After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change.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

Is your closet busting at the seams? Or do you perhaps have no closet at all? Time to consider adding a mudroom to your house. Mudrooms are a popular interior design trend these days, and for good reason - they can house far more than a simple coat closet can. They can serve as a family command center for kids' school flyers and menus, for backpacks and shoes, for art supplies and sports equipment. Some mudrooms contain a laundry area, and some contain a mail station. Some mudrooms serve as a home base for a dog or a cat, with easy to clean, low maintenance building materials. A mudroom may consist of custom built-ins, or may simply be a corner of an existing room with pulled some clever, freestanding furniture, hooks, or shelves to house your most essential mudroom items. Whatever your storage needs, extensive or streamlined, carving out a mudroom area can keep the whole family more organized. And, being more organized saves you stress and countless hours that would otherwise be spent searching for misplaced items. While we love to design mudroom niches, a full mudroom interior design allows us to do what we do best here at Down2Earth Interior Design: elevate a space that is primarily driven by pragmatic requirements into a space that is also beautiful to look at and comfortable to occupy. I find myself voluntarily taking phone calls while sitting on the bench of my mudroom, simply because it's a comfortable place to be. My kids do their homework in the mudroom sometimes. My cat loves to curl up on sweatshirts temporarily left on the bench, or cuddle up in boxes on their way out to the recycling bins, just outside the door. Designing a custom mudroom for our family has elevated our lifestyle in so many ways, and I look forward to the opportunity to help make your mudroom design dreams a reality as well. Photos by Ryan Macchione

New fixtures and finishes completely updated this bathroom without requiring any structural changes. A new vanity, shower and tub combo, and new tile bring a warm take on the classic black and white palette.

THE SETUP The original L-shaped guest bathroom, primarily utilized by the client’s young nephews, presented several design challenges. The entry door’s placement at the top of the stairs created an awkward flow, while the lack of natural light and the sectioned-off toilet and shower area contributed to a cramped and dimly lit ambiance. Design Objectives: Reconfigure the floor plan to improve guest access and circulation Create a versatile space that accommodates both young guests and adult needs Introduce natural light to brighten the overall ambiance Incorporate a tub/shower combination suitable for children while meeting adult requirements Design Challenges: Relocating the entry door to a more functional position Finding an optimal layout to open up the entire bathroom as a unified space Maximizing natural light and creating a bright, inviting atmosphere Updating the tub/shower area with a refreshed look while ensuring child-friendly features THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Reconfigured floor plan with the entry door relocated to the main hallway for seamless guest access Removal of the dividing wall separating the toilet and tub/shower area, enabling an open, spacious layout Strategic placement of a window to flood the space with natural light. Also – careful selection of materials and finishes contributing to the bright and airy aesthetic Inclusion of a handheld showerhead serving as a lower shower option for young guests The new floor plan and the introduction of natural light have transformed this guest bathroom into a radiant, welcoming space. The dual vanity sinks and tall storage cabinet cater to versatile needs, while the terracotta floor tiles harmonize beautifully with the overall design, adding warmth and style. The decision to keep a shower curtain for the tub/shower combination enhances the open and airy feel. Thoughtful details, such as the gear-inspired faucet handles and complementary light fixtures above the mirrors, add a touch of edgy sophistication to this multifunctional guest retreat.

Frameless Double Sliding Barn Style Shower Enclosure with a Return Panel. Available hardware colors Polished and Brushed Stainless, Matte Black, Satin Brass, and Brushed Bronze. Can be done up to 72" wide. Requires 3" of flat space on the threshold you step over to get in and out to accept this door.

A Fresh Start – As if the pop of white and light isn’t enough to start your day, this space feels fresh and serene. You can’t go wrong with white subway tiles in a small bathroom. They are crisp, classic and space-enhancing, and look particularly on trend with grey grout.The biggest advantage of Subway Tile is its low requirement for maintenance and naturally it can withstand decades of use while still maintaining its original appearance, and its popularity isn’t going away.

THE SETUP The original L-shaped guest bathroom, primarily utilized by the client’s young nephews, presented several design challenges. The entry door’s placement at the top of the stairs created an awkward flow, while the lack of natural light and the sectioned-off toilet and shower area contributed to a cramped and dimly lit ambiance. Design Objectives: Reconfigure the floor plan to improve guest access and circulation Create a versatile space that accommodates both young guests and adult needs Introduce natural light to brighten the overall ambiance Incorporate a tub/shower combination suitable for children while meeting adult requirements Design Challenges: Relocating the entry door to a more functional position Finding an optimal layout to open up the entire bathroom as a unified space Maximizing natural light and creating a bright, inviting atmosphere Updating the tub/shower area with a refreshed look while ensuring child-friendly features THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: Reconfigured floor plan with the entry door relocated to the main hallway for seamless guest access Removal of the dividing wall separating the toilet and tub/shower area, enabling an open, spacious layout Strategic placement of a window to flood the space with natural light. Also – careful selection of materials and finishes contributing to the bright and airy aesthetic Inclusion of a handheld showerhead serving as a lower shower option for young guests The new floor plan and the introduction of natural light have transformed this guest bathroom into a radiant, welcoming space. The dual vanity sinks and tall storage cabinet cater to versatile needs, while the terracotta floor tiles harmonize beautifully with the overall design, adding warmth and style. The decision to keep a shower curtain for the tub/shower combination enhances the open and airy feel. Thoughtful details, such as the gear-inspired faucet handles and complementary light fixtures above the mirrors, add a touch of edgy sophistication to this multifunctional guest retreat.

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!

New build dreams always require a clear design vision and this 3,650 sf home exemplifies that. Our clients desired a stylish, modern aesthetic with timeless elements to create balance throughout their home. With our clients intention in mind, we achieved an open concept floor plan complimented by an eye-catching open riser staircase. Custom designed features are showcased throughout, combined with glass and stone elements, subtle wood tones, and hand selected finishes. The entire home was designed with purpose and styled with carefully curated furnishings and decor that ties these complimenting elements together to achieve the end goal. At Avid Interior Design, our goal is to always take a highly conscious, detailed approach with our clients. With that focus for our Altadore project, we were able to create the desirable balance between timeless and modern, to make one more dream come true.

Young couple with two youngsters lived in 1970 Rambler in Arlington. As their kids growing and their nanny moving in, they all needed more space, bigger kitchen and better backyard space for kids to play.  Existing kitchen was 10’x10’ adjacent to dining room of about the same size  Old cabinets, vinyl floor and olive green appliances no longer made this kitchen a happy place to come home to  The back wall of solid block and brick and interior plaster walls where all big challenges to get rid of and opening up the place  A narrow hallway leading to bedroom was one of their major concerns and tough to get through. As the traffic path to get to the kitchen has been difficult  In few consultation session we all agreed on bumping the entire kitchen and dining room back wall and move the kitchen into new addition  This required breaking through a massive amount of cinder block and brick, leveling a majority of backyard to accomplish the desired grade level for addition and back deck  In past the only way out to backyard was through a single door of back stairway and it has been a big problem for them  With a new angle wall we have placed a large French door leading kitchen into back deck area  The old hallway wall has came down and gotten wider and new path from front to open floor plan kitchen and dining room was put in place  Another big challenge for this job was to run heating and cooling as well as plumbing into a kitchen area  The new kitchen had tall cabinets a beautiful cherry finish with a large bay window over sink area leading lot of light form back side.  New island with seating contributed to addition work space and more storage  Lot of recessed lights and a stone back splash made the project even more attractive  New wood flooring was put in place and entire Living, Dining room and kitchen was sanded and refinished to unify the space and make a seamless connection  A big wooded deck on the entire back was a place for kids to play and couple to retire and grill on their afternoons

The area below the deck needed to be sloped away from the house due to storm water issues which required us to rebuild the existing sandstone pathway at this Ann Arbor, MI. landscape.

This rear addition provides the family with a living area that has lots of natural light for the family to enjoy and relax. The cathedral ceiling creates an open and airy space that is well lit from the side and rear windows. The cathedral ceiling also flows into the washroom. Light is very important to this family and due to the close proximity to the neighbours on either side, fire shutters were required and incorporated on all the side windows. The basement is a finished space with a bar, washroom, family room, and a dedicated room for the family’s adopted cats. Exterior was finished with matching brick that was sourced and still available.

The bathroom in this cozy Upper Beaches home in Toronto required some reconfigurations and also updated fixtures and showering are. The entire bathroom was gutted along with the plumbing and electrical. As space was limited, we installed a curbless shower with sliding glass enclosure along with a heated floor and wall hung vanity. The beauty of this bathroom is the simplicity of the floor. It appears all as one thought the shower slopes into the drain.

Old shower was old, and leaking. Update in 2 days! No painting required, no flooring. Custom shaving foot rest. Budget friendly shower option that looks way better than a stock shower but about the same price!

"We would definitely look TaylorPro up for future remodeling projects. We would also not hesitate to recommend TaylorPro's services based on our experience with our bathroom remodeling project. Even prior to signing a contract with us, Mr Taylor (Kerry) was very patient with us and generous in sharing information pertaining to remodel options, material choices and general advice. At least one other dedicated 'Remodeler' we contacted thought we were too much of a nuisance and suggested we sign up before he could spend more time with us. Kerry has a very transparent pricing policy, which allows someone unfamiliar with the scope of the work ( us) to understand the cost implications of each step or feature. His style allows complete flexibility in material choice. He also has a roster of 'favored suppliers' who extend sensible pricing to his clients. Kerry also accommodates change requests at reasonable cost, while only requiring sufficient advance notice. Further, he was honest about not having expertise in certain features I wanted implemented - he executed them well anyway. The job was very well planned and executed, with perhaps only one silent day in over 8 weeks of effort. We are very happy with this aspect also. Kerry remained very responsive to any issues or requests through the duration of the project. We of course had set backs and surprises (+$) through the course of this project, but perhaps that is par for course. Finally, a word about his crew: They were all courteous, trustworthy, efficient and pleasant. We were comfortable with their presence at home. " ~ Uma & Sumant I, Clients Photo By: Kerry W. Taylor

This modern-style executive home takes full advantage of the views and rocky terrain. The homeowners are retirees whose goal was to build a home that they could age in place in. Taking their needs into consideration, we created a large open concept design that takes advantage of the natural light and scenery while enabling the owners full accessibility throughout. All the primary rooms are located on the main floor with guest and additional spaces on lower floors. All door widths were increased and a roll thru shower was installed to allow for wheelchair accessibility if required in the future. The entire house is controlled by a state of the art iPad home automation system controlling media, mechanical systems, lighting & security. "Light & Bright" are the items our client wanted us to focus on, with "Light" we wanted to capture as much as natural light from the large windows as possible. As for "Bright" we kept most of the finishes grey and white and clean. Pops of colour and warm hardwood flooring tie the entire space together.

Location: Mountain View, CA Remodeling a home requires constant decision making, and every choice feels expensive and permanent. We worked closely with our clients and their contractor to make the process easy and fun, with stunning results! In this bath, the floor tile flows up the main walls of the shower, while a dramatic vertical accent of purple-toned glass mosaic spills from the ceiling, through the recessed niche, and across the shower floor all the way to the door.

The bathroom in this cozy Upper Beaches home in Toronto required some reconfigurations and also updated fixtures and showering are. The entire bathroom was gutted along with the plumbing and electrical. As space was limited, we installed a curbless shower with sliding glass enclosure along with a heated floor and wall hung vanity. The beauty of this bathroom is the simplicity of the floor. It appears all as one thought the shower slopes into the drain.

This outdoor media room and kitchen had to meet the needs of a Houston family needing kid space and adult space. The kids wanted an outdoor audio visual area watch TV and movies. The grownups wanted an outdoor kitchen, bar and grilling area where they could enjoy themselves while watching the kids. And they all wanted a covered patio with places to sit between dips in the pool. However, the family had very limited space between the back of their house and their pool, and no room for anything in either of the side yards: Stringent homeowner association rules also required that any home modifications match the existing home's architecture, color and finishing materials. The pitch of the roof also had to be such that it didn't overlap the bottom of the second-story windows above. So here's what we came up with: A 40-foot-long by 11-foot- deep roof extension off the back of the house (longer than most, but with good engineering specs and design work, we were able to preserve the structural integrity): At one end of the covered patio below is a 12-foot by 8-foot outdoor living room with a custom audio-visual cabinet. At the other is an L-shaped, 8-foot-square outdoor kitchen island with a built-in commercial-grade RCS grill, a 4-by-8-foot outdoor refrigerator and a outdoor icemaker. Keeping in line with the existing home's beige siding, white trim and brown accent façade, we helped the homeowner choose appropriate finishing materials: Austin Western limestone (mostly white with beige accents) for the TV cabinet, kitchen island and column supports; Old English travertine (beige) for the countertops) and white, fluted columns. The Old English travertine countertop has a raised back for a bar with counter seating. The diamond-pattern tile backsplash also features inset fleur de lis accents. The family is more than pleased with the results - two outdoor rooms with two different functions - all within the same covered outdoor living space!