A 3-unit townhouse located in Houston that takes advantage of a unique site utilization strategy by providing garage access via a rare alleyway.
Trendy wood exterior home photo in Houston

FIRE AND WATER This relaxation retreat provides the cool breezes from the water front vista and the glowing warmth of a custom fire table. The fire table crafted of decorative tile also is accented with a unique and elegant water feature. The Cypress pergola is supported by tasteful columns and decorative base adorned with custom sculpted elements.

Benjamin Hill Photography
Elegant powder room photo in Houston with multicolored walls, orange cabinets and gray countertops

Karen and Chad of Tower Lakes, IL were tired of their unfinished basement functioning as nothing more than a storage area and depressing gym. They wanted to increase the livable square footage of their home with a cohesive finished basement design, while incorporating space for the kids and adults to hang out. “We wanted to make sure that upon renovating the basement, that we can have a place where we can spend time and watch movies, but also entertain and showcase the wine collection that we have,” Karen said. After a long search comparing many different remodeling companies, Karen and Chad found Advance Design Studio. They were drawn towards the unique “Common Sense Remodeling” process that simplifies the renovation experience into predictable steps focused on customer satisfaction. “There are so many other design/build companies, who may not have transparency, or a focused process in mind and I think that is what separated Advance Design Studio from the rest,” Karen said. Karen loved how designer Claudia Pop was able to take very high-level concepts, “non-negotiable items” and implement them in the initial 3D drawings. Claudia and Project Manager DJ Yurik kept the couple in constant communication through the project. “Claudia was very receptive to the ideas we had, but she was also very good at infusing her own points and thoughts, she was very responsive, and we had an open line of communication,” Karen said. A very important part of the basement renovation for the couple was the home gym and sauna. The “high-end hotel” look and feel of the openly blended work out area is both highly functional and beautiful to look at. The home sauna gives them a place to relax after a long day of work or a tough workout. “The gym was a very important feature for us,” Karen said. “And I think (Advance Design) did a very great job in not only making the gym a functional area, but also an aesthetic point in our basement”. An extremely unique wow-factor in this basement is the walk in glass wine cellar that elegantly displays Karen and Chad’s extensive wine collection. Immediate access to the stunning wet bar accompanies the wine cellar to make this basement a popular spot for friends and family. The custom-built wine bar brings together two natural elements; Calacatta Vicenza Quartz and thick distressed Black Walnut. Sophisticated yet warm Graphite Dura Supreme cabinetry provides contrast to the soft beige walls and the Calacatta Gold backsplash. An undermount sink across from the bar in a matching Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop adds functionality and convenience to the bar, while identical distressed walnut floating shelves add an interesting design element and increased storage. Rich true brown Rustic Oak hardwood floors soften and warm the space drawing all the areas together. Across from the bar is a comfortable living area perfect for the family to sit down at a watch a movie. A full bath completes this finished basement with a spacious walk-in shower, Cocoa Brown Dura Supreme vanity with Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop, a crisp white sink and a stainless-steel Voss faucet. Advance Design’s Common Sense process gives clients the opportunity to walk through the basement renovation process one step at a time, in a completely predictable and controlled environment. “Everything was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to it’s full potential,” Karen said. Constantly striving for customer satisfaction, Advance Design’s success is heavily reliant upon happy clients referring their friends and family. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a remodeling project small or large,” Karen exclaimed at the completion of her project.

Living room - traditional living room idea in Chicago

One of our favorite spots in a house where we have so many favorites. Who wouldn't love to spend some time here with a friend or a book while watching for whales? This bright and airy cupola with its white pillows and wood floors provides the perfect retreat.

The Challenge This beautiful waterfront home was begging for an update. Our clients wanted a contemporary design with modern finishes. They craved improved functionality in the kitchen, hardwood flooring in the living areas, and a spacious walk-in closet in the master bathroom. With two children in school, our clients also needed the project completed during their summer vacation – leaving a slim 90 days for the entire remodel. Could we do it? …Challenge accepted! Our Solution With their active summer travel schedule, our clients elected to vacate their home for the duration of the project. This was ideal for the intrusive nature of the scope of work. In preparation, our design team created a project plan to suit our client’s needs. With such a clear timeline, we were able to select and order long-lead items in plenty of time for the project start date. In the kitchen, we rearranged the layout to provide superior ventilation for the cooktop on the exterior wall. We added two large storage cabinets with glass doors, accented by a sleek mosaic backsplash of glass tile. We also incorporated a large contemporary waterfall island into the room. With seating at one end, the island provides both increased functionality and an eye-catching focal point for the center of the room. On the interior wall of the kitchen, we maximized storage with a wall of built-in cabinetry – complete with pullout pantry cabinets, a double oven, and a large stainless refrigerator. Our clients wisely chose rich, dark-colored wood flooring to add warmth to the contemporary design. After installing the flooring in the kitchen, we brought it into the main living areas as well. In the great room, we wrapped the existing gas fireplace in a neutral stack stone. The effect of the stone on the media and window wall is breathtaking. In the master bathroom, we expanded the closet by pushing the wall back into the adjacent pass-through hallway. The new walk-in closet now includes an impressive closet organization system. Returning to the master bathroom, we removed the single vanity and repositioned the toilet, allowing for a new, curb-less glass shower and a his-and-hers vanity. The entire vanity and shower wall is finished in white 12×24 porcelain tile. The vertical glass mosaic accent band and backlit floating mirrors add to the clean, modern style. To the left of the master bathroom entry, we even added a matching make-up area. Finally, we installed a number of elegant enhancements in the remaining rooms. The clients chose a bronze metal relief accent wall as well as some colorful finishes and artwork for the entry and hallway. Exceptional Results Our clients were simply thrilled with the final product! Not only did they return from their summer vacation to a gorgeous home remodel, but we concluded the project a full week ahead of schedule. As a result, the family was able to move in sooner than planned, giving them plenty of time to acclimate to the renovated space before their kids returned to school. Ultimately, we provided the outstanding results and customer experience that our clients had been searching for. “We met with many other contractors leading up to signing with Progressive Design Build. When we met Mike, we finally felt safe. We had heard so many horror stories about contractors! Progressive was the best move we could have made. They made our dream house become a reality. Vernon was in charge of our project and everything went better than we expected. Our project was completed earlier than expected, too. Our questions and concerns were dealt with quickly and professionally, the job site was always clean, and all subs were friendly and professional. We had a wonderful experience with Progressive Design Build. We’re so grateful we found them.” – The Mader Family

This custom built home was artfully designed by Platt Architects. One of Cashiers finest luxury homes, “Cashiers Revisited” is located in the private golf community, Wade Hampton Golf Club. This Morgan-Keefe home provides the joys of mountain living and expansive mountain views with a modern cabin appeal. The tasteful and unique details of Cashiers Revisited truly make this home a work of art. Details such as the wood penny gap walls and the hand cut tenon handrails give this home a cabin feel with the conveniences of modern materials. J.Weiland

Glenview Haus Classic Collection of front doors provides solid wood doors that are elegantly styled with archetypal designs. These custom-made wooden front doors feature elaborate, raised moldings. Showcasing two-panel and one-panel door styles, clients can choose which time-honored look will better suit their home. The Classic Collection of front doors can additionally be customized with intricate and beautifully unique jointed and lead patterns to better fit the personalities of the individuals who live inside. The artisans at Glenview Haus focus on enhancing the natural elegance of the high-end wood grains by using furniture-quality stains and techniques.

Aaron Leitz
Open concept kitchen - transitional galley dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Induction cooking transforms your cookware into the heat source for a cooler, efficient, and energy saving method of cooking. The Power Management induction system speeds boil times for those favorite dishes as well as providing a quick simmer for sauces. Viking Induction cooktops are compatible with all Viking cookware as well as most other high-end brands of stainless steel and enamel cookware. Features: Induction Glass Ceramic Surface: Spend more time creating and less time cleaning with our easy-to-clean glass ceramic top and removable knobs. Wear-resistant glass ceramic surface is extremely durable for easy cleanup. Power Management System: Speeds boil time for your favorite dishes as well as providing a quick simmer for sauces. MagneQuick™ Induction Elements: Cook quickly and efficiently with induction heat generated by the exceptionally responsive MagneQuick(TM) power generators. MagneQuick(TM) induction elements utilize magnetic energy for superior power, responsiveness and efficiency.

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and gray countertops

Lavender and Salvias providing plants for pollinators next to vegetable beds.
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

The client’s request was quite common - a typical 2800 sf builder home with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, living space, and den. However, their desire was for this to be “anything but common.” The result is an innovative update on the production home for the modern era, and serves as a direct counterpoint to the neighborhood and its more conventional suburban housing stock, which focus views to the backyard and seeks to nullify the unique qualities and challenges of topography and the natural environment. The Terraced House cautiously steps down the site’s steep topography, resulting in a more nuanced approach to site development than cutting and filling that is so common in the builder homes of the area. The compact house opens up in very focused views that capture the natural wooded setting, while masking the sounds and views of the directly adjacent roadway. The main living spaces face this major roadway, effectively flipping the typical orientation of a suburban home, and the main entrance pulls visitors up to the second floor and halfway through the site, providing a sense of procession and privacy absent in the typical suburban home. Clad in a custom rain screen that reflects the wood of the surrounding landscape - while providing a glimpse into the interior tones that are used. The stepping “wood boxes” rest on a series of concrete walls that organize the site, retain the earth, and - in conjunction with the wood veneer panels - provide a subtle organic texture to the composition. The interior spaces wrap around an interior knuckle that houses public zones and vertical circulation - allowing more private spaces to exist at the edges of the building. The windows get larger and more frequent as they ascend the building, culminating in the upstairs bedrooms that occupy the site like a tree house - giving views in all directions. The Terraced House imports urban qualities to the suburban neighborhood and seeks to elevate the typical approach to production home construction, while being more in tune with modern family living patterns. Overview: Elm Grove Size: 2,800 sf, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms Completion Date: September 2014 Services: Architecture, Landscape Architecture Interior Consultants: Amy Carman Design

The focal point of this beautiful kitchen is the stunning stainless range hood accented with antique gold strapping. The marble backsplash was the inspiration for the gray and white cabinets and the two islands add drama and function to the space. Quartzite countertops provide durability and compliment the marble backsplash. This transitional kitchen features a coffee center, two sinks, a potfiller, 48" Wolf gas range, 36" Subzero refrigerator column, 24" Subzero freezer column, dishwasher drawers, a warming drawer, convection microwave and a wine refrigerator. It's truly a chef's dream kitchen.

In addition to the fire pit and seating area, the island is home to lush palm trees to provide the tropical feel that the homeowners wanted for their oasis. A gas tiki torch can also be seen providing a hint of what is to come when the sun begins to set.

Inspiration for a large modern master gray floor bedroom remodel in Miami with white walls

Contact us if you like any of the items in this room, we can help you to reproduce this space or create a similar one. Watch our recent project videos at http://www.larisamcshane.com/projects/

This beautiful study was part of a whole house design and renovation by Haven Design and Construction. For this room, our objective was to create a feminine and sophisticated study for our client. She requested a design that was unique and fresh, but still warm and inviting. We wallpapered the back of the bookcases in an eye catching metallic vine pattern to add a feminine touch. Then, we selected a deep gray tone from the wallpaper and painted the bookcases and wainscoting in this striking color. We replaced the carpet with a light wood flooring that compliments the gray woodwork. Our client preferred a petite desk, just large enough for paying bills or working on her laptop, so our first furniture selection was a lovely black desk with feminine curved detailing and delicate star hardware. The room still needed a focal point, so we selected a striking lucite and gold chandelier to set the tone. The design was completed by a pair of gray velvet guest chairs. The gold twig pattern on the back of the chairs compliments the metallic wallpaper pattern perfectly. Finally the room was carefully detailed with unique accessories and custom bound books to fill the bookcases.