This mid-century home was in need of some restoration to its original roots. The kitchen was outdated and closed off with no dining area near to gather naturally and host guests. The clients desired to honor the style of the home but incorporate their personal style for a clean and modern look. The clients, who happen to be artists themselves, had a very graphic sense and their main objective was to have structure, function and organization for their new kitchen and dining. For functionality purposes, the old office adjacent to the kitchen was the perfect space to repurpose into a dining room. Walls dividing those rooms were torn down, allowing natural light to flow easily throughout the space, creating the illusion of a bigger area. To cut down on costs, original windows remained and the layout of the kitchen generally stayed the same. The custom features incorporated showcase what’s important to the client. Custom cabinetry includes breadboards, pull out drawers, tray dividers and organizational dividers. Their banquette seating even has custom drawers for the purpose of shoe organization and miscellaneous items. For aesthetic purposes, cherry and warm grey tones were chosen based on what was already throughout the home for a cohesive feel. White Fireclay handmade tiles were installed at a straight-set pattern with pops of gray for a modern backsplash. Mid-Century elements include their custom-made lighting and banquette seating area that was originally styled for the home. Overall, the impact of the design brought about a bright, fresh modern uplift that were all in the details.

This dramatic entryway showcases a series of floor-to-ceiling wood slat screens that double as architectural room dividers, gently separating the foyer from the living space beyond while maintaining an open, airy flow. Suspended between the slats, a black metal bookshelf displays a curated mix of books and decorative objects, adding warmth and personality to the otherwise minimalist space.

LED lighting in the glass-front cabinets in the kitchen and breakfast room showcase the cookbooks, teapots, and other objects.
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized modern l-shaped vinyl floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

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.”

This project showcases a bold, architectural approach to a large-scale residential landscape, emphasizing clean lines and high-contrast materials to create a truly high-end outdoor experience. The Design Vision: The objective was to transform this expansive estate into a series of functional "outdoor rooms" that maintain a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. We focused on precision masonry and a neutral palette to allow the structural elements of the design to take center stage. Key Features: Architectural Hardscaping: We utilized large-scale, custom concrete pavers in a "floating" layout, creating a rhythmic and structured pathway that guides movement through the estate. The Sunken Fire Lounge: A primary focal point, the sunken fire pit area features a custom-built, L-shaped bench with integrated stone backing. The use of sleek, light-toned stone veneer and smooth concrete surfaces creates a sophisticated space for evening entertainment. Lush, Low-Maintenance Greenery: Vibrant, emerald artificial turf provides a stark, clean contrast against the cool gray tones of the concrete and stone. To add texture, we integrated native agave and yucca plantings set within dark basalt gravel beds, anchored by large natural boulders. Structural Definition: The entire space is framed by clean-lined black ornamental fencing and multi-level concrete retaining walls, which manage the site's grade while adding to the modern, tiered look of the property. The final result is a seamless blend of luxury and functionality, offering a refined Texas Modern aesthetic that is built for both high-impact visual appeal and effortless living.

Symmetry and detail distinguish this charming Amsterdam-inspired townhouse in a historic enclave of Northwestern Brooklyn. When it came to renovation we collaborated with Michael Schmitt Architect to carry out one mission for our clients: to carefully restore and artfully embellish the home with their personality, to create a modern family-friendly dwelling worthy of showcasing their impressive collection of art, furniture and objects.

Turkish mosaic art is a beautiful form of traditional craftsmanship that involves creating intricate patterns or images using small, colored pieces of glass, stone, or other materials. In addition to lamps, Turkish mosaic art can be found in various other forms, including wall decorations, jewelry, and decorative objects. The intricate patterns and vibrant colors of Turkish mosaic art reflect the rich cultural heritage of Turkey and the craftsmanship of its artisans. Today, Turkish mosaic art continues to thrive, with artisans preserving traditional techniques while also incorporating modern designs and materials. It remains a popular choice for both decorative and functional items, showcasing the enduring beauty and elegance of this ancient art form.

The reconfiguration of the master suite wing created the perfect wall space to display books and beloved objects d'art. This whole-house remodel was designed and built by Meadowlark Design+Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Photos by Sean Carter.

The Castello Main level: 2294 Sq Ft Basement: 2226 Sq Ft Total: 4520 Sq Ft The Castello Stretch out and find comfort in this imaginatively designed home with a creative flair. The living areas are designed for easy flow and access whether you’re entertaining or just relaxing at home, and the beautiful outdoor views are everywhere. The barrel vault ceiling in the Grand room continues out to the rear covered patio. The kitchen takes in extra light with a glass-block wall, and its double-island design creates plenty of counter space for multiple chefs or cook-time mingling. The dining room offers an optional built-in credenza/desk, and optional matching hutches let you display your beautiful china and crystal or showcase your art objects. The master suite is set off by a quiet hallway that delivers seclusion as well as access to the five-piece bath and walk-in closet. Down the corridor, the main floor also offers a flexible room that could be used as a study or an activity space for projects. The Castello’s unique approach is similar to the Como except what is a separate casita in the Como is now part of the main home with an optional bath. It is perfect as a guest room or office, a painting or pottery studio, and anything else your imagination and interests desire The Optional upstairs loft option can incorporate a powder room and includes a balcony with a lovely view above the entry courtyard, and the spacious downstairs provides a large flexible space that can be optionally designed to your specific needs.

At times, the most remarkable spaces emerge when we begin with a clean slate. In this particular project, we had the privilege to design a completely custom home, starting from scratch for our client. They simply entrusted us with a piece of land, and from that point forward, we handled everything. Our primary objective for this project was to craft an exceptional, contemporary, and practical dream home for a family of four. By creatively manipulating height variations at the front of the house, we conceived the standout element of the home: the impressive windows that showcase the bespoke steel spinal staircase.

This small, well appointed home office reflects the owner's love of art and design. The comfortable but eclectic space showcases a group of Charlie Harper prints, a George Nelson Ball Clock, a colorful abstract painting, a re-purposed clarinet floor lamp, an Eames chair and a Calder inspired mobile. The focus piece is promotional banner featuring a portion of Monet's "Water Lilies" from an exhibition at the St. Louis Art Museum. Hung on a resizable chain, the space accommodates an ever changing display of collected banners.

Step into a modern kitchen with soul, where the warmth of the Mediterranean meets contemporary sophistication. This design redefines the heart of the home by blending a modern vintage kitchen aesthetic with deeply personal, decorative kitchen details. The standout feature is the stunning ceramic tile backsplash, featuring blue and white patterns inspired by traditional Portuguese craftsmanship. These handcrafted ceramic tiles provide a cool, rhythmic contrast to the rich, colorful kitchen cabinets finished in a soulful terracotta clay. Designed for those who appreciate a narrative-driven space, this modern kitchen design balances high-functionality with nostalgic charm. Glass-front cabinetry showcases curated, styled objects, adding layers of texture and history to the room. The color palette of earthy tones and crisp blue accents creates an inviting, sun-drenched atmosphere that feels both fresh and timeless. Whether you are drawn to the artisanal quality of the finishes or the seamless mix of old and new, this kitchen is a masterclass in heritage-inspired design. Save this project to your ideabook for a perfect example of how to infuse character into a premium renovation.

This mid-century home was in need of some restoration to its original roots. The kitchen was outdated and closed off with no dining area near to gather naturally and host guests. The clients desired to honor the style of the home but incorporate their personal style for a clean and modern look. The clients, who happen to be artists themselves, had a very graphic sense and their main objective was to have structure, function and organization for their new kitchen and dining. For functionality purposes, the old office adjacent to the kitchen was the perfect space to repurpose into a dining room. Walls dividing those rooms were torn down, allowing natural light to flow easily throughout the space, creating the illusion of a bigger area. To cut down on costs, original windows remained and the layout of the kitchen generally stayed the same. The custom features incorporated showcase what’s important to the client. Custom cabinetry includes breadboards, pull out drawers, tray dividers and organizational dividers. Their banquette seating even has custom drawers for the purpose of shoe organization and miscellaneous items. For aesthetic purposes, cherry and warm grey tones were chosen based on what was already throughout the home for a cohesive feel. White Fireclay handmade tiles were installed at a straight-set pattern with pops of gray for a modern backsplash. Mid-Century elements include their custom-made lighting and banquette seating area that was originally styled for the home. Overall, the impact of the design brought about a bright, fresh modern uplift that were all in the details.

At the heart of this clean, classic French-inspired kitchen, is Wood-Mode cabinetry with the Georgetown Raised door style, and finished in Nordic White. Custom refrigerator panels, tall cabinet doors and several drawers have the addition of an Antique Mirror inserts. A finish combination of the brushed stainless steel hardware and brass lighting accents, catch the light bouncing off the mirrored cabinet doors. The oversized hood was designed with the appearance of sandstone, creating a focal point for the room. Additional details like the carving on the sides of the oversized island and custom made feet for the cabinetry, draw attention give it the look and feel of furniture. A wet bar with floating upper cabinets and glass front inserts provides a glimpse to within, and wall mounted glass and brass shelving provide a platform to showcase objects of desire.

This project showcases a bold, architectural approach to a large-scale residential landscape, emphasizing clean lines and high-contrast materials to create a truly high-end outdoor experience. The Design Vision: The objective was to transform this expansive estate into a series of functional "outdoor rooms" that maintain a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. We focused on precision masonry and a neutral palette to allow the structural elements of the design to take center stage. Key Features: Architectural Hardscaping: We utilized large-scale, custom concrete pavers in a "floating" layout, creating a rhythmic and structured pathway that guides movement through the estate. The Sunken Fire Lounge: A primary focal point, the sunken fire pit area features a custom-built, L-shaped bench with integrated stone backing. The use of sleek, light-toned stone veneer and smooth concrete surfaces creates a sophisticated space for evening entertainment. Lush, Low-Maintenance Greenery: Vibrant, emerald artificial turf provides a stark, clean contrast against the cool gray tones of the concrete and stone. To add texture, we integrated native agave and yucca plantings set within dark basalt gravel beds, anchored by large natural boulders. Structural Definition: The entire space is framed by clean-lined black ornamental fencing and multi-level concrete retaining walls, which manage the site's grade while adding to the modern, tiered look of the property. The final result is a seamless blend of luxury and functionality, offering a refined Texas Modern aesthetic that is built for both high-impact visual appeal and effortless living.

10 Ideas for Turning Your Garage into a Modern Industrial Neighborhood Bar By Elizabeth Aldrich Host happy hours and cocktail parties worthy of a full page spread – in your own garage. Leave the brick exposed, the concrete floors as is, and the wood unfinished and it costs more? The sophisticated older brother of the shabby-chic trend, urban industrial style, is taking over. Real estate agents are able to tack on a few extra grand to a flat if they can include “exposed brick” in their advertisements, and designer chefs and master mixologists are moving into warehouses and industrial districts in urban areas across the nation. A friend recently invited me to dinner at Portland, Oregon’s newest, hippest charcuterie spot, and when we pulled up to the building it was in a warehouse where I used to go to underground raves in high school. These industrial style spaces that were once seen as unfinished or lacking in coziness are now seriously coveted. Their rawness is considered authentic, their grit a mark of character. But if you’re a homeowner, there’s a good chance you already have one of them built right into your house: your garage. I like to preach about how much people underutilize their garage spaces, piling them full of storage bins they never touch. Whether you turn it into a workspace or a playroom, there’s a lot of value in a creatively-used garage space. For the overly ambitious, the design lover, or the hostess with the mostess, here’s one idea that blows the rest out of the water. Turn your garage into a multi-purpose, urban industrial wonderland for work and play. Originally outfitted for factories and warehouses, the industrial style facilitates productivity. Now that it’s also being appreciated as a great aesthetic for bars and restaurants, these rooms can serve both form and function, doubling as work and entertaining spaces. This is great for people who have always dreamed of having that extra basement space for hosting friends, complete with a wet bar and a billiards table, but lack the square footage. Just keep in mind that your friends might love it so much, they’ll start ditching their favorite happy hour spot and showing up at your doorstep instead. Here are ten ideas forbuilding the perfect workshop by day and cocktail bar by night in your garage. 1. Clean out the space. Get rid of everything you don’t need. Part of the beauty of industrial style designs is their simplicity and abundance of open space. Excessive clutter can make people feel boxed in, and that’s not conducive to productivity or to social activity. Out of sight, out of mind. Build shelving up high for storing must-keep belongings, much like a warehouse. For bonus points, store your belongings in wooden crates for aesthetic consistency. Or consider stacking them on a pallet, wrapping them in excessive amounts of plastic wrap, and loading them onto the next cross-country freighter. You won’t miss them. 2. Install storage for frequently used objects. The brilliant thing about the urban industrial look is that your tools, tool boxes, and tool storage cabinets already fit right in. Metal storage cabinets and file cabinets are perfect additions to the space. While grey is certainly the color pallet for this style, 50 shades might be a few too many. Mix it up by spray painting one of your cabinetsto add a pop of color. Make a small pegboard to hold up your tools and hang larger items such as bicycles and recreational equipment by pegs. If you have a lot of storage bins that you have to keep, look upward instead of storing them on the floor. Insert a tracking system onto your garage ceiling and slide the bins into place. For extra credit, get an old locker to use as a coat closet when guests come over. 3. Heat the space.Since you’re not turning the garage into a full-time living space, such as a spare bedroom, you really don’t need to go through the work and additional cost of installing full-blown heating and insulation systems. If you don’t need to use the space when the temperature drops, or if you live in a consistently temperate climate, you might not need to do anything. But if you do want to be able to host people through the winter, a simple garage heater will suffice. Here are some good options for installing garage heating. Take it one step further, and get a couple patio heaters to help with the next step. 4. Turn your driveway into a patio space. Even the best restaurants and cocktail bars are nothing in the summertime without a solid patio space. Leave the garage door open on warmer nights and invite your guests to go outdoors. Place some stylish folding chairs and a patio table out for comfort. Place a few potted plants here and there to make the space feel more inviting. For a really lively patio scene, put a portable fire pit out on the driveway or front lawn and surround it with workbenches from your garage. 5. Build your bar. Pick a corner in your garage for the bar, and get started. You can build a bar pretty cheaply and easily with reclaimed pallets, and get some industrial-style barstools. Behind the bar, you’ll have both your tools and your liquor, and there’s no need to build expensive cabinetry. If you’re serving quality, why cover it up? Build shelving or open cubicles to house your liquor. Put out metal buckets filled with ice to chill beers.Be sure to serve up cocktails worthy of the space. The Hemingway Daiquiri served straight up is a unique way to dress down, or industrialize, a traditionally frou-frou cocktail. To go the extra mile, build a bar with laid brick.Install an extra fridge in the garage so you can avoid having to trek into the kitchen to refill chilled drinks, and you can store dips, vegetables, and other hors d'oeuvres right at your fingertips. 6. Bring on the games. To really turn your hosting space into a fun time, be sure to offer ample play options. For the low on space, a dart board will suffice, whereas if you’ve got a five-car garage and can’t manage to fill the space, put in a couple billiard tables. Ping pong tables are ideal for most because they’re great fun and can easily be folded up and stored. If you want to keep your guests playing until the wee hours of the morning, get an old pinball machine, a vintage arcade game, or a small Skee-Ball alley. 7. The heart of your space.Build along worktable that doubles as a table for your guests right in the center of your garage. It should be tall enough to be used while standing, although you can place a few barstools along with it. Having a table space for drinks but limited seating will encourage guests to walk around and mingle. Build it out of wood and make sure to maintain a natural finish. Don’t be afraid to rough up the work table by day. The dings and marks created while you build will only lend authenticity to the piece. 8. Install lighting. Remember, the urban industrial style is all about function and showcasing materials in their raw form. There’s no need to buy expensive floor lamps or install a fancy lighting system. The most popular lighting in these types of spaces is exposed bulb lighting. Just open up the wiring on your current lighting system and drop down some bulbs. For additional lighting, string up exposed bulb patio lights and place some vintage metal desk lamps on the tables and bar area. 9. Brand your space. Use the designs for the stuff you build by day as wall art. Blow up sketches, blueprints, schematics, and architectural drawings to hang up for decoration. Choose one wall that could use a splash of color, perhaps the wall behind your bar, and get a friend to paint a mural, or whip out the spray paint for a real urban feel. Splurge a little and get a custom neon sign made of your last name or the word “bar” to hang behind the bar. 10. The garage door. For the finishing touch, and to really wow your guests, get a brand new modern, industrial style garage door installed. Look for the window-paneled types that restaurants use, like this contemporary aluminum and glass beauty. You can leave it half open when you want to utilize your driveway-patio space. On nights when you have to close it all the way, the glass panels let your guests still look out onto the stars, making it feel like a patio space even when it’s too cold for one. Once your garage bar is up and running, put on your denim suit and get ready to call yourself the Joneses. No one will be able to keep up with you.

With a clean and exclusive design, and a particular use of glass and wood, Timeless lsland is a true glass showcase designed as a precious box. The LED lighting system integrated with sensors and built into the top enhances the objects on display. Highly customizable, it can be made up of drawers or shelves and receive a variety of sizes and finishes, such as leather upholstery.

Open shelving in this pantry allows for the family to showcase their personality while also providing storage space for less-used objects like candle sticks and vases.

The Jelinek country residence is nestled in a Cragsmoor, New York, cottage community in the Catskill Mountains. The expansion and renovation of this simple farmhouse created a bright, sunlit breakfast room off a kitchen outfitted with Shaker-style cherry cabinets and granite countertops. The new kitchen showcases the owner’s collection of farm tools and folk-art objects in open shelves that integrated lights and electrical outlets. The renovation also included the construction of a new front entry to a large wraparound porch, new lighting, custom walnut occasional tables and built-in library and stereo cabinetry. Photo Credit Carol Bates/Bates Photography