Blue Move International Relocation 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21044 (301) 570-3306 http://blue-move.com/planning/

Blue Move International Relocation 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21044 (301) 570-3306 http://blue-move.com/planning/

Blue Move International Relocation 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21044 (301) 570-3306 http://blue-move.com/contact-us/

Blue Move International Relocation 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21044 (301) 570-3306 http://blue-move.com/testimonials/

Blue Move International Relocation 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21044 (301) 570-3306 http://blue-move.com/

Blue Move International Relocation 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21044 (301) 570-3306 http://blue-move.com/services/

Blue Move International Relocation 10440 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 300 Columbia, MD 21044 (301) 570-3306 http://blue-move.com/testimonials/

Even a small addition can improve the layout of your home! It only took adding a footprint of 155 square feet to transform our clients kitchen to the one of their dreams. By bumping out the back of the home, we were able to relocate the kitchen, giving them the island they hoped for and new windows looking out to the backyard. The old kitchen then got divided up to create a mudroom space just off of the garage and added space for the central dining room. The dining room also includes a pantry closet and separate coffee bar with built-in beverage fridge, providing even more storage. In the family room, we added walls to create a new opening into the dining room to help define the spaces. A new front window provides the missing sightline to the front yard and the relocated patio door greets you into the new screened in porch. Upstairs, we stacked the addition over the kitchen to give our clients a larger primary bathroom with plenty of storage and a large shower.

This client sought to update their recently purchased home in Alexandria. A gourmet kitchen that complemented the size of the home and property was a top priority. They wanted more light-filled and connected living spaces for their growing family. Updating the finishes throughout the home was also a necessity. Design challenges included an existing utility space that occupied a large portion of the kitchen footprint, making the kitchen cramped and narrow. In addition, the foyer was dark, confined and uninviting as a result of its organization and enclosed nature of the main stair. To overcome the challenges, we relocated the utilities, creating a more usable footprint for the kitchen. The aging furnace was replaced with a high efficiency furnace located in a newly insulated and conditioned crawl space. A new hot water heater was placed in the finished attic, and the electrical panel was also relocated. Then, we designed a portion of the kitchen to mask the need for dropped structural headers: the refrigerator, freezer and pantry were placed under the area that necessitated a drop bulkhead, creating a sleek built-in area for the appliances. Once the utilities were moved, the kitchen could be opened up to a large family room and designed with a much-improved layout. Two new four-panel exterior doors replaced small doors at the family room to connect the main living space with the beautiful yard. In addition, white bead board was added to the family room ceiling, creating more visual continuity with the adjacent white kitchen. To transform the foyer into a grand and welcoming entry, a small amount of space was taken from a large second floor bedroom, and the entire second floor structure was supported with a series of flush beams to allow the stair to be opened and expose the rail. New glass doors to the den, relocated at an angle from the main stair provide the foyer with more natural light and a wider, more inviting path to the kitchen. In the master suite, the bedroom and bathroom entry doors were relocated to improve the room’s layout and offer more bathroom privacy and space for a walk-in closet. A room forgotten by the previous owner was turned into a family mudroom with built-ins and wainscoting to keep the family organized in style. Photography by Greg Hadley

Stripped of its original charm with sagging floors and water leaks, this 1900 row house was prime for a full renovation. While the staircase and marble fireplace are original, everything from the white oak flooring, crown, applied, and base moldings, to the archways and brass door hardware is new; yet they all feel original to the house. Other projects included removing soffits and tucking away randomly placed support beams and posts, relocating and expanding the kitchen, renovating each bathroom – and adding a new one, upgrading all the mechanical, electric and plumbing systems, removing a fireplace, and regrading the back patio for proper drainage and added greenery. The project is a perfect study of juxtaposing new and old, classic and modern. Photography Stacy Zarin Goldberg

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.”

In the primary bath, all of the original features had been removed, except for the low sloped MCM ceiling that was prominently interrupted by a rectangular AC soffit that was added on later. We relocated the AC ducting to vent through the floor instead, and once again revealed the bath’s iconic low sloped triangular ceiling. Then, we began re-creating the new MCM space from the floor up. We widened the original primary bath by 2’ to accommodate an enclosed toilet room, at the request of the homeowners. This was quite a feat, as it required structural engineering to relocate one vertical steel column that interfered with the new toilet room layout. The new 14’ tall steel column, which supported part of the steel roof trusses, had to be extended through the home’s bathroom floor and into a cave underground secured by a concrete pier. Oh, did I mention that this home has a cave under part of it? Haha—when I say that this home was a challenge to remodel, I do mean it was a CHALLENGE.

Client had procured my services because she was unhappy with the layout designed by a previous firm. I needed to first confirm that this Client was willing to relocate appliances. When I heard YES - then I suggested to relocate the range and fridge. Sink in the corner had to stay. pure lee photography

Example of an eclectic home design design in Seattle

This remodel was one worth waiting for! Clients had a need for more storage, more counter and more room for entertaining friends and family. They love color and low maintenance materials so we went with a lovely happy green cabinet color, quartz counters, fun large hex porcelain floor tile and easy to clean backsplash. The original kitchen was lacking good flow, ample storage for this family. We started in the laundry room but re configuring the layout so now the W/D and fridge could be on one wall which opened up space for a drop area. We removed the old small closet that was the pantry and replaced the old water heater with a tank-less one to allow more place where they needed it the most. Drop area has outlets for charging and one in the broom cabinet as well. We removed the door to allow for us to relocate the garage entry door which now sits in the mud room instead of right in the middle of the kitchen. We added an actual walk in pantry which is equipped with drawers and plenty of shelf storage, we put the small appliances in here to allow for more counter space in the kitchen. To access the kitchen is now through a pocket door which is a big space saver and allows a more open feel. Let's get to this kitchen design! This was a odd layout before, now we have the fridge tucked away in it's proper home instead of sticking out. We relocated the garage entry door to the mud room to allow for this 36" range in its place featuring a pot filler as well. To maximize the kitchen footprint we closed up the door that went to the office and now we have a full L corner with plenty of storage and added some wood shelves for a sense of warmth and displace space in a beverage bar area, which also features an under-counter beverage fridge. Under-cabinet lighting, island fixture , a pendant above the sink and relocated the recessed lights to work better with the new kitchen layout. The island was a new addition which replaced the peninsula that used to cut off the kitchen from the rest of the home. We also removed a built in bookshelf and relocated the return air to the ceiling to free up even more floor space to truly transform this kitchen into the heart of the home.

Inspiration for a contemporary living room remodel in Seattle

This client sought to update their recently purchased home in Alexandria. A gourmet kitchen that complemented the size of the home and property was a top priority. They wanted more light-filled and connected living spaces for their growing family. Updating the finishes throughout the home was also a necessity. Design challenges included an existing utility space that occupied a large portion of the kitchen footprint, making the kitchen cramped and narrow. In addition, the foyer was dark, confined and uninviting as a result of its organization and enclosed nature of the main stair. To overcome the challenges, we relocated the utilities, creating a more usable footprint for the kitchen. The aging furnace was replaced with a high efficiency furnace located in a newly insulated and conditioned crawl space. A new hot water heater was placed in the finished attic, and the electrical panel was also relocated. Then, we designed a portion of the kitchen to mask the need for dropped structural headers: the refrigerator, freezer and pantry were placed under the area that necessitated a drop bulkhead, creating a sleek built-in area for the appliances. Once the utilities were moved, the kitchen could be opened up to a large family room and designed with a much-improved layout. Two new four-panel exterior doors replaced small doors at the family room to connect the main living space with the beautiful yard. In addition, white bead board was added to the family room ceiling, creating more visual continuity with the adjacent white kitchen. To transform the foyer into a grand and welcoming entry, a small amount of space was taken from a large second floor bedroom, and the entire second floor structure was supported with a series of flush beams to allow the stair to be opened and expose the rail. New glass doors to the den, relocated at an angle from the main stair provide the foyer with more natural light and a wider, more inviting path to the kitchen. In the master suite, the bedroom and bathroom entry doors were relocated to improve the room’s layout and offer more bathroom privacy and space for a walk-in closet. A room forgotten by the previous owner was turned into a family mudroom with built-ins and wainscoting to keep the family organized in style. Photography by Greg Hadley

Example of a trendy living room design in Seattle

This remodel was one worth waiting for! Clients had a need for more storage, more counter and more room for entertaining friends and family. They love color and low maintenance materials so we went with a lovely happy green cabinet color, quartz counters, fun large hex porcelain floor tile and easy to clean backsplash. The original kitchen was lacking good flow, ample storage for this family. We started in the laundry room but re configuring the layout so now the W/D and fridge could be on one wall which opened up space for a drop area. We removed the old small closet that was the pantry and replaced the old water heater with a tank-less one to allow more place where they needed it the most. Drop area has outlets for charging and one in the broom cabinet as well. We removed the door to allow for us to relocate the garage entry door which now sits in the mud room instead of right in the middle of the kitchen. We added an actual walk in pantry which is equipped with drawers and plenty of shelf storage, we put the small appliances in here to allow for more counter space in the kitchen. To access the kitchen is now through a pocket door which is a big space saver and allows a more open feel. Let's get to this kitchen design! This was a odd layout before, now we have the fridge tucked away in it's proper home instead of sticking out. We relocated the garage entry door to the mud room to allow for this 36" range in its place featuring a pot filler as well. To maximize the kitchen footprint we closed up the door that went to the office and now we have a full L corner with plenty of storage and added some wood shelves for a sense of warmth and displace space in a beverage bar area, which also features an under-counter beverage fridge. Under-cabinet lighting, island fixture , a pendant above the sink and relocated the recessed lights to work better with the new kitchen layout. The island was a new addition which replaced the peninsula that used to cut off the kitchen from the rest of the home. We also removed a built in bookshelf and relocated the return air to the ceiling to free up even more floor space to truly transform this kitchen into the heart of the home.