Tired of doing laundry in an unfinished rugged basement? These homeowner's were as well! They contacted Castle to help them with their basement planning and build for a finished laundry space and new bathroom with shower. After the designer and client walked through ideas to improve flow of space, we decided to eliminate the existing 1/2 bath in the family room, and move the new bathroom into the existing laundry room. The full laundry room was finished to include new walls, ceilings, new plumbing, new Adura luxury vinyl tile flooring, beautiful shaker style cabinetry with beadboard panel, Glossy white Cultured marble countertops, a new Blanco composite sink, and Kohler Bellera faucet. In the new bathroom space, we continued the Adura luxury vinyl flooring. Finishes in the bathroom include Kohler Memoirs pedestal sink, Kohler Archer faucet, custom hex tile shower floor, subway tile walls, and custom frameless glass shower enclosure. Additional improvements were made to improve the health of the home including asbestos tile abatement, new drain tile and sump pump, new spray foam insulation, new glass block window, and a new Panasonic bathroom fan. We also decided to save and restore some original pieces in the home like their existing 5-panel doors and repurposing one salvaged door into a pocket door for the new bathroom. The homeowner completed the basement finish with new carpeting in the family room. The whole basement feels fresh, new, and has a great flow. They will enjoy their happy and healthy home for years to come.

We transformed an A-Frame home for a couple seeking more light and openness. By removing walls and repositioning the counter, we improved headspace and flow. Track lighting, sconces, and modern appliances added brightness, while maple flooring created warmth. We also installed a window-paneled door and custom slat walls to let natural light pour in, blending the indoors with nature and making the space feel airy and welco

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change.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.”

Water flowing over rocks and into a pond.
Design ideas for a large southwestern partial sun and drought-tolerant backyard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Phoenix.

Sometimes an island with seating just doesn't work. By putting 12" deep base cabinets in this peninsula, the traffic flow in the kitchen was improved while still allowing for counter dining.

Water flowing over rocks and into a pond.
Inspiration for a large southwestern partial sun and drought-tolerant backyard concrete paver water fountain landscape in Phoenix.

We transformed an A-Frame home for a couple seeking more light and openness. By removing walls and repositioning the counter, we improved headspace and flow. Track lighting, sconces, and modern appliances added brightness, while maple flooring created warmth. We also installed a window-paneled door and custom slat walls to let natural light pour in, blending the indoors with nature and making the space feel airy and welco

Design-build kitchen, powder room, and butler’s pantry remodel in an 1890 Victorian home in Wakefield, MA. Full renovation included reconfiguring the powder room layout and opening a load-bearing wall between the kitchen and dining room to improve flow and functionality. Kitchen remodel features frameless full overlay cabinetry in Steel Blue, quartz countertops (Alleanza Dolomiti Extra), beveled crackle tile backsplash, and hardwood flooring. Island addition replaces freestanding table and adds prep space with microwave drawer. Full-height wall cabinets maximize kitchen storage. Historic-inspired details include ogee-edge countertops, bridge-style faucet in English Bronze, decorative corbels, polished nickel hardware, and industrial-style sconces. Powder room renovation includes reduced footprint layout, basketweave floor tile, applied molding, wallpaper, and vintage-inspired plumbing fixtures in chrome. Butler’s pantry remodel features inset cherry cabinetry in a coffee stain finish, quartz countertops, glass-front cabinets, beverage fridge, bar sink, and wallpapered cabinetry interiors. Designed as a functional wet bar and storage extension off dining room. Style: Traditional / Victorian kitchen remodel, historic home renovation, design-build remodeling contractor Wakefield MA.

The owners of this 1950s colonial on Philadelphia’s Main Line wanted to preserve its traditional architecture and take advantage of the kitchen’s ample footprint. In addition to reworking the floorplan and improving the flow, the owner wanted a large island with several seating options, a desk area and a small table for dining. One of the design goals was to transform the spacious room into a functional kitchen that still felt intimate and comfortable for everyday use. Furniture style inset cabinetry kept the room in tune with the home’s original character and made it feel less utilitarian. Removing the wall that hindered the flow and views between the kitchen and the adjacent family room ensured that the main entertaining areas flowed together. Stylistically, we wanted to avoid the typical white kitchen, opting instead to pull in rich wood tones to create a warmer and more classic look.

The essence of age-old bathing traditions from the Japanese with the most modern of bathing amenity delivers this wonderful deep, single person soaking bathtub. Aquatica’s Mini Tranquility is truly reminiscent of the Japanese Ofuro style of tub and like its forebear, includes a built-in seat and ergonomically-shaped back and headrest in which to sit and soak in blissful comfort. Yet all this comes in a tiny footprint of just 43”, the only bathtub like it on the market. Big enough for full-body emersion of even 6ft-plus bathers, yet so compact and space efficient it fits easily where no other bathtub can. The tub is crafted from AquateX™, Aquatica’s patented, next generation solid surface composite that provides robust durability and good looks that are smooth to the skin. The wide rim aids ease of entry into the bath, which can also be enhanced with the addition of the beautiful, optional, solid teak wood step. The other outstanding feature of this unique and wonderful bathtub, also inspired by the ancient Japanese art of bathing, is Aquatica’s water heating and recirculation system (just like the traditional Japanese oidaki). Now, you can enjoy continuous hot water within your bath, maintaining a constant temperature of 104F /40C (41-45C in Europe and other markets) without having to add fresh hot water and waste power. The built-in Tranquility heating system is utilizing a low flow/high-efficiency ultra-quiet pump. Equipped with minimalist control panel, a standard 1.5kW inline water heater (US) or 2kW (Europe and other markets) with ozone disinfection, Bluetooth audio system, and underwater LED сhromotherapy system, the Tranquility system provides the ultimate luxury bathing experience.

We transformed an A-Frame home for a couple seeking more light and openness. By removing walls and repositioning the counter, we improved headspace and flow. Track lighting, sconces, and modern appliances added brightness, while maple flooring created warmth. We also installed a window-paneled door and custom slat walls to let natural light pour in, blending the indoors with nature and making the space feel airy and welco

Open concept living space with custom built in cabinets on the sides of the fireplace with built in floating shelves. 42" Linear Fireplace (Superior) with stone surround to ceiling. Extensive laminate hardwoods flowing throughout. Clear anodized aluminum cable handrail.

We transformed an A-Frame home for a couple seeking more light and openness. By removing walls and repositioning the counter, we improved headspace and flow. Track lighting, sconces, and modern appliances added brightness, while maple flooring created warmth. We also installed a window-paneled door and custom slat walls to let natural light pour in, blending the indoors with nature and making the space feel airy and welco

Design Group Three: Kitchen Remodel The 1990’s renovation of this kitchen failed to capture the home’s original character and architectural style. Major structural and mechanical changes, including the complete removal of a load-bearing wall, opened design solutions to improve function and sight lines within the first floor. An abandoned space hidden by the previous renovation was restored to create an intimate seating area. The kitchen was completely rearranged, redesigned, and dramatically furnished to achieve form, flow, and function. Architectural details were carefully duplicated throughout. Custom cabinetry, creative lighting, and natural stone countertops are just a few of the details that complement the home’s original character.

Dining room is opened up to the kitchen by creating a half-wall and beverage bar.
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Materials were chosen to blend the new kitchen with the existing mid century natural elements in the home.
Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Mid-sized elegant master beige tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile and beige floor drop-in bathtub photo in Kansas City with raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, beige walls, a one-piece toilet, granite countertops, a hinged shower door and an undermount sink

We rearranged the furniture and improved the layout of the living room according to the Feng Shui principles.
Inspiration for a large victorian open concept carpeted living room remodel in San Francisco with pink walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless ceramic tile sunroom remodel in New York with no fireplace and a standard ceiling