"I cannot say enough good things about the Innovative Construction team and work product. They remodeled our water-damaged, 1930s basement, and exceeded all of our expectations - before and after photos simply cannot do this project justice. The original basement included an awkward staircase in an awkward location, one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen and small living space. We had a difficult time imagining that it could be much more than that. Innovative Construction's design team was creative, and thought completely out of the box. They relocated the stairwell in a way we did not think was possible, opening up the basement to reconfigure the bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, living space, but also adding an office and finished storage room. The end result is as functional as it is beautiful. As with all construction, particularly a renovation of an old house, there will be inconveniences, it will be messy, and plenty of surprises behind the old walls. The Innovative Construction team maintained a clean and safe work site for 100% of the project, with minimal disruption to our daily lives, even when there was a large hole cut into our main living room floor to accommodate new stairs down to the basement. The team showed creativity and an eye for design when working around some of the unexpected "character" revealed when opening the walls. The team effectively uses technology to keep everyone on the same page about changes, requests, schedules, contracts, invoices, etc. Everyone is friendly, competent, helpful, and responsive. I felt heard throughout the process, and my requests were responded to quickly and thoroughly. I recommend Innovative Construction without reservation."

Photo Credits: Darin Holiday W/ Electric Films Wellborn cabinetry - Achieving this beautiful white master bathroom was possible using Wellborn cabinets.

Richard's decision to go with Lista was made as methodically as his latest turned masterpiece. "I did some research, and Lista quickly moved to the top of the list, primarily because I was looking for flexibility in cabinet size, in drawer size to hold all my different size tools, and partitioning to keep them organized. I'm an engineer by training, and the high quality was obvious. I also liked the modular design, and have already swapped drawers between cabinets. I had my choice of color, and I think they came out looking really good." Turns out he has a lot of great things to say about Lista support as well. "Dave Geller, my Lista distributor, was unbelievably helpful. He came over and spent several hours with me inventorying all my tools and designing the shop to have all the equipment I needed, where I needed it." With Lista, Richard was able to make his favorite pastime even more enjoyable. "What I like about turning wood is that it's totally hands-on. You can feel the object take shape as you work it. And you see the results relatively quickly."

Dustin Halleck
Large transitional galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mountain style formal medium tone wood floor living room photo with brown walls

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.”

This stunning kitchen exudes romantic elegance while also providing an amazing level of functionality
Mid-sized beach style l-shaped medium tone wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

See what our client say about working with us: I started my search for a contractor about a year before I hired Paul to do a kitchen and bathroom renovation. This was my first time at the bat, and I really had no idea what to expect. I had many contractor proposals that swung wildly in price but for some reason I never felt inclined to hire any of the guys I met with. I happened to be looking at Houzz one day and came across Paul’s company and he had very good reviews. I gave him a call and he came to my apartment quickly. I liked him immediately when we met. I thought it was strange that he asked me for my budget and how much I wanted to spend but in hindsight, providing that information allowed Paul to come back to me with a very detailed proposal based on my budget. I soon realized that the lower proposals I had did not include many of the budget items that would be necessary to complete the job. Paul laid out the pricing and provided a very reasonable “allowance” based on your measurements for tile, toilet, sinks, etc. It is up to you to stay within that allowance. Another reason I hired Paul was because of his design skills. Paul met me in the at tile stores several times and helped guide me in choosing tile and a style for the bathroom that really looks beautiful. I fought him a little but in the end, was glad I went with his recommendations. He also uses a kitchen cabinet maker so all the cabinets are custom to what you want. Paul also has a great customer website that allows you to see all the expenses, make choices, and easily communicate with him. If you are planning to do a renovation, I think it helps to plan for the worst and hope for the best. I live in a co-op and we had a couple of little glitches and Paul was always quick to resolve issues as they arose. He was extremely responsive and really cared about the work and doing a good job. I would definitely hire Paul again if I needed a contractor.

Rta cabinets are a good way to save your money while remodeling your kitchen next time. These kitchen cabinets gives you rich features, quick turn-around time, and value that can beat in all terms the semi custom line which is costly twice than that of Rta cabinets. However, before you make your mind to go for buying an imported Rta cabinet, it's imperative to realize what you are going to have? There are variety of construction methods followed by different brands, there are huge difference in the wood and finish quality. So, think twice before investing you hardly earned money into buying kitchen cabinets .

Designed by Lauren Hunt of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Charlotte, NC this transitional style white and grey kitchen design features Green Forest Cabinetry in the Sierra door style in 2 finishes. The perimeter kitchen cabinets features a White finish and the kitchen island cabinets feature a Summit Grey finish. Kitchen countertops are marble in the color Fantasy Brown. Kitchen appliances are KitchenAid and Whirlpool. Kitchen tile backsplash is Soho Studio Alchimia White 3' x 12". For the customer, "working with Lauren and everyone involved was a pleasure. She was always quick to respond and address any issue I had. It was a relief turning the project over with complete faith in her." Photos courtesy of Six Cents Media LLC.

Example of a large beach style formal living room design in New York

Richard's decision to go with Lista was made as methodically as his latest turned masterpiece. "I did some research, and Lista quickly moved to the top of the list, primarily because I was looking for flexibility in cabinet size, in drawer size to hold all my different size tools, and partitioning to keep them organized. I'm an engineer by training, and the high quality was obvious. I also liked the modular design, and have already swapped drawers between cabinets. I had my choice of color, and I think they came out looking really good." Turns out he has a lot of great things to say about Lista support as well. "Dave Geller, my Lista distributor, was unbelievably helpful. He came over and spent several hours with me inventorying all my tools and designing the shop to have all the equipment I needed, where I needed it." With Lista, Richard was able to make his favorite pastime even more enjoyable. "What I like about turning wood is that it's totally hands-on. You can feel the object take shape as you work it. And you see the results relatively quickly."

Small elegant galley medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Example of a large country kitchen pantry design

Please see this Award Winning project in the October 2014 issue of New York Cottages & Gardens Magazine: NYC&G http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/October-2014/NYCG-Innovation-in-Design-Winners-Kitchen-Design/ It was also featured in a Houzz Tour: Houzz Tour: Loving the Old and New in an 1880s Brooklyn Row House http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29691278/list/houzz-tour-loving-the-old-and-new-in-an-1880s-brooklyn-row-house Photo Credit: Hulya Kolabas

Richard's decision to go with Lista was made as methodically as his latest turned masterpiece. "I did some research, and Lista quickly moved to the top of the list, primarily because I was looking for flexibility in cabinet size, in drawer size to hold all my different size tools, and partitioning to keep them organized. I'm an engineer by training, and the high quality was obvious. I also liked the modular design, and have already swapped drawers between cabinets. I had my choice of color, and I think they came out looking really good." Turns out he has a lot of great things to say about Lista support as well. "Dave Geller, my Lista distributor, was unbelievably helpful. He came over and spent several hours with me inventorying all my tools and designing the shop to have all the equipment I needed, where I needed it." With Lista, Richard was able to make his favorite pastime even more enjoyable. "What I like about turning wood is that it's totally hands-on. You can feel the object take shape as you work it. And you see the results relatively quickly."

C. Robert Estrada, Robert Morning Photography
Trendy mosaic tile and turquoise tile beige floor alcove bathtub photo in Los Angeles with white walls, a vessel sink and white countertops

Reclaimed barnwood Visual Comfort Sconces Hunter Douglas Shades Leather Sofa Performance fabrics Large Ottoman Photo by @Spacecrafting
Family room - mid-sized coastal carpeted and beige floor family room idea in Minneapolis with brown walls, a wall-mounted tv and no fireplace

Photography Lynn Donaldson * Full sized mirror on back of sliding door * Knotty Alder custom cabinet * Quartz countertops * Undermount sinks * Danze faucets and fixtures * Jacuzzi rectangle tub (Lowes) * Grasscloth II tile in smoke from the Venetian Architectural collection * Pottery Barn Medicine Cabinets * Sconce light fixtures