Each detail in this stairway in a home in Park City is a prime example of dressing up a typically boring straight switch back staircase. We started with Hickory treads and risers and added a housed stringer. Then a stunning custom two-piece Hickory handrail sits atop the railing with the balusters at each end piercing the lower handrail, all to create visual appeal. Add to that the illusion of the tread ends piercing through the stringers and in turn being pierced by the 1" solid steel balusters and you hold people's attention to the point that they forget that they were even climbing a stair. Now that's the way to travel!

Each detail in this stairway in a home in Park City is a prime example of dressing up a typically boring straight switch back staircase. We started with Hickory treads and risers and added a housed stringer. Then a stunning custom two-piece Hickory handrail sits atop the railing with the balusters at each end piercing the lower handrail, all to create visual appeal. Add to that the illusion of the tread ends piercing through the stringers and in turn being pierced by the 1" solid steel balusters and you hold people's attention to the point that they forget that they were even climbing a stair. Now that's the way to travel!

Dedicated laundry room - mid-sized transitional single-wall travertine floor dedicated laundry room idea in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige walls and a stacked washer/dryer

Starting from a blank canvas with a completely empty shell, the Gonyea Transformations team transformed this spacious garage into a sleek, luxurious personal retreat. The garage now boasts ample space for our client to showcase their cars, as well as entertain friends in the loft with a full bar and lounge. Some stunning details include a beautiful cable railing that leads to the loft, a walnut accent wall that adds additional architectural interest and works as a privacy barrier and entertainment center, and a notable bar with diamond plate details, thoughtful lighting, and the clients’ own “Lamborghini” sign to create a cohesive look within the whole garage condo. Explore more of this unique space below. About the AutoMotorPlex The Medina AutoMotorPlex is a 160-unit garage condominium complex just off of Highway 55 and Arrowhead Drive. This unique concept provides an opportunity for car enthusiasts and like-minded individuals to own a private garage which they can personalize and showcase their collector cars or luxury vehicles. It also provides a unique community for people who share a passion for motorsports—or anything that has an engine—with hosted events throughout the year. With a variety of garage sizes within the AutoMotorPlex, the garage condos have one thing in common, they start out as empty shells, waiting for new owners to envision a space to showcase their prized possessions and entertain family, friends, and clients.

As seen in the Before photo, this room started out as a blank slate with a million-dollar view. Even though the room is small, the owners wanted the room to be elegant, and to seat six people. After shopping and lots of measuring, we came up with furnishings and mirrors that make the magical transformation. The window treatments are the same as the adjacent living room, enhancing the spectacular view of San Diego Bay.

This project began in the summer of 2014, with planning and design meetings. In the fall of 2015, the client was presented the final project after the house was loaded with furnishings. The start is always so exciting, the end so bittersweet. The time spent with the client and the people who bring the design to fruition creates a family. It's hard to walk away at the end but it is part of the process and part of the reward for a job well done. And, I will always have that moment when the client walked in to the house when it is was done, and the furniture, art and accessories had been set and tweaked until they were just right. That look, that excitement and joy, it's so fun. I love my job! Photography by Brian McCloud

Inspiration for a large modern home design remodel in Minneapolis

Starting from a blank canvas with a completely empty shell, the Gonyea Transformations team transformed this spacious garage into a sleek, luxurious personal retreat. The garage now boasts ample space for our client to showcase their cars, as well as entertain friends in the loft with a full bar and lounge. Some stunning details include a beautiful cable railing that leads to the loft, a walnut accent wall that adds additional architectural interest and works as a privacy barrier and entertainment center, and a notable bar with diamond plate details, thoughtful lighting, and the clients’ own “Lamborghini” sign to create a cohesive look within the whole garage condo. Explore more of this unique space below. About the AutoMotorPlex The Medina AutoMotorPlex is a 160-unit garage condominium complex just off of Highway 55 and Arrowhead Drive. This unique concept provides an opportunity for car enthusiasts and like-minded individuals to own a private garage which they can personalize and showcase their collector cars or luxury vehicles. It also provides a unique community for people who share a passion for motorsports—or anything that has an engine—with hosted events throughout the year. With a variety of garage sizes within the AutoMotorPlex, the garage condos have one thing in common, they start out as empty shells, waiting for new owners to envision a space to showcase their prized possessions and entertain family, friends, and clients.

Photo: Nanette Wong © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic dining room remodel in San Francisco

Mid-sized elegant u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Orange County with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, yellow backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

This 1960 house was in need of updating from both design and performance standpoints, and the project turned into a comprehensive deep energy retrofit, with thorough airtightness and insulation, new space conditioning and energy-recovery-ventilation, triple glazed windows, and an interior of incredible elegance. While we maintained the foundation and overall massing, this is essentially a new house, well equipped for a new generation of use and enjoyment.

This kitchen started as a builder basic with no personality or charm. The layout didn't have the best function and the island was poorly placed. The homeowners purchased this house with remodeling and upgrading in mind. The layout was changed to accommodate two people cooking together. Zones were created for meal prepping, cooking and baking. The island was expanded to fill the space and utilize bar seating. The walk through butlers pantry was turned in to a wine bar with a fridge, storage and custom glass cabinets. A medium toned hardwood floor was layed throughout the entire lower level

Bud Kane has remodeled nearly every room in his own home over many years. Now reaching his 70’s, he contemplated heading up a major kitchen and laundry room renovation himself, planning on doing the carpentry work with his own hands. “I was not convinced I would ever meet anyone who could do it as well as I could do it myself”, said Bud. Ruth and Bud spent 5 years visiting kitchen firms and interviewing designers. They couldn’t however bring themselves to pull the trigger on the project, until they met Advance Design Studio in 2015. “No one understood what I wanted”, said Ruth. She was continually frustrated by experiences with designers who weren’t hearing what was important to her. “Everyone kept designing my kitchen with what they thought it should look like; I couldn’t find anyone who would listen to me”! When they met designer Scott Christensen from Advance Design Studio, they liked him right away. He listened to Ruth and designed a kitchen that she loved, all the while interjecting years of wisdom and design expertise that Ruth appreciated. “The finished product is better than I expected”, says Ruth. “I respected Scott’s opinions and together we created the perfect place for me to bake with my grandkids and truly enjoy the kitchen and laundry room I’ve been dreaming of for many years!” The kitchen transformation began with removing the home’s soffits, and extending new painted maple cabinetry to the ceiling with the addition of an elegant crown molding. Ruth’s new Vita Mix holds a coveted place on her counter, and adjustments were planned to size the cabinets in conjunction with the under cabinet decorative light molding to fit this appliance just right. “This one small detail was really important to me”, says Ruth smiling. An elegant new island replaced the original island, complete with room for 3 stools where her grandchildren will sit to make home-made pasta every Thanksgiving, and cookies at Christmas time. “Traditions are very important in my family, and making my kitchen work to suit cherished activities with my family was the number one reason this renovation was so desired”, replied Ruth when asked about the island. A picture perfect new tea station replaced a cluttered unused desk area, creating a wonderful place to prepare hot drinks for sipping any season of the year while overlooking the couple’s wonderfully manicured gardens from the lovely 3 season’s room just off the kitchen. The soft sage island bead panel detail was repeated on the backsplash, replicating the feel of a fine old piece of furniture. The biggest problem with the laundry room was 3 doors, one from the garage, one from the closet, and one to the hallway. “Scott designed a pocket door, and oh what a dream it is now to bring groceries in from the garage!” exclaims Bud who grew to disdain this task! Doing laundry is now a breeze in this attractive new space that doubles as a wonderful pantry for the kitchen with room to store food items that didn’t have a home in the poorly designed original space. New Hickory distressed wood flooring was laid both in the kitchen and leading to the hall foyer. Soft gray wood-replicating porcelain was placed in the laundry area, making for an easily cleanable surface for what doubles as a mud room from the garage. Creamy tumbled marble graces an unobtrusive backsplash spilling onto shiny granite counter tops in a rich earthy pattern of fall colors that mimic colors throughout the home. Advance is known details that included custom crafted furniture toe kicks, luxurious crown moldings, and beaded under cabinet moldings. The kitchen is complete with a glass display cabinet showing Ruth’s treasured china tea collection. Early on, it was initially only their intention of purchasing cabinets for the new design. They were so impressed however with Advance Design’s complete program for budgeting, design, installation and management that it became clear to them both that they wanted Advance to handle the entire project from start to finish. “After seeing the quality work they did, coupled with the in-house team completely dedicated to our satisfaction, it became apparent there was no other choice but to hire them to handle everything. And we’re so glad we did, we have not one regret”, says Bud. “The attention to detail by the carpentry crew more than satisfied my perfectionist expectations of the finished carpentry,” exclaimed Bud. “Every one of Advance Design’s people we encountered from design through construction was wonderful. We’ve never met a group of people so dedicated to making sure we were happy with every single detail, and every single part of this experience”, said Ruth and Bud. Designer: Scott Christensen Photographer: Joe Nowak

We JUST finished our kitchen and need to decorate and redo the floors. (The lighting in my photos also is a bit of a disservice.) But I wanted to thank the amazing people that helped -- truly all professional artisans who took great care with the project. It was seamless start to finish. Helder Torquato Assumpcao of Ipê Decking and Remodel in Everett did the install and some custom pieces. Dave Brushett of Central New England Soapstone the countertops. The cabinets are Semihandmade Doors/IKEA.

Architecture, Construction Management, Interior Design, Art Curation & Real Estate Advisement by Chango & Co. Construction by MXA Development, Inc. Photography by Sarah Elliott See the home tour feature in Domino Magazine

This kitchen started as a builder basic with no personality or charm. The layout didn't have the best function and the island was poorly placed. The homeowners purchased this house with remodeling and upgrading in mind. The layout was changed to accommodate two people cooking together. Zones were created for meal prepping, cooking and baking. The island was expanded to fill the space and utilize bar seating. The walk through butlers pantry was turned in to a wine bar with a fridge, storage and custom glass cabinets. A medium toned hardwood floor was layed throughout the entire lower level

Living Room
Living room - transitional living room idea in Austin

Example of a mid-sized cottage formal and open concept dark wood floor living room design in Philadelphia with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Elegant home design photo in Salt Lake City