Inspiration for a small modern open concept dark wood floor living room remodel in San Francisco with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a timeless eat-in kitchen remodel in Toronto with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Limestone fire pit with Dublin Cobble paver patio and drystack Versa-lok sitting and retaining walls.
Example of a classic stone round wood-burning patio design

To make the space more functional, we relocated the refrigerator, and the homeowners replaced double wall ovens with a duel fuel range. Photography by Chrissy Racho

THE NEW TRANSITIONAL Designed by Micqui McGowen. Photographed by Julie Soefer. This was a remodel of an older traditional home where we enlarged the space by incorporating an enclosed porch into the kitchen and living area. Our unique design challenge was to create a fresh clean transitional look with a hint of whimsy that would fit naturally into the traditional lines of the home but reflect the fun nature of the client. The Main Kitchen is designed in an “L” shape configuration with a custom island running the length of the working kitchen. A second lowered island sits at the end of the main island across from the refrigerator as an additional prep area. The main kitchen wall features a 48” Dual-Fuel Range and custom plaster hood with a 48” Pro-Style refrigerator on the adjoining wall. Between the range and refrigerator is a secondary prep sink with in-counter steam unit for healthy cooking. The main island separates the kitchen from the Butler’s Pantry and Living Area. Counter height seating runs along the island back to encourage guest interaction while cooking. The Island also features the main kitchen sink, dish drawers and 27” integrated refrigerator drawers to cool extra drinks for guests. The result… warm, friendly, fun and functional.

Custom designed kitchen with stainless steel appliances, custom cabinetry and tile work, contemporary lighting and cabinet hardware. Engineered quartz L-shaped counters with Carrara marble island.

Inspiration for a transitional eat-in kitchen remodel in Denver with raised-panel cabinets and white cabinets

Harold Cross, Archadeck of Central Iowa; Dan Welk, Click! Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard stone patio kitchen remodel with a gazebo

Casey Shea
Eat-in kitchen - large farmhouse l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, black backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

David Wakely
Tuscan stone patio photo in Denver with a fire pit and no cover

Example of a classic family room design in Dallas

New from the Elite® Series, the Ravenna™ CD insert puts the “aah” in ambiance with a beautiful flame presentation that’s amplified by reflective porcelain panels. The Ravenna™ CD fireplace insert radiates style and warmth with dancing flames that fill the porcelain-lined firebox. Along with a stunning flame presentation that’s sure to get your attention, the Ravenna CD delivers on performance with a full-featured Total Comfort Control™ remote and variable-speed blower. Aesthetics State-of-the-art burn technology produces a vibrant flame that infuses your living space with warmth and ambiance. Variety of face and media options are available to suit your style preferences. Stylishly reflective porcelain firebox liners add visual impact to the flame presentation. Approved for zero-clearance (metal) and masonry fireplaces. Comfort Wireless Total Comfort Control™ remote system provides precise heat control. Electronic ignition system with battery backup—ignites and heats during a power outage. Variable-speed, 155-CFM blower provides powerful and efficient warmth. 83-86% steady-state efficiency for even, continual heating. Ease of Operation From the convenience of your sofa, use your Total Comfort Control remote to adjust the room temperature around the exact area where you are relaxing. Six heat and blower settings give you precise control to efficiently heat the space around you. One-touch On/Off switch allows quick fire ignition and shutoff. *Square-feet heating capacities are approximations only. Local conditions, such as elevation, wind, vent configuration and choice of fuel will affect overall appearance of the fire and heating performance. Performance can also vary with home design and insulation, climate, condition and type of fuel used, appliance location, burn rate, accessories chosen, chimney installation and how the appliance is operated.

Our clients in Tower Lakes, IL, needed more storage and functionality from their kitchen. They were primarily focused on finding the right combination of cabinets, shelves, and drawers that fit all their cookware, flatware, and appliances. They wanted a brighter, bigger space with a natural cooking flow and plenty of storage. Soffits and crown molding needed to be removed to make the kitchen feel larger. Redesign elements included: relocating the fridge, adding a baking station and coffee bar, and placing the microwave in the kitchen island. Advance Design Studio’s Claudia Pop offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to the homeowners’ problems. Our clients wanted a unique kitchen that was not completely white, a balance of design and function. Claudia offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to Chad and Karen’s kitchen design challenges. The first thing to go was soffits. Today, most kitchens can benefit from the added height and space; removing soffits is nearly always step one. Steely gray-blue was the color of choice for a freshly unique look bringing a sophisticated-looking space to wrap around the fresh new kitchen. Cherry cabinetry in a true brown stain compliments the stormy accents with sharp contrasting white Cambria quartz top balancing out the space with a dramatic flair. “We wanted something unique and special in this space, something none of the neighbors would have,” said Claudia. The dramatic veined Cambria countertops continue upward into a backsplash behind three complimentary open shelves. These countertops provide visual texture and movement in the kitchen. The kitchen includes two larder cabinets for both the coffee bar and baking station. The kitchen is now functional and unique in design. “When we design a new kitchen space, as designers, we are always looking for ways to balance interesting design elements with practical functionality,” Claudia said. “This kitchen’s new design is not only way more functional but is stunning in a way a piece of art can catch one’s attention.” Decorative mullions with mirrored inserts sit atop dual sentinel pantries flanking the new refrigerator, while a 48″ dual fuel Wolf range replaced the island cooktop and double oven. The new microwave is cleverly hidden within the island, eliminating the cluttered counter and attention-grabbing wall of stainless steel from the previous space. The family room was completely renovated, including a beautifully functional entertainment bar with the same combination of woods and stone as the kitchen and coffee bar. Mesh inserts instead of plain glass add visual texture while revealing pristine glassware. Handcrafted built-ins surround the fireplace. The beautiful and efficient design created by designer Claudia transitioned directly to the installation team seamlessly, much like the basement project experience Chad and Karen enjoyed previously. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a project small or large,” Karen said. “Everything that was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to its full potential,” Karen said. Our award-winning design team would love to create a beautiful, functional, and spacious place for you and your family. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating your home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-665-1711 or schedule an appointment.

Bucks and Spurs Kitchen, Photo Per Ranung
Example of a large danish l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Stockholm with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, a single-bowl sink, wood countertops and metallic backsplash

Coles Hairston
Kitchen - mediterranean u-shaped kitchen idea in Austin with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Brad Taylor
Inspiration for a transitional galley eat-in kitchen remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, open cabinets, dark wood cabinets, concrete countertops, metallic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Greg Premru Photography, Inc
Elegant kitchen photo in Boston

Greg Premru Photography, Inc
Example of a classic kitchen design in Boston

Daniel Stranahan
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen remodel in Chicago with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash and paneled appliances