Our objective in this home remodeling project was to transform our clients’ newly purchased Studio City cape cod style house into an aesthetically beautiful yet functional residence, that they could use for everyday living as well as entertaining friends and family. Our clients loved the original exterior design but wanted an almost entirely changed interior and backyard. We worked with them through the initial stages of design and material selection to ensure that we understand their vision. We integrated elements of contemporary and farmhouse designs throughout the interior. We created an open floor plan with a lot of natural light making a spacious, bright and connected space. We did this through some structural changes and the addition of glass sliding doors and windows. The open floor plan combined with the fully remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, new flooring, plenty of recessed lighting, and many other details managed to literally amaze our clients. We also created a master suite by expanding the master bathroom and constructing a walk-in closet. A new bathroom addition as well as a new pool house along with a new pool and spa were the other parts of this home remodeling project. The new pool and pool house along with a simple yet beautiful landscaping gave the backyard a whole new look. The roof, the HVAC system as well as all doors and windows were replaced. The garage was remodeled and the door replaced. This was a truly beautiful home remodeling at its best by Ava Homes.

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath. Joe Nowak

Our clients purchased this 1950 ranch style cottage knowing it needed to be updated. They fell in love with the location, being within walking distance to White Rock Lake. They wanted to redesign the layout of the house to improve the flow and function of the spaces while maintaining a cozy feel. They wanted to explore the idea of opening up the kitchen and possibly even relocating it. A laundry room and mudroom space needed to be added to that space, as well. Both bathrooms needed a complete update and they wanted to enlarge the master bath if possible, to have a double vanity and more efficient storage. With two small boys and one on the way, they ideally wanted to add a 3rd bedroom to the house within the existing footprint but were open to possibly designing an addition, if that wasn’t possible. In the end, we gave them everything they wanted, without having to put an addition on to the home. They absolutely love the openness of their new kitchen and living spaces and we even added a small bar! They have their much-needed laundry room and mudroom off the back patio, so their “drop zone” is out of the way. We were able to add storage and double vanity to the master bathroom by enclosing what used to be a coat closet near the entryway and using that sq. ft. in the bathroom. The functionality of this house has completely changed and has definitely changed the lives of our clients for the better!

Our objective in this home remodeling project was to transform our clients’ newly purchased Studio City cape cod style house into an aesthetically beautiful yet functional residence, that they could use for everyday living as well as entertaining friends and family. Our clients loved the original exterior design but wanted an almost entirely changed interior and backyard. We worked with them through the initial stages of design and material selection to ensure that we understand their vision. We integrated elements of contemporary and farmhouse designs throughout the interior. We created an open floor plan with a lot of natural light making a spacious, bright and connected space. We did this through some structural changes and the addition of glass sliding doors and windows. The open floor plan combined with the fully remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, new flooring, plenty of recessed lighting, and many other details managed to literally amaze our clients. We also created a master suite by expanding the master bathroom and constructing a walk-in closet. A new bathroom addition as well as a new pool house along with a new pool and spa were the other parts of this home remodeling project. The new pool and pool house along with a simple yet beautiful landscaping gave the backyard a whole new look. The roof, the HVAC system as well as all doors and windows were replaced. The garage was remodeled and the door replaced. This was a truly beautiful home remodeling at its best by Ava Homes.

This fairly new home was built on Daniel Island right on beautiful Smythe Park. The homeowners purchased the five-year-old home because of its location and potential, but they had great plans to make it more modern and unique to their styles by incorporating transitional and modern design. They decided to go very white, creating a sleek, clean look while contrasting it against stained, dark hardwood floors. The project included adding new hardware, applying a fresh coat of paint to the entire interior (walls and ceilings), adding new light fixtures, refinishing the floors throughout the home and remodeling the master bathroom, morning kitchen, main kitchen and butler’s pantry cabinetry with newly refinished cabinetry, countertops and fixtures. What a remarkable transformation! The family able to create a fresh new look while keeping the architectural bones of the home in tact. Photography by: Brennan Wesley

Seems like the ‘80s weren’t all that long ago. Reminiscing about music from the period harkens me back to all kinds of good feelings. The era’s kitchen and bath design, however, causes me to repress a bit of vomit. The lack of creativity, coupled with a love of beige and cheap brass, still makes my skin crawl. Some builder must have purchased entire container ships of that tile. Enter this bath. The homeowners did their best to add color, but nothing could hide the elements so popular in the day. In attempting to provide something outside the norm (the shower tower), yet warm and inviting, (curved half-wall behind the curved freestanding tub; compressed ceilings above smaller items), and safe (large, curbless shower with door wide enough for future wheelchair), I endeavored to create a bath that would stand time’s test. It didn’t hurt that the clients, second-timers (see Modern Walnut Kitchen and Great Room) and a delight to work with, had strong opinions. The photos will be retaken soon (we didn’t stage the shoot), but they give an idea of the space.

Image by Drew kelly Proof that the adage “the best perfumes come in small bottles…” is true is this two-bedroom apartment in downtown San Francisco. We collaborated with the owner, a retired designer recently settled in San Francisco, to transform this non-descript modern space in a high rise building into a setting of panache and style. The living room was transformed into a “salon” where linen banquettes face a wall of portraits purchased over the years. Above the banquettes, current artwork by the owner is framed in various frame styles. In the center of the room, a round table draped with a toile de jouy and a linen cloth hosts a collection of vases and artifacts from his travels. A collection of chairs completes the room, including a stone garden seat, a French bergère, and a primitive African chair. One of the bedrooms is now an elegant dining room with a round table surrounded by archaic Chinese pottery and metal ware. A large Flemish tapestry creates a counterpoint to the Chinese objects. On opposite corners of the room, cozy reading seating areas were created to add to the versatility of the space. In the master bedroom, pillows made from antique Flemish tapestry enliven a linen bedspread. A large early 20th century portrait by John de Costa creates a link to the portraits in the living room.

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath. Joe Nowak

Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

This NoHo apartment, in a landmarked circa 1870 building designed by Stephen Decatur Hatch and converted to lofts in 1987, had been interestingly renovated by a rock musician before being purchased by a young hedge fund manager and his gallery director girlfriend. Naturally, the couple brought to the project their collection of painting, photography and sculpture, mostly by young emerging artists. Axis Mundi accommodated these pieces within a neutral palette accented with occasional flashes of bright color that referenced the various artworks. Major furniture pieces – a sectional in the library, a 12-foot-long dining table–along with a rich blend of textures such as leather, linen, fur and warm woods, helped bring the sprawling dimensions of the loft down to human scale. Size: 3,400 sf Design Team: John Beckmann and Nick Messerlian Architect: Nemaworkshop Photography: Durston Saylor, and Mark Roskams © Axis Mundi Design LLC

Example of a trendy bathroom design in Houston

Coconut Grove is Southwest of Miami beach near coral gables and south of downtown. It’s a very lush and charming neighborhood. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods and is protected historically. It hugs the shoreline of Biscayne Bay. The 10,000sft project was originally built 17 years ago and was purchased as a vacation home. Prior to the renovation the owners could not get past all the brown. He sails and they have a big extended family with 6 kids in between them. The clients wanted a comfortable and causal vibe where nothing is too precious. They wanted to be able to sit on anything in a bathing suit. KitchenLab interiors used lots of linen and indoor/outdoor fabrics to ensure durability. Much of the house is outside with a covered logia. The design doctor ordered the 1st prescription for the house- retooling but not gutting. The clients wanted to be living and functioning in the home by November 1st with permits the construction began in August. The KitchenLab Interiors (KLI) team began design in May so it was a tight timeline! KLI phased the project and did a partial renovation on all guest baths. They waited to do the master bath until May. The home includes 7 bathrooms + the master. All existing plumbing fixtures were Waterworks so KLI kept those along with some tile but brought in Tabarka tile. The designers wanted to bring in vintage hacienda Spanish with a small European influence- the opposite of Miami modern. One of the ways they were able to accomplish this was with terracotta flooring that has patina. KLI set out to create a boutique hotel where each bath is similar but different. Every detail was designed with the guest in mind- they even designed a place for suitcases.

Image by Drew kelly Proof that the adage “the best perfumes come in small bottles…” is true is this two-bedroom apartment in downtown San Francisco. We collaborated with the owner, a retired designer recently settled in San Francisco, to transform this non-descript modern space in a high rise building into a setting of panache and style. The living room was transformed into a “salon” where linen banquettes face a wall of portraits purchased over the years. Above the banquettes, current artwork by the owner is framed in various frame styles. In the center of the room, a round table draped with a toile de jouy and a linen cloth hosts a collection of vases and artifacts from his travels. A collection of chairs completes the room, including a stone garden seat, a French bergère, and a primitive African chair. One of the bedrooms is now an elegant dining room with a round table surrounded by archaic Chinese pottery and metal ware. A large Flemish tapestry creates a counterpoint to the Chinese objects. On opposite corners of the room, cozy reading seating areas were created to add to the versatility of the space. In the master bedroom, pillows made from antique Flemish tapestry enliven a linen bedspread. A large early 20th century portrait by John de Costa creates a link to the portraits in the living room.

Aventura Magazine said: In the master bedroom, the subtle use of color keeps the mood serene. The modern king-sized bed is from B@B Italia. The Willy Dilly Lamp is by Ingo Maurer and the white Oregani linens were purchased at Luminaire. In order to achieve the luxury of the natural environment, she extensively renovated the front of the house and the back door area leading to the pool. In the front sections, Corredor wanted to look out-doors and see green from wherever she was seated. Throughout the house, she created several architectural siting areas using a variety of architectural and creative devices. One of the sting areas was greatly expanded by adding two marble slabs to extend the room, which leads directly outdoors. From one door next to unique vertical shelf filled with stacked books. Corredor and her husband can pass through paradise to a bedroom/office area.

Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom. - Jacqueline Southby Photography

Our objective in this home remodeling project was to transform our clients’ newly purchased Studio City cape cod style house into an aesthetically beautiful yet functional residence, that they could use for everyday living as well as entertaining friends and family. Our clients loved the original exterior design but wanted an almost entirely changed interior and backyard. We worked with them through the initial stages of design and material selection to ensure that we understand their vision. We integrated elements of contemporary and farmhouse designs throughout the interior. We created an open floor plan with a lot of natural light making a spacious, bright and connected space. We did this through some structural changes and the addition of glass sliding doors and windows. The open floor plan combined with the fully remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, new flooring, plenty of recessed lighting, and many other details managed to literally amaze our clients. We also created a master suite by expanding the master bathroom and constructing a walk-in closet. A new bathroom addition as well as a new pool house along with a new pool and spa were the other parts of this home remodeling project. The new pool and pool house along with a simple yet beautiful landscaping gave the backyard a whole new look. The roof, the HVAC system as well as all doors and windows were replaced. The garage was remodeled and the door replaced. This was a truly beautiful home remodeling at its best by Ava Homes.

Client desire: Bring back the original splendor of the master bathroom in her 1905 four-square mansion, including a low profile bathtub for her mother, a separate shower for herself, and plenty of storage. Design challenges: The bathroom had been part of a poorly constructed 1960’s addition with a narrow passage and a substandard foundation resulting in a room that was always too cold. The original part of the house had a foot of concrete for the sub-flooring so we were unsure about the ability to move fixtures. The window size and location had to remain fixed due to architectural details on the outside of the home. Solutions: We removed the addition subfloor to repair the weak footings and added closed cell insulation. We widened the passage and added a floor to ceiling armoire and shallow base cabinets with a curved end for storage. Inside one of the base cabinets we concealed a new larger radiator and we added in-floor heat. Functionality and flow were improved by switching the placement of the vanity and bathtub. The arched doors throughout the house were the inspiration for the curved glass shower door, arched medicine cabinet, and curved cabinetry. The antique wall sconces were purchased by the homeowner on her quest to find lighting in keeping with the era of the home. But the pièce de résistance is the beautiful Carrera marble and basket weave tile flooring achieved by a master tilesetter who worked meticulously to create the perfect result from my design.

Our objective in this home remodeling project was to transform our clients’ newly purchased Studio City cape cod style house into an aesthetically beautiful yet functional residence, that they could use for everyday living as well as entertaining friends and family. Our clients loved the original exterior design but wanted an almost entirely changed interior and backyard. We worked with them through the initial stages of design and material selection to ensure that we understand their vision. We integrated elements of contemporary and farmhouse designs throughout the interior. We created an open floor plan with a lot of natural light making a spacious, bright and connected space. We did this through some structural changes and the addition of glass sliding doors and windows. The open floor plan combined with the fully remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, new flooring, plenty of recessed lighting, and many other details managed to literally amaze our clients. We also created a master suite by expanding the master bathroom and constructing a walk-in closet. A new bathroom addition as well as a new pool house along with a new pool and spa were the other parts of this home remodeling project. The new pool and pool house along with a simple yet beautiful landscaping gave the backyard a whole new look. The roof, the HVAC system as well as all doors and windows were replaced. The garage was remodeled and the door replaced. This was a truly beautiful home remodeling at its best by Ava Homes.

Our objective in this home remodeling project was to transform our clients’ newly purchased Studio City cape cod style house into an aesthetically beautiful yet functional residence, that they could use for everyday living as well as entertaining friends and family. Our clients loved the original exterior design but wanted an almost entirely changed interior and backyard. We worked with them through the initial stages of design and material selection to ensure that we understand their vision. We integrated elements of contemporary and farmhouse designs throughout the interior. We created an open floor plan with a lot of natural light making a spacious, bright and connected space. We did this through some structural changes and the addition of glass sliding doors and windows. The open floor plan combined with the fully remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, new flooring, plenty of recessed lighting, and many other details managed to literally amaze our clients. We also created a master suite by expanding the master bathroom and constructing a walk-in closet. A new bathroom addition as well as a new pool house along with a new pool and spa were the other parts of this home remodeling project. The new pool and pool house along with a simple yet beautiful landscaping gave the backyard a whole new look. The roof, the HVAC system as well as all doors and windows were replaced. The garage was remodeled and the door replaced. This was a truly beautiful home remodeling at its best by Ava Homes.