Christina Wedge
This is an example of a large traditional back porch design in Atlanta with decking and a roof extension.

Beach style medium tone wood floor living room photo in Miami with a wall-mounted tv

Design ideas for a transitional courtyard raised garden bed in Oklahoma City.

We designed this kitchen using Plain & Fancy custom cabinetry with natural walnut and white pain finishes. The extra large island includes the sink and marble countertops. The matching marble backsplash features hidden spice shelves behind a mobile layer of solid marble. The cabinet style and molding details were selected to feel true to a traditional home in Greenwich, CT. In the adjacent living room, the built-in white cabinetry showcases matching walnut backs to tie in with the kitchen. The pantry encompasses space for a bar and small desk area. The light blue laundry room has a magnetized hanger for hang-drying clothes and a folding station. Downstairs, the bar kitchen is designed in blue Ultracraft cabinetry and creates a space for drinks and entertaining by the pool table. This was a full-house project that touched on all aspects of the ways the homeowners live in the space. Photos by Kyle Norton

This home was built in the early 2000’s. We completely reconfigured the kitchen, updated the breakfast room, added a bar to the living room, updated a powder room, a staircase and several fireplaces. Interior Styling by Kristy Oatman. Photographs by Jordan Katz. FEATURED IN Colorado Nest

The bathroom was previously closed in and had a large tub off the door. Making this a glass stand up shower, left the space brighter and more spacious. Other tricks like the wall mount faucet and light finishes add to the open clean feel.

This Greek Revival row house in Boerum Hill was previously owned by a local architect who renovated it several times, including the addition of a two-story steel and glass extension at the rear. The new owners came to us seeking to restore the house and its original formality, while adapting it to the modern needs of a family of five. The detailing of the 25 x 36 foot structure had been lost and required some sleuthing into the history of Greek Revival style in historic Brooklyn neighborhoods. In addition to completely re-framing the interior, the house also required a new south-facing brick façade due to significant deterioration. The modern extension was replaced with a more traditionally detailed wood and copper- clad bay, still open to natural light and the garden view without sacrificing comfort. The kitchen was relocated from the first floor to the garden level with an adjacent formal dining room. Both rooms were enlarged from their previous iterations to accommodate weekly dinners with extended family. The kitchen includes a home office and breakfast nook that doubles as a homework station. The cellar level was further excavated to accommodate finished storage space and a playroom where activity can be monitored from the kitchen workspaces. The parlor floor is now reserved for entertaining. New pocket doors can be closed to separate the formal front parlor from the more relaxed back portion, where the family plays games or watches TV together. At the end of the hall, a powder room with brass details, and a luxe bar with antique mirrored backsplash and stone tile flooring, leads to the deck and direct garden access. Because of the property width, the house is able to provide ample space for the interior program within a shorter footprint. This allows the garden to remain expansive, with a small lawn for play, an outdoor food preparation area with a cast-in-place concrete bench, and a place for entertaining towards the rear. The newly designed landscaping will continue to develop, further enhancing the yard’s feeling of escape, and filling-in the views from the kitchen and back parlor above. A less visible, but equally as conscious, addition is a rooftop PV solar array that provides nearly 100% of the daily electrical usage, with the exception of the AC system on hot summer days. The well-appointed interiors connect the traditional backdrop of the home to a youthful take on classic design and functionality. The materials are elegant without being precious, accommodating a young, growing family. Unique colors and patterns provide a feeling of luxury while inviting inhabitants and guests to relax and enjoy this classic Brooklyn brownstone. This project won runner-up in the architecture category for the 2017 NYC&G Innovation in Design Awards and was featured in The American House: 100 Contemporary Homes. Photography by Francis Dzikowski / OTTO

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.”

Scott Amundson Photography LLC
Example of a mountain style two-story wood exterior home design

A classic, elegant master suite for the husband and wife, and a fun, sophisticated entertainment space for their family -- it was a dream project! To turn the master suite into a luxury retreat for two young executives, we mixed rich textures with a playful, yet regal color palette of purples, grays, yellows and ivories. For fun family gatherings, where both children and adults are encouraged to play, I envisioned a handsome billiard room and bar, inspired by the husband’s favorite pub.

Example of a classic gray two-story exterior home design in Boston

Architectrure by TMS Architects Rob Karosis Photography
Inspiration for a coastal formal light wood floor living room remodel in Boston with white walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Inspiration for a timeless mosaic tile floor powder room remodel in Portland with a wall-mount sink and multicolored walls

photos by Trina Roberts 949.395.8341 trina@grinphotography.com www.grinphotography.com
Front door - coastal front door idea in Orange County with a glass front door

Major gut renovation of this coastal estate preserved its basic layout while expanding the kitchen. A veranda and a pair of gazebos were also added to the home to maximize outdoor living and the water views. The interior merged the homeowners eclectic style with the traditional style of the home. Photographer: James R. Salomon Contractor: Carl Anderson, Anderson Contracting Services

Small transitional 3/4 white tile and subway tile vinyl floor and gray floor alcove bathtub photo in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink, marble countertops, gray countertops and white walls

Despite its diamond-mullioned exterior, this stately home’s interior takes a more light-hearted approach to design. The Dove White inset cabinetry is classic, with recessed panel doors, a deep bevel inside profile and a matching hood. Streamlined brass cup pulls and knobs are timeless. Departing from the ubiquitous crown molding is a square top trim. The layout supplies plenty of function: a paneled refrigerator; prep sink on the island; built-in microwave and second oven; built-in coffee maker; and a paneled wine refrigerator. Contrast is provided by the countertops and backsplash: honed black Jet Mist granite on the perimeter and a statement-making island top of exuberantly-patterned Arabescato Corchia Italian marble. Flooring pays homage to terrazzo floors popular in the 70’s: “Geotzzo” tiles of inlaid gray and Bianco Dolomite marble. Field tiles in the breakfast area and cooking zone perimeter are a mix of small chips; feature tiles under the island have modern rectangular Bianco Dolomite shapes. Enameled metal pendants and maple stools and dining chairs add a mid-century Scandinavian touch. The turquoise on the table base is a delightful surprise. An adjacent pantry has tall storage, cozy window seats, a playful petal table, colorful upholstered ottomans and a whimsical “balloon animal” stool. This kitchen was done in collaboration with Daniel Heighes Wismer and Greg Dufner of Dufner Heighes and Sarah Witkin of Bilotta Architecture. It is the personal kitchen of the CEO of Sandow Media, Erica Holborn. Click here to read the article on her home featured in Interior Designer Magazine. Photographer: John Ellis Description written by Paulette Gambacorta adapted for Houzz.

Group of Seven Photography
Example of a large classic formal and enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Toronto with gray walls, no fireplace and no tv

This traditional style two-story family home is situated on the quiet outskirts of Southampton. A minimalist white contemporary kitchen with oversize white subway tiles and marble countertops allows the black walnut floors to pop. The contemporary eat-in kitchen table and antique family-heirloom chairs brings a modern feel to the space. The master suite is complete with marble-look tile flooring and industrial-style pendant lights. Upstairs is the guest bath which features a beautiful floating vanity. On the main floor the Living room features a black floor to ceiling continental gas fireplace. The overall contemporary feel of the space brings new life to this mid-century home.