Search results for "Initially" in Home Design Ideas

Not everyone would see the hidden beauty in the Yonkers property destined for the wrecking ball in 2000. But one family took the serious fixer-upper under their wing. Crumbling walls, overgrown maples (indeed, saplings were busting through the brick walls), and deer living in the basement was the state of affairs when Westover Landscape Design initially arrived on the scene. A year of intensive, meticulous, thoughtful renovation by the homeowner followed while the house was brought up to speed. When the last construction machine finally rumbled out, that’s when Robert Welsch and his crew began their odyssey.
The goal was to honor the newly restored relic and deliver it into the future with fitting surroundings. “We wanted to bring that treasure back to life,” Robert Welsch explains. Working closely with the homeowner as well as the city of Yonkers to guide the restoration, their first feat was to install a proper drainage system with catchments capable of keeping storm water from the massive roof flowing away. Before anything was visible on the surface, extensive work was accomplished underground. Meanwhile, a plan was drafted to honor the era of the house. Westover chose bluestone as the primary path material for its easy maintenance and simplicity when laying the swank configuration of pathways around the house and outward to an entertaining pavilion. By cleverly hemming the bluestone with period brick that echoes the building material for the house for continuity, the result is a smart and sophisticated finish to a promenade that constantly draws the family and their pets outdoors. Brick was also used to rebuild the walled gardens for the much-needed privacy in a close-knit Yonkers community. And a graceful wrought iron gate enhances the arrival experience. But walls and gates were not the only element to screen and reveal views—plant selection was critical.
Few landscapers would go the extra mile to find period perfect plants for a 19th Century restoration, but Robert Welsch saw the importance of authenticity in creating the mood. He repeated large trees—such as an exquisite London plane tree in the front yard—to balance the expression in the back. Recognizing the need for immediate stature, he selected a weeping willow to gain instant volume, giving the landscape a sense of deep roots. A weeping Camperdown elm adds sophisticated drama to the walled stroll gardens. Hydrangeas were incorporated for their billowy stature, easy maintenance, and long blooming season. Similarly, all the plants in residence play their part in the display that goes beyond the usual spring fling to extend throughout the growing season—offering visual interest even when they are not performing. From spring bulbs to autumn perennials, there is never a dull moment. Meanwhile, every step along the way was a collaboration working hand-in-hand with the homeowner and the city to make certain that the historic landmark status of the property was upheld and honored.
The result goes beyond a landscape that is just old faithful. It adds life to the picture, creating a jewel-like setting for the newly proud house. In a word, it is sublime. By planting wisely and using sustainable elements, the restored house and its surroundings are ready for the next generation and beyond. This Yonkers gem remains meticulously groomed under the watchful eye and skill of Westover Landscape Design’s team of gardeners—It’s a keeper.

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For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate.
At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room.
The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining.
The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye.
The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces.
The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen.
Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets.
While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room.
While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking.
Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

This large property was a blank canvas when Pro-Land was hired to complete the design and build for this backyard retreat. Initially, the clients had just wanted a small outdoor space with a kitchen and a cabana with a fireplace. As the design progressed things changed; a secondary covered structure was added to the kitchen, and the patio was expanded to include a concrete pool. The natural stone fireplace in the cabana is a focal piece in this backyard. The wood and natural stone along with a crackling fire create a comfortable and cozy space to relax on those cooler summer nights. Raised planter boxes frame the path to the pool, separating the spaces while creating a cohesive feel through the use of materials. Truly an entertainers paradise, the yard features a gunnite pool complete with hot tub and tanning deck, a covered outdoor kitchen & bar, custom wood burning fireplace, and modern cabana finished with automatic roller screens, and sliding glass doors.
Photography by: Effie Edits Inc.
Find the right local pro for your project

Residential exterior painting is a labor-intensive, detailed, and time-consuming project that demands the rich experience of a professional house painter. Whether you intend to put your house for sale, improve its curb appeal, or host many parties, new exterior paint can allow you to fall in love with your home all over again.
Isn’t a DIY painting project more cost-effective? While the initial cost may be cheaper, when you cut corners and overlook imperfections, you may end up spending more than intended to correct the errors. Instead, hiring an exterior house painting team will ensure that your project is ideally, efficiently, and professionally completed.
Let's explore the benefits of hiring a professional house painter in Miami, Florida

Glass Front Entry Doors that Make a Statement! Your front entry door is your home's initial focal point and glass front doors by Sans Soucie with frosted, etched glass designs create a unique, custom effect while providing privacy AND light thru exquisite, quality designs! Available any size, all glass front doors are custom made to order and ship worldwide at reasonable prices. Exterior entry door glass will be tempered, dual pane (an equally efficient single 1/2" thick pane is used in our fiberglass doors). Selling both the glass inserts for front doors as well as entry doors with glass, Sans Soucie art glass doors are available in 8 woods and Plastpro fiberglass in both smooth surface or a grain texture, as a slab door or prehung in the jamb - any size. From simple frosted glass effects to our more extravagant 3D sculpture carved, painted and stained glass .. and everything in between, Sans Soucie designs are sandblasted different ways creating not only different effects, but different price levels. The "same design, done different" - with no limit to design, there's something for every decor, any style. The privacy you need is created without sacrificing sunlight! Price will vary by design complexity and type of effect: Specialty Glass and Frosted Glass. Inside our fun, easy to use online Glass and Entry Door Designer, you'll get instant pricing on everything as YOU customize your door and glass! When you're all finished designing, you can place your order online! We're here to answer any questions you have so please call (877) 331-339 to speak to a knowledgeable representative! Doors ship worldwide at reasonable prices from Palm Desert, California with delivery time ranges between 3-8 weeks depending on door material and glass effect selected. (Doug Fir or Fiberglass in Frosted Effects allow 3 weeks, Specialty Woods and Glass [2D, 3D, Leaded] will require approx. 8 weeks).

Bud Kane has remodeled nearly every room in his own home over many years. Now reaching his 70’s, he contemplated heading up a major kitchen and laundry room renovation himself, planning on doing the carpentry work with his own hands. “I was not convinced I would ever meet anyone who could do it as well as I could do it myself”, said Bud. Ruth and Bud spent 5 years visiting kitchen firms and interviewing designers. They couldn’t however bring themselves to pull the trigger on the project, until they met Advance Design Studio in 2015.
“No one understood what I wanted”, said Ruth. She was continually frustrated by experiences with designers who weren’t hearing what was important to her. “Everyone kept designing my kitchen with what they thought it should look like; I couldn’t find anyone who would listen to me”!
When they met designer Scott Christensen from Advance Design Studio, they liked him right away. He listened to Ruth and designed a kitchen that she loved, all the while interjecting years of wisdom and design expertise that Ruth appreciated. “The finished product is better than I expected”, says Ruth. “I respected Scott’s opinions and together we created the perfect place for me to bake with my grandkids and truly enjoy the kitchen and laundry room I’ve been dreaming of for many years!”
The kitchen transformation began with removing the home’s soffits, and extending new painted maple cabinetry to the ceiling with the addition of an elegant crown molding. Ruth’s new Vita Mix holds a coveted place on her counter, and adjustments were planned to size the cabinets in conjunction with the under cabinet decorative light molding to fit this appliance just right. “This one small detail was really important to me”, says Ruth smiling. An elegant new island replaced the original island, complete with room for 3 stools where her grandchildren will sit to make home-made pasta every Thanksgiving, and cookies at Christmas time. “Traditions are very important in my family, and making my kitchen work to suit cherished activities with my family was the number one reason this renovation was so desired”, replied Ruth when asked about the island.
A picture perfect new tea station replaced a cluttered unused desk area, creating a wonderful place to prepare hot drinks for sipping any season of the year while overlooking the couple’s wonderfully manicured gardens from the lovely 3 season’s room just off the kitchen. The soft sage island bead panel detail was repeated on the backsplash, replicating the feel of a fine old piece of furniture.
The biggest problem with the laundry room was 3 doors, one from the garage, one from the closet, and one to the hallway. “Scott designed a pocket door, and oh what a dream it is now to bring groceries in from the garage!” exclaims Bud who grew to disdain this task! Doing laundry is now a breeze in this attractive new space that doubles as a wonderful pantry for the kitchen with room to store food items that didn’t have a home in the poorly designed original space.
New Hickory distressed wood flooring was laid both in the kitchen and leading to the hall foyer. Soft gray wood-replicating porcelain was placed in the laundry area, making for an easily cleanable surface for what doubles as a mud room from the garage. Creamy tumbled marble graces an unobtrusive backsplash spilling onto shiny granite counter tops in a rich earthy pattern of fall colors that mimic colors throughout the home. Advance is known details that included custom crafted furniture toe kicks, luxurious crown moldings, and beaded under cabinet moldings. The kitchen is complete with a glass display cabinet showing Ruth’s treasured china tea collection.
Early on, it was initially only their intention of purchasing cabinets for the new design. They were so impressed however with Advance Design’s complete program for budgeting, design, installation and management that it became clear to them both that they wanted Advance to handle the entire project from start to finish. “After seeing the quality work they did, coupled with the in-house team completely dedicated to our satisfaction, it became apparent there was no other choice but to hire them to handle everything. And we’re so glad we did, we have not one regret”, says Bud.
“The attention to detail by the carpentry crew more than satisfied my perfectionist expectations of the finished carpentry,” exclaimed Bud. “Every one of Advance Design’s people we encountered from design through construction was wonderful. We’ve never met a group of people so dedicated to making sure we were happy with every single detail, and every single part of this experience”, said Ruth and Bud.
Designer: Scott Christensen
Photographer: Joe Nowak

Glass Front Doors, Entry Doors that Make a Statement! Your front door is your home's initial focal point and glass doors by Sans Soucie with frosted, etched glass designs create a unique, custom effect while providing privacy AND light thru exquisite, quality designs! Available any size, all glass front doors are custom made to order and ship worldwide at reasonable prices. Exterior entry door glass will be tempered, dual pane (an equally efficient single 1/2" thick pane is used in our fiberglass doors). Selling both the glass inserts for front doors as well as entry doors with glass, Sans Soucie art glass doors are available in 8 woods and Plastpro fiberglass in both smooth surface or a grain texture, as a slab door or prehung in the jamb - any size. From simple frosted glass effects to our more extravagant 3D sculpture carved, painted and stained glass .. and everything in between, Sans Soucie designs are sandblasted different ways creating not only different effects, but different price levels. The "same design, done different" - with no limit to design, there's something for every decor, any style. The privacy you need is created without sacrificing sunlight! Price will vary by design complexity and type of effect: Specialty Glass and Frosted Glass. Inside our fun, easy to use online Glass and Entry Door Designer, you'll get instant pricing on everything as YOU customize your door and glass! When you're all finished designing, you can place your order online! We're here to answer any questions you have so please call (877) 331-339 to speak to a knowledgeable representative! Doors ship worldwide at reasonable prices from Palm Desert, California with delivery time ranges between 3-8 weeks depending on door material and glass effect selected. (Doug Fir or Fiberglass in Frosted Effects allow 3 weeks, Specialty Woods and Glass [2D, 3D, Leaded] will require approx. 8 weeks).

Initially just a bedroom with closet on this 1/2 floor sleeping level, we shortened up the bedroom a bit and added an ensuite that may be compact, but versatile and boasts a naturally lit shower from the sun tunnel above.

Photography by Jim Tetro
This house, built in the 1960s, sits southfacing on a terrific wooded lot in Bethesda, Maryland.
The owners desire a whole-house renovation which would improve the general building fabric and systems, and extend the sense of living out of doors in all seasons.
The original sixties-modern character is preserved and the renovation extends the design forward into a contemporary, modern approach. Connections to and through the site are enhanced through the creation of new larger window and door openings.
Screened porches and decks perch above the sloped and wooded site. The new kitchen and bathrooms allow for opportunities to feel out-of -doors while preparing, cooking, dining, and bathing.
Smart passive strategies guide the environmental choices for this project, including envelope improvements, updated mechanical systems, and on-site stormwater management.

This Paradise Valley stunner was a down-to-the-studs renovation. The owner, a successful business woman and owner of Bungalow Scottsdale -- a fabulous furnishings store, had a very clear vision. DW's mission was to re-imagine the 1970's solid block home into a modern and open place for a family of three. The house initially was very compartmentalized including lots of small rooms and too many doors to count. With a mantra of simplify, simplify, simplify, Architect CP Drewett began to look for the hidden order to craft a space that lived well.
This residence is a Moroccan world of white topped with classic Morrish patterning and finished with the owner's fabulous taste. The kitchen was established as the home's center to facilitate the owner's heart and swagger for entertaining. The public spaces were reimagined with a focus on hospitality. Practicing great restraint with the architecture set the stage for the owner to showcase objects in space. Her fantastic collection includes a glass-top faux elephant tusk table from the set of the infamous 80's television series, Dallas.
It was a joy to create, collaborate, and now celebrate this amazing home.
Project Details:
Architecture: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB; Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ
Interior Selections: Linda Criswell, Bungalow Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ
Photography: Dino Tonn, Scottsdale, AZ
Featured in: Phoenix Home and Garden, June 2015, "Eclectic Remodel", page 87.

Glass Front Doors, Entry Doors that Make a Statement! Your front door is your home's initial focal point and glass doors by Sans Soucie with frosted, etched glass designs create a unique, custom effect while providing privacy AND light thru exquisite, quality designs! Available any size, all glass front doors are custom made to order and ship worldwide at reasonable prices. Exterior entry door glass will be tempered, dual pane (an equally efficient single 1/2" thick pane is used in our fiberglass doors). Selling both the glass inserts for front doors as well as entry doors with glass, Sans Soucie art glass doors are available in 8 woods and Plastpro fiberglass in both smooth surface or a grain texture, as a slab door or prehung in the jamb - any size. From simple frosted glass effects to our more extravagant 3D sculpture carved, painted and stained glass .. and everything in between, Sans Soucie designs are sandblasted different ways creating not only different effects, but different price levels. The "same design, done different" - with no limit to design, there's something for every decor, any style. The privacy you need is created without sacrificing sunlight! Price will vary by design complexity and type of effect: Specialty Glass and Frosted Glass. Inside our fun, easy to use online Glass and Entry Door Designer, you'll get instant pricing on everything as YOU customize your door and glass! When you're all finished designing, you can place your order online! We're here to answer any questions you have so please call (877) 331-339 to speak to a knowledgeable representative! Doors ship worldwide at reasonable prices from Palm Desert, California with delivery time ranges between 3-8 weeks depending on door material and glass effect selected. (Doug Fir or Fiberglass in Frosted Effects allow 3 weeks, Specialty Woods and Glass [2D, 3D, Leaded] will require approx. 8 weeks).

Built in 1907 and nestled into the beating heart of San Fran’s Bernal Heights neighbourhood, this adorable abode was an unpolished gem ready to be turned into our clients’ dream home.
Our mission was to gift Bonview with classic, natural and timeless style while setting it up with impressive functionality so that it was ready to be the pet-friendly, kid-friendly and entertaining-friendly home they needed it to be. Mission accepted!
Our clients’ vision was clear: They wanted whites, blacks and wood tones with texture and personality. Oh, and that spunky wine fridge? Yep, that was a non-negotiable. ?
“It’s not unusual for our friends and family to drop past unannounced any day of the week. And we love it!” They told us during our initial Design Therapy Sesh.
We knew immediately what she meant - we have an open-door policy with our families, too! Which was why we consciously created living spaces that were open, inviting and welcoming.
Now, the only problem our clients would have would be convincing their guests to leave!
Our clients also enjoyed cooking and baking casually, so we created an organized, intuitive and functional kitchen and pantry that made whipping up homemade dips and snacks for their game nights a breeze.

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.”

What you envision we create, from initial phases of design to the materials selected and how they are crafted. Here you can see architectural detailing shining through and adding to enrich the room.

Here is the view from the front door. Initially, this room was divided between the Living room and the Kitchen by a Wine Room. It was so much better when with the aid of a contractor, we were able to open the space and completely remodel the Great Room .

Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, paneled appliances and an island

THE SETUP
Located in a luxury high rise in Chicago’s Gold Coast Neighborhood, the condo’s existing primary bath was “fine,” but a bit underwhelming. It was a sea of beige, with very little personality or drama. The client is very well traveled, and wanted the space to feel luxe and glamorous, like a bath in a fine European hotel.
Design objectives:
- Add loads of beautiful high end finishes
- Create drama and contrast
- Create luxe showering and bathing experiences
- Improve storage for toiletries and essentials
THE REMODEL
Design challenges:
- Unable to reconfigure layout due to location in the high rise
- Seek out unique, dramatic tile materials
- Introduce “BLING”
- Find glamorous lighting
Design solutions:
- Keep existing layout, with change from built in to free-standing tub
- Gorgeous Calacatta gold marble was our inspiration
- Ornate Art deco marble mosaic to be the focal point, with satin gold accents to create shimmer
- Glass and crystal light fixtures add the needed sparkle
THE RENEWED SPACE
After the remodel began, our client’s vision for her bath took a turn that was inspired by a trip to Paris. Initially, the plan was a modest design to allocate resources for her kitchen’s marble slabs… but then she had a vision while admiring the marble bathroom of her Parisian hotel.
She was determined to infuse her bathroom with the same sense of luxury. They went back to the drawing board and started over with all-marble.
Her new stunning bath space radiates glamour and sophistication. The “bling” flows to her bedroom where we matched the gorgeous custom wall treatment that mimics grasscloth on an accent wall. With its marble landscape, shimmering tile and walls, the primary bath’s ambiance creates a swanky hotel feel that our client adores and considers her sanctuary.
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