A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

Inspired by Arts & Crafts style, the Nest crib is built by one of the few remaining U.S. family-owned crib makers. It features solid wood construction and a non-toxic lacquer. With its classic design and the option to convert to a toddler bed, the Nest crib will transition beautifully from infant to toddler years. We're proud to bring you exclusive cribs designed to keep your baby safe. We ensure each crib meets or exceeds all U.S. government safety standards, as well as CPSC requirements and ASTM standards.

A little girls room with a pale pink ceiling and pale gray wainscoat This fast pace second level addition in Lakeview has received a lot of attention in this quite neighborhood by neighbors and house visitors. Ana Borden designed the second level addition on this previous one story residence and drew from her experience completing complicated multi-million dollar institutional projects. The overall project, including designing the second level addition included tieing into the existing conditions in order to preserve the remaining exterior lot for a new pool. The Architect constructed a three dimensional model in Revit to convey to the Clients the design intent while adhering to all required building codes. The challenge also included providing roof slopes within the allowable existing chimney distances, stair clearances, desired room sizes and working with the structural engineer to design connections and structural member sizes to fit the constraints listed above. Also, extensive coordination was required for the second addition, including supports designed by the structural engineer in conjunction with the existing pre and post tensioned slab. The Architect’s intent was also to create a seamless addition that appears to have been part of the existing residence while not impacting the remaining lot. Overall, the final construction fulfilled the Client’s goals of adding a bedroom and bathroom as well as additional storage space within their time frame and, of course, budget. Smart Media

Modern Italian Wall Unit Velvet 903 by Artigian Mobili Made in Italy Velvet by ArtigianMobili is an ultra modern collection of wall unit and entertainment centers for your modern home. The Velvet line is modular, providing flexible solutions for your living room, taking into account your specific dimensions and functional requirements. All the units within this wall unit collection are made in Italy according high European quality standards and using the finest materials. The variety of units is presented in different sizes, making possible to customize any composition to fit your particular dimensions and match the design. Color is also flexible within the Velvet Wall Unit Collection. All the units can be ordered wood finished, wood open pore matt lacquered, or lacquered even in your custom RAL COLOR, either gloss or matt! Please select from our "as shown" wall unit compositions or implement your creativity building a unique one! Base units are covered with extra clear white lacquered glass that can be optionally removed, making the wall unit composition cost less. Contact our Office regarding customization of this wall unit - we are always ready to help! MATERIAL/CONSTRUCTION: Structure is made of 18 mm (0.7") thick wooden particles melamine panels The lacquered structures and fronts are made of REAL LACQUERING, which is non toxic and non allergic product Lights (if any) CE marked and comply with the directives 93/68/EEC and 92/31/EEC The starting price is for the Wall Unit Composition Velvet 903 as shown in the main picture in Dark Oak Finish / Matt White Lacquer. Dimensions: Wall Unit: W141.7" x D14.6"/22.3" x H71" TV Space: W53" x H43"

Modern Italian Wall Unit VV 3930 Made in Italy Perfect for both modern and contemporary styled interiors, this modular wall unit line offers lots of customization options so everyone could adjust the composition according to the individual's size and color requirements, creating an entertainment center of the dream. The wall unit line features lots of different units, that are available in several sizes and can wall mounted both vertically and horizontally. All the units from this entertainment center furniture collection are available in walnut, white ash, ivory ash and mink ash wood structure finishes as well as white and mud high gloss lacquers. The structure and the front doors of the same unit can be ordered in different finishes/lacquers to add unique and elegant contrast look to the wall unit design. Features: E1-Class ecological panels, which are produced exclusively through a wood recycling production process The structure and the front in wood finishes are made of chipboard The lacquered structures and fronts are made of REAL POLISH SCRATCH PROOF LACQUERING, which is non toxic and non allergic products All the panels are 0.7" thick Drawers mounted on metal runners with MDF bottom panel, height adjustable and soft-close system Metal snap-on hinges with adjustable height The starting price is for the VV Wall Unit Composition 3930 as shown in the main picture in Walnut / White Lacquered finishes. (Consists of: Two Base Drawer Cabinets H17.7" x W35.4" each, Base Drawer Cabinet H10.2" x W59", Two Horizontal Hanging Units W47.2" each, Horizontal Hanging Unit W35.4", Two Horizontal Hanging Bookcases W47.2" each). Dimensions: Wall Unit: W130" x D18.3" x H74.8" Individual Components: Base Drawer Cabinet: W59" x D18.3" x H10.2" Base Drawer Cabinet: W35.4" x D18.3" x H17.7" Horizontal Hanging Bookcase: W47.2" x D13" x H13.4" Horizontal Hanging Unit: W47.2" x D13.8" x H13.4" Horizontal Hanging Unit: W35.4" x D13.8" x H13.4"

Mike and Michelle of Lake Barrington knew they needed extra space. Their home was becoming too crowded for their family with blossoming teenagers, so a basement renovation offered the perfect solution for more space for the kids and more room to entertain for the adults. “Our project consisted of expanding our laundry room, putting in a first floor wet bar so we had adult space upstairs, while also renovating our basement for a family-friendly and teen-functional area as well,” Michelle says. They found Advance Design Studio through a neighbor who gave a glowing recommendation, giving Michelle and Mike the confidence they needed to move forward with a major home renovation. They felt like they knew Advance Design before they even worked together. When they met with the owner Todd Jurs and designer Nicole Ryan, Mike and Michelle knew they were getting a trustworthy, dependable team that could create the project they had been dreaming about for 7 years. Having virtually no natural light to work with, one of the biggest design challenges was creating a basement that did not feel dark and depressing. The Advance team got to work creating architectural archways and custom detailed dry-stack stone columns artfully designed into the space, adding a dramatic element that made the space feel less like a basement or more like a relaxing family room. Color 3D renderings were created to portray what the space would look like so Mike and Michelle could visualize the space in advance. Detailed trim and crown moldings grace the built in buffet and wet bar making for an amazingly functional space that lacks nothing in style and visual interest. Cherry wood cabinetry by Dura Supreme is featured in the space with a “Cocoa Brown” finish and includes beautiful mirrored glass doors embellished with unique elliptical mullion details. A built-in microwave, dishwasher and mini fridge add practicality to the ample entertainment mecca. An under mounted sink finishes the space joined with a intricate mosaic tile backsplash and “Ventisca Polished” quartz countertops. The basement is absolutely perfect for hosting friends and family with expertly designed key areas such as a game space for the kids, a movie area for the family, an ample workout room with luxurious full bath, and even built in wine storage. The family absolutely loves the new basement living space, and has already enjoyed numerous family movie nights and sleep-overs with friends. While custom cabinets made by Dura Supreme were used to create unique spaces that lived up to Mike and Michelle’s expectations., heated flooring under the 16”x16” “Mongolian Spring” tile was installed giving all tiled areas of the basement a much cozier feel, eliminating that cold hard surface most of us hate in our basements! The new basement must-have requirement list included a new bath space, which was incorporated adjacent to the work out room. The sleek shower door and cabinets in the new bathroom make guests and family feel like they are in an elegant hotel. The new guest bath features 4”x36” “Silver Screen” honed marble tile in a brick pattern on the shower walls and 2”x2” “Chenille” limestone tile in a hexagon mosaic pattern on the shower floor. “I came in with very specific requirements for our three project areas,” Michelle says. “There was not one time that I felt like I was asking for something that was not going to turn out how I anticipated.” Tying in multiple rooms during a renovation if you have can do it makes a lot of sense and saves money in the long run. A fully functional laundry room as well was a must on this family’s wish list. Michelle wanted to add space to the existing cramped and awkward laundry room, and Mike wanted to make sure they could still park a car in the garage. Reconfiguring interior walls required borrowing unused space cleverly from the garage in order to enlarge the laundry room space. Drawers under the stairs added beautiful hidden storage created almost magically out of dead space. White painted Dura Supreme cabinets bring additional light into the small space; while the 16”x16” cleft slate tile flooring provides excellent contrast and the naturally earthy feel Michelle wanted. Quartz countertops with a 3”x12” “Debut Dew” subway tile backsplash add elegance to the now upliftingly bright laundry room. The extra space makes doing laundry much more pleasurable and the added storage is a great for all those little things like winter hats and gloves, umbrellas and the like. “The Advance Design project team was phenomenal to work with,” Michelle says. “They came in, shared the plans with us and walked us through the expectations. We always knew what was coming next.” Converting an existing closet space, the wet bar upstairs was challenging because they wanted a functional area that didn’t look or feel like cabinets just sticking out of a closet. So the Advance team transformed this ordinary closet space into a stunning wet bar that architecturally appears as if it’s always been there. Traditional, elegant hand carved custom molding matching the adjacent fireplace ties the new entertainment bar area in nicely with the existing family room and kitchen area. Featuring a built in wine refrigerator, Dura Supreme cabinetry in deep cherry wood elegantly displays wine bottles and etched glass mullion doors that fill with soft light in the evening hours. Cambria “Windermere” quartz countertops with a sophisticated hammered copper sink and a glimmering backsplash round out the stunning wet bar. Hosting parties and family functions has become much more enjoyable now that they have a dedicated beverage serving area large enough to include hors devours. All three projects were designed and constructed together at the same time, making for a cohesive project that was administered smoothly and easily both for the design team and for the family. Disruption to the home was minimal as each phase was completed in each project conclusively, and design and meeting time for the homeowner was efficient and organized making for an enjoyable process. “Advance Design was great to work with,” Michelle says. “I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a home improvement project. They took the time at the beginning to understand our needs, our budget, and our vision for our home. The field team was great, attentive, on time, cleaned up each day and made the overall experience very positive. We couldn't be happier with the finished product.” With the help of our talented, award winning design team you can create the basement, laundry room, or any other home renovation that you have been dreaming of. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating you home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-836-2600 or schedule an appointment to talk with us about that kitchen remodeling project. Joe Nowak

Modern Italian Wall Unit VV 3932 Made in Italy Perfect for both modern and contemporary styled interiors, this modular wall unit line offers lots of customization options so everyone could adjust the composition according to the individual's size and color requirements, creating an entertainment center of the dream. The wall unit line features lots of different units, that are available in several sizes and can wall mounted both vertically and horizontally. All the units from this entertainment center furniture collection are available in walnut, white ash, ivory ash and mink ash wood structure finishes as well as white and mud high gloss lacquers. The structure and the front doors of the same unit can be ordered in different finishes/lacquers to add unique and elegant contrast look to the wall unit design. Features: E1-Class ecological panels, which are produced exclusively through a wood recycling production process The structure and the front in wood finishes are made of chipboard The lacquered structures and fronts are made of REAL POLISH SCRATCH PROOF LACQUERING, which is non toxic and non allergic products All the panels are 0.7" thick Drawers mounted on metal runners with MDF bottom panel, height adjustable and soft-close system Metal snap-on hinges with adjustable height The starting price is for the VV Wall Unit Composition 3932 as shown in the main picture in Ivory Ash / Mink Ash / Mud Lacquer finishes. (Consists of: Two Hanging Base Drawer Cabinets H10.2" x W59", Horizontal Hanging Unit W47.2", Vertical Hanging Unit H35.4", Two Horizontal Hanging Bookcases W47.2" each, TV Panel W47.2"). Dimensions: Wall Unit: W118" x D18.3" x H78.8" Individual Components: Base Drawer Cabinet: W59" x D18.3" x H10.2" Horizontal Hanging Unit: W47.2" x D13.8" x H13.4" Horizontal Hanging Bookcase: W13.4" x D13" x H47.2" Vertical Hanging Unit: W13.4" x D13.8" x H35.4" TV Panel: W47.2" x D0.8" x H35.4"

Due to the limited space and the budget, we chose to install a wall bar versus a two-level bar front. The wall bar included white cabinetry below a white/grey quartz counter top, open wood shelving, a drop-in sink, beverage cooler, and full fridge. For an excellent entertaining area along with a great view to the large projection screen, a half wall bar height top was installed with bar stool seating for four and custom lighting. The AV projectors were a great solution for providing an awesome entertainment area at reduced costs. HDMI cables and cat 6 wires were installed and run from the projector to a closet where the Yamaha AV receiver as placed giving the room a clean simple look along with the projection screen and speakers mounted on the walls.

The homeowners were ready to renovate this basement to add more living space for the entire family. Before, the basement was used as a playroom, guest room and dark laundry room! In order to give the illusion of higher ceilings, the acoustical ceiling tiles were removed and everything was painted white. The renovated space is now used not only as extra living space, but also a room to entertain in. Photo Credit: Natan Shar of BHAMTOURS

A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.

A central island has 4 stools to sit for homework, art or snacktime, and houses drawers for each of the kids to drop their keys, with a USB charger for phones and iPads.

New skylights are double insulated with safety glass. The challenge was the technical work required to install a vaulted skylight. All new trims, baseboards and doors in the redone living room. All new, modern lighting was installed. Heated du chateau flooring was added. Bruce Damonte Photography

A young couple with three small children purchased this full floor loft in Tribeca in need of a gut renovation. The existing apartment was plagued with awkward spaces, limited natural light and an outdated décor. It was also lacking the required third child’s bedroom desperately needed for their newly expanded family. StudioLAB aimed for a fluid open-plan layout in the larger public spaces while creating smaller, tighter quarters in the rear private spaces to satisfy the family’s programmatic wishes. 3 small children’s bedrooms were carved out of the rear lower level connected by a communal playroom and a shared kid’s bathroom. Upstairs, the master bedroom and master bathroom float above the kid’s rooms on a mezzanine accessed by a newly built staircase. Ample new storage was built underneath the staircase as an extension of the open kitchen and dining areas. A custom pull out drawer containing the food and water bowls was installed for the family’s two dogs to be hidden away out of site when not in use. All wall surfaces, existing and new, were limited to a bright but warm white finish to create a seamless integration in the ceiling and wall structures allowing the spatial progression of the space and sculptural quality of the midcentury modern furniture pieces and colorful original artwork, painted by the wife’s brother, to enhance the space. The existing tin ceiling was left in the living room to maximize ceiling heights and remain a reminder of the historical details of the original construction. A new central AC system was added with an exposed cylindrical duct running along the long living room wall. A small office nook was built next to the elevator tucked away to be out of site.

Made by one of the few remaining U.S. family-owned crib makers, the Moda crib brings modern, functional design to the nursery. It's crafted from solid maple and durable MDF and finished with a non-toxic lacquer. You can choose from an array of bright colors to personalize the crib. This crib converts to a toddler bed when your baby is ready for it. We're proud to bring you exclusive cribs designed to keep your baby safe. We ensure each crib meets or exceeds all U.S. government safety standards, as well as CPSC requirements and ASTM standards.

The house's second bathroom was only half a bath with an access door at the dining area. We extended the bathroom by an additional 36" into the family room and relocated the entry door to be in the minor hallway leading to the family room as well. A classical transitional bathroom with white crayon style tile on the walls, including the entire wall of the toilet and the vanity. The alcove tub has a barn door style glass shower enclosure. and the color scheme is a classical white/gold/blue mix.

Jack Thompson
Transitional bedroom photo in Houston

From the playful colors and patterns in the bathroom to the lightly romantic feel in the nursery, this space is a breath of fresh air. Photographed by Bethany Nauert

Learn seed starting basics and get a jump start on growing the flower garden of your dreams. In this striking guide you will find everything you need to grow, harvest, and arrange stunning seasonal blooms. With equal parts instruction and inspiration, Floret Farm’s Cut Flower Garden welcomes you into Erin Benzakein’s abundant, bloom-filled world, and is a feast for every flower lover’s eyes and soul. Floret Farm's Cut Flower Garden. Written by Erin Benzakein with Julie Chai. Photos by Michèle M. Waite. Published by Chronicle Books.