Keeping the home's turn of the century roots, the main floor bath (originally the only bathroom in the house) increased in size by 50% by incorporating the small corridor that used to be immediately outside. As such, no square footage was taken from any other space, but the resulting 3/4 bath boasts a roomy subway tile and glass shower, which further enhances the sense of space. A second door in the bathroom connects to the guest bedroom and creates a private ensuite when house-guests drop in. Large scale wall paper, rather than make the space feel small, further enhances the spaciousness of the room. Classic finishes of chrome and carrara marble are the perfect accent to this vintage yet transitional bath. Don Riley Photography

Team Effort Pulling off this kitchen required a real team effort between Andrea, IKD’s design team and Ricabi. “We had a design that we had sketched, but were looking for ideas to increase the functionality of our limited kitchen space. Ricabi suggested IKD for the design. The sample design from IKD that Ricabi showed us had everything that we wanted in a design with 3-D renderings, layouts and measurements. It helped us so much to have a [kitchen design] plan,” she says. Bryan adds: “Collaborating with Paulina and IKD brought those graph paper-drawn ideas to life with a three-dimensional rendering of the kitchen in the final design.” With a plan in place, Andrea and her family were able to put the IKEA cabinets together on their own.

The clients believed the peninsula footprint was required due to the unique entry points from the hallway leading to the dining room and the foyer. The new island increases storage, counters and a more pleasant flow of traffic from all directions. The biggest challenge was trying to make the structural beam that ran perpendicular to the space work in a new design; it was off center and difficult to balance the cabinetry and functional spaces to work with it. In the end it was decided to increase the budget and invest in moving the header in the ceiling to achieve the best design, esthetically and funcationlly. Specific storage designed to meet the clients requests include: - pocket doors at counter tops for everyday appliances - deep drawers for pots, pans and Tupperware - island includes designated zone for baking supplies - tall and shallow pantry/food storage for easy access near island - pull out spice near cooking - tray dividers for assorted baking pans/sheets, cutting boards and numerous other serving trays - cutlery and knife inserts and built in trash/recycle bins to keep things organized and convenient to use, out of sight - custom design hutch to hold various, yet special dishes and silverware Elements of design chosen to meet the clients wishes include: - painted cabinetry to lighten up the room that lacks windows and give relief/contrast to the expansive wood floors - monochromatic colors throughout give peaceful yet elegant atmosphere o stained island provides interest and warmth with wood, but still unique in having a different stain than the wood floors – this is repeated in the tile mosaic backsplash behind the rangetop - punch of fun color used on hutch for a unique, furniture feel - carefully chosen detailed embellishments like the tile mosaic, valance toe boards, furniture base board around island, and island pendants are traditional details to not only the architecture of the home, but also the client’s furniture and décor. - Paneled refrigerator minimizes the large appliance, help keeping an elegant feel Superior cooking equipment includes a combi-steam oven, convection wall ovens paired with a built-in refrigerator with interior air filtration to better preserve fresh foods. Photography by Gregg Willett

Flowers and vegetables make great companions, both aesthetically and functionally. Flowers add splashes of color to the sea of green and attract beneficial pollinators, ensuring your garden will be successful and productive.

Condo Bath Remodel
Example of a small trendy master white tile and glass tile porcelain tile, gray floor, single-sink and wallpaper walk-in shower design in Portland with gray cabinets, a bidet, white walls, a vessel sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a niche, a floating vanity and flat-panel cabinets

The comprehensive renovation included upgrades to the electrical, plumbing, and heating systems, a bathroom addition, along with a strategic reconfiguration of the layout to honor the home's heritage. It also addressed the exterior spaces, where a poorly added sunroom was removed to restore the original patio. To help reclaim the home’s architectural integrity, the outdated and restrictive slider was replaced by folding glass doors to increase the home's usable space, energy efficiency, and ventilation. A five-panel NanaWall aluminum framed folding glass wall was used in the 16’ wide exterior opening to the patio. The outward swinging folding glass wall was specified with a barefoot-friendly low profile saddle sill and features a convenient swing door panel for easy everyday access.

Keep the traffic running smoothly with Organized Living Kitchen products. Choose from baskets of various sizes to take your kitchen storage from cluttered to calm.

Mike and Anne of Barrington Hills desperately needed to update and renovate both their kid’s hall bath and guest bath, and in their 1980’s home each project presented a different set of unique challenges to overcome. When they set out to identify the right remodeling company to partner with, it was important to find a company that could help them to visualize design solutions for the bath renovations. When they came across Advance Design Studio’s website, they were immediately drawn to the solution-oriented remodeling process and the family friendly company. They say they chose Advance Design because of the integrated approach of “Common Sense Remodeling”, making the design, project management and construction all happen in one place. When they met with Project Designer Michelle Lecinski, they knew they chose the right company. “Michelle’s excellent work on the initial designs made it easy to proceed with Advance Design Studio,” Mike said. Like most homeowners anticipating a big renovation project, they had some healthy fears; with two bathrooms being remodeled at the same time they worried about timeframes and staying within budget. With the help of Michelle, and the “Common Sense” guidelines, they were confident that Advance Design would stay true, orchestrating all the moving parts to stay within both the estimated timeline and budget. The guest bath offered the biggest design challenge. A dormer obstruction made the already cramped shower awkward to access. Mike and Anne also wanted the shower size to be expanded, making it more accommodating. Working with Advance’s construction expert DJ Yurik, Michelle relocated the shower concealing the original dormer and creating a larger, more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing guest shower. The unsightly and not at all user-friendly closet was removed and replaced with elegant White Maple Dura Supreme cabinetry with much improved function featuring dual tall linen cabinets, a special makeup area and two sinks, providing a dual vanity which was extremely important for better guest use. The Fossil Brown quartz countertop is in pleasing contrast to the white cabinetry, and coordinates nicely with the mocha porcelain tile gracing the shower for an accent. The decorative glazed turquoise tile backsplash, tile border, and bottle niche adds a taste of marine green to the room, while marble-looking porcelain tile makes guests feel they are staying in a 5-star hotel. Polished nickel Kohler plumbing fixtures were chosen to add a touch of sophistication. This renovated guest bath is comfortable and elegant, and Anne and Mike’s house guests may never want to leave! “The end result was updated and restyled bathrooms that the client will enjoy and increase the value of their home,” Designer Michelle said. The children’s hall bath had its own set of challenges. The current placement of the sink was not conducive to the best use of the existing space, nor did it allow for any visual interest, something Advance’s designers always work to achieve even within the tight confines of a small bath. Advance removed the linen closet and used the gain in wall space to create a dramatic focal point on the vanity wall. They also took additional space that wasn’t being used for new Storm Gray Dura Supreme tall built-in linen cabinets, creating functional storage space that the former bath lacked. A customized glass splash panel was created for the bath, and the high ceilings with skylights were accented with a custom-made track lighting fixture featuring industrial pipe and cage materials. Authentic cement encaustic tile was used wall to wall surrounding the vanity to create a dramatic and interesting back drop for the new elegant and stately furniture-like double sink wall. Hand-made encaustic tile originated in Western Europe beginning in the 1850’s and reminded Mike and Anne of tile they had seen and loved from their travels overseas. Today, encaustic tile has made a re-appearance in today’s modern bath design with its wide array of appealing patterns and artistic use of color. Oil rubbed bronze Kohler fixtures echo the black accents in the beautiful tile pattern and reflect the matte black of the unique lighting detail. Easy to maintain Blanca Arabescato Quartz countertops add practicality and natural beauty and compliments the warm wood porcelain tile floors. This handsome bath has generated praise from friends and family even before it’s complete unveiling as photos of the space leaked out on social media! It’s not only completely functional to use, but especially pretty to look at. “Advance Design Studio did a terrific job for us. We really appreciated how easy it was to work with them on a complex project of the complete remodeling of two bathrooms. They very capably handled all the details from design, to project management, to construction. It is a great group of people to work with and we would welcome the opportunity to work with them again anytime,” Mike said.

Our client was ready for a re-do and approached Renovisions for help to design and build a beautiful and durable space that will last as well as add value to her home. The challenge was to design the new kitchen to allow for better traffic, flow and functionalize this space for much needed storage. Moving the refrigerator to the other side of the kitchen and opening up a section of the wall between the dining room and kitchen was a great design solution. We increased the flow to the dining room and created a spacious feel with better access from the dining area. Warm hues from the granite countertops provided a rich contrast to the Ivory colored cabinetry that brightened up the room. Under-cabinet lighting was added over all countertop areas and is controlled by a dimmer switch for both task and ambient lighting. The brushed nickel hardware compliments the stainless steel appliances and Jado pull-down single lever faucet. The walls are a warm and inviting earthy green tone and ties in well with the soft linen hue of the beautiful subway tile backsplash. Simple, clean lines and earthy materials like granite and stainless steel worked together to soften the whole look. Renovisions turned this outdated kitchen into a magnificent space where this homeowner plans on spending a lot of time.

Vivid Interiors This darling 1905 Capitol Hill home has a lot of charm. To complete its look, the kitchen, dining room and adjacent powder room have been modernized. A new kitchen design and expanded powder room increase the homeowner’s storage space and functionality. To open the space and integrate its style with the rest of the home, the new design included a reconfigured kitchen layout with an opened doorway into the dining room. The kitchen shines with Honey Maple cabinetry and Cambria quartz countertops, along with a gas cooktop, built-in double oven, and mosaic tile backsplash, all set to the backdrop of under-cabinet lighting and Marmoleum flooring. To integrate the original architecture into the kitchen and dining areas, arched doorways were built at either entrance, and new wood windows installed. For the new lighting plan and black-stainless appliances, an upgrade to the electrical panel was required. The updated lighting, neutral paint colors, and open floor plan, has increased the natural daylight in the kitchen and dining rooms. To expand the adjacent powder room and add more cabinet and counter space in the kitchen, the existing seating area was sacrificed and the wall was reframed. The bathroom now has a shallow cabinet featuring an under mount full size sink with off-set faucet mount to maximize space. We faced very few project challenges during this remodel. Luckily our client and her neighbors were very helpful with the constrained parking on Capitol Hill. The craftsman and carpenters on our team, rose to the challenge of building the new archways, as the completed look appears to be original architecture. The project was completed on schedule and within 5% of the proposed budget. A retired librarian, our client was home during most of the project, but was delightful to work with. The adjacent powder room features cloud-white stained cabinetry, Cambria quartz countertops, and a glass tile backsplash, plus new plumbing fixtures, a ventilation fan, and Marmoleum flooring. The home is now a complete package and an amazing space!

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.”

Brandon of Abilene, KS has chosen to go solar with national solar installer Green Solar Technologies. As you can see from this impressive solar panel installation, he made the right choice. GST is a platinum installer for SolarWorld USA and is proud to install American-made products for its customers looking for renewable energy alternatives. This 6,090 watt solar energy system consists of 21 SolarWorld panels with 21 power optimizers and a SolarEdge inverter enabling real-time solar production tracking. Because of the modern advancements in solar power generation, you can produce your own electricity year-round without relying on the utility company. Also when you install solar, you are increasing your property value, cutting your power generation costs, and helping contribute to a greener world. So go green and get peace of mind by making the switch to solar with Green Solar Technologies. See other installations and customer reviews at https://www.greensolartechnologies.com/reviews.

Our homeowners approached us to update the look and increase the functionality of their space, and we were happy to help! we started by removing existing cabinetry and builder bulkheads and installing a beautiful high gloss porcilain floor. New, Benjamin Moore painted cabinetry was installed, followed by stunning Cambria quartz countertops. Layout of the cabinetry and lighting were also revised to improve functionality as was the layout of the servery area. We also created a custom exhaust hood which really looks nice to house their powerful new extractor fan. Subway tile was then installed to complete the look. Have a look at the before pics, what a difference!

Our client was ready for a re-do and approached Renovisions for help to design and build a beautiful and durable space that will last as well as add value to her home. The challenge was to design the new kitchen to allow for better traffic, flow and functionalize this space for much needed storage. Moving the refrigerator to the other side of the kitchen and opening up a section of the wall between the dining room and kitchen was a great design solution. We increased the flow to the dining room and created a spacious feel with better access from the dining area. Warm hues from the granite countertops provided a rich contrast to the Ivory colored cabinetry that brightened up the room. Under-cabinet lighting was added over all countertop areas and is controlled by a dimmer switch for both task and ambient lighting. The brushed nickel hardware compliments the stainless steel appliances and Jado pull-down single lever faucet. The walls are a warm and inviting earthy green tone and ties in well with the soft linen hue of the beautiful subway tile backsplash. Simple, clean lines and earthy materials like granite and stainless steel worked together to soften the whole look. Renovisions turned this outdated kitchen into a magnificent space where this homeowner plans on spending a lot of time.

Our client was ready for a re-do and approached Renovisions for help to design and build a beautiful and durable space that will last as well as add value to her home. The challenge was to design the new kitchen to allow for better traffic, flow and functionalize this space for much needed storage. Moving the refrigerator to the other side of the kitchen and opening up a section of the wall between the dining room and kitchen was a great design solution. We increased the flow to the dining room and created a spacious feel with better access from the dining area. Warm hues from the granite countertops provided a rich contrast to the Ivory colored cabinetry that brightened up the room. Under-cabinet lighting was added over all countertop areas and is controlled by a dimmer switch for both task and ambient lighting. The brushed nickel hardware compliments the stainless steel appliances and Jado pull-down single lever faucet. The walls are a warm and inviting earthy green tone and ties in well with the soft linen hue of the beautiful subway tile backsplash. Simple, clean lines and earthy materials like granite and stainless steel worked together to soften the whole look. Renovisions turned this outdated kitchen into a magnificent space where this homeowner plans on spending a lot of time.

With this kitchen needing an update, we took the opportunity to move things around slightly to greatly improve the flow of the kitchen. By moving the refrigerator to the dining room side, it increased the flow coming into the kitchen from the entryway significantly. We also moved the sink to be centered on the window, allowing us a creative storage solution at the end of the dishwasher for cookie sheets, trays or cutting boards. We also removed the very large soffits (nearly 2' high) and were able to gain additional storage by taking the cabinetry all the way to the ceiling. By adding heated floors in this kitchen, it helps make this a nice cozy space to cook in. Using white cabinetry and adding in extra can lighting this space now looks and feel larger, brighter and more open. The grey textured subway tile and dark gunmetal hardware adds a bit of fun to the space, along with some contrast against the white cabinetry and countertops.

Vivid Interiors This darling 1905 Capitol Hill home has a lot of charm. To complete its look, the kitchen, dining room and adjacent powder room have been modernized. A new kitchen design and expanded powder room increase the homeowner’s storage space and functionality. To open the space and integrate its style with the rest of the home, the new design included a reconfigured kitchen layout with an opened doorway into the dining room. The kitchen shines with Honey Maple cabinetry and Cambria quartz countertops, along with a gas cooktop, built-in double oven, and mosaic tile backsplash, all set to the backdrop of under-cabinet lighting and Marmoleum flooring. To integrate the original architecture into the kitchen and dining areas, arched doorways were built at either entrance, and new wood windows installed. For the new lighting plan and black-stainless appliances, an upgrade to the electrical panel was required. The updated lighting, neutral paint colors, and open floor plan, has increased the natural daylight in the kitchen and dining rooms. To expand the adjacent powder room and add more cabinet and counter space in the kitchen, the existing seating area was sacrificed and the wall was reframed. The bathroom now has a shallow cabinet featuring an under mount full size sink with off-set faucet mount to maximize space. We faced very few project challenges during this remodel. Luckily our client and her neighbors were very helpful with the constrained parking on Capitol Hill. The craftsman and carpenters on our team, rose to the challenge of building the new archways, as the completed look appears to be original architecture. The project was completed on schedule and within 5% of the proposed budget. A retired librarian, our client was home during most of the project, but was delightful to work with. The adjacent powder room features cloud-white stained cabinetry, Cambria quartz countertops, and a glass tile backsplash, plus new plumbing fixtures, a ventilation fan, and Marmoleum flooring. The home is now a complete package and an amazing space!

Our homeowners approached us to update the look and increase the functionality of their space, and we were happy to help! we started by removing existing cabinetry and builder bulkheads and installing a beautiful high gloss porcilain floor. New, Benjamin Moore painted cabinetry was installed, followed by stunning Cambria quartz countertops. Layout of the cabinetry and lighting were also revised to improve functionality as was the layout of the servery area. We also created a custom exhaust hood which really looks nice to house their powerful new extractor fan. Subway tile was then installed to complete the look. Have a look at the before pics, what a difference!

Our homeowners approached us to update the look and increase the functionality of their space, and we were happy to help! we started by removing existing cabinetry and builder bulkheads and installing a beautiful high gloss porcilain floor. New, Benjamin Moore painted cabinetry was installed, followed by stunning Cambria quartz countertops. Layout of the cabinetry and lighting were also revised to improve functionality as was the layout of the servery area. We also created a custom exhaust hood which really looks nice to house their powerful new extractor fan. Subway tile was then installed to complete the look. Have a look at the before pics, what a difference!