Client downsizing into an 80's hi-rise condo hired designer to convert the small sitting room between the master bedroom & bathroom to her Home Office. Although the client, a female executive, was retiring, her many obligations & interests required an efficient space for her active future. Interior Design by Dona Rosene Interiors. Photos by Michael Hunter

Iran Watson
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped brown floor and dark wood floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Atlanta with blue cabinets, a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and beige countertops

Are your TVs, computers, and other devices currently connected to a power strip? If so, then you probably already know the benefits of surge protection equipment, and how they can prevent permanent damage to your personal electronics. At IRV Plumbing & Electric, we take it one step further by installing a surge protector on your entire area home. This way, every device you plug in will be automatically protected from dangerous power surges. Learn more about Charlotte home surge protection and find out whether or not it’s right for your home. Whole House Surge Protection Those power strips many people use to protect their televisions, phones, stereos, and more, are not always as effective as you might think. Many power strips simply provide additional electrical outlets, but won’t actually make a difference if your home is struck by lightning, or if there is a power surge during a storm. With whole house surge protection, we can install a surge protection system that protects your entire home from power surges. Any appliance you plug in, from a hair dryer to your washing machine, will be protected without you needing to do anything extra. Protect your valuable electronics with a Charlotte whole house surge protection system.

Joe Dodd
Home design - rustic home design idea in Santa Barbara

This mudroom is finished in grey melamine with shaker raised panel door fronts and butcher block counter tops. Bead board backing was used on the wall where coats hang to protect the wall and providing a more built-in look. Bench seating is flanked with large storage drawers and both open and closed upper cabinetry. Above the washer and dryer there is ample space for sorting and folding clothes along with a hanging rod above the sink for drying out hanging items. Designed by Jamie Wilson for Closet Organizing Systems

Treve Johnson Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall gray floor laundry closet remodel in San Francisco with louvered cabinets, white cabinets, blue walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

The pergola, above the uppermost horizontal 'strip' of cedar, is a bronze poly-carbonate, which allows light to come through, but which blocks UV rays and keeps out the rain. It's also available in clear, and a few more colors.

Holly Lepere
Dedicated laundry room - mid-sized transitional single-wall porcelain tile dedicated laundry room idea in Los Angeles with white cabinets, a side-by-side washer/dryer, shaker cabinets, a single-bowl sink and gray walls

Did you know that our No Fault Safety Surface is great for indoor play areas, as well as outdoor playgrounds? No Fault Sport Group provided and installed our poured-in-place rubber surface for Imagination Playground at the Omaha Children’s Museum in Omaha, NE. This is a spectacular place where children can play in different types of interactive settings. One such area is a “Children’s Hospital and Medical Center” complete with stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, bandages, interactive X-ray machines and more! Talk about combining playtime fun and learning all at once!

Deborah Scannell - Saint Simons Island, GA
Beach style single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor dedicated laundry room photo with an undermount sink, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer, white countertops, beaded inset cabinets and blue cabinets

© Will Sullivan, Emerald Coat Real Estate Photography, LLC
Elegant laundry room photo in Miami with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Example of a cottage l-shaped kitchen design in New York with multicolored backsplash and colored appliances

Elegant gravel patio photo in Burlington with a fire pit and no cover

Brian Thomas Jones
Inspiration for a contemporary backyard stone patio remodel in Los Angeles with a fire pit and no cover

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.”

Our Indianapolis studio designed this new construction home for empty nesters. We completed the interior and exterior design for the 4,500 sq ft home. It flaunts an abundance of natural light and elegant finishes. --- Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/sun-drenched-elegance/

Design ideas for a rustic backyard mulch formal garden in Little Rock.

Scotch moss and pebbles surround a basalt dish rock. Juniper wood raised vegetable beds provide a bench for passersby to sit.
Photo of a traditional side yard water fountain landscape in Seattle.

This Altadena home is the perfect example of modern farmhouse flair. The powder room flaunts an elegant mirror over a strapping vanity; the butcher block in the kitchen lends warmth and texture; the living room is replete with stunning details like the candle style chandelier, the plaid area rug, and the coral accents; and the master bathroom’s floor is a gorgeous floor tile. Project designed by Courtney Thomas Design in La Cañada. Serving Pasadena, Glendale, Monrovia, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, and Altadena. For more about Courtney Thomas Design, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.courtneythomasdesign.com/portfolio/new-construction-altadena-rustic-modern/