A mix of cabinet and appliance finishes, this remodeled kitchen pulls off a difficult task and looks amazing! - Village Home Stores
Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped light wood floor home design remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, black cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances and an island

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space. Crispin Sartwell Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home. As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction. The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside. The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting. Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for. Overview Oconomowoc, WI Completion Date August 2015 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

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

Kids' room - traditional kids' room idea

Example of an eclectic bedroom design in Toronto

Renovating the worn master bath of this 1950’s contemporary ranch was a challenge, but the Renovisions team took the task in stride. The biggest design challenge was enlarging the bathroom while also creating a usable and functional sitting area adjacent to their master bedroom. A few of the design highlights included; the pocket door which created an unencumbered space in the bath, a larger sized shower with no door and a lineal drain with curbless shower entry, larger format porcelain tiles, a shower niche, heated floors with a programmable thermostat, and a one piece concealed trap skirted toilet. Clipping the corner wall upon entering the sitting room softened the shape of the room and ensured comfortable walking space through the hallway into the master bedroom. The homeowners particularly love the customizations of the stylish designed vanity which included ample space to store bath supplies in the full extension drawers and a bottom shelf for towels. The custom Benjamin Moore dark blue/grey colored cabinetry and framed mirror looks stunning with the Silestone’s ‘Pulsar’ quartz countertop and shelf pieces. They also loved the gray-blue muted marble tones of the 12”x24” shower wall field tile and chose a bright mosaic-look tile for the rear wall of the shower niche. Replacing the older windows provided more natural light into both the bathroom and sitting room spaces. With spa-worthy, on-trend, creative uses of space, this ‘Renovision’ was enjoyed and appreciated by these homeowners!

A tea pot, being a vessel, is defined by the space it contains, it is not the tea pot that is important, but the space. Crispin Sartwell Located on a lake outside of Milwaukee, the Vessel House is the culmination of an intense 5 year collaboration with our client and multiple local craftsmen focused on the creation of a modern analogue to the Usonian Home. As with most residential work, this home is a direct reflection of it’s owner, a highly educated art collector with a passion for music, fine furniture, and architecture. His interest in authenticity drove the material selections such as masonry, copper, and white oak, as well as the need for traditional methods of construction. The initial diagram of the house involved a collection of embedded walls that emerge from the site and create spaces between them, which are covered with a series of floating rooves. The windows provide natural light on three sides of the house as a band of clerestories, transforming to a floor to ceiling ribbon of glass on the lakeside. The Vessel House functions as a gallery for the owner’s art, motorcycles, Tiffany lamps, and vintage musical instruments – offering spaces to exhibit, store, and listen. These gallery nodes overlap with the typical house program of kitchen, dining, living, and bedroom, creating dynamic zones of transition and rooms that serve dual purposes allowing guests to relax in a museum setting. Through it’s materiality, connection to nature, and open planning, the Vessel House continues many of the Usonian principles Wright advocated for. Overview Oconomowoc, WI Completion Date August 2015 Services Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture

Designer: Allen Construction General Contractor: Allen Construction Photographer: Jim Bartsch Photography
Mid-sized 1950s u-shaped concrete floor eat-in kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and red countertops

As I drive from job to job is never ceases to amaze me how uninspiring and even downright unappealing the decks are in new development neighborhoods. While doing a finish carpentry job in the formal living and dining rooms the homeowner asked me to come outside to get my opinion on his deck. The previous owner of the property invested a great deal of money on a well designed deck but because it was completely close in under the deck the decking had deteriorated. We removed the decking and surround and power-washed the framing, then allowed it to dry completely before installing the new decking. We were careful when removing the decking and were able to save the white vinyl hand railing. Before installing the new decking we checked and corrected all of the framing for level, plumed all of the posts, and replace all of the rotten stair stringer. We then installed all of the blocking for the new decking perimeter boards and partitions. The decking went on smoothly with a new pneumatic hidden fastener nailer which drives 3" screws into the framing. The stair risers and rim board are in white paint grade vinyl (PGV) to compliment the dark wood tone decking. The overall look of the deck exceeded the homeowners hopes and the price was below budget. 95% of each composite decking board contents recycled and reclaimed plastic and wood fibers. 70% of all the plastic bags recycled in the U.S. are part of an in-store collection program used by TREX. ECO Building Solutions is "improving the planet one home at a time" .

A mix of cabinet and appliance finishes, this remodeled kitchen pulls off a difficult task and looks amazing! - Village Home Stores
Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, black cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, subway tile backsplash, colored appliances and an island

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

A basement area with zone audio. The zone audio system extends to the entire home, and is capable of tuning to a variety of sources, including AM and FM radio, satellite and internet radio, any video source (satellite, DVD/Blu-Ray, network attached storage/NAS media, device-streamed video, etc.), as well as audio discs, MP3 players, notebook computers, network-attached media players, and handheld devices (smartphones/tablets) via streaming services. The television pictured is connected to the home's hub of smart technology, and is capable of receiving satellite programming, streaming audio/video via tablets and smartphones throughout the home, DVD/Blu-Ray movies shared throughout the home, as well as media and content stored on the home's network via network attached storage (NAS). Sound is managed through the TV itself, or via the zone audio system, with local speakers located in the ceiling throughout the home, and pictured here. This home is controlled by a Control 4 home automation system, providing complete cinema, lighting, source, and audio control from tablets and smartphones throughout the home. Photo: DemNET Technologies

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Renovating the worn master bath of this 1950’s contemporary ranch was a challenge, but the Renovisions team took the task in stride. The biggest design challenge was enlarging the bathroom while also creating a usable and functional sitting area adjacent to their master bedroom. A few of the design highlights included; the pocket door which created an unencumbered space in the bath, a larger sized shower with no door and a lineal drain with curbless shower entry, larger format porcelain tiles, a shower niche, heated floors with a programmable thermostat, and a one piece concealed trap skirted toilet. Clipping the corner wall upon entering the sitting room softened the shape of the room and ensured comfortable walking space through the hallway into the master bedroom. The homeowners particularly love the customizations of the stylish designed vanity which included ample space to store bath supplies in the full extension drawers and a bottom shelf for towels. The custom Benjamin Moore dark blue/grey colored cabinetry and framed mirror looks stunning with the Silestone’s ‘Pulsar’ quartz countertop and shelf pieces. They also loved the gray-blue muted marble tones of the 12”x24” shower wall field tile and chose a bright mosaic-look tile for the rear wall of the shower niche. Replacing the older windows provided more natural light into both the bathroom and sitting room spaces. With spa-worthy, on-trend, creative uses of space, this ‘Renovision’ was enjoyed and appreciated by these homeowners!

Renovating the worn master bath of this 1950’s contemporary ranch was a challenge, but the Renovisions team took the task in stride. The biggest design challenge was enlarging the bathroom while also creating a usable and functional sitting area adjacent to their master bedroom. A few of the design highlights included; the pocket door which created an unencumbered space in the bath, a larger sized shower with no door and a lineal drain with curbless shower entry, larger format porcelain tiles, a shower niche, heated floors with a programmable thermostat, and a one piece concealed trap skirted toilet. Clipping the corner wall upon entering the sitting room softened the shape of the room and ensured comfortable walking space through the hallway into the master bedroom. The homeowners particularly love the customizations of the stylish designed vanity which included ample space to store bath supplies in the full extension drawers and a bottom shelf for towels. The custom Benjamin Moore dark blue/grey colored cabinetry and framed mirror looks stunning with the Silestone’s ‘Pulsar’ quartz countertop and shelf pieces. They also loved the gray-blue muted marble tones of the 12”x24” shower wall field tile and chose a bright mosaic-look tile for the rear wall of the shower niche. Replacing the older windows provided more natural light into both the bathroom and sitting room spaces. With spa-worthy, on-trend, creative uses of space, this ‘Renovision’ was enjoyed and appreciated by these homeowners!

Renovating the worn master bath of this 1950’s contemporary ranch was a challenge, but the Renovisions team took the task in stride. The biggest design challenge was enlarging the bathroom while also creating a usable and functional sitting area adjacent to their master bedroom. A few of the design highlights included; the pocket door which created an unencumbered space in the bath, a larger sized shower with no door and a lineal drain with curbless shower entry, larger format porcelain tiles, a shower niche, heated floors with a programmable thermostat, and a one piece concealed trap skirted toilet. Clipping the corner wall upon entering the sitting room softened the shape of the room and ensured comfortable walking space through the hallway into the master bedroom. The homeowners particularly love the customizations of the stylish designed vanity which included ample space to store bath supplies in the full extension drawers and a bottom shelf for towels. The custom Benjamin Moore dark blue/grey colored cabinetry and framed mirror looks stunning with the Silestone’s ‘Pulsar’ quartz countertop and shelf pieces. They also loved the gray-blue muted marble tones of the 12”x24” shower wall field tile and chose a bright mosaic-look tile for the rear wall of the shower niche. Replacing the older windows provided more natural light into both the bathroom and sitting room spaces. With spa-worthy, on-trend, creative uses of space, this ‘Renovision’ was enjoyed and appreciated by these homeowners!

Renovating the worn master bath of this 1950’s contemporary ranch was a challenge, but the Renovisions team took the task in stride. The biggest design challenge was enlarging the bathroom while also creating a usable and functional sitting area adjacent to their master bedroom. A few of the design highlights included; the pocket door which created an unencumbered space in the bath, a larger sized shower with no door and a lineal drain with curbless shower entry, larger format porcelain tiles, a shower niche, heated floors with a programmable thermostat, and a one piece concealed trap skirted toilet. Clipping the corner wall upon entering the sitting room softened the shape of the room and ensured comfortable walking space through the hallway into the master bedroom. The homeowners particularly love the customizations of the stylish designed vanity which included ample space to store bath supplies in the full extension drawers and a bottom shelf for towels. The custom Benjamin Moore dark blue/grey colored cabinetry and framed mirror looks stunning with the Silestone’s ‘Pulsar’ quartz countertop and shelf pieces. They also loved the gray-blue muted marble tones of the 12”x24” shower wall field tile and chose a bright mosaic-look tile for the rear wall of the shower niche. Replacing the older windows provided more natural light into both the bathroom and sitting room spaces. With spa-worthy, on-trend, creative uses of space, this ‘Renovision’ was enjoyed and appreciated by these homeowners!

Renovating the worn master bath of this 1950’s contemporary ranch was a challenge, but the Renovisions team took the task in stride. The biggest design challenge was enlarging the bathroom while also creating a usable and functional sitting area adjacent to their master bedroom. A few of the design highlights included; the pocket door which created an unencumbered space in the bath, a larger sized shower with no door and a lineal drain with curbless shower entry, larger format porcelain tiles, a shower niche, heated floors with a programmable thermostat, and a one piece concealed trap skirted toilet. Clipping the corner wall upon entering the sitting room softened the shape of the room and ensured comfortable walking space through the hallway into the master bedroom. The homeowners particularly love the customizations of the stylish designed vanity which included ample space to store bath supplies in the full extension drawers and a bottom shelf for towels. The custom Benjamin Moore dark blue/grey colored cabinetry and framed mirror looks stunning with the Silestone’s ‘Pulsar’ quartz countertop and shelf pieces. They also loved the gray-blue muted marble tones of the 12”x24” shower wall field tile and chose a bright mosaic-look tile for the rear wall of the shower niche. Replacing the older windows provided more natural light into both the bathroom and sitting room spaces. With spa-worthy, on-trend, creative uses of space, this ‘Renovision’ was enjoyed and appreciated by these homeowners!

Renovating the worn master bath of this 1950’s contemporary ranch was a challenge, but the Renovisions team took the task in stride. The biggest design challenge was enlarging the bathroom while also creating a usable and functional sitting area adjacent to their master bedroom. A few of the design highlights included; the pocket door which created an unencumbered space in the bath, a larger sized shower with no door and a lineal drain with curbless shower entry, larger format porcelain tiles, a shower niche, heated floors with a programmable thermostat, and a one piece concealed trap skirted toilet. Clipping the corner wall upon entering the sitting room softened the shape of the room and ensured comfortable walking space through the hallway into the master bedroom. The homeowners particularly love the customizations of the stylish designed vanity which included ample space to store bath supplies in the full extension drawers and a bottom shelf for towels. The custom Benjamin Moore dark blue/grey colored cabinetry and framed mirror looks stunning with the Silestone’s ‘Pulsar’ quartz countertop and shelf pieces. They also loved the gray-blue muted marble tones of the 12”x24” shower wall field tile and chose a bright mosaic-look tile for the rear wall of the shower niche. Replacing the older windows provided more natural light into both the bathroom and sitting room spaces. With spa-worthy, on-trend, creative uses of space, this ‘Renovision’ was enjoyed and appreciated by these homeowners!