Our clients were relocating from the upper peninsula to the lower peninsula and wanted to design a retirement home on their Lake Michigan property. The topography of their lot allowed for a walk out basement which is practically unheard of with how close they are to the water. Their view is fantastic, and the goal was of course to take advantage of the view from all three levels. The positioning of the windows on the main and upper levels is such that you feel as if you are on a boat, water as far as the eye can see. They were striving for a Hamptons / Coastal, casual, architectural style. The finished product is just over 6,200 square feet and includes 2 master suites, 2 guest bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, sunroom, home bar, home gym, dedicated seasonal gear / equipment storage, table tennis game room, sauna, and bonus room above the attached garage. All the exterior finishes are low maintenance, vinyl, and composite materials to withstand the blowing sands from the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Great room | Visit our website to see where we’re building the Ruby plan in Florida! You’ll find photos, interactive floor plans and more. This ranch-style Ruby model home was designed for entertaining, offering a generous great room, an open dining room and a comfortable covered patio. You’ll also appreciate an inviting kitchen with a center island and walk-in pantry, and four relaxing bedrooms, including a master suite with a private bath and immense walk-in closet. A second bath, convenient laundry room and 2-car garage complete this beautiful Seasons™ Collection home.

Getting into and out of freestanding tubs is always a discussion topic we cover thoroughly with clients. There's blocking in that column for future vertical grab bar installation if needed, and the platforms can help stabilize one's progress in and out. This tub has a thicker rim which would allow one to perch a minute - and there's a seat inside the tub which makes it a bit easier, too. No matter what, one needs to be very careful getting into and out of these tubs as was demonstrated quite clearly in the first season of Downton Abbey.

Angle Eye Photography
Example of a mid-sized classic house exterior design in Philadelphia with a hip roof and a metal roof

This homeowner inspired of a French Colonial kitchen & master bath in his expansive new addition. We were able to incorporate his favorite design elements while staying within budget for a truly breathtaking finished product! The kitchen was designed using Starmark Cabinetry's Huntingford Maple door style finished in a tinted varnish color called Macadamia. The hardware used is from Berenson's Opus Collection in Rubbed Bronze.

Open concept makeover with dining table that slides through the wall from HGTV's Elbow Room Season 1
Elegant dining room photo in Atlanta

Call for a presentation or catalog 323-253-2739 Heather Lloyd heather@cl-assoc.com Founded in 1866 and now the oldest wrought iron company operating in the US, the master craftsmen at Woodard have constantly expanded and improved upon their high-quality furniture. Woodard takes pride in designing and producing the best in casual outdoor furniture using only the finest materials. From classic and stylish hand-crafted wrought iron pieces to beautiful furniture from cast aluminum, tubular aluminum and all-seasons wicker, every Woodard piece is created using the fine craftsmanship the company was founded on.

Taylor Guerin - Photographer
Inspiration for a huge modern full sun backyard brick water fountain landscape in Philadelphia for summer.

Custom concrete planters serve as the structural anchor for this front yard’s vibrant landscape architecture. By elevating the planting beds, our design+build team created a sense of depth and architectural interest that standard ground-level beds can’t achieve. This modern approach to hardscape design allows for lush greenery to pop against the clean, light tones of the masonry. It’s a perfect example of how a well-conceived master plan can balance structural permanence with the soft, organic beauty of seasonal foliage.

Lake Homes | Lakeside View . . . The Breakfast Nook trimmed with wainscoting pleasantly flows into the elegantly lit Kitchen. An apron front sink in the island with additional bar seating opens to the Great Room where built-ins enhance the stone fireplace adjacent to lake scenes framed like art by the wall of windows. From the Great Room, step out onto the Covered Porch to enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of lake season at its best. The Master Suite features a cathedral ceiling, a custom designed ceramic tile shower, and a private balcony. Don't forget the designated lakeside space designed for lake toy storage, especially convenient on steep lots.

The all-over marble and glass look, gives it a royal feel, while the sleek decorative elements provide a contemporary touch. This particular master bathroom by Virgina Kitchen & Bath has a traditional style, with wood cabinets, tiled floors, glass-walled shower. This bathroom is warm and inviting, thanks to the neutral shades of its decor. You could easily incorporate colored items based on the season, making it very versatile.

This breakfast nook and custom Cedar table provide additional seating in this large kitchen. The bench tops open - providing storage for seasonal items.

Front entrance photo:Kris Knutson
Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts limestone floor front door design in San Francisco with green walls and a medium wood front door

Jasmine Residence is a renovation of a single-story ranch house in Denver, Colorado. Two accordion folding glass doors connect the main living space with the rear yard and the neighborhood street. This effectively creates a large breezeway that can be opened up for three seasons annually. The second story addition expands the house's existing program to include a new master suite and a loft.

Contemporary meets classic in this updated three-bedroom California Craftsman-style design perfect for either a growing family or empty nesters. Drawing the best of the past while incorporating modern convenience, the 2,335 first-level floor plan leads from a central T-shaped foyer to the main living spaces, including a living room with a fireplace and an airy sun room, both of which look out over the back yard. The nearby kitchen includes a spacious island perfect for family gatherings as well as an adjacent covered designed patio for three-season al fresco dining. While the right side of the main floor is dominated by family area, the left side is given over to private spaces, including a large first floor master suite just off the sun room, where you can lounge in the spa-like master bath with its double sink or on the personal covered patio just steps away from the bedroom. Also included on the first floor is a convenient laundry area and a den/office near the front door. The home’s 1.308-square foot lower level is designed for relaxation, with a roomy television/movie space, a workout area, two guest or family bedrooms with a shared bath and a craft, workshop or bonus room.

The couple who embarked on this Lake Zurich Illinois home renovation spent years planning a move from Virginia to the rolling hills of Northern Illinois when their first grandchild was born. Wanting to be closer to their grown children so they could enjoy their new role, they first embarked upon finding the right realtor and the right home. They settled on the “perfect” home; perfect that is to transform. The seriously outdated 1,800 square foot ranch had a closed outdated kitchen, 3 bedrooms, a living room with a fireplace, a full basement and 2 baths. Although it had “good bones”, it was straight out of a builder’s catalog with wall to wall carpet, standard tile and honey oak everywhere you looked. But this couple had big plans for this home. In tandem with their home purchase, they began the search for the just the right renovation company. The team they chose needed to be cohesive, as the whole house renovation would be designed hundreds of miles from their home several states away. She found Advance Design Studio, Ltd. online, and was quickly enamored by the team and by Common Sense Remodeling, simply by studying the website. Her decision to choose Advance Design to partner on this complete ranch renovation was confirmed quickly upon her first face to face meeting with owner Todd Jurs, and later by Advance’s designer, Nicole Ryan. Three bedrooms were converted into a one master suite with ample bath and walk in closet, laundry, and a 2nd multi-purpose room designed for movies and entertainment, a home office, and a guest room all in one. A doorway leading to the garage was reconfigured to create a foyer area, and allowed for a better flow to an open modern kitchen complete with a large island for cooking and entertaining, which included a wide bench seat overlooking the back yard and opening onto an eating area flanked with a fireplace and TV. The piece de resistance culminated with 3 walls of full glass anchored by a striking fireplace in the new four season’s room where the homeowners enjoy coffee every morning while gazing at the current day’s mid-western landscape. The open floorplan encourages living in “one space” throughout the day. Ryan worked with the couple remotely, exchanging 3D color renderings and floorplans with detailed budget updates until the project took on the very image they had envisioned. “Working with them was a change from our normal meeting process since they were literally in a different state. We conducted meetings by phone, while reviewing materials and drawings via computer. It was a fun process that necessitated lots of detail and careful coordination, but we made it happen and the process was as smooth as if they were right here like normal”, says Nicole. During a stressful time planning their move, the constant interaction with Nicole assured the couple that all was being addressed by the Advance team and they could relax and focus on other important things (like moving cross country). The new master bath incorporated heated flooring, a walk in shower with seating and custom shower niches, and an elegant double sink vanity with ample space for two. “The layout of each of the rooms is exactly what I envisioned,” the client said. “Advance’s attention to details such as light switch placement, electrical outlets, and many other minute details you wouldn’t even think of was the icing on the cake. If I didn’t think of it first, they certainly did,” said the happy homeowner. Small details like the crown molding, the custom designed fireplace mantle, the under-cabinet lighting and etched door glass, and even subtle rhinestones shimmering like delicate jewelry in the tile backsplash brought the whole project together. The clients were extremely happy with the way the Advance team made sure these small things were executed perfectly. “It’s just gorgeous,” they said at a celebratory event in their home hosted shortly after completion for the entire Advance Design team that made it happen. “The entire crew at Advance Design was a pleasure to work with. We couldn’t have done this with a lesser team,” they concluded.

Taylor Guerin
Huge minimalist backyard brick full sun pool fountain photo for summer in Philadelphia

This master closet is pure luxury! The floor to ceiling storage cabinets and drawers wastes not a single inch of space. Rotating automated shoe racks and wardrobe lifts make it easy to stay organized. Lighted clothes racks and glass cabinets highlight this beautiful space. Design by California Closets | Space by Hatfield Builders & Remodelers | Photography by Versatile Imaging

When it came time for these clients to build their dream home, they chose our team to help bring it to life. They were interested in our guidance and ability to walk them through the process. They had many must haves for this home. Nine-foot ceilings in the foyer and great room were a must as was the exposed log roof system in the great room. Open concept on the main level was important for family time as was a dining table large enough to seat twelve. The first floor also includes a large kitchen, walk-in pantry, office large enough to become a master bedroom in the future, laundry room, and mudroom with plenty of storage and half bath nearby. Three season sunroom connecting to large patio allows even more space to enjoy family time. The second floor offers a master suite and two additional bedrooms, a sitting room, and a built-in nook for a grand piano. Our team was able to ask them the important questions about their living style to maximize their lake-front footprint and to incorporate all their must haves into a unique design. - Jacqueline Southby Photography