For this historic apartment complex in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood, we transformed a neglected courtyard into a warm, functional retreat for residents by first addressing major drainage issues, then redesigning the space to encourage gathering and relaxation. We preserved two mature cherry trees and turned cramped planters into shared garden beds filled with native plants. From there, we added stamped concrete walkways, patios, built-in seating, a fire pit, and ambient lighting to create a cozy, peaceful atmosphere that feels like an extension of home. The result is a tenfold increase in how usable the space is—a blend of rustic charm and natural textures that residents now enjoy daily, whether they’re reading under the trees, walking their dogs, or gathering around the fire.

Bonnie and Bernie downsized to a grand old condominium a few blocks from their former house. The condo has high ceilings and beautiful moldings, and also a multitude of angles, chases, and vents. Goals included a workable kosher kitchen, an informal eating area, and room for: an extra freezer, extra fridge, a wine fridge, a washer/dryer, utility closet, and a pantry. An additional goal was to keep the multitude of chases and vents from interfering with the flow of the space. I have numbered the chases, vents, and pipe, which were a major design challenge. #4 and #6 (a pipe) turned out to not be visual or design issues, but we needed to work around all the others.

Bathroom Remodel completed in Auburn Massachusetts. Layout and design by Andrew. J.V. Mechanical plumbing. Faux Wood ceramic tile transitioned to stone tile. Mosaic Niche. Claw foot tub with oil rubbed bronze finishes. Glass mosaic installed on the windowsill. No casing around the window. Aldo Nolle electrical. All work completed in house by Andrew and our talented crew. Original floor had major structural issues. Leveled and sistered all the joists. Greenboard installed on the walls with first coat on seams. Kerdiboard installed on tile walls.

This compact mid 50's story and a half needed new life in both the kitchen and the main floor bath. While expanding the footprint wasn't really a viable option, restructuring the layout and removing two walls made all the difference. Of course with any major demo and rethink, new surfaces carried a lot of the design impact. Still, since space was a big issue, considerable effort was placed on designing maximum storage over every square inch of cabinet space. For instance, both sides of the new peninsula were designed to accommodate massive storage potential. The "mudroom" bench opens up to store all boots, hats and mittens or sandals and sporting equipment. "Sometimes, I find myself just sitting in my kitchen, and I can't believe this is mine," says the homeowner. Take a look at the before photos and you'll agree. The transformation is pretty darn dramatic. Design/Build Consultant — Theresa Mann Photography — Alyssa Lee

The daughter of an existing client relocated to Tulsa and purchased a home with a dated interior and multiple structural problems. Our work included adding a hobby room and totally renovating the utility room, master bathroom, kitchen, play room, bedrooms, two additional bathrooms and living room. One of the major structural issues that had to be addressed was the tendency of the house to flood during major rain storms. By creating a landscaped stream both in front and on the side of the house we were able to eliminate the flooding problem and provide a rather unique landscape feature. With its completion the owner could with the flick of a switch create a bubbling stream that went under a large natural stone bridge around the perimeter of the house. Once the flooding problems were solved strategically placed piers stabilized the home and allowed us to complete the balance of the renovations.

For this historic apartment complex in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood, we transformed a neglected courtyard into a warm, functional retreat for residents by first addressing major drainage issues, then redesigning the space to encourage gathering and relaxation. We preserved two mature cherry trees and turned cramped planters into shared garden beds filled with native plants. From there, we added stamped concrete walkways, patios, built-in seating, a fire pit, and ambient lighting to create a cozy, peaceful atmosphere that feels like an extension of home. The result is a tenfold increase in how usable the space is—a blend of rustic charm and natural textures that residents now enjoy daily, whether they’re reading under the trees, walking their dogs, or gathering around the fire.

We specialize in professional appliance repair services for all major brands and models. Whether it’s a refrigerator that’s not cooling, a washer that won’t spin, or an oven that won’t heat, our experienced technicians can quickly diagnose and fix the problem. We’re committed to delivering fast, reliable, and affordable service with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Our team takes pride in being punctual, respectful, and thorough on every job. From simple repairs to complex issues, customer satisfaction is always our top priority. Count on us to keep your home appliances running smoothly with expert care and attention.

For this historic apartment complex in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood, we transformed a neglected courtyard into a warm, functional retreat for residents by first addressing major drainage issues, then redesigning the space to encourage gathering and relaxation. We preserved two mature cherry trees and turned cramped planters into shared garden beds filled with native plants. From there, we added stamped concrete walkways, patios, built-in seating, a fire pit, and ambient lighting to create a cozy, peaceful atmosphere that feels like an extension of home. The result is a tenfold increase in how usable the space is—a blend of rustic charm and natural textures that residents now enjoy daily, whether they’re reading under the trees, walking their dogs, or gathering around the fire.

This project was nearly a complete gut renovation of an existing Victorian built in the 1890’s. We did save or rebuild major elements such as the exterior millwork, ornate entry stair and stained glass windows. An addition to the south side of the house integrated the rooflines and exterior details to create a seamless blend between the old and new. The goal of the project was to modernize the house and interior layout while still keeping the feel of a traditional home. Major elements in the scope included a completely new open kitchen, expanded living room, new master bedroom and bath suite, all new family baths and powder room. The renovation also included a library to house the owner’s extensive book collection as well as a basement workout and family room area. One primary request of the owners was to rid the house of a bat infestation problem due to poorly detailed roof vents. Once we rebuilt the roof soffits and provided new insulation for the house, the bat issue was resolved.

For this historic apartment complex in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood, we transformed a neglected courtyard into a warm, functional retreat for residents by first addressing major drainage issues, then redesigning the space to encourage gathering and relaxation. We preserved two mature cherry trees and turned cramped planters into shared garden beds filled with native plants. From there, we added stamped concrete walkways, patios, built-in seating, a fire pit, and ambient lighting to create a cozy, peaceful atmosphere that feels like an extension of home. The result is a tenfold increase in how usable the space is—a blend of rustic charm and natural textures that residents now enjoy daily, whether they’re reading under the trees, walking their dogs, or gathering around the fire.

We specialize in professional appliance repair services for all major brands and models. Whether it’s a refrigerator that’s not cooling, a washer that won’t spin, or an oven that won’t heat, our experienced technicians can quickly diagnose and fix the problem. We’re committed to delivering fast, reliable, and affordable service with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Our team takes pride in being punctual, respectful, and thorough on every job. From simple repairs to complex issues, customer satisfaction is always our top priority. Count on us to keep your home appliances running smoothly with expert care and attention.

A new cabin on this property overlooking Sugar Lake near Annandale, Minnesota, was built in place of an old cabin. The existing cabin was in desperate need of some major maintenance and updating, however due to a number of issues and problems, it seemed like a compelling case for a total rebuild. Therefore, to design a new cabin, a number of important considerations had to be made. Most importantly, the cabin orientation to the lake. To take advantage of the best views, the original cabin was sited diagonally with respect to its lot. However, as the result parts of the cabin was non-conforming! Meaning, it was intruding into the lot setbacks, violating the local zoning requirements. To address this concern and to maintain the desired sights and views of the lake, the architect approached the problem by introducing a system of layers at the exterior walls, to expose the views, seamlessly to the cabin's interior. This approach was the basis for the design concept and the exterior architecture. The open floor plan, extended the views throughout the interior spaces and provided ample natural lighting by utilizing a number of windows, located strategically. Another concern with the old cabin was about flooding and water intrusion. The architect observed the existing grades and by elevating the new cabin and proper grading around the new cabin, not only solved the drainage issue, he introduced the opportunity for daylight windows in the new basement. The new windows also provided the means of egress and addition living space, as the result. The homeowners were also concerned about the afternoon sun and how the old Maple tree which had to be removed earlier provide much needed shade during the afternoon. The design addressed that issue by adopting deeper eaves and overhang around the perimeter, including the gable ends and utilizing roof eyebrows, as architectural elements.

Alcove bathtub - small modern blue tile and mosaic tile ceramic tile and multicolored floor alcove bathtub idea in Austin with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Bathroom Remodel completed in Auburn Massachusetts. Layout and design by Andrew. J.V. Mechanical plumbing. Faux Wood ceramic tile transitioned to stone tile. Mosaic Niche. Claw foot tub with oil rubbed bronze finishes. Glass mosaic installed on the windowsill. No casing around the window. Aldo Nolle electrical. All work completed in house by Andrew and our talented crew. Original floor had major structural issues. Leveled and sistered all the joists. Greenboard installed on the walls with first coat on seams. Kerdiboard installed on tile walls.

Bathroom Remodel completed in Auburn Massachusetts. Layout and design by Andrew. J.V. Mechanical plumbing. Faux Wood ceramic tile transitioned to stone tile. Mosaic Niche. Claw foot tub with oil rubbed bronze finishes. Glass mosaic installed on the windowsill. No casing around the window. Aldo Nolle electrical. All work completed in house by Andrew and our talented crew. Original floor had major structural issues. Leveled and sistered all the joists. Greenboard installed on the walls with first coat on seams. Kerdiboard installed on tile walls.

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.”

Trendy white two-story wood flat roof photo in Portland with a mixed material roof

The daughter of an existing client relocated to Tulsa and purchased a home with a dated interior and multiple structural problems. Our work included adding a hobby room and totally renovating the utility room, master bathroom, kitchen, play room, bedrooms, two additional bathrooms and living room. One of the major structural issues that had to be addressed was the tendency of the house to flood during major rain storms. By creating a landscaped stream both in front and on the side of the house we were able to eliminate the flooding problem and provide a rather unique landscape feature. With its completion the owner could with the flick of a switch create a bubbling stream that went under a large natural stone bridge around the perimeter of the house. Once the flooding problems were solved strategically placed piers stabilized the home and allowed us to complete the balance of the renovations.

This project began with a beautiful Koi pond under a large patio cover, but the homeowner struggled with two major issues: • Lack of privacy between the driveway and patio • A breezeway roofline that didn’t align with the exterior brick, causing rainwater to pour into the gap and flood the patio during storms As part of our exterior remodeling and water‑management correction, we redesigned the entire connection between the breezeway, patio, and driveway. ? Phase 1: Structural Fixes & Weather Protection • Converted the original 4' brick wall and gate into a full‑height privacy wall with an exterior door, creating a secure, enclosed patio space. • Extended and realigned the breezeway roofline to properly tie into the home’s brick, eliminating water intrusion and preventing patio flooding. • Installed a solar tube to bring natural daylight into the pond area without adding heat — a perfect upgrade for shaded patios. ? Phase 2: Creating a Backyard Oasis After seeing the transformation, the homeowner invited us back to complete the space with a custom screen wall across the backside of the patio. This addition created a private, breezy, bug‑free outdoor retreat, ideal for relaxing around the Koi pond. ? Serving Cypress, Tomball, Champions & Northwest Houston This project is a great example of how we solve privacy issues, roofline and drainage problems, and patio enclosure upgrades to help homeowners get more out of their outdoor spaces.