This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath.

Richard Leo Johnson
Inspiration for a cottage single-wall painted wood floor and blue floor breakfast nook remodel in Atlanta with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets and paneled appliances

Erika Bierman Photography www.erikabiermanphotography.com
Kitchen - traditional kitchen idea in Los Angeles with gray cabinets, recessed-panel cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Cottage gray floor dining room photo in San Francisco with gray walls

Photo- Darren Edwards www.darrenedwards.com
Example of a classic l-shaped eat-in kitchen design in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Example of a cottage open concept light wood floor living room design in Milwaukee with white walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Irvin Serrano
Example of a beach style enclosed medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design in Portland Maine with white walls, a stone fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

JS Gibson
Large transitional brick floor and gray floor sunroom photo in Charleston with a standard ceiling and no fireplace

Photo: Lisa Petrole
Example of a huge minimalist open concept and formal porcelain tile and gray floor living room design in San Francisco with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

The goal for these clients was to build a new home with a transitional design that was large enough for their children and grandchildren to visit, but small enough to age in place comfortably with a budget they could afford on their retirement income. They wanted an open floor plan, with plenty of wall space for art and strong connections between indoor and outdoor spaces to maintain the original garden feeling of the lot. A unique combination of cultures is reflected in the home – the husband is from Haiti and the wife from Switzerland. The resulting traditional design aesthetic is an eclectic blend of Caribbean and Old World flair. Jim Barsch Photography

photos by Susan Teare • www.susanteare.com
Small mountain style medium tone wood floor living room photo in Burlington with a wood stove and beige walls

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Copperleaf Homes The Hemingway 13540 Meadowgrass Drive Suite 205 Colorado Springs, CO 80921 719-598-8900 www.copperleafhomes.com
Inspiration for a timeless light wood floor living room remodel in Denver with beige walls and a standard fireplace

With an extensive set of 3 & 5 axis machines, Century Stair continues to invest in top-of-the-line technology; by improving our machining abilities we are able to maintain close-tolerance precision work for our stringers, treads, risers and balusters. We proudly present some of our straight run stairways and winding stairs final results, reflecting architects', builders' and designers' visions. Copyright © 2017 Century Stair Company All Rights Reserved

Large trendy master bedroom photo in Phoenix with white walls, a corner fireplace and a concrete fireplace

Huge transitional light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen photo in Houston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and medium tone wood cabinets

Ryan Garvin
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PhotoluxStudio.com/commercial - Christian Lalonde / Kariouk & Associates
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary formal and open concept light wood floor living room remodel in Ottawa with beige walls

With an extensive set of 3 & 5 axis machines, Century Stair continues to invest in top-of-the-line technology; by improving our machining abilities we are able to maintain close-tolerance precision work for our stringers, treads, risers and balusters. We proudly present some of our straight run stairways and winding stairs final results, reflecting architects', builders' and designers' visions. Copyright © 2017 Century Stair Company All Rights Reserved