For this Stuart mission, the wall had to go. We executed a full 'Studs Out' structural restoration for the Miller family, who say we 'designed to perfection.' Featuring 36-inch drawer bases and a massive open-concept island. No ifs, ands, or buts—watch the unscripted video testimonial via the link below to see the once-and-done transformation.

The client, a single man in his thirties, was unhappy with his dark, closed-off home. He wanted a space for entertaining but lacked a functional kitchen and dining area. The master bathroom also felt cramped and outdated. To address these issues, we focused on creating an open-concept kitchen with a dedicated entertainment zone and a multifunctional island. We also updated the master bathroom with a walk-in shower and floating vanity. Additionally, we modernized the front entrance and mudroom with improved storage solutions. Key features of the renovation include: Open-concept kitchen: Removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a more spacious and inviting area. Entertainment zone: Added a stylish bar area and a space for a large TV to create a dedicated space for socializing and watching TV. Multifunctional island: Designed a large island that can be used for food preparation, casual dining, and socializing. Ample storage: Incorporated custom cabinets and drawers to keep the kitchen organized and clutter-free. Master bathroom renovation: Installed a spacious walk-in shower and a floating vanity to create a more modern and spa-like feel. Front entrance and mudroom update: Modernized the entrance with updated fixtures and added clever storage solutions. The final result is a stylish and functional home that perfectly reflects the client's personality and lifestyle.

The bedroom was the generous in square footage but also came with angles and doors. Often times, when we have space for a sofa, we want to add a sofa, but it never gets used and becomes a dumping zone. We removed the existing furniture and brought in the classic Papa Bear chair in custom cashmere wool with walnut wood finish. It has become the perfect corner by the window to read, curl up with a coffee and a blanket or just watch the rest of the family snoozing on the bed. I brought in the walnut dresser to warm up the textural and neutral mood board. The art is from one of their travels and the round floral pillow adds a playful softness to the otherwise angular room.

Cool, Contemporary, Curb appeal now feels like home!!! This complete exterior home renovation & curb appeal now makes sense with the interior remodel our client had installed prior to us gettting started!!! The modifications made to this home, along with premium materials makes this home feel cozy, cool & comfortable. Its as though the home has come alive, making this same space more functional & feel so much better, a new found energy. The existing traditional missized semi-circle driveway that took up the entire frontyard was removed. This allowed us to design & install a new more functional driveway as well as create a huge courtyard that not only adds privacy and protection, it looks and feels incredible. Now our client can actually use the front yard for more than just parking cars. The modification addition of 5 stucco columns creates the feeling of a much larger space than what was there prior...who know that these cosmectic columns would actually feel like arms that wrap around the new curb appeal...almost like a vibe of protection. The contrasting paint colors add more movement and depth continuing the feeling of this great space! The new smooth limestone courtyard and custom iron "x" designed fence & gates create a weight type feeling that not only adds privacy, it just feels & looks solid. Its as if its a silent barrier between the homeowners inside and the rest of the world. Our clients now feel comfortable in there new found outdoor living spaces behind the courtyard walls. A place for family, friends and neighbors can easliy conversate & relax. Whether hanging out with the kids or just watching the kids play around in the frontyard, the courtyard was critical to adding a much needed play space. Art is brought into the picture with 2 stone wall monuments...one adding the address numbers with low voltage ligthing to one side of the yard and another that adds balance to the opposite side with custom cut in light fixtures that says... this... is... thee, house! Drystack 8" bed rough chop buff leuders stone planters & short walls outline and accentuate the forever lawn turf as well as the new plant life & lighting. The limestone serves as a grade wall for leveling, as well as the walls are completely permeable for long life and function. Something every parapet home should have, we've added custom down spouts tied to an under ground drainage system. Another way we add longevity to each project. Lastly...lighting is the icing on the cake. Wall lights, path light, down lights, up lights & step lights are all to important along with every light location is considerd as to add a breath taking ambiance of envy. No airplane runway or helicopter landing lights here. We cant wait for summer as the landscape is sure to fill up with color in every corner of this beautiful new outdoor space.

This amazing remodel by J.S. Brown & Co. in the River Forest neighborhood in Dublin, Ohio was designed with sunshine in mind! By removing an interior wall, the kitchen was completely opened to the adjacent sunroom for maximum views of the spectacular back yard. Also on the mission brief from the homeowners was shady place to enjoy their yard outdoors. A large roof over a paver patio was just the ticket for watching the grandkids run around in cool comfort.

What does a roof deck look like when every part of the roof, even areas deemed uninhabitable and structurally weak, is utilized and optimized? This large midcentury home on the edge of Presidio National Park in San Francisco had an incredible location and views. But the original roof deck suffered from poor design detailing that had rendered it a leaking, deteriorating mess. Even worse, the previous owner had covered three roof areas surrounding the deck with river stones, structurally overloading the building and endangering its occupants. We removed the river stones and everything else down to the framing. An expertly detailed drainage and waterproofing system underlies everything above. The deck and access stairs are surfaced with durable and refined porcelain pavers. The guardrail is made from custom stainless steel supports with clear, low-iron, laminated glass spanning between for an unobstructed view. Heated seats make watching the chilly fog roll in through the gate comfy. Planting and greenery surround the deck. The type varies depending on structural conditions- a deep planter sits on top of a structural wall, sedums in shallow soil occupy the strong edges of the surrounding rooftops, and faux grass turf fills out the middle in areas that can’t support the weight of wet soil.

GAVIOTA, SAN CLEMENTE - UNDER CONSTRUCTION Having bought the home with the intention of making a major change, it is clear form the comparison to the new home how far the original home was from what they wanted. Located in Southern California and a walk from the beach, they bought the home for the large rear yard that is not typical in homes this close to the beach. The clients love to cook so the home is anchored around a large double island kitchen filled with color. The fun in this home is felt through the play on color and texture as you move through the home you are met with different experiences. The existing home seemed to turn its back on the rear yard, and had it as a destination place. This led to it not being used as much as it could, so through removing walls and moving the master suite to the second story the space opens up and completely lives out to the rear yard. Natural light floods the great room as the kids can be playing in the rear yard under the watchful eye of someone in the kitchen. The homes new flow allows for the family to live better together and entertain their friends in a piece of art that reflects who they are and their approach to life, fun, alive and full of color.

The client, a single man in his thirties, was unhappy with his dark, closed-off home. He wanted a space for entertaining but lacked a functional kitchen and dining area. The master bathroom also felt cramped and outdated. To address these issues, we focused on creating an open-concept kitchen with a dedicated entertainment zone and a multifunctional island. We also updated the master bathroom with a walk-in shower and floating vanity. Additionally, we modernized the front entrance and mudroom with improved storage solutions. Key features of the renovation include: Open-concept kitchen: Removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create a more spacious and inviting area. Entertainment zone: Added a stylish bar area and a space for a large TV to create a dedicated space for socializing and watching TV. Multifunctional island: Designed a large island that can be used for food preparation, casual dining, and socializing. Ample storage: Incorporated custom cabinets and drawers to keep the kitchen organized and clutter-free. Master bathroom renovation: Installed a spacious walk-in shower and a floating vanity to create a more modern and spa-like feel. Front entrance and mudroom update: Modernized the entrance with updated fixtures and added clever storage solutions. The final result is a stylish and functional home that perfectly reflects the client's personality and lifestyle.

What does a roof deck look like when every part of the roof, even areas deemed uninhabitable and structurally weak, is utilized and optimized? This large midcentury home on the edge of Presidio National Park in San Francisco had an incredible location and views. But the original roof deck suffered from poor design detailing that had rendered it a leaking, deteriorating mess. Even worse, the previous owner had covered three roof areas surrounding the deck with river stones, structurally overloading the building and endangering its occupants. We removed the river stones and everything else down to the framing. An expertly detailed drainage and waterproofing system underlies everything above. The deck and access stairs are surfaced with durable and refined porcelain pavers. The guardrail is made from custom stainless steel supports with clear, low-iron, laminated glass spanning between for an unobstructed view. Heated seats make watching the chilly fog roll in through the gate comfy. Planting and greenery surround the deck. The type varies depending on structural conditions- a deep planter sits on top of a structural wall, sedums in shallow soil occupy the strong edges of the surrounding rooftops, and faux grass turf fills out the middle in areas that can’t support the weight of wet soil.

Removing the kitchen table allowed us the opportunity to create a larger island with wine storage, more counter space and seating for 4. The sink was added to give the homeowners the ability to watch TV and engage in conversation from the family room as they prepare food and clean up. photo by Myndi Pressly

By removing the original dated peninsula and then adding this curved island, the space has been opened up beautifully, and is great for having his friends over for watching sports and entertaining.

Cool, Contemporary, Curb appeal now feels like home!!! This complete exterior home renovation & curb appeal now makes sense with the interior remodel our client had installed prior to us gettting started!!! The modifications made to this home, along with premium materials makes this home feel cozy, cool & comfortable. Its as though the home has come alive, making this same space more functional & feel so much better, a new found energy. The existing traditional missized semi-circle driveway that took up the entire frontyard was removed. This allowed us to design & install a new more functional driveway as well as create a huge courtyard that not only adds privacy and protection, it looks and feels incredible. Now our client can actually use the front yard for more than just parking cars. The modification addition of 5 stucco columns creates the feeling of a much larger space than what was there prior...who know that these cosmectic columns would actually feel like arms that wrap around the new curb appeal...almost like a vibe of protection. The contrasting paint colors add more movement and depth continuing the feeling of this great space! The new smooth limestone courtyard and custom iron "x" designed fence & gates create a weight type feeling that not only adds privacy, it just feels & looks solid. Its as if its a silent barrier between the homeowners inside and the rest of the world. Our clients now feel comfortable in there new found outdoor living spaces behind the courtyard walls. A place for family, friends and neighbors can easliy conversate & relax. Whether hanging out with the kids or just watching the kids play around in the frontyard, the courtyard was critical to adding a much needed play space. Art is brought into the picture with 2 stone wall monuments...one adding the address numbers with low voltage ligthing to one side of the yard and another that adds balance to the opposite side with custom cut in light fixtures that says... this... is... thee, house! Drystack 8" bed rough chop buff leuders stone planters & short walls outline and accentuate the forever lawn turf as well as the new plant life & lighting. The limestone serves as a grade wall for leveling, as well as the walls are completely permeable for long life and function. Something every parapet home should have, we've added custom down spouts tied to an under ground drainage system. Another way we add longevity to each project. Lastly...lighting is the icing on the cake. Wall lights, path light, down lights, up lights & step lights are all to important along with every light location is considerd as to add a breath taking ambiance of envy. No airplane runway or helicopter landing lights here. We cant wait for summer as the landscape is sure to fill up with color in every corner of this beautiful new outdoor space.

After six years of living in their Huntley IL home, Chris and Meghan were tired of their dark, dingy, outdated kitchen and it was finally time for a long-anticipated change. “The kitchen is the place where we live, it’s where we do everything,” Meghan said. “It was important that it be a space where we wanted to be.” Meghan loves cooking and enjoys including their girls in healthy meal prepping, this led them to want a brighter, more enjoyable kitchen with increased functionality and improved storage. For Chris especially, the laundry room was an entirely dysfunctional eyesore. “We had a washer and a dryer, but it was all kind-of cobbled together!” Chris said. “There were always laundry piles everywhere, we weren’t really sure what we wanted to do in there, but it was time for us to make a change.” The mess of the space was stressful every time they walked in the door from the garage each day. Kids’ backpacks and shoes piled up haphazardly in the makeshift boot-bench closet left the family feeling disorganized and stressed. They needed space for folding clothes and locker cubbies to help keep the family organized. Having known Christine and Todd in the Huntley community for years, Chris and Meghan were familiar with their work. “We already trusted them personally and having seen their projects for years we knew they did top notch work. After we reviewed the initial round of designs, we knew that hiring them was definitely the right choice,” Meghan and Chris said. Although Chris had done a lot of work in their home himself, the kitchen and laundry room renovation was such a large undertaking that he didn’t want to steal time away from his family to spend what would surely be many long weekends doing the job himself. “That would not have been a wise choice for us,” Chris laughed. “Our designer, Michelle was very, very, easy to work with; anything we wanted to see or weren’t sure about, she went above and beyond to make this easy for us. She was easy to get hold of and always quick to respond,” the couple said. Michelle pulled ideas that mirrored the couple’s taste and style and was adept at directing the couple to limited choices that didn’t overwhelm them and kept the process moving. “I have a hard time making decisions. Michelle made the decision-making process so easy. I loved how she listened to what I liked and then presented three great options for me to choose from,” Meghan said. The main objectives for the kitchen were better storage solutions, they wanted the space to reflect their lifestyle and taste, and they wanted it to last for years with low maintenance. One of the first steps in creating a more functional kitchen was relocating the refrigerator, creating an improved workflow for the busy family. “We didn’t know that we could even move the refrigerator to a new location where it is now, that was something that we never would have thought of,” Chris said. “The new refrigerator location makes the kitchen feel so much bigger. We didn’t add any space, but our whole kitchen with the new design just seems like it’s so much larger than before!” Meghan said. The perimeter mist colored cabinets helped warm and brighten the entire room, while the graphite colored cabinets on the island added contrast. Using this fresh, clean color palette satisfied the couple’s desire for a bright space that was the exact opposite of what they had before. Organization accessories were also added to the cabinets such as a spice drawer tray and roll outs to create hidden convenience. “I absolutely love the hidden spices – it makes cooking so much more enjoyable!” Chris said. “And all the pull outs, and the double trash bin, who would think you could get so excited about organization!” the couple said in unison. One thing they hated in their original kitchen was how dark the space felt. Added lighting on the ceiling with the new light fixtures combined with the lighter cabinetry colors throughout solved this problem. “Our new kitchen has this warm, almost cozy feeling that our old kitchen never had, it’s just a space that I love spending my time in now,” Meghan said. The light airy feeling was accentuated with the use of floating white shelves on either side of the decorative range hood. “We have so much cabinetry space, the new design is amazing we actually have more storage space than we will ever need,” Meghan said. The island was extended to create more work surface and added space for stool seating. “The new island changes how we live. Now the kids can be in the kitchen with us, doing homework, eating breakfast, and the three of us have special dinners there when Chris is working late,” Meghan said. The Carrara Marmi Quartz countertops were chosen because they are, not only beautiful, but are made from hard-working material that doesn’t require maintenance. The white subway tile backsplash that wraps to the ceiling behind the focal point cooktop range/hood compliments the crisp white countertops perfectly, while brushed brass hardware and light fixtures keep the design fresh and new. The couple had a few fears at the beginning of the project, as most homeowners do. Their biggest fear was being out of their kitchen and laundry room for an extended time. The crew made it very easy for the family to work in a limited space keeping the washer and dryer hooked up the majority of the time, and also getting appliances working with minimal downtime. “They above and beyond accommodated us to get us through the process,” Meghan said. “They did a great job making sure we were as comfortable as possible throughout the process,” Chris added. “Our project manager DJ did a great job. He was very good at updating us on schedule changes, getting guys in as quickly as possible. Everyone that stepped in the house was nice and did great work,” said Chris. They thought Advance’s carpenter was phenomenal and were impressed when he took a conceptual idea from a photograph and worked with designer Michelle to create a one of a kind range/hood that has become the topic of conversation with friends and family who visit the new kitchen. “He was in our house literally every day for several weeks. He was easy to work with and good at what he did,” Meghan and Chris said. The focal point of the kitchen; a hand-crafted, custom-built ventilation hood was clad with handpicked reclaimed barnwood. Advance Design’s carpenter built the framework and the cladding to create a one-of-a-kind design element that the couple loves. “I think it was especially fun for him to create something unique from scratch, showcasing his talent in this area,” Meghan said. “I love that my kitchen is not like everyone else’s. I got to pick out the wood on my hood and watch it being built and was able to choose what pieces of wood went where on it. It’s totally unique.” Red Oak flooring was toothed-in throughout the kitchen and the rest of the first floor anywhere changes were made. Then the whole floor was refinished to tone down the orange undertones in the existing floor stain, ultimately changing the color complexion of the entire first floor. The result is a completely new feeling to the entire home. Renovating the laundry room was extremely important to Meghan and Chris, but they had trouble visualizing what the possibilities were for the seemingly small space. Michelle produced beautiful 3D illustrations that helped them envision the space in a whole new way. “I must have told Michelle 100 times that I am a visual person, seeing the designs in 3D made it so easy to make decisions and see what we could really do with our space,” Meghan said. A dividing wall and doorway were removed between the existing laundry room and hallway formerly containing a coat closet, providing space to design specialized graphite colored cabinetry matching the kitchen island to house custom storage cubbies for each family member. Adding the tall utility cabinetry in the new laundry area helped solve the storage issue, tucking away cleaning supplies, household items, and even the cat got its own cubby. “I love how everything is now hidden in its own space. I can’t tell you how much I hated coming home and seeing everything sitting around on counters,” Chris said. Electrical outlets were planned for the inside of utility cabinets, so devices could charge in hidden locations. Stacking the washer and dryer allowed for wider countertop space to provide a folding area and a special space for clothes to hang. “The way I do laundry has been completely transformed! I can actually fold clothes and hang them now right out of the washer and dryer,” Meghan said. “The end result in the kitchen and the laundry/mud room was an updated light and bright space, with a smarter work flow that better meets the needs of this family,” Michelle said. “I would totally recommend Advance Design,” Meghan said. “Sometimes I sit and just look at my kitchen and laundry room and think ‘Wow, I can’t believe I get to live here!’ It’s an understatement to say we love our new space.”

In Season 5 of the Vanilla Ice Project, we transformed a mangled backyard into an infinity edge resort style pool that holds approximately 40,000 gallons of water. It has the classic and essential swim-up bar that is located right by the entertaining area outdoor kitchen. The beach deck leads right out of the backdoor into a sunken spa. This spa is set up to a system that removes water from the pool to reveal this glow-in-the-dark, sunken gem. The infinity edge overlooks the inter-coastal and is the best place to watch the sun set.

This amazing remodel by J.S. Brown & Co. in the River Forest neighborhood in Dublin, Ohio was designed with sunshine in mind! By removing an interior wall, the kitchen was completely opened to the adjacent sunroom for maximum views of the spectacular back yard. Also on the mission brief from the homeowners was shady place to enjoy their yard outdoors. A large roof over a paver patio was just the ticket for watching the grandkids run around in cool comfort.

GAVIOTA, SAN CLEMENTE - UNDER CONSTRUCTION Having bought the home with the intention of making a major change, it is clear form the comparison to the new home how far the original home was from what they wanted. Located in Southern California and a walk from the beach, they bought the home for the large rear yard that is not typical in homes this close to the beach. The clients love to cook so the home is anchored around a large double island kitchen filled with color. The fun in this home is felt through the play on color and texture as you move through the home you are met with different experiences. The existing home seemed to turn its back on the rear yard, and had it as a destination place. This led to it not being used as much as it could, so through removing walls and moving the master suite to the second story the space opens up and completely lives out to the rear yard. Natural light floods the great room as the kids can be playing in the rear yard under the watchful eye of someone in the kitchen. The homes new flow allows for the family to live better together and entertain their friends in a piece of art that reflects who they are and their approach to life, fun, alive and full of color.

This kitchen remodel is truly one of a character. The warmth of these cabinets from New River, the sleek back-splash pattern, and the enormous amount of light coming in from a clerestory window, make this kitchen scream inviting. Before this kitchen was somewhat dark, and did not reflect the personalities of our homeowners. They invited us into their homes, and together we created this gorgeous new kitchen. Our homeowners frequently found themselves sitting in the balcony area of this kitchen, so together we came up with a design that incorporated this area into the kitchen. With Coffee or tea within an arm’s length, who wouldn’t want to spend the morning watching the sun rise right in this little area? We wanted to create the look of “cabinetry to ceiling” but were unable to move the soffits in this kitchen. Our solution? Custom Cabinetry trim to create this illusion. We think it turned out beautifully! We also wanted to work together to open up the kitchen into the formal dining space, but didn’t want to remove too many walls or sacrifice cabinetry storage. We created a pass through above standard counter top height with it’s own bar top between these two rooms. Now food, drinks, and conversation can easily pass through these areas. Two recessed lights built into the cabinets add visual interest, and functional lighting in our new pass through area. The products that you find in this kitchen are contributors of the warm feeling you get when you walk into this kitchen. The cabinetry is from New River, made in Roanoke, VA. The wood species is Maple, and the door style is “Somerset.” The finish called “choral” adds warmth with it’s reddish undertone. On of our favorite features in this kitchen is the glass inserts in the cabinetry above and adjacent to the new gas stove from GE. Glass detail in cabinetry always breaks up the cabinets by adding a place for the eye to immediately go to. These are unique as they are a wavy textured glass that allow you to get a peek inside of the cabinets, but are not fully transparent. http://www.designsbyskill.com/ http://www.rjkconstructioninc.com/

Hot Dogs! Get your Hot Dogs Here! The ultimate Basement makeover for the sports enthusiast family. Where else would you want to watch the Superbowl or World Series? We took this existing Basement, with out adding to the ceiling, expanding or removing any columns and turned it into a transitional sports bar.

2013 NARI Capital CotY, Merit Award Winner, Creative Solutions under $15,000 Objective: This couple was tired of the old brick look of their family room and its embedded fireplace. They wanted to uplift the entire room, with better lighting, updated built ins and new gas log fireplace. Challenges: It was not an easy task to get rid of all masonry and brick wall. Gas lines and powder line were quite distance away and the family room floor was a concrete slab. Design solutions: It was important for the couple to create an optional separation between the family room and the kitchen for times that she is having her book club gang over and husband wanted to watch his sporting events. Part of the wall between kitchen and family room was taken by a closet. We have removed that entire wall and implemented a 6” wide Barn door for a partial solution to their problem. New wiring for light and cable wires were running into the old masonry wall. Gas line gave the old wood burning fireplace and new life. Custom built in cabinetry was placed in place old masonry wall. A new stone hearth and surround wrapped around the new fireplace. New hardwood wide plank flooring gave this family room warmth. New recess lighting has offered a much brighter room. Outcome: He gets to enjoy his favorite football team beat up the rebels while she gets to have her tea party around the kitchen table. And in all other occasions they get to cuddle by the flames of a new fireplace.