A large custom built 3-bin compost bin is tucked into a corner of the yard. Patricia Larenas, Urban Artichoke
This is an example of a mid-sized contemporary partial sun backyard mulch vegetable garden landscape in San Francisco.

Custom end cap for large kitchen island. Features three food/water bowls, tile back splash matching the kitchen back splash and two drawers. Custom designed by Fournier Custom Designs Inc.

Tre Dunham
Utility room - mid-sized transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor utility room idea in Austin with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

A closer look at this stone stair constructed with Tennessee Crab Orchard Flagstone slabs. Thick slabs were snap cut and carefully arranged to create this attractive walk to the water.

Mike and Michelle of Lake Barrington knew they needed extra space. Their home was becoming too crowded for their family with blossoming teenagers, so a basement renovation offered the perfect solution for more space for the kids and more room to entertain for the adults. “Our project consisted of expanding our laundry room, putting in a first floor wet bar so we had adult space upstairs, while also renovating our basement for a family-friendly and teen-functional area as well,” Michelle says. They found Advance Design Studio through a neighbor who gave a glowing recommendation, giving Michelle and Mike the confidence they needed to move forward with a major home renovation. They felt like they knew Advance Design before they even worked together. When they met with the owner Todd Jurs and designer Nicole Ryan, Mike and Michelle knew they were getting a trustworthy, dependable team that could create the project they had been dreaming about for 7 years. Having virtually no natural light to work with, one of the biggest design challenges was creating a basement that did not feel dark and depressing. The Advance team got to work creating architectural archways and custom detailed dry-stack stone columns artfully designed into the space, adding a dramatic element that made the space feel less like a basement or more like a relaxing family room. Color 3D renderings were created to portray what the space would look like so Mike and Michelle could visualize the space in advance. Detailed trim and crown moldings grace the built in buffet and wet bar making for an amazingly functional space that lacks nothing in style and visual interest. Cherry wood cabinetry by Dura Supreme is featured in the space with a “Cocoa Brown” finish and includes beautiful mirrored glass doors embellished with unique elliptical mullion details. A built-in microwave, dishwasher and mini fridge add practicality to the ample entertainment mecca. An under mounted sink finishes the space joined with a intricate mosaic tile backsplash and “Ventisca Polished” quartz countertops. The basement is absolutely perfect for hosting friends and family with expertly designed key areas such as a game space for the kids, a movie area for the family, an ample workout room with luxurious full bath, and even built in wine storage. The family absolutely loves the new basement living space, and has already enjoyed numerous family movie nights and sleep-overs with friends. While custom cabinets made by Dura Supreme were used to create unique spaces that lived up to Mike and Michelle’s expectations., heated flooring under the 16”x16” “Mongolian Spring” tile was installed giving all tiled areas of the basement a much cozier feel, eliminating that cold hard surface most of us hate in our basements! The new basement must-have requirement list included a new bath space, which was incorporated adjacent to the work out room. The sleek shower door and cabinets in the new bathroom make guests and family feel like they are in an elegant hotel. The new guest bath features 4”x36” “Silver Screen” honed marble tile in a brick pattern on the shower walls and 2”x2” “Chenille” limestone tile in a hexagon mosaic pattern on the shower floor. “I came in with very specific requirements for our three project areas,” Michelle says. “There was not one time that I felt like I was asking for something that was not going to turn out how I anticipated.” Tying in multiple rooms during a renovation if you have can do it makes a lot of sense and saves money in the long run. A fully functional laundry room as well was a must on this family’s wish list. Michelle wanted to add space to the existing cramped and awkward laundry room, and Mike wanted to make sure they could still park a car in the garage. Reconfiguring interior walls required borrowing unused space cleverly from the garage in order to enlarge the laundry room space. Drawers under the stairs added beautiful hidden storage created almost magically out of dead space. White painted Dura Supreme cabinets bring additional light into the small space; while the 16”x16” cleft slate tile flooring provides excellent contrast and the naturally earthy feel Michelle wanted. Quartz countertops with a 3”x12” “Debut Dew” subway tile backsplash add elegance to the now upliftingly bright laundry room. The extra space makes doing laundry much more pleasurable and the added storage is a great for all those little things like winter hats and gloves, umbrellas and the like. “The Advance Design project team was phenomenal to work with,” Michelle says. “They came in, shared the plans with us and walked us through the expectations. We always knew what was coming next.” Converting an existing closet space, the wet bar upstairs was challenging because they wanted a functional area that didn’t look or feel like cabinets just sticking out of a closet. So the Advance team transformed this ordinary closet space into a stunning wet bar that architecturally appears as if it’s always been there. Traditional, elegant hand carved custom molding matching the adjacent fireplace ties the new entertainment bar area in nicely with the existing family room and kitchen area. Featuring a built in wine refrigerator, Dura Supreme cabinetry in deep cherry wood elegantly displays wine bottles and etched glass mullion doors that fill with soft light in the evening hours. Cambria “Windermere” quartz countertops with a sophisticated hammered copper sink and a glimmering backsplash round out the stunning wet bar. Hosting parties and family functions has become much more enjoyable now that they have a dedicated beverage serving area large enough to include hors devours. All three projects were designed and constructed together at the same time, making for a cohesive project that was administered smoothly and easily both for the design team and for the family. Disruption to the home was minimal as each phase was completed in each project conclusively, and design and meeting time for the homeowner was efficient and organized making for an enjoyable process. “Advance Design was great to work with,” Michelle says. “I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a home improvement project. They took the time at the beginning to understand our needs, our budget, and our vision for our home. The field team was great, attentive, on time, cleaned up each day and made the overall experience very positive. We couldn't be happier with the finished product.” With the help of our talented, award winning design team you can create the basement, laundry room, or any other home renovation that you have been dreaming of. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating you home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-836-2600 or schedule an appointment to talk with us about that kitchen remodeling project. Joe Nowak

photo cred: tessa neustadt
Example of a large country u-shaped ceramic tile open concept kitchen design in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white appliances and a peninsula

Example of a tuscan galley kitchen design in Miami with raised-panel cabinets, blue backsplash, custom tile backsplash and paneled appliances

This home had a previous master bathroom remodel and addition with poor layout. Our homeowners wanted a whole new suite that was functional and beautiful. They wanted the new bathroom to feel bigger with more functional space. Their current bathroom was choppy with too many walls. The lack of storage in the bathroom and the closet was a problem and they hated the cabinets. They have a really nice large back yard and the views from the bathroom should take advantage of that. We decided to move the main part of the bathroom to the rear of the bathroom that has the best view and combine the closets into one closet, which required moving all of the plumbing, as well as the entrance to the new bathroom. Where the old toilet, tub and shower were is now the new extra-large closet. We had to frame in the walls where the glass blocks were once behind the tub and the old doors that once went to the shower and water closet. We installed a new soft close pocket doors going into the water closet and the new closet. A new window was added behind the tub taking advantage of the beautiful backyard. In the partial frameless shower we installed a fogless mirror, shower niches and a large built in bench. . An articulating wall mount TV was placed outside of the closet, to be viewed from anywhere in the bathroom. The homeowners chose some great floating vanity cabinets to give their new bathroom a more modern feel that went along great with the large porcelain tile flooring. A decorative tumbled marble mosaic tile was chosen for the shower walls, which really makes it a wow factor! New recessed can lights were added to brighten up the room, as well as four new pendants hanging on either side of the three mirrors placed above the seated make-up area and sinks. Design/Remodel by Hatfield Builders & Remodelers | Photography by Versatile Imaging

Interior furnishings design - Sophie Metz Design. , Nantucket Architectural Photography
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Bathroom - 1960s bathroom idea in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

Talk about a merry-go-round – practically every room on the first floor of this Noe Valley home was moved to a new location, with the goal of making a lighter, brighter, more useful layout. Once the dining room, the kitchen is now primed for efficient cooking, entertaining, and cozy at-home meals. The dining room is now adjacent, made welcoming by a rustic fireplace, and the living room is now at the back of the home, taking advantage of the peaceful garden views. Together with our friends at McGriff Architects, we were able to re-envision and renew an aging home. We love the peacock blue cabinetry and patterned concrete tile backsplash. The rustic wood island, fireplace mantel, and dining table nicely complement the classic San Francisco narrow-plank oak floors. The powder room greets guests with a showstopping contrast of materials, mixing bold geometric floor tiles with feminine floral walls. We also selected new paints for the exterior, providing some much-needed curb appeal. Architecture: McGriff Architects Photography: Christopher Stark

Jeff Herr Photography
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Lissa Gotwals
Example of a country medium tone wood floor dining room design in Raleigh with beige walls

Interior Design by Adapt Design
Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen pantry remodel in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, white backsplash and stone tile backsplash

This client's home backs up to a beautiful native Beech and Tulip woodland with an intermittent stream running through the middle of the site. After mistakenly over-clearing the natural forest saplings, the once lush woods was now bare. Called in to help re-vegetate the woodland, we designed and created a new path network through the woodland so that the client could enjoy and experience their new garden. Planted with large masses of native perennials, shade grasses and spring bulbs this back yard is now lush once again. Design and Construction: Till Gardens (www.tillgardens.com - 201.767.5858) Photography: John Knowlton/Till Gardens

Tuscan medium tone wood floor study room photo in Miami with white walls