CellarPro and Commercial systems. We also carry many types of Wine Refrigerators, Wine Cabinets, and wine racking types, including La Cache, Marvel, N'Finity, Transtherm, Vinotheque, Vintage Series, Credenza, Walk in wine rooms, Climadiff, Riedel, Fontenay, and VintageView. Vintage Cellars also does work in many styles, including Contemporary and Modern, Rustic, Farmhouse, Traditional, Craftsman, Industrial, Mediterranean, Mid-Century, Industrial and Eclectic. Some locations we cover often include: San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Corona Del Mar, Del Mar, La Jolla, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Huntington Beach, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Carlsbad, Orange County, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Bel Air, Los Angeles, Encinitas, Cardiff, Coronado, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, San Marino, Ladera Heights, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Westwood, Hancock Park, Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove, Laguna Niguel, Torrey Pines, Thousand Oaks, Coto De Caza, Coronado Island, San Francisco, Danville, Walnut Creek, Marin, Tiburon, Hillsborough, Berkeley, Oakland, Napa, Sonoma, Agoura Hills, Hollywood Hills, Laurel Canyon, Sausalito, Mill Valley, San Rafael, Piedmont, Paso Robles, Carmel, Pebble Beach Contact Vintage Cellars today with any of your Wine Cellar needs! (800) 876-8789 Vintage Cellars 904 Rancheros Drive San Marcos, California 92069 (800) 876-8789

This inviting kitchen features a Shade Grown Sherwin Williams green island paired with Alabaster white perimeter cabinets and a few white oak touches, creating a beautiful earthy contrast.

A dark and dingy basement is now the most popular area of this family’s home. The new basement enhances and expands their living area, giving them a relaxing space for watching movies together and a separate, swanky bar area for watching sports games. The design creatively uses reclaimed barnwood throughout the space, including ceiling beams, the staircase, the face of the bar, the TV wall in the seating area, open shelving and a sliding barn door. The client wanted a masculine bar area for hosting friends/family. It’s the perfect space for watching games and serving drinks. The bar area features hickory cabinets with a granite stain, quartz countertops and an undermount sink. There is plenty of cabinet storage, floating shelves for displaying bottles/glassware, a wine shelf and beverage cooler. The most notable feature of the bar is the color changing LED strip lighting under the shelves. The lights illuminate the bottles on the shelves and the cream city brick wall. The lighting makes the space feel upscale and creates a great atmosphere when the homeowners are entertaining. We sourced all the barnwood from the same torn down barn to make sure all the wood matched. We custom milled the wood for the stairs, newel posts, railings, ceiling beams, bar face, wood accent wall behind the TV, floating bar shelves and sliding barn door. Our team designed, constructed and installed the sliding barn door that separated the finished space from the laundry/storage area. The staircase leading to the basement now matches the style of the other staircase in the house, with white risers and wood treads. Lighting is an important component of this space, as this basement is dark with no windows or natural light. Recessed lights throughout the room are on dimmers and can be adjusted accordingly. The living room is lit with an overhead light fixture and there are pendant lights over the bar.

Patio - patio idea in Vancouver

Photo: Bill Timmerman + Zack Hussain Blurring of the line between inside and out has been established throughout this home. Space is not determined by the enclosure but through the idea of space extending past perceived barriers into an expanded form of living indoors and out. Even in this harsh environment, one is able to enjoy this concept through the development of exterior courts which are designed to shade and protect. Reminiscent of the crevices found in our rock formations where one often finds an oasis of life in this environment. DL featured product: DL custom rugs including sculpted Patagonian sheepskin, wool / silk custom graphics and champagne silk galaxy. Custom 11′ live-edge laurel slabwood bench, Trigo bronze smoked acrylic + crocodile embossed leather barstools, polished stainless steel outdoor Pantera bench, special commissioned steel sculpture, metallic leather True Love lounge chair, blackened steel + micro-slab console and fiberglass pool lounges.

In this recent kitchen design and renovation project, these long time clients came to me originally, several years ago to start discussing the design of their kitchen. At that time, the kitchen in this 1800’s home included a kitchen that had been poorly remodeled in the 1980’s, so the kitchen had already lost most of it’s original charm. I created a design plan creating a beautiful large kitchen expanding the space into the adjacent rooms. My clients loved this design plan, but other home issues took precedence, so after a few additional years, my clients were now ready to start their kitchen project. Their overall goals for the property did change since we first looked at this project, my clients decided that they did not want to enlarge or expand the small kitchen by opening it up to the adjacent rooms. So, I went back to the drawing board to create a kitchen in the existing kitchen space that fulfilled their new goals and created a beautiful functional space within the existing kitchen space. This new design, like my former design, honored this home’s traditional architecture, but added a light, fresh feel to the space using updated colors and material selections. This design consisted of additional storage and cabinetry, additional countertop space, and a small space to sit. We added new cabinetry, appliances, electrical, plumbing, beautiful quartz countertops, glass backsplash tile, traditional lighting fixtures, and finished everything off using beautiful classic hardware elements. My clients are now in love with this new renovated kitchen space. It contains many of the elements of a much larger kitchen, and melds beautifully with the rest of the house which we have also designed renovated over the last few years. Finally my client’s get to enjoy their new kitchen space as much as they enjoy the rest of this beautiful home!

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