The design task was to create a 160 m2 family house, an elegant, light, cheerful home for a young couple. We could already start work from the architectural plans, so they could even initiate some minor modifications to those. Cooking plays an important role in the lives of the customers, so the detailed kitchen utensil requirements were part of the brief. They would also like to have kids in the future, so the goal was to make the kitchen, dining room and living room function as one space, and the dining room extendable. However, a relatively small space was available for this, so the kitchen was given an unusual formal design. With every detail in mind, the most current mechanical and intelligent systems have been integrated into the house: from the unique drying system in the laundry room to the chamber. An interesting solution is the placement of the sinks in one of the bathrooms, their back wall functions as a screen for the shower. In addition, one half of the building is underground, so those solutions have been preferred, which allow more natural light into the interiors (e.g., acid-coated glass and glass bathroom doors have been used in the common wall of the illuminated staircase and bathroom). We were free to walk between styles. So geometric, playful shapes, customer-preferred blue and oak veneered wood surfaces create harmony in the spaces. The walls feature contemporary posters, custom prints and contemporary artwork.

Living Room in The Gathering House | Room Type: Whole Home (Full Renovation + Furnishings) | Project Name: The Gathering House | Key Feature: A reimagined open-concept home centered around an oversized kitchen island that functions as the heart of the home, designed to support connection, entertaining, and everyday living. Challenge: The existing home had a dated, closed-off layout with poor flow, limited pantry space, and structural constraints that made the kitchen feel cramped and disconnected from the main living areas. Solution: The design team reworked the floor plan to open up the main living spaces, expanded the kitchen footprint, and introduced an oversized island to anchor the home. Thoughtful material selections, improved storage solutions, and layered lighting created a cohesive, modern environment that balances functionality with warmth and livability. Materials: Iron Adobe, Cactus Doors, Ferguson, My Knobs, Spellman hardware | Budget: $100K- $150K | Timeline: Approximately 6 months, completed January 2026.

Bathroom in The Gathering House | Room Type: Whole Home (Full Renovation + Furnishings) | Project Name: The Gathering House | Key Feature: A reimagined open-concept home centered around an oversized kitchen island that functions as the heart of the home, designed to support connection, entertaining, and everyday living. Challenge: The existing home had a dated, closed-off layout with poor flow, limited pantry space, and structural constraints that made the kitchen feel cramped and disconnected from the main living areas. Solution: The design team reworked the floor plan to open up the main living spaces, expanded the kitchen footprint, and introduced an oversized island to anchor the home. Thoughtful material selections, improved storage solutions, and layered lighting created a cohesive, modern environment that balances functionality with warmth and livability. Materials: Iron Adobe, Cactus Doors, Ferguson, My Knobs, Spellman hardware | Budget: $100K- $150K | Timeline: Approximately 6 months, completed January 2026.

Confused between making a butler’s pantry or a prep kitchen? Discover how to design a functional yet beautiful prep kitchen. Learn about modern elements like granite countertops, gray cabinetry, undermount sinks, and efficient storage solutions. Perfect for small spaces or as an alternative to a butler’s pantry, this space blends style with practicality.

Living Room in The Gathering House | Room Type: Whole Home (Full Renovation + Furnishings) | Project Name: The Gathering House | Key Feature: A reimagined open-concept home centered around an oversized kitchen island that functions as the heart of the home, designed to support connection, entertaining, and everyday living. Challenge: The existing home had a dated, closed-off layout with poor flow, limited pantry space, and structural constraints that made the kitchen feel cramped and disconnected from the main living areas. Solution: The design team reworked the floor plan to open up the main living spaces, expanded the kitchen footprint, and introduced an oversized island to anchor the home. Thoughtful material selections, improved storage solutions, and layered lighting created a cohesive, modern environment that balances functionality with warmth and livability. Materials: Iron Adobe, Cactus Doors, Ferguson, My Knobs, Spellman hardware | Budget: $100K- $150K | Timeline: Approximately 6 months, completed January 2026.

After completing their primary bathroom, mudroom, and laundry room, this repeat client invited our team back to reimagine their kitchen, creating a space that better supports how their family lives and gathers. The layout was thoughtfully reworked to improve flow and function, centered around a larger island with seating for four. Designed as the heart of the home, the island creates a natural place for connection, whether for everyday meals or hosting. Custom elements bring both purpose and character to the space. A built-in display cabinet adds storage and soft ambient lighting, while custom booth seating with integrated drawers offers a practical, space-saving solution without sacrificing design. Layered lighting throughout enhances warmth and depth, complementing the balance of light and dark finishes. A mixed tile backsplash ties the entire space together, adding texture and a cohesive, elevated feel. Every detail was carefully considered, resulting in a kitchen that feels refined, functional, and seamlessly connected to the rest of the home.

These homeowners came to J.P. Hoffman Design Build, looking for a creative solution to a problem they were told couldn’t be fixed. We defied the odds with our Design Build process and redesigned most of this Colonial’s first floor. Space for an island was number one on the want list. In order to achieve that goal, we did what we always do, We listened. We listened to what our client needed, how they used their space and how they envisioned their space. Then we designed a creative solution that made that seemingly unachievable vision, a reality. We removed the wall between the dining room and kitchen and expanded the kitchen cabinets into the hallway, once used to access the bathroom and garage. We simply re-routed the flow to the garage, through the now opened-up dining room, and in the process, created a new hallway with a coat closet, mudroom bench and access to the powder room which we also refreshed. In the kitchen, we relocated the slider leading out to the deck. This allowed for more cabinets and the floor space for that dream island. Our carpentry team installed a new kitchen window and slider, while modifying the existing deck to allow for the change. We installed new flooring, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures and more. We receive lots of inquires about increasing function within the first floor. This project is a fantastic example of how it can be achieved, without an addition.

Emma Tannenbaum Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless porcelain tile and gray floor dedicated laundry room remodel in New York with raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, wood countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer, brown countertops, a drop-in sink and white walls

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

Functional customized study space with L-shaped integrated writing desk and continuous full-height handleless wardrobe along the whole wall. The open shelf area above the desk is embedded with warm LED strip lighting for placing books, ornaments and office supplies; the right side tall cabinet is divided into closed hanging wardrobe area and drawer storage area for seasonal apparel and personal belongings. Light neutral wall paint matches light wood flooring, recessed ceiling spotlight provides focused task lighting, compact layout perfectly realizes home office and clothing storage two core demands, a highly practical customized solution for Spanish villa auxiliary study rooms.

For this project in Vienna VA, our customer envisioned a seamless open-concept layout that connected the kitchen, living room, and dining room. By removing barriers and enhancing sightlines, we created a bright, unified space that’s as functional as it is inviting. We upgraded this kitchen featuring stunning Crystal Alder cabinets and a beautifully crafted LG Viatera Clarino island and countertops. With premium materials, expert craftsmanship, and thoughtful design, Foster Remodeling Solutions delivered a kitchen remodel that elevates the entire main living area.

Mid-century modern bedroom photo in San Diego

Embarking on a garage remodeling project is a transformative endeavor that can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of the space. By investing in tailored storage solutions such as cabinets, wall-mounted organizers, and overhead racks, one can efficiently declutter the area and create a more organized storage system. Flooring upgrades, such as epoxy coatings or durable tiles, not only improve the garage's appearance but also provide a resilient surface. Adding custom workbenches or tool storage solutions contributes to a more efficient and user-friendly workspace. Additionally, incorporating proper lighting and ventilation ensures a well-lit and comfortable environment. A remodeled garage not only increases property value but also opens up possibilities for alternative uses, such as a home gym, workshop, or hobby space, making it a worthwhile investment for both practicality and lifestyle improvement.

Functional Mudroom & Laundry Combo
Utility room - mid-sized transitional ceramic tile and gray floor utility room idea in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray walls and a stacked washer/dryer

Nightfly Modern Platform Bed by Rossetto. It's intimacy and warm appeal are precious and cherished in the night area, where elegance and warmth must co-exist for a subtle balance of functional solutions and refined materials to please our senses. Great ultra-modern design makes Nightfly bed really stand out from the other ones nowadays. Gloss lacquered platform and rear headboard perfectly matches with quilted Leather Effect upholstered main headboard, creating an awesome composition that will incredibly adorn your bedroom. Optional, style and color matching casegoods are also offered in vast selection. There are nightstands, dresser, mirror, vanity (dressing table), pouf, bench, and wardrobes, available in several sizes. The bed, as well as the case-goods, is available in Ebony or Latte lacquers with color matching quilted Leather Effect material details. Warning: All Wardrobes for the Special Order (5-6 Weeks) The starting price is for the Nightfly Queen Size Bed in Ebony color. Dimensions: Queen Size Bed: W118" x D87" x H39" King Size Headboard: W131" x D87" H39" Nightstand: W24" x D18" x H16" Dresser: W49" x D20" x H31" Mirror: W45" x D1" x H20" Dressing Table: W47" x D22" x H29" Pouf: W17" x D17" x H17" Bench: W59" x D17" x H13" 2-Sliding Doors Wardrobe (Narrow): W80" x D27" x H93" 2-Sliding Doors Wardrobe (Wide): W95" x D27" x H93" 3-Sliding Doors Wardrobe: W119" x D27" x H93"

Example of a mid-sized classic galley wet bar design in Atlanta with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, black cabinets and brick backsplash

Functional drawer peg system. Perfect to keep all of your plates and bowls organized.
Small kitchen photo in Other

The views from this Big Sky home are captivating! Before the shovels were in the ground, we just knew that blurring the palette between the inside and outside was the key to creating a harmonious living experience. “Thoughtfully merging technology with design, we worked closely with the design and creative community to compose a unified space that both inspires and functions without distracting from the remarkable location and gorgeous architecture. Our goal was to elevate the space aesthetically and sonically. I think we accomplished that and then some.” – Stephanie Gilboy, SAV Digital Environments From the elegant integrated technology, to the furnishings, area rugs, and original art, this project couldn’t have turned out any better. And can we just say, the custom Meridian Speakers are absolutely marvelous! They truly function as an anchor in the space aesthetically while delivering an exceptional listening experience.

Our approach to the dining room wall was a key decision for the entire project. The wall was load bearing and the homeowners considered only removing half of it. In the end, keeping the overall open concept design was important to the homeowners, therefore we installed a load bearing beam in the ceiling. The beam was finished with drywall to be cohesive so it looked like it was a part of the original design. Now that the kitchen and dining room were open, paint colors were used to designate the spaces and create visual boundaries. This made each area feel like it’s its own space without using any structures. The original L-shaped kitchen was cut short because of bay windows that overlooked the backyard patio. These windows were lost in the space and not functional; they were replaced with double French doors leading onto the patio. A brick layer was brought in to patch up the window swap and now it looks like the French doors always existed. New crown molding was installed throughout and painted to match the kitchen cabinets. This window/door replacement allowed for a large pantry cabinet to be installed next to the refrigerator which was not in the old cabinet configuration. The replaced perimeter cabinets host custom storage solutions, like a mixer stand, spice organization, recycling center and functional corner cabinet with pull out shelving. The perimeter kitchen cabinets are painted with a glaze and the island is a cherry stain with glaze to amplify the raised panel door style. We tripled the size of the kitchen island to expand countertop space. It seats five people and hosts charging stations for the family’s busy lifestyle. It was important that the cooktop in the island had a built in downdraft system because the homeowners did not want a ventilation hood in the center of the kitchen because it would obscure the open concept design. The countertops are quartz and feature an under mount granite composite kitchen sink with a low divide center. The kitchen faucet, which features hands free and touch technology, and an instant hot water dispenser were added for convenience because of the homeowners’ busy lifestyle. The backsplash is a favorite, with a teal and red glass mosaic basket weave design. It stands out and holds its own among the expansive kitchen cabinets. All recessed, under cabinet and decorative lights were installed on dimmer switches to allow the homeowners to adjust the lighting in each space of the project. All exterior and interior door hardware, hinges and knobs were replaced in oil rubbed bronze to match the dark stain throughout the space. The entire first floor remodel project uses 12x24 ceramic tile laid in a herringbone pattern. Since tile is typically cold, the flooring was also heated from below. This will also help with the homeowners’ original heating issues. When accessorizing the kitchen, we used functional, everyday items the homeowners use like cutting boards, canisters for dry goods and place settings on the island. Ultimately, this project transformed their small, outdated kitchen into an expansive and functional workspace.