The original kitchen was dark and lacked storage space. It was cut off from the rest of the house and needed an update. We removed the wall between the dining room and kitchen and bumped the kitchen out in the rear of the house. We created lots of storage, a new island with seating and added windows bringing in much needed natural light. The kitchen is now a hub of activity for the whole family.

David Heald
Photo of a farmhouse full sun vegetable garden landscape in New York.

This home addition was intended to expand the home to provide the space needed for the growing new family. The existing kitchen was gutted, expanded and opened up to a family room and nook area. Custom inset cabinets were our preference; however cost was a significant concern. The owner researched multiple companies and standard product lines to save on her budget. After careful analysis, we discovered that it was just as cost effective to use the local custom cabinet maker we preferred. This allowed for more precise detailing and unique features. The goal of a classical farm house kitchen character updated with modern features was able to be obtained much to the home owner's delight. A family room was added to this home, opening up to a screen porch that takes advantage of a previously unused side yard. The much needed new rear entry provides the family a space for their laundry room and is now the primary entry point from the detached garage. Great care was taken to ensure that the home’s new detailing could have been built this way originally. The space however needed to have a modern function for a modern family. The homes existing exterior had aluminum siding and trim which concealed original millwork and shingles. When the nondescript materials were removed, it was discovered that the original was in poor condition. Careful attention was taken to replace and/or repair original materials wherever possible around the entire home, in order to create a seamless exterior character.

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change.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

Mountain style 3/4 white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, gray floor and single-sink bathroom photo in Burlington with gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops, a freestanding vanity and flat-panel cabinets

Tuck Fauntlerey
Kitchen - rustic l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Other with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, black backsplash, stone slab backsplash, colored appliances and no island

Hawkeye Landscape Design We began this project with the idea of making a friendly entryway and social area under the Mulberry tree which provides much needed shade in this hot, mountainous area. The 'red fescue' meadow grass has a cooling effect and the agaves reduce the need for excess water and maintenance. The backyard has a covered dining area with a corner lounge and fireplace. The large barbecue offers a cantilevered counter for entertaining. The waterfall into the pool is surrounded with bamboo and plantings that emulate the hillside beyond the property. The permeable paving and mix of Vitex and Olive trees provide shade for smaller seating areas to enjoy the variety of succulents throughout the garden

Hawkeye Landscape Design We began this project with the idea of making a friendly entryway and social area under the Mulberry tree which provides much needed shade in this hot, mountainous area. The 'red fescue' meadow grass has a cooling effect and the agaves reduce the need for excess water and maintenance. The backyard has a covered dining area with a corner lounge and fireplace. The large barbecue offers a cantilevered counter for entertaining. The waterfall into the pool is surrounded with bamboo and plantings that emulate the hillside beyond the property. The permeable paving and mix of Vitex and Olive trees provide shade for smaller seating areas to enjoy the variety of succulents throughout the garden

wright-built, llc
Rustic two-story wood gable roof idea in Dallas

Design by Lauren Levant, Photography by Bob Narod, for Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen and Bath
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro with recessed-panel cabinets, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, an undermount sink, gray cabinets and granite countertops

Some spaces are best understood before and after. Our Carytown Kitchen project demonstrates how a small space can be transformed for minimal expense. First and foremost was maximizing space. With only 9 sf of built-in counter space we understood these work surfaces needed to be kept free of small appliances and clutter - and that meant extra storage. The introduction of high wall cabinets provides much needed storage for occasional use equipment and helps keep everything dust-free in the process. Photograph by Stephen Barling.

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.”

Jack Michaud Photography
Greenhouse - contemporary detached greenhouse idea in Portland Maine

This classic Portland bungalow in the highly desirable Irvington neighborhood has been in the family for generations and lovingly cared for and updated throughout the years. It was now the main floor’s primary bathroom that needed to be addressed. A tight footprint made for some space planning challenges, but what we love so much about this project is that it demonstrates that so much can be done with a small space! Designing a shallower than typical vanity allowed us to extend the cabinetry and countertop as far as the door swing into the room would allow, adding much needed storage to the room. A narrow undermount sink combined with wall mount faucet ensures the vanity remains extremely functional. A tower cabinet at the end frames the sink and mirror, bringing an appreciated moment of symmetry while providing space for electric bathroom products and so much more. Where a two sided tub/shower once lived, now a walk in shower framed in glass makes the space feel, and live, significantly larger than its modest square footage. The use of glass on only the long side, and pony wall with glass above on the short end, visually expands the space allowing the eye to move freely around the room while still providing privacy at the toilet. Marmoleum flooring makes for easy cleaning while mosaic tile on the shower floor ensures traction in the wet environment. A classic penny tile accent around the shower walls, combined with the tile wainscot around the room speak to the classic architecture of the home. The bright and fresh palette is at once lively and calming, youthful and sophisticated, current and timeless!

This classic Portland bungalow in the highly desirable Irvington neighborhood has been in the family for generations and lovingly cared for and updated throughout the years. It was now the main floor’s primary bathroom that needed to be addressed. A tight footprint made for some space planning challenges, but what we love so much about this project is that it demonstrates that so much can be done with a small space! Designing a shallower than typical vanity allowed us to extend the cabinetry and countertop as far as the door swing into the room would allow, adding much needed storage to the room. A narrow undermount sink combined with wall mount faucet ensures the vanity remains extremely functional. A tower cabinet at the end frames the sink and mirror, bringing an appreciated moment of symmetry while providing space for electric bathroom products and so much more. Where a two sided tub/shower once lived, now a walk in shower framed in glass makes the space feel, and live, significantly larger than its modest square footage. The use of glass on only the long side, and pony wall with glass above on the short end, visually expands the space allowing the eye to move freely around the room while still providing privacy at the toilet. Marmoleum flooring makes for easy cleaning while mosaic tile on the shower floor ensures traction in the wet environment. A classic penny tile accent around the shower walls, combined with the tile wainscot around the room speak to the classic architecture of the home. The bright and fresh palette is at once lively and calming, youthful and sophisticated, current and timeless!

This classic Portland bungalow in the highly desirable Irvington neighborhood has been in the family for generations and lovingly cared for and updated throughout the years. It was now the main floor’s primary bathroom that needed to be addressed. A tight footprint made for some space planning challenges, but what we love so much about this project is that it demonstrates that so much can be done with a small space! Designing a shallower than typical vanity allowed us to extend the cabinetry and countertop as far as the door swing into the room would allow, adding much needed storage to the room. A narrow undermount sink combined with wall mount faucet ensures the vanity remains extremely functional. A tower cabinet at the end frames the sink and mirror, bringing an appreciated moment of symmetry while providing space for electric bathroom products and so much more. Where a two sided tub/shower once lived, now a walk in shower framed in glass makes the space feel, and live, significantly larger than its modest square footage. The use of glass on only the long side, and pony wall with glass above on the short end, visually expands the space allowing the eye to move freely around the room while still providing privacy at the toilet. Marmoleum flooring makes for easy cleaning while mosaic tile on the shower floor ensures traction in the wet environment. A classic penny tile accent around the shower walls, combined with the tile wainscot around the room speak to the classic architecture of the home. The bright and fresh palette is at once lively and calming, youthful and sophisticated, current and timeless!

This classic Portland bungalow in the highly desirable Irvington neighborhood has been in the family for generations and lovingly cared for and updated throughout the years. It was now the main floor’s primary bathroom that needed to be addressed. A tight footprint made for some space planning challenges, but what we love so much about this project is that it demonstrates that so much can be done with a small space! Designing a shallower than typical vanity allowed us to extend the cabinetry and countertop as far as the door swing into the room would allow, adding much needed storage to the room. A narrow undermount sink combined with wall mount faucet ensures the vanity remains extremely functional. A tower cabinet at the end frames the sink and mirror, bringing an appreciated moment of symmetry while providing space for electric bathroom products and so much more. Where a two sided tub/shower once lived, now a walk in shower framed in glass makes the space feel, and live, significantly larger than its modest square footage. The use of glass on only the long side, and pony wall with glass above on the short end, visually expands the space allowing the eye to move freely around the room while still providing privacy at the toilet. Marmoleum flooring makes for easy cleaning while mosaic tile on the shower floor ensures traction in the wet environment. A classic penny tile accent around the shower walls, combined with the tile wainscot around the room speak to the classic architecture of the home. The bright and fresh palette is at once lively and calming, youthful and sophisticated, current and timeless!

Here's the way it looked with just the TV bracket on the wall. Notice the large hole cut in near the floor on the image above. This is the cutout for the bottom portion of the power bridge. This will be finished, clean and hidden behind the furniture before we're all done, but it provides a nice bit access point for wiring in the meantime! Whenever possible, we try to install the top portion of the power bridge directly above the bottom portion. If we do so, we can simply let gravity do the fishing for us in many cases. Even if we need to break out the fish sticks and other tools of the trade, having a straight shot down makes the job MUCH easier. Most jobs -- this one included -- require two HDMI cables. One to connect the cable/satellite box, one to connect something else (Blu-ray, gaming system, Roku, etc.). Just remember if you're planning a DIY install, if you want it to play on the screen, you need a cable from the device to the TV. We typically use a four-meter HDMI cable for a job like this. While you may think that's longer than you'd need, the extra length provides much needed flexibility when connecting and placing the components in the cabinet and the TV on the wall.

This classic Portland bungalow in the highly desirable Irvington neighborhood has been in the family for generations and lovingly cared for and updated throughout the years. It was now the main floor’s primary bathroom that needed to be addressed. A tight footprint made for some space planning challenges, but what we love so much about this project is that it demonstrates that so much can be done with a small space! Designing a shallower than typical vanity allowed us to extend the cabinetry and countertop as far as the door swing into the room would allow, adding much needed storage to the room. A narrow undermount sink combined with wall mount faucet ensures the vanity remains extremely functional. A tower cabinet at the end frames the sink and mirror, bringing an appreciated moment of symmetry while providing space for electric bathroom products and so much more. Where a two sided tub/shower once lived, now a walk in shower framed in glass makes the space feel, and live, significantly larger than its modest square footage. The use of glass on only the long side, and pony wall with glass above on the short end, visually expands the space allowing the eye to move freely around the room while still providing privacy at the toilet. Marmoleum flooring makes for easy cleaning while mosaic tile on the shower floor ensures traction in the wet environment. A classic penny tile accent around the shower walls, combined with the tile wainscot around the room speak to the classic architecture of the home. The bright and fresh palette is at once lively and calming, youthful and sophisticated, current and timeless!