Transitional dining room photo in San Francisco

When the school garden teacher at my kid’s school asked if I would volunteer to design the schools learning garden I was excited by the prospect. I drew up some plans with hopes of inspiring the next generation to getting involved with stewardship of the land. The goal was to create a space were children all abilities could have access to the process of growing food, tending to soils and recognizing the human connection with the natural world. With an emphasis on edible plants, the garden also incorporates native plants, plants that attract pollinators and plants that build soil. The garden includes a composting system, and a log circle to use as and out door classroom space. Unfortunately, half way through the installation of this garden the school was closed due to covid and no one was allowed on campus for 6 months. The garden fell into disrepair. As we slowly emerge from the pandemic the school is coming back to life and parent volunteers are allowed back on to campus. With that the garden is coming back as well. The rain harvesting nets and outdoor kitchen did not end up coming into reality. But through the pandemic we learned an even grater importance of outdoor class room space and the power of engaging with the outdoor world.

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

CORTILE CONCRETE TILES Introducing Cortile Surfaces, a new generation of surfacing materials. Thin, lightweight, and flexible, Cortile veneers can transform ordinary surfaces with the look and feel of stone with less difficulty, expense and weight than traditional stonework. Available in Concrete, Rust, Sandstone and Slate, learn how to interpret these materials in a whole new way. Joining the characteristics of stone with the versatility of a veneer, Cortile can be used for many different applications and substrates. Thin, flexible sheets between 1-3mm thick and weighing only 7-11 ounces per square foot are created through an innovative hand-crafted process. The flexibility and lightweight nature of this environmentally-friendly product opens up architectural opportunities that would be impractical, impossible, or cost-prohibitive to replicate with traditional stone.

New vinyl siding gave this little home in Dartmouth, MA a BIG makeover! Weathered cedar shingles and painted trim required continuous care. This homeowner was ready to go maintenance free with new Mastic Carvedwood 44 vinyl siding dartmouth mavinyl siding in the color, Victorian Grey. This siding replicates the look of painted cedar clapboards and comes in a fantastic collection of fade resistant colors! With different textures, widths, and colors, our customers can choose from professional grade vinyl siding options that fit their budget and their style. Do you have questions about the siding process? Read our 4 W’s of Vinyl Siding blog to learn which siding is best, what to expect, who to hire and why you should make it Care Free! Explore our online contractor portfolio to see a few of our past projects!

Project: Nishantha’S House ? Project Type: Renovation Project Located: Kundasale, Kandy, Sri Lanka Client: Mr. Nishantha Ekanayake Area: 179.89 m² Budget Allocation: 18 Million Year: 2022 Architects: The Royal Kandyan Design & Engineering - PVT LTD. Quantity Surveyor: The Royal Kandyan Design & Engineering - PVT LTD. Builder: The Royal Kandyan Design & Engineering - PVT LTD. Photographs: MAD Factory Successful completion of a renovation project is a critical challenge. Because it is a process within the past, present and future. Also planning, lifestyle, technology, space as well as values should be managed very sensitively in this process. We have done a number of renovation projects over the past few years and rather than just completing the project, we have also been engaged in research on those projects. Accordingly, in a renovation project, we are developing the ability to correspond with these sensitive aspects. We provide all construction and engineering related services including planning, design, renovation and building construction in Kandy, Colombo and all around Sri Lanka. Learn more about our latest projects from, www.royalkandyan.com https://instagram.com/srilankaarchitect https://royalkandyan.com/construction-company-in-sri-lanka https://youtu.be/3Ni-4DTCpHQ P: (77) 719 8825 / (81) 207 3825 E: info@royalkandyan.com ©️ The Royal Kandyan Design & Engineering (PVT) LTD

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

Blending natural, vintage materials into contemporary living, complementing both nature and the latest design trends. Fusing modern production techniques with those of antiquity, Hallmark Floors replicates authentic, real reclaimed wood floors with random widths and lengths. This innovative flooring is unique to Hallmark Floors – you will not find this reclaimed design anywhere else. These solid wood floors have a natural patina, and are 100% handcrafted with genuine wood texture, through our exclusive 10 Step Process. The Organic Solid Collection is paving the way for fashion and innovation. Learn more about Organic Solid Noni at this link https://hallmarkfloors.com/hallmark-hardwoods/organic-hardwood-collection/

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

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.”

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

Blending natural, vintage materials into contemporary living, complementing both nature and the latest design trends. Fusing modern production techniques with those of antiquity, Hallmark Floors replicates authentic, real reclaimed wood floors with random widths and lengths. This innovative flooring is unique to Hallmark Floors – you will not find this reclaimed design anywhere else. These solid wood floors have a natural patina, and are 100% handcrafted with genuine wood texture, through our exclusive 10 Step Process. The Organic Solid Collection is paving the way for fashion and innovation. Learn more about Organic Solid Noni at this link https://hallmarkfloors.com/hallmark-hardwoods/organic-hardwood-collection/

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.

How To Build A Fish Pond, seems to be a frequently asked question in today's day and age, what with Extreme Home Make Over, HGTV, P. Allen Smith and all of the other "Do-It-Yourself" television programs that are flooding our airways. Once you finally decide that you want a beautiful ecosystem pond to come home to, the next step is to come up with an ecosystem pond design that works for you. This pond design can be a front yard waterscape with curb appeal or a Backyard Waterfall creating your own private get away. If your having trouble designing it yourself you could always have BJL Aquascapes Colts Neck, Monmouth County, NJ help design and build it for you ! Click Here To See Our Website Page Links Visit our website links to more information on Backyard Garden Ponds, CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO LEARN MORE !!! Pond Filtration Ecosystem Pond Small Pond Filter Urn UV Pond Sterilization Bog Filtration Our Display Ponds Semi-Formal Ponds Our Display At Brock's Large Pond Management Pond Portfolio Construction Process

A Rock Island, Illinois kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Village Home Stores team. We removed walls, widened doorways, and eliminated soffits to make room for this spacious new design packed with style and a LOT of creative storage. Design, materials, and complete start to finish remodel by Village Home Stores. Planning to remodel your home in the Quad Cities area soon? Contact us to learn about our process! Featured: Koch cabinetry in the Savannah door and Maple “Pecan” stain, Cambria quartz counters in the Armitage design, Serenbe Nova Floors glue-down Cottage Pine Char LVP, and a Stainless Steel appliance package by KitchenAid.