Chipper Hatter
Home office - contemporary freestanding desk home office idea in New Orleans with white walls

We were approached by a Karen, a renowned sculptor, and her husband Tim, a retired MD, to collaborate on a whole-home renovation and furnishings overhaul of their newly purchased and very dated “forever home” with sweeping mountain views in Tigard. Karen and I very quickly found that we shared a genuine love of color, and from day one, this project was artistic and thoughtful, playful, and spirited. We updated tired surfaces and reworked odd angles, designing functional yet beautiful spaces that will serve this family for years to come. Warm, inviting colors surround you in these rooms, and classic lines play with unique pattern and bold scale. Personal touches, including mini versions of Karen’s work, appear throughout, and pages from a vintage book of Audubon paintings that she’d treasured for “ages” absolutely shine displayed framed in the living room. Partnering with a proficient and dedicated general contractor (LHL Custom Homes & Remodeling) makes all the difference on a project like this. Our clients were patient and understanding, and despite the frustrating delays and extreme challenges of navigating the 2020/2021 pandemic, they couldn’t be happier with the results. Photography by Christopher Dibble

Karen and Chad of Tower Lakes, IL were tired of their unfinished basement functioning as nothing more than a storage area and depressing gym. They wanted to increase the livable square footage of their home with a cohesive finished basement design, while incorporating space for the kids and adults to hang out. “We wanted to make sure that upon renovating the basement, that we can have a place where we can spend time and watch movies, but also entertain and showcase the wine collection that we have,” Karen said. After a long search comparing many different remodeling companies, Karen and Chad found Advance Design Studio. They were drawn towards the unique “Common Sense Remodeling” process that simplifies the renovation experience into predictable steps focused on customer satisfaction. “There are so many other design/build companies, who may not have transparency, or a focused process in mind and I think that is what separated Advance Design Studio from the rest,” Karen said. Karen loved how designer Claudia Pop was able to take very high-level concepts, “non-negotiable items” and implement them in the initial 3D drawings. Claudia and Project Manager DJ Yurik kept the couple in constant communication through the project. “Claudia was very receptive to the ideas we had, but she was also very good at infusing her own points and thoughts, she was very responsive, and we had an open line of communication,” Karen said. A very important part of the basement renovation for the couple was the home gym and sauna. The “high-end hotel” look and feel of the openly blended work out area is both highly functional and beautiful to look at. The home sauna gives them a place to relax after a long day of work or a tough workout. “The gym was a very important feature for us,” Karen said. “And I think (Advance Design) did a very great job in not only making the gym a functional area, but also an aesthetic point in our basement”. An extremely unique wow-factor in this basement is the walk in glass wine cellar that elegantly displays Karen and Chad’s extensive wine collection. Immediate access to the stunning wet bar accompanies the wine cellar to make this basement a popular spot for friends and family. The custom-built wine bar brings together two natural elements; Calacatta Vicenza Quartz and thick distressed Black Walnut. Sophisticated yet warm Graphite Dura Supreme cabinetry provides contrast to the soft beige walls and the Calacatta Gold backsplash. An undermount sink across from the bar in a matching Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop adds functionality and convenience to the bar, while identical distressed walnut floating shelves add an interesting design element and increased storage. Rich true brown Rustic Oak hardwood floors soften and warm the space drawing all the areas together. Across from the bar is a comfortable living area perfect for the family to sit down at a watch a movie. A full bath completes this finished basement with a spacious walk-in shower, Cocoa Brown Dura Supreme vanity with Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop, a crisp white sink and a stainless-steel Voss faucet. Advance Design’s Common Sense process gives clients the opportunity to walk through the basement renovation process one step at a time, in a completely predictable and controlled environment. “Everything was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to it’s full potential,” Karen said. Constantly striving for customer satisfaction, Advance Design’s success is heavily reliant upon happy clients referring their friends and family. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a remodeling project small or large,” Karen exclaimed at the completion of her project.

Freestanding bathtub - transitional brown floor freestanding bathtub idea in Portland Maine with blue cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, white countertops and raised-panel cabinets

Cheryl McIntosh Photographer | greatthingsaredone.com
Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic brown one-story mixed siding exterior home remodel in Other with a shingle roof

Large transitional master white tile and stone tile mosaic tile floor, white floor and double-sink alcove shower photo in New York with a two-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door, white countertops, a freestanding vanity, beaded inset cabinets and dark wood cabinets

Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor and brown floor living room remodel in Austin with white walls, a standard fireplace and a media wall

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in Portland Maine with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Inspiration for a huge contemporary single-wall light wood floor, beige floor and vaulted ceiling open concept kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and porcelain backsplash

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary u-shaped brown floor and laminate floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and stone tile backsplash

Raquel Langworthy
Pool - mid-sized coastal pool idea in New York

Example of a mid-sized transitional master porcelain tile, white floor and single-sink bathroom design in New York with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, a hinged shower door, white countertops and a floating vanity

Karen transformed her front yard with 100% drought-tolerant landscaping, using water-wise plants and a wide variety of natural stone materials. Cobble, rubble, pebble, flagstone and crushed rock were combined to create a dry streambed that adds a fluid movement to the yard. A basalt fountain water feature was positioned near the entry. Since Karen’s home is part of a Homeowner’s Association, speed was essential to the project. She hired Laura Eubanks of Design for Serenity to facilitate the quick turnaround, completing the project in just 5 days. Design for Serenity designed and installed the beautiful landscaping and succulent tapestries, while Karen herself selected the stone. Karen thinks of landscape rock as a form of art, considering it to be one of the most important elements in her project. She spent several hours with Laura’s team selecting the perfect boulders and materials from our Fallbrook yard. Her hard work paid off: Karen’s guests and HOA neighbors all raved about the impact of natural stone in this total yard transformation.

Roomy farmhouse dining room with plush chairs surrounding a large gray-wood table.
Example of a large transitional medium tone wood floor, brown floor and wallpaper dining room design in New York

A modest sized kitchen with custom tiled hood and cabinetry, handmade subway tile backsplash, and open floating shelves.
Example of a mid-sized transitional light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, white appliances, an island, gray countertops, white cabinets and subway tile backsplash

Beach style kids' room photo in New York

Tricia Shay Photography, HB Designs LLC
Inspiration for a timeless white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and multicolored floor alcove shower remodel in Milwaukee with white cabinets, green walls, a wall-mount sink, a hinged shower door and black countertops

Example of a transitional l-shaped light wood floor kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, open cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a transitional home bar remodel in St Louis