Chris and Sofia of Arlington Heights knew when they purchased their home that they would finish the basement. They needed a space for the kids to hang out, for family and friends to stay, and to have a better space for hosting holidays and parties. The dark unfinished space went mostly unused for three years, but once their kids reached the ideal age for use of a well-built basement, they moved ahead with their plan. “The old basement was dark and cold, and the kids came down and played, but they didn’t like it. The new space is like a whole other house, so we have this space for family game nights and for watching games or Super Bowl parties,” Chris said. The couple found Advance Design Studio through a friend who had their entire home renovated by the remodeling company. After the initial meeting and visiting the showroom, Chris and Sofia were positive that Advance Design was the company that could best turn their unfinished basement into a family friendly space for everyone to enjoy. “We really liked the showroom, we liked being able to choose all of those finishes and meet with them in one place,” Chris said. A Custom Space for a Family with Multiple Needs The project began with a fireplace focal point complete with an amazing entertainment wall, a fantastic full kitchen complete with every amenity, and a brand new full bath. The new basement truly has a space for everyone. If the kids want to watch a movie and hang out on the couch they can, if family wants to play games and have a pizza party on the large island they can, and if guests want to stay over night on the pull-out sofa they can enjoy the entire private “suite” complete with a full bath. It is the true definition of a multifunctional basement. The stunning, full kitchen is the highlight of this now bright and airy basement. You walk down the stairs and are immediately impressed with the detailed metal tile work on the ceiling, bringing to mind the classic feel of a comfortable old pub. Cherry Merlot cabinets provide a rich contrast against the soft neutral walls and the contrasting copper tin ceiling tile and backsplash. Rich Santa Cecelia granite countertops pair nicely with timeless stonework on the outer walls. The island is large enough to provide a more than adequate entertaining space, and provides plenty of both seating and storage. The well-appointed kitchen houses a regular size refrigerator, a full size oven for pizza parties and cookie baking anytime, a microwave oven as well as complete sink and trash set up. One could easily do without a home kitchen forever in this generously designed secondary space! The fireplace and buffet wall seating area is the ideal place to watch movies or sporting events. The coordinating stonework on the fireplace flows throughout the basement, and a burnt orange accent wall brings color and warmth to otherwise ordinary basement space. The Elite Merlot media buffet compliments the kitchen as well as provides storage and a unique functional display option, giving this part of the basement a sophisticated, yet functional feel. The full bath is complete with a unique furniture style cherry DuraSupreme vanity and matching custom designed mirror. The weathered look to the cabinets and mirror give the bathroom some earthy texture as does the stone floor in the walk-in shower. Soft blue makes the space a spa-like mini retreat, and the handsome wall to wall tile and granite speak luxury at every corner. Advance Design added clever custom storage spaces to take advantage of otherwise wasted corners. They built a custom mudroom for the kids to house their sports equipment and a handy built in bench area with basket pull outs for a custom home gym. “They were able to custom fit this second mudroom with the lockers and the bench, they were able to custom build that, so the kids could store all of their equipment down here for the sports that they are in,” Chris said. They Got The Amazing Space They Had Envisioned for Years! The basement Chris and Sofia had envisioned had come to life in a few short months of planning, design and construction, just a perfect fit in the summer months. Advance Design Studio was able to design and build a custom, multifunctional space that the whole family can enjoy. “I would recommend Advance Design because of the showroom, because of the cleanliness on the jobsite and the professionalism, combined with Christine’s design side as well as Todd’s builder’s side - it’s nice to have it all together,” reminisced Chris after the project was complete.

Custom Curved Wooden Slides by Top Tread Stairways ~ Transform Your Home Into Something Extraordinary Custom Curved Wooden Slides When was the Last Time Someone Walked Into Your Home and Their Jaw Literally Dropped? When was the last time someone walked into your home and their jaw literally dropped? Picture this: Your guests arrive for dinner. They step into your foyer, and suddenly—silence. Wide eyes. A moment of pure disbelief. Then, inevitably, the question: “Is that really what I think it is?” Welcome to the world of custom curved wooden slides, where Top Tread Stairways turns childhood dreams into sophisticated architectural statements. The Secret is Out For years, Clyde Martin and his team at Top Tread Stairways in Sierra Vista, Arizona, have been quietly building something extraordinary. While most stair companies focus on traditional projects, TopTread Stairways has been perfecting the art of custom hardwood slides—creating installations so remarkable that we joke about renaming the business “Chutes and Ladders.” The truth? These aren’t just slides. They’re conversation pieces. Works of functional art. The kind of architectural element that sets your home apart from every other one on the planet. And we build so many of them that we’ve shipped custom slides all over North America and beyond. Four Ways to Make Your Home Unforgettable Every slide project we undertake is unique, but they generally fall into four categories: 1. Curved Stair-Slide Combinations – The ultimate space-efficient solution, where stairs and slide spiral together in a stunning combination of form and function. 2. Curved Slides Separate from Stairways – For those who want the drama of a standalone curved slide that makes its own architectural statement. 3. Straight Stair-Slide Combinations – Perfect for modern, linear spaces where clean lines meet playful innovation. 4. Straight Slides Separate from Stairways – Sometimes simplicity creates the most powerful impact. But here’s where it gets interesting: Some slides feature flat seat areas with vertical sides. Others embrace a barrel shape for enhanced comfort. We’ve built slides wide enough for several people to descend shoulder-to-shoulder, laughing all the way down. And we’ve crafted intimate slides designed for solo adventures, regardless of age or size. Our clients? They absolutely love them. Stories That Will Make You Rethink What’s Possible Take the 11,000-square-foot home in Beverly Hills, overlooking the famous Sunset Strip. In one child’s bedroom, we installed a 12-foot curved slide crafted from white oak. Understated location, extraordinary feature. Or consider the 35-foot-high round tower room in an 8,500-square-foot custom home bordering the Sacramento River in Northern California. This project has become our most famous installation—a stunning 33-foot curved stair-slide combination built entirely from solid black walnut, featuring 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood and a spiral newel post that took eight months to construct in our shop. The homeowners had searched for eight years to find someone “crazy enough” to build their dream. When we completed it, one of Clyde’s trusted business partners—someone who’d seen him tackle countless unique projects—admitted he thought Clyde had lost his mind taking this one on. He genuinely didn’t believe we could pull it off. We did. And the homeowners? Still thrilled years later. Where Imagination Meets Reality But these slides aren’t just for private estates. We’ve installed a 24-foot hickory slide in an elementary school library just east of Dallas, where kids absolutely love it. And here’s something that will make you smile: We built the longest wood slide ever for a children’s hospital in Springfield, Illinois. Have you ever heard a child beg to go to the doctor? We’re pretty sure it happens in Springfield. That walnut slide stretches 45 feet long and 3 feet wide—spacious enough for three children to sit side-by-side or for an adult and child to slide together comfortably. We built it in one piece, filling an entire semi-trailer for transport. It lives in the hospital lobby, and no appointment is needed to experience it yourself. In Raleigh, North Carolina, we installed a 36-foot white oak slide in a custom home. The client loved it so much they ordered a second one—literally 15 minutes after we finished the installation. When Clyde returned to the office, there was already a check in the mailbox for slide number two. This 14,000-square-foot home now features 72 linear feet of curved white oak slide: one connecting the second floor to the main level, another linking the main floor to the finished basement. What a ride, indeed. Then there’s the curved stair-slide combination in Visalia, California—32 feet of knotty alder complemented by a hanging netted loft and climbing wall. Creative? Absolutely. Fun? Beyond measure. The People Behind the Dreams What inspires us most isn’t the technical challenge of building these slides—though engineering a 33-foot curved slide from 445 layers of cross-laminated hardwood certainly keeps us engaged. It’s working with clients who refuse to think inside the box. These are creative individuals willing to explore ideas that set their homes and businesses apart. They dream of installations that make people stop and stare. They understand that architecture can—and should—inspire joy. Listening to them describe their visions, explaining their dreams of a slide design unlike anything else on earth? That’s a privilege. And bringing those dreams to life? That’s what we live for. My team and I have as much fun designing and building these slides as our clients have riding them. We’d love nothing better than to hear from you! Custom Curved Wooden Slides What Sets Top Tread Stairways Apart Since 2006, Clyde Martin has built Top Tread Stairways on a simple premise: there’s a better way to build stairs. With roots in eastern Pennsylvania and years of experience installing hundreds of pre-built stairways, Clyde brought that expertise west and founded a company dedicated to exceptional craftsmanship. We stock thousands of stair parts in more than ten wood species—hickory, jatoba, maple, cherry, mahogany, alder, red oak, white oak, poplar, Douglas fir, and walnut. Quality levels are high. Lead times are short. We understand the urgency of your project schedule and deliver accordingly. But here’s what really matters: When it comes to custom wooden slides, Top Tread Stairways is one of—if not the—premier builders of indoor wooden slides in the United States. This isn’t a side project for us. It’s a specialty we’ve refined through years of experience, countless installations, and an unwavering commitment to turning impossible dreams into breathtaking reality. Your Home, Reimagined Whether you’re envisioning a straight wooden stand-alone slide for your office or a jaw-dropping curved wooden slide/stairway combination that will become your home’s signature feature, we’d love to hear from you. We’re not here to build ordinary. We’re here to build extraordinary. Ready to set your home apart? ~ Custom Curved Wooden Slides ~ ART YOU RIDE!

It's the details that make the difference. In this view, we see the extensive amount of wainscoting, crown molding and use of columns to make an ordinary room (in another house) stand out here. The alabaster white trim against the gray walls along with that stunning mahogany door and the beautiful heart of pine flooring makes this a great space.

Calacatta Gold Honed Marble Collection is bold, modern and sophisticated. Originating from Italy, this luxurious marble goes from traditional to modern with it's distinctive bold grey veining, non-traditional mosaic and moulding options and honed finish. This beautiful marble is sure to change any room from ordinary to noteworthy.

Envelop yourself in luxury! Our freestanding copper bath tubs transform ordinary bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. The richness of the copper coupled with its natural heat conducting elements allow you to luxuriate in the tub longer, elevating bath time bliss and bathroom style to unprecedented levels.

THIS IS HOW WE DO IT? At Custom Wood America, we pour our hearts into every project. From the initial stages to the final installation, witness the meticulous craftsmanship in action. This beautifully crafted desk isn’t just a workspace; it’s a versatile storage solution! The exquisite glass shelves add an element of sophistication, while the adjustable lighting enhances productivity, ensuring you work smarter! Don’t settle for ordinary; embrace a workspace that inspires success. Elevate your productivity game with us!

The goal for this project, as with many kitchens, was to create a more open, inviting and functional space for family to gather and socialize. The challenge that the partially hexagonal space created was however quite unique. Ample functional storage was “a must,” so pull-outs, roll-outs and hidden storage was integrated throughout. Walnut veneered interiors and solid walnut drawer boxes provide a rich finished aesthetic, and tie the tone back to the refinished flooring on the main level. While grey has been all the rage, the custom Grey Stone stain over Alder is anything but ordinary.

Not your "ordinary" deck! This beautiful tile deck was built by DekTek PRO, Tall Timber LLC. He custom designed the deck so no cutting was needed. The DekTek Tile colors chosen were Cobblestone Gray, outlined with our brand new color Limestone (part of the DekTek "Cool Collection" that's about to launch!) If you'd like to transform your outdoor living space give us a call at 218-380-9330 or visit our website dektektile.com. Contractors if you're interested in becoming a DekTek PRO visit dektektile.com/pro to learn more & sign up! You can also catch us at the Nashville Remodeling Show/Deck Expo October 26-27 in BOOTH 1038. Hit us up for free passes

Wide open style with fresh, modern details update the traditional Shaker Potters Mill Reverse Raised door to create a transitional style defined by shape, texture and materials. Discover the built-in appliances cleverly concealed behind the wood panels flanking the double-oven. Attention is centered on the organic beauty of the wood, drawing in the natural light and bringing the outdoors in to this living space. Ask your designer about how to use decorative aluminum feet, glass surfaces, and multiple workspace levels to transform an ordinary kitchen island into a center for conversing and entertaining. Open floating shelves and a built-in desk space make easy work of organized living. Potters Mill Reverse Raised built-in entertainment center may wrap the television in smart storage, but when combined with modern light fixtures, glass tile and natural wood cabinetry, the effect is a flowing space for entertaining in a updated transitional style. Find a Design-Craft Showroom near you today: http://www.designcraftcabinets.com/dealer-locations

Make a Dream Home proudly presents a remarkable showcase of our recently completed garage remodeling project in Elmhurst, IL. With meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to transforming spaces, we have turned an ordinary garage into an exceptional area that combines functionality, organization, and aesthetic appeal. Our team of skilled professionals worked diligently to deliver outstanding results that surpass expectations. The finished garage stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and creating dream spaces. Upon entering the remodeled garage, you will be greeted by a space that has been completely transformed. Every aspect of the design has been thoughtfully executed to optimize functionality and enhance visual appeal. From organization solutions to exquisite finishes, our goal was to create a garage that is both practical and visually stunning. In addition to functionality, the aesthetics of the garage have been elevated to create a visually pleasing environment. Thoughtfully chosen flooring materials add a touch of sophistication, while modern lighting fixtures illuminate the space and enhance visibility. The garage now exudes a sense of style and elegance, making it a pleasant extension of your home. Make a Dream Home's commitment to quality is reflected in every aspect of the project. Our team utilized high-quality materials and employed expert craftsmanship to ensure durability and longevity. The finished garage is not only visually impressive but also built to withstand the demands of everyday use. With this completed garage remodeling project in Elmhurst, IL, Make a Dream Home has proven to be a trusted partner in creating exceptional spaces. Whether you seek a garage renovation, organization solutions, or a complete makeover, our team is dedicated to turning your vision into reality. Experience the joy and convenience of a beautifully remodeled garage that perfectly aligns with your needs and surpasses your expectations. Choose Make a Dream Home for your next garage remodeling project and let us bring your dream space to life.

Nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool with raised spa, sunshelf, slide, grotto, and pizza oven (September 2013) – Ask the Pool Guy and his team at Legendary Escapes recently unveiled the newest Legendary Escape, a stunning nautical-themed hybrid swimming pool. The hand-carved concrete waterfall, rock slide, and grotto are the focal point of this incredible project, and designer and builder Al Curtis has truly outdone himself this time. Behind the waterfall sits a grotto that seats 8-10 people comfortably. The waterfall, slide, and grotto area come complete with intricate details and additions that perfectly play into the project’s theme. An immense amount of creativity, talent, and skill is required to take ordinary materials like vinyl and concrete and turn them into the outstanding backyards that Curtis creates, but these details allow his creativity to shine in a different light. Curtis immerses himself completely in just one or two projects at a time, which allows him the opportunity to add those intricate details that take his extraordinary projects to the next level. Some of the details in the grotto area of this hybrid project include real ship portholes that open and close, as well as carvings and lanterns to add visual interest inside of the grotto. The project also includes a raised spillover spa and a sunshelf with a bubbling water feature. The sunshelf has steps leading into the main body of the pool, giving swimmers an easy entry point if they don’t feel the urge to jump off the top of the waterfall or take a ride down the hand-carved, hand-tiled slide. The shelf has just enough water to allow shallow wading or lounging, and the pebbled finish provides a perfect place to set a lounge chair without worrying about damaging the vinyl liner. With the spa nearby, this whole end of the pool is perfect for relaxing, talking, or watching the kids while they swim. This incredible hybrid swimming pool also includes a poolside pizza oven, so fresh, stone-fired pizza is never far away. The brick oven can cook a pizza in about 90 seconds, and produces authentic, outstanding pizzas. The homeowners have spent years perfecting their pizza crust and sauce recipes, as well as growing their own tomatoes and basil. The pizza oven adds another element of their own personality, and makes this project even more perfect for them. With a built-in countertop, it’s easy to get a couple of pies going at one time, or to prep ingredients for personal pizzas. The homeowners are very family-oriented and love to have friends and family over to their home. During the construction process, the Legendary Escapes crew met several friends and family members who stopped in for some quality time and to check out the progress of the pool. The finished product is a perfect place for entertaining, and it feels very comfortable and welcoming. With the sunshelf, spa, grotto, poolside seating, and the pool itself, there are plenty of different places to sit or soak and have conversations or splash around. Curtis is incredibly proud of this project, and he has high hopes for it. He was recently named a Master of Design by Pool & Spa News for a hybrid swimming pool he built in Brighton, MI. This new, nautical hybrid pool fits in beautifully with his portfolio, but also stands out as extraordinary. The team at Legendary Escapes anticipates positive feedback and recognition for this project, and looks forward to building more swimming pools that push the envelope and wow clients and fans.

Transforming an ordinary backyard into a one-of-a-kind outdoor retreat, this custom water feature project was designed and built around the property’s existing space, elevation, and natural surroundings. The project features a custom koi and fish pond with clear water, aquatic plants, colorful koi, natural stonework, cascading waterfalls, and a flowing stream that travels through the landscaped side yard before connecting with the main pond. Carefully selected boulders, river rock, stone pathways, plants, and natural materials were incorporated throughout the project to help the water feature blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The combination of moving water, waterfalls, koi, lily pads, and outdoor lighting creates a peaceful backyard environment that can be enjoyed during both the day and evening. Rather than installing a one-size-fits-all pond, every element of this project was designed around the homeowner’s property and vision. From excavation and water flow to stone placement, landscaping, aquatic plants, and finishing details, the goal was to create more than a pond—we created a complete backyard experience.

Classic Meets Modern Bathroom Remodel This bathroom remodel showcases a perfect blend of timeless design and modern functionality. Every element was carefully chosen to create a serene and stylish retreat, featuring luxurious materials and thoughtful details. This project reflects a balance of style and function, transforming an ordinary bathroom into a luxurious personal oasis. Designed for homeowners who appreciate both charm and sophistication, this bathroom remodel is a testament to our dedication to high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.

What is the point of good design if you don't have the right lighting to show it off? Whether it is the quaint charm, masterful craftsmanship, or sheer practicality, our hand hammered copper pendant lights are the perfect finishing touch necessary to illuminate and elevate any kitchen or dining room from ordinary to extraordinary.

Full home renovation taking this Phoenix home from ordinary to extraordinary with granite, an abundance of cabinet storage by Waypoint Living Spaces, black hardware and fixtures, and 24" x 24" matte tile flooring throughout.

This Blaze Outdoor Product Features: Heavy duty 304 stainless steel construction for lasting durability Use with the Blaze Stainless steel charcoal basket to cook food with rear indirect heat Waterproof motor Adding a rotisserie kit allows you to expand your grilling options and roast whole chicken, pork loin, beef roasts and more in your kamado grill. When used with the rear charcoal basket, you can cook food with indirect rear infrared heat which results in food that retains more of its own natural flavor. The waterproof 120V motor is enclosed in a stainless steel housing to withstand the outdoor elements. The Rotis is warranted for 1 year to the original owner against defects in manufacturing and workmanship. This warranty extends to the original purchaser against manufacture defects for products purchased for ordinary single-family home use.

The homeowners took an ordinary backyard with an extreme slope and turned it into a beautiful landscape with this pond and stream running through their retaining wall. — at Parker, CO. Rocky Mountain WaterScape

This homeowner had a design challenge for our team. They were looking for something completely unique and special for their back yard. In a neighborhood with "nice" pools they didn't want something ordinary. Our designer/builder, Al Curtis, proposed something completely new. He proposed a swimming pool, built freeform, gunite, with a raised waterfall spilling, finished with the same quartzite coping as the pool, over into the pool, with a swim in grotto and a boat as a seating area at the deep end of the pool. His original idea had him taking an actual boat, reclaiming and reusing it to create this custom feature. The homeowners had other ideas once they heard his crazy cool idea, and asked if he could build it out of concrete. Of course, Al and our entire team was thrilled with the challenge, and hand crafted the boat you see entirely out of concrete, hand shaped, sculpted and molded the cement to form with such attention to detail that you can't tell from a distance that it is not a real boat hovering at the deep end of this pool! The boat was finished with a few reclaimed details from the actual boat it was modeled after...since details are just a part of the surprise and delight in a Legendary Escape, they add just the right elements to make this a very real experience. The homeowner also asked for a different type of coping next to the raised spillover gunite spa, to create the illusion of a swim up bar on the edge of the pool. The pool guy took this idea, raised the pool wall, added a custom poured concrete bar, and added a swim up ledge and in-pool bar stools with seats created out of concrete and stainless steel stands. The perfect custom features, finished with the thermoplastic of ecoFinish, the newest and best trend for a smoother more comfortable swimming surface for gunite pools, spas, sun ledges and seats that we use on our Michigan custom swimming pools, whether hybrid (vinyl liner/gunite combo) or all gunite swimming pools and spas. With the boat in place, it only made sense to create the outside of the grotto as if it were the boat house, for this one of a kind speedboat. The waterfall coming over the face of the grotto has two speeds, fast and warp speed...so jumping off, swimming through the waterfall, or heading down the slide from the dock/wharf patio area adjacent to the boat is a terrific way for kids and adults to enjoy this pool! Swim into the grotto and you are immersed in a 3-dimensional cave, with carvings of fish in vibrant color hand sculpted and painted by Karen, one of our on the job artisans who is instrumental in helping bring our sculptures and always surprising elements to life. Karen has an artistic whimsy, though she is also precise and accurate as she specializes in placing the coping just right and always making sure the tile is just right on every project. To complete this project landscaping, the homeowners looked to Jodi Cook, of Naturally Jodi to create a landscape that blended with the pool area to create a unique feel for the space. She used a variety of plants, ornamental trees, and even created pillars like you would see at a marina to complete the look. Once her landscaping was in, Al added a surprise element at the end of the dock - a lifesize alligator with a fishing rod catching a fish - as just one more detail to this project. Al, and his entire team aim to create a magical environment, where around every corner is just one more surprise that completes the awe and inspiring joy when visiting on of our Legendary Escapes! To say the homeowners are delighted just may be an understatement. Their kick off party included visits from superheros and Disney characters - enjoying all the elements of this backyard retreat in Rochester, Michigan.

The Solaris Collection, often referred to as a sculpture for the home, was inspired by art work at MOMA in New York. The Solaris is reminiscent of a globe, a symbol of unity and continuity; simple yet not ordinary.