Yes, it defines the phrase “dream kitchen.” Designed by Diane Miner this space speaks sophisticated style. Bold splashes of oyster black pop from the Delicatus Extra granite island top while the 3x6 Light Grey Medley backsplash (by FINE) embraces the room with a soothing effect. The Brown Antique polished perimeter ties in the darkest shades of the granite and the dramatic bronze light fixtures. A treasure proudly gazing back above the cooktop is the custom designed tiled map of the CT shoreline. (Designs by Diane Mine; Tile Installation by George Derosiers of Artisan Tile and Stone; Photography by Veseth Sieu)

Multi color metallic plaster with glaze and wax with embedded stencils.
Large transitional dark wood floor entry hall photo in New York with gray walls

Wow! What a “Great Room!” This phrase, taken in both its literal & literary meanings is one of the best ways to describe this amazing project. “Great room” def: a large room in a house that combines features of a living room with those of a dining room or family room. Check! We designed this project to extend the livable space of the house. With its wide A Frame porch, it allows for ample space to gather around the fireplace, relax in the mid-day heat or simply sit & marvel at the craftsmanship. We held nothing back on the detail, using reclaimed barn wood to create gorgeous beams, crown molding that wraps around the room, and custom curved detailing in the open gable. Reaching out to the side, we enter an intimate dining space featuring a built-in kitchen, a vinyl pergola & continued the stonework over, tying everything together! Lighting throughout the job was picked out by the homeowner & installed by our tech’s Plus, we built it with low maintenance products; Timbertech decking & Keylink aluminum railing – meaning, there is no sanding or staining!

Wow! What a “Great Room!” This phrase, taken in both its literal & literary meanings is one of the best ways to describe this amazing project. “Great room” def: a large room in a house that combines features of a living room with those of a dining room or family room. Check! We designed this project to extend the livable space of the house. With its wide A Frame porch, it allows for ample space to gather around the fireplace, relax in the mid-day heat or simply sit & marvel at the craftsmanship. We held nothing back on the detail, using reclaimed barn wood to create gorgeous beams, crown molding that wraps around the room, and custom curved detailing in the open gable. Reaching out to the side, we enter an intimate dining space featuring a built-in kitchen, a vinyl pergola & continued the stonework over, tying everything together! Lighting throughout the job was picked out by the homeowner & installed by our tech’s Plus, we built it with low maintenance products; Timbertech decking & Keylink aluminum railing – meaning, there is no sanding or staining!

Jennifer and Dan have lived in their Deer Park Illinois home for 15 years, slowly making minor fixes like painting and decorating; but they had a new plan for their kitchen the entire time. An awkwardly placed garage door, and an island cooktop with a terrible downdraft made a full-scale kitchen remodel an absolute must. Jennifer had many ideas in mind and wanted to work with a company that could provide high-end work, while partnering with a designer that would tailor the kitchen to her ideas. She was intrigued by the phrase “Common Sense Remodeling” in Advance Design’s feature she discovered while perusing an issue of the community’s Quintessential Barrington Magazine. Doing further research on the company’s website, as she looked through project profiles and read about Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling” philosophy, she promptly scheduled an appointment to see if the people and ideas she read about were truly who they said they were. The more she read, the more she knew that the “Common Sense” approach to remodeling they described was exactly the type of company she was looking for. The partnership was sealed after an initial consultation with Owner Todd Jurs and Project Designer Michelle Lecinski. They displayed a combination of friendliness, professionalism and respect that was unmatched by any of the other companies Jennifer talked to. She knew that with Advance Design, she would be able to retain the vision that she had in mind with high-quality craftsmanship. “I reached out to Advance Design because of the ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ tagline,” Jennifer said. “That’s what lingered for me”. “Advance Design was the most respectful- of the house and of my design ideas, and the most professional of the handful of companies that looked at my project”. Soon after the meeting Jennifer began working with Michelle on the project design. They quickly developed chemistry. Jennifer loved how Michelle researched and located every detail that Jennifer wanted for the kitchen. Between the two of them, every concept and idea was worked through and perfected. “Jennifer had definite ideas about what she wanted the new kitchen to look like, she just didn’t know how to bring it all together. We worked together really well to make her ideas into the practical reality necessary for a well-functioning kitchen, with the look and feel that she had envisioned”, says Michelle. “Michelle was wonderful in using the CAD system she would show me new drawings every time we changed the layout while working through the design,” Jennifer said. “She was a really wonderful partner in execution, she made sure everything happened quickly and easily.” The finished design drew out elements of Jennifer’s style and personality. The pair call the look “sophisticated farmhouse” to describe the kitchen renovation to family and friends. The result was a beautifully crafted, authentic-feeling space that satisfied Jennifer’s dreams 15 years in the making. The whole project consisted of a kitchen remodel, mudroom upgrade with powder room, and garage entry relocation. “The projects I personally like the best, are the ones that put the client’s dreams on display,” Project Designer Michelle said. “And this is one of those projects.” The main focal point of the kitchen is custom zinc and brass ventilation hood with a vintage sheen, which was hand made to order by a small company in Indiana named Vogler Metalworking. “It’s like sculpture, a true work of art”, says Jennifer. Your eye is immediately drawn towards this elegant yet practical hood that eliminated the home’s downdraft problem and added a striking conversation piece at the same time. The carpenters had to use special gloves when transporting and installing it, so they didn’t smudge it with fingerprints. The beautiful hood centers proudly over the stunning black enamel and brass LaCornue Range. “I had a friend who had a LaCornue range and after learning how easy it was to cook perfect meals, I was convinced I wanted to have one”, says Jennifer. This unique, breathtaking combination anchors the entire kitchen and is apparent immediately as you walk into the great room the surrounds the space. DuraSupreme Crestwood cabinets with a Kendall Panel add function and sophistication. A custom gray paint color paired with a storm blue was developed so that the new kitchen looked like it belonged to the existing space. Unlacquered brass faucets and hardware were important to Jennifer because she wanted the living finishes to age over time. Remarkable brass diamond mesh cabinet door inserts imported from the UK continue to add this one-of-a-kind kitchen renovation; giving it a “you won’t see this everywhere” quality. The use of old railcar flooring for the coffee bar countertop and reclaimed oak for the open shelving gives an authenticity to the space uncommon in kitchens today. Jennifer and Michelle fell in love with the Limestone Grey Stone while they were investigating unique island countertop ideas. They liked the fact that the limestone as a living finish will age and change over time. Calcutta Miel Quartz countertops made for an excellent pairing around the perimeter, as it’s durable and perfect for cooking preparations. A textured white subway tile backsplash that runs to the ceiling keeps your eye moving towards the open shelving, and to the main focal point of the stunning range hood combination. “The kitchen functions beautifully, and it’s gorgeous,” beams Jennifer as she gestures with both hands while smiling ear to ear. “The most important thing was I wanted a kitchen that had a wonderful flow, cooked beautiful meals and was a great gathering place for family and friends, and this space does that perfectly! Beauty wise, it turned out exactly how I had envisioned. I felt the function part was the hardest part, and that was nailed”! Relocating the garage entry to the new mudroom was a huge priority and has finally separated the family’s arriving home functions from their kitchen. Now coats and shoes and bags have their own area for dropping once members arrive home. Matching gray DuraSupreme cabinetry helped create gorgeous, purposeful lockers for the family. A reclaimed vintage sink and custom wall paper were added to the tiny powder room to beautify the once previously only functional space. Advance Design was even able to create a custom space for their dog to sleep while the family is away. “It was unbelievable that a project of this size was completed in such a short time, and I think that’s because of the large amount of planning and preparation that went into it,” Jennifer marveled, “When we started, we were ready, and everything was prepared”. When it came to execution, Project Manager Justin Davis and his crew were quick, accessible, and organized. Projects like this kitchen are typically completed in as little as 8-10 weeks. Jennifer’s kitchen however despite the relocation of some challenging HVAC in a soffit and moving of an exterior door was completed remarkably fast in part because the team was working with an existing tile floor that ran throughout the first floor that the client really loved. “You get to know these people really well because they’re living in your house while you’re living in your house. They were so fast and really good, it didn’t take as long as even planned” reported Jennifer. “I would text Justin and he always responded almost immediately. I got to know all the guys who were working in our house and they were all wonderful people”. Details in a customized kitchen like this one require skill and care from the people who install it. “All the guys on the job were skilled at what the did. I wanted small details like little feet to look like furniture, that is where their carpentry skill came in to make these all perfect”, said Jennifer. “The tile guys were wonderful. They even let me determine how I wanted the texture with the grout to appear for a salt and pepper look; now that is a very skilled trade person making it custom”. In Jennifer’s interview, she continued to reference Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling”, so I took a minute to ask her exactly what that phrase meant to her and how it played out in her experience with her project and the Advance Design team. Here is what she said: “I was intrigued about Common Sense Remodeling and in my head that there would be clear costs and prices, great communication between the design team, the execution team and me”, said Jennifer. They did deliver on that, it was so clear about the cost breakdown, what I could expect from everyone who came to my house, and everything that we had ordered. That to me is the Common Sense”! It’s great to see a client take literally our assertion that a well-planned remodeling project is simply “Common Sense”! She anticipated each step of the way would be clear, concise, and predictable, all the while protecting the outcome due to the careful upfront planning. “Advance Design delivered on their ‘Common Sense Remodeling’ promise,” Jennifer said. “From the design team, to the execution team - everything was straight forward like I imagined. The project turned out exactly how I envisioned, I enjoyed this process and absolutely would recommend Advance Design Studio to anyone.”

Offering inspiration from a phrase that is an integral part of our design firm.…Beauty and Meaning. This casually elegant living room is created utilizing monochromatic color, rich texture and subtly mixed metals. A carefully curated selection of globally inspired art, sculpture, chic silhouettes and accessories layer beautifully within the canvas of a classically tailored room. Our vignette celebrates the art of design made powerful and effectual when adding beauty and meaning to the lives of those who are impacted by it. We are so honored to share our work and contribute to this fantastic organization and the many deserving families!

Gamma Photography Studio
Inspiration for an eclectic family room library remodel in Los Angeles with blue walls, no fireplace and no tv

Wow! What a “Great Room!” This phrase, taken in both its literal & literary meanings is one of the best ways to describe this amazing project. “Great room” def: a large room in a house that combines features of a living room with those of a dining room or family room. Check! We designed this project to extend the livable space of the house. With its wide A Frame porch, it allows for ample space to gather around the fireplace, relax in the mid-day heat or simply sit & marvel at the craftsmanship. We held nothing back on the detail, using reclaimed barn wood to create gorgeous beams, crown molding that wraps around the room, and custom curved detailing in the open gable. Reaching out to the side, we enter an intimate dining space featuring a built-in kitchen, a vinyl pergola & continued the stonework over, tying everything together! Lighting throughout the job was picked out by the homeowner & installed by our tech’s Plus, we built it with low maintenance products; Timbertech decking & Keylink aluminum railing – meaning, there is no sanding or staining!

Inspiration for an eclectic open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Los Angeles with white walls and a bar

Minimalist home design photo in Chicago

Located in Bumpass, Virginia, one of our current projects is sited on the shore of Lake Anna. The owners, a realtor and graphic artist, desired an aesthetic that was rustic and lodge-like while staying within their tight budget constraints. Our solution employs large, central great rooms on each level with expansive window walls to capture natural light and views of the lake. At 3250 sf, this vacation home serves as both a rural weekend retreat and a destination for extended family gatherings. The structure can sleep up to 14 comfortably. While Bumpass has achieved moderate fame for its unusual name (from the French Bon Pas meaning "good step"), the small town is actually named for the family who lived in this area when it was originally settled. Bumpass contains several houses and estates from the 18th to early 20th centuries, including Jerdone Castle, a Virginia Historic Landmark plantation dating to 1742 that is listed on the National Register of Historical Places. The nostalgic phrase “George Washington slept here” also applies to this area as on June 10, 1791, the former President made an overnight visit to Jerdone Castle.

Photo by Adam Kane Macchia
Mid-sized trendy dark wood floor and brown floor great room photo in New York with beige walls and no fireplace

The Vondom F3 Dining Chair defines the phrase form follows function. The contemporary dining chair is a simple silhouette that allows for stackability and mobility. The distinct lines combine aesthetic and function. Accent the F3 Chair with the F3 dining table.

This unique and functional kitchen gives a new meaning to the phrase “Kitchen is the heart of a home”. Here, kitchen is the center of all attention and a conversation piece at every party. Black glass cabinet fronts used in the design offer ease of maintenance, and the kaleidoscope stone countertops and backsplash contrast the cabinetry and always look clean. Color was very important to this Client and this kitchen is definitely not lacking life. Designed for a client who loves to entertain, the centerpiece is an artistic interpretation of a kitchen island. This monolithic sculpture raises out of the white marble floor and glows in this open concept kitchen. But this island isn’t just beautiful. It is also extremely practical. It is designed using two intercrossing parts creating two heights for different purposes. 36” high surface for prep work and 30” high surface for sit down dining. The height differences and location encourages use of the entire table top for preparations. Furthermore, storage cabinets are installed under part of this island closest to the working triangle. For a client who loves to cook, appliances were very important, and sub-zero and wolf appliances we used give them the best product available. Overhead energy efficient LED lighting was selected paying special attention to the lamp’s CRI to ensure proper color rendition of items below, especially important when working with meat. Under-cabinet task lighting offers illumination where it is most needed on the countertops. Interior Design, Decorating & Project Management by Equilibrium Interior Design Inc Photography by Craig Denis

Cedar lined sweater and coat closets with ample shoe storage.
Example of a classic closet design in Denver

This unique and functional kitchen gives a new meaning to the phrase “Kitchen is the heart of a home”. Here, kitchen is the center of all attention and a conversation piece at every party. Black glass cabinet fronts used in the design offer ease of maintenance, and the kaleidoscope stone countertops and backsplash contrast the cabinetry and always look clean. Color was very important to this Client and this kitchen is definitely not lacking life. Designed for a client who loves to entertain, the centerpiece is an artistic interpretation of a kitchen island. This monolithic sculpture raises out of the white marble floor and glows in this open concept kitchen. But this island isn’t just beautiful. It is also extremely practical. It is designed using two intercrossing parts creating two heights for different purposes. 36” high surface for prep work and 30” high surface for sit down dining. The height differences and location encourages use of the entire table top for preparations. Furthermore, storage cabinets are installed under part of this island closest to the working triangle. For a client who loves to cook, appliances were very important, and sub-zero and wolf appliances we used give them the best product available. Overhead energy efficient LED lighting was selected paying special attention to the lamp’s CRI to ensure proper color rendition of items below, especially important when working with meat. Under-cabinet task lighting offers illumination where it is most needed on the countertops. Interior Design, Decorating & Project Management by Equilibrium Interior Design Inc Photography by Craig Denis

A face lift for one of our favorite clients//Traditional Master Suite Interior Design. When beginning to work with this couple, they loved their large scale, beautiful wood furniture. They tasked Senior Designer Cori Dyer with giving their Master Suite a face lift and a look worthy of the phrase Master "Suite" The result was a calm and crisp but still traditional, beautiful space. What we did: -Working with existing wood furniture...#seniordesignercoridyer changed the layout -Added a gray/blue velvet settee -Metal benches at the foot of the bed -Added custom chairs in the bay -Added simple and clean metal and marble side and coffee tables --Added secondary lighting and artwork -Replaced carpet with 8” plank hardwood What we Love : -The light and bright color palette -The layout and functionality of this space -We love how the existing furniture has a fresh face and looks cohesive with its new counterparts -We love that our clients love it.

This stunning luxury kitchen by Crespo Design Group blends timeless elegance with modern functionality, creating the perfect gathering space for family and entertaining. Crisp custom white cabinetry is paired with a dramatic navy blue island, while expansive marble countertops and a full-height marble backsplash add sophistication and natural beauty. Oversized designer pendant lights in brass and matte black create a striking focal point above the spacious island, which offers generous seating for casual dining and conversation. Thoughtfully curated finishes, including warm wood flooring, custom upholstered counter stools, and polished brass hardware, bring warmth and texture to the clean architectural lines. Professional-grade appliances, abundant storage, and a custom range hood combine luxury with everyday practicality, making this bespoke kitchen as functional as it is beautiful. Designed to flow seamlessly into the adjacent dining and living spaces, this open-concept kitchen reflects Crespo Design Group's signature approach to creating timeless interiors tailored to each client's lifestyle. As a premier luxury interior design firm in Tampa, Florida, Crespo Design Group specializes in designing custom kitchens, luxury residences, and high-end interiors throughout Florida, the Bahamas, and across the United States.

This project was a Silver Award winner in the Parade of Homes, sponsored by Wake County Home Builders Association. Award-winning design, exceptional building quality, and every detail met to the highest degree, are just a few phrases used to describe this gorgeous home.