Client review for this project copied from our review page: After interviewing 6 other general contractors I could not be happier to have had the opportunity to interview and work with Mike Smith of MJR Builders. From the minute he showed up at my house through the entire construction period I had 100% confidence in what Mike was doing. Even as change orders occurred throughout the process I was always given a great value for my money. I would go as far as to say not only did Mike meet expectations, he exceeded them. I would not hesitate to use Mike for any job in the future or refer him to any of my family or friends.

Douglas Knight Construction and Springgate Photography
Transitional u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Salt Lake City with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an island, marble countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Profile Documentary for suburban developer Arnold Wesley. Aerial video and photography, interviews, and company profile. Aerial Drone video.
Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Chicago

In 2004 the Cincinnati Enquirer ran a half page article on me featuring an interview and photos of my project. That weekend, my future client returned from her home in New Jersey to Georgetown to buy this farm. She read the article, ripped it out of the paper and saved it for ten years before contacting me to design the house for her and her husband. After an intense design period we began interviewing local general contractors but did not feel like any of them were right for the job so she turned to me and said "why don't you build it" so I started Strathmore Construction and I did...

The custom library table doubles as a secondary eating area. CONRAD Grass weave shades filter the late afternoon sun. Photography: E Andrew McKinney
Inspiration for a transitional freestanding desk travertine floor study room remodel in San Francisco with beige walls

Large transitional formal and open concept light wood floor and beige floor living room photo in Salt Lake City with beige walls, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

After extensive interviews with both our clients and their daughter, they needed a reprieve and a way to better connect and enjoy their time as a family. Their daughter wanted a pond with fish. The parents wanted a camp-ground to take the vacations they never could. Finally patio space was needed to enjoy their extended family.

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept dark wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Kansas City with white walls and a ribbon fireplace

Profile Documentary for suburban developer Arnold Wesley. Aerial video and photography, interviews, and company profile. Aerial Drone video.
Trendy home design photo in Chicago

It’s #transformationtuesday which means we are sharing before and after photos of a #stairrunner project our installation team completed recently! We interviewed the homeowner to learn more about how she discovered us and why she selected the style she chose for her stair runner! Here are is the response! “I found you on Instagram from Candace of House of Paige (@_houseofpaige_)and also have seen Brenna Smith of Hope and Bay Design (@hopeandbay) go there too. You guys were local and I loved your instagram page - it was super easy to find inspiration ideas so I knew I needed to reach out. We have two dogs and a toddler (with another baby on the way!) so we wanted something that would be durable but would match our style a bit more! We did Oil Nut Bay in Charcoal. From my first visit to your work room to working with Billy over email, you made the process so easy! I really appreciated the honest feedback and opinions on the different styles we liked and if it would fit our lifestyle with dogs and kids at home. We must have had a dozen samples sent to us over the 2 months we worked together and it was just so easy to work with you virtually. We are so happy with the final product :)” We thank every single one of you for sharing your story and experience with us at The Carpet Workroom!

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Chicago

Artful remodeling of entire house, based on interviews with client to meet growing family's needs. New kitchen, bathrooms, windows and doors. New custom stone fireplace hearth, mantel and surround. Corrected elaborate site drainage problem. Refinished swimming pool, modernized 4,000 sq ft family entertainment patio.

Custom laundry room cabinetry.
Mid-sized transitional galley beige floor and ceramic tile dedicated laundry room photo in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Create a central location for storing kids' keepsakes: camp certificates, school memories, baby books, and more. Consolidate loose school papers into photo books, collect camp pictures and memories into one place, and create keepsake binders for birthday invitations, back-to-school interviews, and more.

Example of a classic carpeted bedroom design in Houston with beige walls

The previous design for this master bathroom was all out of date, mostly containing stale white tiling and an awkward layout for the shower and tub. With our experience in bathroom renovations, we transformed this space into a luxurious haven. Check out the interview with the owner of this master bathroom on our channel! Hear what she has to say about her beautiful new space. Use the link below to see the full video! Link: https://youtu.be/pfdz944kBXE

Artful remodeling of entire house, based on interviews with client to meet growing family's needs. New kitchen, bathrooms, windows and doors. New custom stone fireplace hearth, mantel and surround. Corrected elaborate site drainage problem. Refinished swimming pool, modernized 4,000 sq ft family entertainment patio.

Jennifer and Dan have lived in their Deer Park Illinois home for 15 years, slowly making minor fixes like painting and decorating; but they had a new plan for their kitchen the entire time. An awkwardly placed garage door, and an island cooktop with a terrible downdraft made a full-scale kitchen remodel an absolute must. Jennifer had many ideas in mind and wanted to work with a company that could provide high-end work, while partnering with a designer that would tailor the kitchen to her ideas. She was intrigued by the phrase “Common Sense Remodeling” in Advance Design’s feature she discovered while perusing an issue of the community’s Quintessential Barrington Magazine. Doing further research on the company’s website, as she looked through project profiles and read about Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy, she promptly scheduled an appointment to see if the people and ideas she read about were truly who they said they were. The more she read, the more she knew that the “Common Sense” approach to remodeling they described was exactly the type of company she was looking for. The partnership was sealed after an initial consultation with Owner Todd Jurs and Project Designer Michelle Lecinski. They displayed a combination of friendliness, professionalism and respect that was unmatched by any of the other companies Jennifer talked to. She knew that with Advance Design, she would be able to retain the vision that she had in mind with high-quality craftsmanship. “I reached out to Advance Design because of the ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ tagline,” Jennifer said. “That’s what lingered for me”. “Advance Design was the most respectful- of the house and of my design ideas, and the most professional of the handful of companies that looked at my project”. Soon after the meeting Jennifer began working with Michelle on the project design. They quickly developed chemistry. Jennifer loved how Michelle researched and located every detail that Jennifer wanted for the kitchen. Between the two of them, every concept and idea was worked through and perfected. “Jennifer had definite ideas about what she wanted the new kitchen to look like, she just didn’t know how to bring it all together. We worked together really well to make her ideas into the practical reality necessary for a well-functioning kitchen, with the look and feel that she had envisioned”, says Michelle. “Michelle was wonderful in using the CAD system she would show me new drawings every time we changed the layout while working through the design,” Jennifer said. “She was a really wonderful partner in execution, she made sure everything happened quickly and easily.” The finished design drew out elements of Jennifer’s style and personality. The pair call the look “sophisticated farmhouse” to describe the kitchen renovation to family and friends. The result was a beautifully crafted, authentic-feeling space that satisfied Jennifer’s dreams 15 years in the making. The whole project consisted of a kitchen remodel, mudroom upgrade with powder room, and garage entry relocation. “The projects I personally like the best, are the ones that put the client’s dreams on display,” Project Designer Michelle said. “And this is one of those projects.” The main focal point of the kitchen is custom zinc and brass ventilation hood with a vintage sheen, which was hand made to order by a small company in Indiana named Vogler Metalworking. “It’s like sculpture, a true work of art”, says Jennifer. Your eye is immediately drawn towards this elegant yet practical hood that eliminated the home’s downdraft problem and added a striking conversation piece at the same time. The carpenters had to use special gloves when transporting and installing it, so they didn’t smudge it with fingerprints. The beautiful hood centers proudly over the stunning black enamel and brass LaCornue Range. “I had a friend who had a LaCornue range and after learning how easy it was to cook perfect meals, I was convinced I wanted to have one”, says Jennifer. This unique, breathtaking combination anchors the entire kitchen and is apparent immediately as you walk into the great room the surrounds the space. DuraSupreme Crestwood cabinets with a Kendall Panel add function and sophistication. A custom gray paint color paired with a storm blue was developed so that the new kitchen looked like it belonged to the existing space. Unlacquered brass faucets and hardware were important to Jennifer because she wanted the living finishes to age over time. Remarkable brass diamond mesh cabinet door inserts imported from the UK continue to add this one-of-a-kind kitchen renovation; giving it a “you won’t see this everywhere” quality. The use of old railcar flooring for the coffee bar countertop and reclaimed oak for the open shelving gives an authenticity to the space uncommon in kitchens today. Jennifer and Michelle fell in love with the Limestone Grey Stone while they were investigating unique island countertop ideas. They liked the fact that the limestone as a living finish will age and change over time. Calcutta Miel Quartz countertops made for an excellent pairing around the perimeter, as it’s durable and perfect for cooking preparations. A textured white subway tile backsplash that runs to the ceiling keeps your eye moving towards the open shelving, and to the main focal point of the stunning range hood combination. “The kitchen functions beautifully, and it’s gorgeous,” beams Jennifer as she gestures with both hands while smiling ear to ear. “The most important thing was I wanted a kitchen that had a wonderful flow, cooked beautiful meals and was a great gathering place for family and friends, and this space does that perfectly! Beauty wise, it turned out exactly how I had envisioned. I felt the function part was the hardest part, and that was nailed”! Relocating the garage entry to the new mudroom was a huge priority and has finally separated the family’s arriving home functions from their kitchen. Now coats and shoes and bags have their own area for dropping once members arrive home. Matching gray DuraSupreme cabinetry helped create gorgeous, purposeful lockers for the family. A reclaimed vintage sink and custom wall paper were added to the tiny powder room to beautify the once previously only functional space. Advance Design was even able to create a custom space for their dog to sleep while the family is away. “It was unbelievable that a project of this size was completed in such a short time, and I think that’s because of the large amount of planning and preparation that went into it,” Jennifer marveled, “When we started, we were ready, and everything was prepared”. When it came to execution, Project Manager Justin Davis and his crew were quick, accessible, and organized. Projects like this kitchen are typically completed in as little as 8-10 weeks. Jennifer’s kitchen however despite the relocation of some challenging HVAC in a soffit and moving of an exterior door was completed remarkably fast in part because the team was working with an existing tile floor that ran throughout the first floor that the client really loved. “You get to know these people really well because they’re living in your house while you’re living in your house. They were so fast and really good, it didn’t take as long as even planned” reported Jennifer. “I would text Justin and he always responded almost immediately. I got to know all the guys who were working in our house and they were all wonderful people”. Details in a customized kitchen like this one require skill and care from the people who install it. “All the guys on the job were skilled at what the did. I wanted small details like little feet to look like furniture, that is where their carpentry skill came in to make these all perfect”, said Jennifer. “The tile guys were wonderful. They even let me determine how I wanted the texture with the grout to appear for a salt and pepper look; now that is a very skilled trade person making it custom”. In Jennifer’s interview, she continued to reference Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling”, so I took a minute to ask her exactly what that phrase meant to her and how it played out in her experience with her project and the Advance Design team. Here is what she said: “I was intrigued about Common Sense Remodeling and in my head that there would be clear costs and prices, great communication between the design team, the execution team and me”, said Jennifer. They did deliver on that, it was so clear about the cost breakdown, what I could expect from everyone who came to my house, and everything that we had ordered. That to me is the Common Sense”! It’s great to see a client take literally our assertion that a well-planned remodeling project is simply “Common Sense”! She anticipated each step of the way would be clear, concise, and predictable, all the while protecting the outcome due to the careful upfront planning. “Advance Design delivered on their ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ promise,” Jennifer said. “From the design team, to the execution team - everything was straight forward like I imagined. The project turned out exactly how I envisioned, I enjoyed this process and absolutely would recommend Advance Design Studio to anyone.”