Photo: Ten Ten Creative
Wet bar - transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar idea in Dallas with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, black backsplash, subway tile backsplash and gray countertops

Trendy 3/4 mosaic tile brown floor open shower photo in Cleveland with open cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, a trough sink and concrete countertops

Jennifer and Dan have lived in their Deer Park Illinois home for 15 years, slowly making minor fixes like painting and decorating; but they had a new plan for their kitchen the entire time. An awkwardly placed garage door, and an island cooktop with a terrible downdraft made a full-scale kitchen remodel an absolute must. Jennifer had many ideas in mind and wanted to work with a company that could provide high-end work, while partnering with a designer that would tailor the kitchen to her ideas. She was intrigued by the phrase “Common Sense Remodeling” in Advance Design’s feature she discovered while perusing an issue of the community’s Quintessential Barrington Magazine. Doing further research on the company’s website, as she looked through project profiles and read about Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy, she promptly scheduled an appointment to see if the people and ideas she read about were truly who they said they were. The more she read, the more she knew that the “Common Sense” approach to remodeling they described was exactly the type of company she was looking for. The partnership was sealed after an initial consultation with Owner Todd Jurs and Project Designer Michelle Lecinski. They displayed a combination of friendliness, professionalism and respect that was unmatched by any of the other companies Jennifer talked to. She knew that with Advance Design, she would be able to retain the vision that she had in mind with high-quality craftsmanship. “I reached out to Advance Design because of the ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ tagline,” Jennifer said. “That’s what lingered for me”. “Advance Design was the most respectful- of the house and of my design ideas, and the most professional of the handful of companies that looked at my project”. Soon after the meeting Jennifer began working with Michelle on the project design. They quickly developed chemistry. Jennifer loved how Michelle researched and located every detail that Jennifer wanted for the kitchen. Between the two of them, every concept and idea was worked through and perfected. “Jennifer had definite ideas about what she wanted the new kitchen to look like, she just didn’t know how to bring it all together. We worked together really well to make her ideas into the practical reality necessary for a well-functioning kitchen, with the look and feel that she had envisioned”, says Michelle. “Michelle was wonderful in using the CAD system she would show me new drawings every time we changed the layout while working through the design,” Jennifer said. “She was a really wonderful partner in execution, she made sure everything happened quickly and easily.” The finished design drew out elements of Jennifer’s style and personality. The pair call the look “sophisticated farmhouse” to describe the kitchen renovation to family and friends. The result was a beautifully crafted, authentic-feeling space that satisfied Jennifer’s dreams 15 years in the making. The whole project consisted of a kitchen remodel, mudroom upgrade with powder room, and garage entry relocation. “The projects I personally like the best, are the ones that put the client’s dreams on display,” Project Designer Michelle said. “And this is one of those projects.” The main focal point of the kitchen is custom zinc and brass ventilation hood with a vintage sheen, which was hand made to order by a small company in Indiana named Vogler Metalworking. “It’s like sculpture, a true work of art”, says Jennifer. Your eye is immediately drawn towards this elegant yet practical hood that eliminated the home’s downdraft problem and added a striking conversation piece at the same time. The carpenters had to use special gloves when transporting and installing it, so they didn’t smudge it with fingerprints. The beautiful hood centers proudly over the stunning black enamel and brass LaCornue Range. “I had a friend who had a LaCornue range and after learning how easy it was to cook perfect meals, I was convinced I wanted to have one”, says Jennifer. This unique, breathtaking combination anchors the entire kitchen and is apparent immediately as you walk into the great room the surrounds the space. DuraSupreme Crestwood cabinets with a Kendall Panel add function and sophistication. A custom gray paint color paired with a storm blue was developed so that the new kitchen looked like it belonged to the existing space. Unlacquered brass faucets and hardware were important to Jennifer because she wanted the living finishes to age over time. Remarkable brass diamond mesh cabinet door inserts imported from the UK continue to add this one-of-a-kind kitchen renovation; giving it a “you won’t see this everywhere” quality. The use of old railcar flooring for the coffee bar countertop and reclaimed oak for the open shelving gives an authenticity to the space uncommon in kitchens today. Jennifer and Michelle fell in love with the Limestone Grey Stone while they were investigating unique island countertop ideas. They liked the fact that the limestone as a living finish will age and change over time. Calcutta Miel Quartz countertops made for an excellent pairing around the perimeter, as it’s durable and perfect for cooking preparations. A textured white subway tile backsplash that runs to the ceiling keeps your eye moving towards the open shelving, and to the main focal point of the stunning range hood combination. “The kitchen functions beautifully, and it’s gorgeous,” beams Jennifer as she gestures with both hands while smiling ear to ear. “The most important thing was I wanted a kitchen that had a wonderful flow, cooked beautiful meals and was a great gathering place for family and friends, and this space does that perfectly! Beauty wise, it turned out exactly how I had envisioned. I felt the function part was the hardest part, and that was nailed”! Relocating the garage entry to the new mudroom was a huge priority and has finally separated the family’s arriving home functions from their kitchen. Now coats and shoes and bags have their own area for dropping once members arrive home. Matching gray DuraSupreme cabinetry helped create gorgeous, purposeful lockers for the family. A reclaimed vintage sink and custom wall paper were added to the tiny powder room to beautify the once previously only functional space. Advance Design was even able to create a custom space for their dog to sleep while the family is away. “It was unbelievable that a project of this size was completed in such a short time, and I think that’s because of the large amount of planning and preparation that went into it,” Jennifer marveled, “When we started, we were ready, and everything was prepared”. When it came to execution, Project Manager Justin Davis and his crew were quick, accessible, and organized. Projects like this kitchen are typically completed in as little as 8-10 weeks. Jennifer’s kitchen however despite the relocation of some challenging HVAC in a soffit and moving of an exterior door was completed remarkably fast in part because the team was working with an existing tile floor that ran throughout the first floor that the client really loved. “You get to know these people really well because they’re living in your house while you’re living in your house. They were so fast and really good, it didn’t take as long as even planned” reported Jennifer. “I would text Justin and he always responded almost immediately. I got to know all the guys who were working in our house and they were all wonderful people”. Details in a customized kitchen like this one require skill and care from the people who install it. “All the guys on the job were skilled at what the did. I wanted small details like little feet to look like furniture, that is where their carpentry skill came in to make these all perfect”, said Jennifer. “The tile guys were wonderful. They even let me determine how I wanted the texture with the grout to appear for a salt and pepper look; now that is a very skilled trade person making it custom”. In Jennifer’s interview, she continued to reference Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling”, so I took a minute to ask her exactly what that phrase meant to her and how it played out in her experience with her project and the Advance Design team. Here is what she said: “I was intrigued about Common Sense Remodeling and in my head that there would be clear costs and prices, great communication between the design team, the execution team and me”, said Jennifer. They did deliver on that, it was so clear about the cost breakdown, what I could expect from everyone who came to my house, and everything that we had ordered. That to me is the Common Sense”! It’s great to see a client take literally our assertion that a well-planned remodeling project is simply “Common Sense”! She anticipated each step of the way would be clear, concise, and predictable, all the while protecting the outcome due to the careful upfront planning. “Advance Design delivered on their ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ promise,” Jennifer said. “From the design team, to the execution team - everything was straight forward like I imagined. The project turned out exactly how I envisioned, I enjoyed this process and absolutely would recommend Advance Design Studio to anyone.”

Powder room with glam geometric wallpaper complimented with a vessel sink rustic vanity with riveted hardware. Counter top is quartz Viatera - Truffle. Mirror framed wall mirror. Ryan Hainey

Trachelospermum jasminoides Species Trachelospermum jasminoides is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, native to eastern and southeastern Asia. Common names include confederate jasmine, star jasmine, confederate jessamine, and Chinese star jessamine.

Chauncey Freeman- Fifth Season

Set in Montana's tranquil Shields River Valley, the Shilo Ranch Compound is a collection of structures that were specifically built on a relatively smaller scale, to maximize efficiency. The main house has two bedrooms, a living area, dining and kitchen, bath and adjacent greenhouse, while two guest homes within the compound can sleep a total of 12 friends and family. There's also a common gathering hall, for dinners, games, and time together. The overall feel here is of sophisticated simplicity, with plaster walls, concrete and wood floors, and weathered boards for exteriors. The placement of each building was considered closely when envisioning how people would move through the property, based on anticipated needs and interests. Sustainability and consumption was also taken into consideration, as evidenced by the photovoltaic panels on roof of the garage, and the capability to shut down any of the compound's buildings when not in use.

Jenny Acheson
Photo of a mid-sized mid-century modern partial sun front yard outdoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court in Portland.

Japanese forest grass Le jardinet

Victoria agave with a queen butterfly.
This is an example of a southwestern landscaping in Phoenix.

Mixing different bunch grasses, like these two forms of fescue, add personality to low ground cover areas. Billy Goodnick
Inspiration for a contemporary landscaping in Santa Barbara.

Big Berry Manzanita / Arctostaphylos glauca

Nepeta x faassenii 'Walker's Low' - Catmint blooms from may until frost. Austin Ganim Landscape Design, LLC
Photo of a small farmhouse partial sun front yard landscaping in New York for summer.

A Young Couple's Expanding Footprint When my clients realized their new baby was going to require new space they didn't have to move very far. Three floors up they found a tastefully renovated 3 bedroom in their Art Deco Gramercy building. The apartment came complete with a timeless Henrybuilt kitchen, but the bathrooms needed a bit of work. They also needed a lot more furniture to fit the space that wouldn't make it look like a preschool. An eclectic mix of furniture was selected by my client, myself and an additional designer. An Art Deco steel door by Erik Anderson From Gunnard Design and Art Deco furniture took their cues from the building. Mid Century reproductions are mixed with modern designs from BluDot, and the Dulwich Extendable Table from Design Within Reach. Their Master Bedroom Suite was turned into a Hotel Suite.

A Young Couple's Expanding Footprint When my clients realized their new baby was going to require new space they didn't have to move very far. Three floors up they found a tastefully renovated 3 bedroom in their Art Deco Gramercy building. The apartment came complete with a timeless Henrybuilt kitchen, but the bathrooms needed a bit of work. They also needed a lot more furniture to fit the space that wouldn't make it look like a preschool. An eclectic mix of furniture was selected by my client, myself and an additional designer. An Art Deco steel door by Erik Anderson From Gunnard Design and Art Deco furniture took their cues from the building. Mid Century reproductions are mixed with modern designs from BluDot, and the Dulwich Extendable Table from Design Within Reach. Their Master Bedroom Suite was turned into a Hotel Suite.

A Young Couple's Expanding Footprint When my clients realized their new baby was going to require new space they didn't have to move very far. Three floors up they found a tastefully renovated 3 bedroom in their Art Deco Gramercy building. The apartment came complete with a timeless Henrybuilt kitchen, but the bathrooms needed a bit of work. They also needed a lot more furniture to fit the space that wouldn't make it look like a preschool. An eclectic mix of furniture was selected by my client, myself and an additional designer. An Art Deco steel door by Erik Anderson From Gunnard Design and Art Deco furniture took their cues from the building. Mid Century reproductions are mixed with modern designs from BluDot, and the Dulwich Extendable Table from Design Within Reach. Their Master Bedroom Suite was turned into a Hotel Suite.

A Young Couple's Expanding Footprint When my clients realized their new baby was going to require new space they didn't have to move very far. Three floors up they found a tastefully renovated 3 bedroom in their Art Deco Gramercy building. The apartment came complete with a timeless Henrybuilt kitchen, but the bathrooms needed a bit of work. They also needed a lot more furniture to fit the space that wouldn't make it look like a preschool. An eclectic mix of furniture was selected by my client, myself and an additional designer. An Art Deco steel door by Erik Anderson From Gunnard Design and Art Deco furniture took their cues from the building. Mid Century reproductions are mixed with modern designs from BluDot, and the Dulwich Extendable Table from Design Within Reach. Their Master Bedroom Suite was turned into a Hotel Suite.

Paver Gloss Sealer is a professional grade wet look exposed aggregate sealer that adds a rich, glossy appearance. It is a wet look/satin sheen acrylic sealer designed for use on all types of exterior concrete and pavers. Its pure acrylic formula allows for superior penetration and bonding. The durable finish left behind is UV stable and will not yellow. It offers superior resistance to rain, the sun, cold and hot climates, stains, and more. When applied to dull or faded exposed aggregate it will help to enhance the original coloring. Applications: Exposed aggregate driveways, sidewalks and walkways, patios and pool decks and more. It contains 20% acrylic solids & creates a lasting wet look. Esthetically pleasing, it beautifies and enriches the colors of the aggregate stones while protecting concrete. It forms a protective film, preventing the penetration of oil, water dirt & stains from the environment. This solvent base clear acrylic sealer penetrates to creating a lasting finish that will resist the assaults of elements such as the freeze-thaw cycles, sun, rain, and snow. It’s a great choice for high traffic area’s, which require maximum protection. Paver Gloss Sealer can be purchased in 5 Gallon pails shipped via UPS ground to all 48 U.S. States EXCEPT Alaska & Hawaii at http://surfacerestoration.com/shop

Corner shower - mid-sized rustic 3/4 metal tile ceramic tile and brown floor corner shower idea in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, orange walls, a console sink and white countertops