This house was built in 1994 and our clients have been there since day one. They wanted a complete refresh in their kitchen and living areas and a few other changes here and there; now that the kids were all off to college! They wanted to replace some things, redesign some things and just repaint others. They didn’t like the heavy textured walls, so those were sanded down, re-textured and painted throughout all of the remodeled areas. The kitchen change was the most dramatic by painting the original cabinets a beautiful bluish-gray color; which is Benjamin Moore Gentleman’s Gray. The ends and cook side of the island are painted SW Reflection but on the front is a gorgeous Merola “Arte’ white accent tile. Two Island Pendant Lights ‘Aideen 8-light Geometric Pendant’ in a bronze gold finish hung above the island. White Carrara Quartz countertops were installed below the Viviano Marmo Dolomite Arabesque Honed Marble Mosaic tile backsplash. Our clients wanted to be able to watch TV from the kitchen as well as from the family room but since the door to the powder bath was on the wall of breakfast area (no to mention opening up into the room), it took up good wall space. Our designers rearranged the powder bath, moving the door into the laundry room and closing off the laundry room with a pocket door, so they can now hang their TV/artwork on the wall facing the kitchen, as well as another one in the family room! We squared off the arch in the doorway between the kitchen and bar/pantry area, giving them a more updated look. The bar was also painted the same blue as the kitchen but a cool Moondrop Water Jet Cut Glass Mosaic tile was installed on the backsplash, which added a beautiful accent! All kitchen cabinet hardware is ‘Amerock’ in a champagne finish. In the family room, we redesigned the cabinets to the right of the fireplace to match the other side. The homeowners had invested in two new TV’s that would hang on the wall and display artwork when not in use, so the TV cabinet wasn’t needed. The cabinets were painted a crisp white which made all of their decor really stand out. The fireplace in the family room was originally red brick with a hearth for seating. The brick was removed and the hearth was lowered to the floor and replaced with E-Stone White 12x24” tile and the fireplace surround is tiled with Heirloom Pewter 6x6” tile. The formal living room used to be closed off on one side of the fireplace, which was a desk area in the kitchen. The homeowners felt that it was an eye sore and it was unnecessary, so we removed that wall, opening up both sides of the fireplace into the formal living room. Pietra Tiles Aria Crystals Beach Sand tiles were installed on the kitchen side of the fireplace and the hearth was leveled with the floor and tiled with E-Stone White 12x24” tile. The laundry room was redesigned, adding the powder bath door but also creating more storage space. Waypoint flat front maple cabinets in painted linen were installed above the appliances, with Top Knobs “Hopewell” polished chrome pulls. Elements Carrara Quartz countertops were installed above the appliances, creating that added space. 3x6” white ceramic subway tile was used as the backsplash, creating a clean and crisp laundry room! The same tile on the hearths of both fireplaces (E-Stone White 12x24”) was installed on the floor. The powder bath was painted and 12x36” Ash Fiber Ceramic tile was installed vertically on the wall behind the sink. All hardware was updated with the Signature Hardware “Ultra”Collection and Shades of Light “Sleekly Modern” new vanity lights were installed. All new wood flooring was installed throughout all of the remodeled rooms making all of the rooms seamlessly flow into each other. The homeowners love their updated home! Design/Remodel by Hatfield Builders & Remodelers | Photography by Versatile Imaging

http://mollywinnphotography.com
Living room - mid-sized shabby-chic style open concept and formal medium tone wood floor living room idea in Austin with white walls, no fireplace and no tv

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Denver

Inspiration for a transitional single-sink bathroom remodel in St Louis with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, an undermount sink, white countertops and a freestanding vanity

The owners dreamed of an Eichler remodel they would live in forever. Their vision was contemporary and open. Klopf Architecture would design, and reconfigure bathrooms/laundry areas and upgrade systems to be more efficient. This talented executive mother of five decorated and furnished the home herself. Architecture: Klopf Architecture Contractor: Flegel Construction Photography © 2014 Mariko Reed Location: Burlingame, CA Year completed: 2014

Designing a whole home remodel for a client’s second home was an exciting opportunity to create a space that felt both welcoming and timeless. The clients wanted a space that felt light, bright, and timeless. We focused on an open-concept layout, maximizing natural light and incorporating soft, neutral tones that complemented the desert landscape. The main showstopper of the home was the kitchen, which the family considered the heart of the home. Featuring high-end finishes, the kitchen became a space for both cooking and gathering, designed for both functionality and elegance. Thoughtful touches, such as custom cabinetry, integrated appliances, and custom hood, helped elevate the entire space, making it a true focal point. With a thoughtful blend of modern design and classic touches, the remodel was tailored to ensure the space could grow with the family and become a place they would cherish and enjoy for years to come.

Inspiration for a contemporary light wood floor and brown floor family room remodel in Philadelphia with a tv stand and multicolored walls

Our clients live in a country club community and were looking to renovate their unfinished basement. The client knew he wanted to include a gym, theater, and gaming center. We incorporated a Home Automation system for this project, providing for music playback, movie watching, lighting control, and security integration. Our challenges included a short construction deadline and several structural issues. The original basement had a floor-to-ceiling height of 8’-0” with several columns running down the center of the basement that interfered with the seating area of the theater. Our design/build team installed a second beam adjacent to the original to help distribute the load, enabling the removal of columns. The theater had a water meter projecting a foot out from the front wall. We retrofitted a piece of A/V acoustically treated furniture to hide the meter and gear. This homeowner originally planned to include a putting green on his project, until we demonstrated a Visual Sports Golf Simulator. The ceiling height was two feet short of optimal swing height for a simulator. Our client was committed, we excavated the corner of the basement to lower the floor. To accent the space, we installed a custom mural printed on carpet, based upon a photograph from the neighboring fairway of the client’s home. By adding custom high-impact glass walls, partygoers can join in on the fun and watch the action unfold while the sports enthusiasts can view the party or ball game on TV! The Visual Sports system allows guests and family to not only enjoy golf, but also sports such as hockey, baseball, football, soccer, and basketball. We overcame the structural and visual challenges of the space by using floor-to-glass walls, removal of columns, an interesting mural, and reflective floor surfaces. The client’s expectations were exceeded in every aspect of their project, as evidenced in their video testimonial and the fact that all trades were invited to their catered Open House! The client enjoys his golf simulator so much he had tape on five of his fingers and his wife informed us he has formed two golf leagues! This project transformed an unused basement into a visually stunning space providing the client the ultimate fun get-a-away!

Living room - scandinavian light wood floor and beige floor living room idea in Phoenix with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Small eclectic loft-style light wood floor and beige floor living room photo in Los Angeles with multicolored walls, a corner fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Pull out knife block makes use of a small space while keep essential cooking tools close at hand. ~ Brian DalBalcon Photography
Kitchen - mid-sized transitional kitchen idea in Seattle

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.”

"I want people to say 'Wow!' when they walk in to my house" This was our directive for this bachelor's newly purchased home. We accomplished the mission by drafting plans for a significant remodel which included removing walls and columns, opening up the spaces between rooms to create better flow, then adding custom furnishings and original art for a customized unique Wow factor! His Christmas party proved we had succeeded as each person 'wowed!' the spaces! Even more meaningful to us, as Designers, was watching everyone converse in the sitting area, dining room, living room, and around the grand island (12'-6" grand to be exact!) and genuinely enjoy all the fabulous, yet comfortable spaces. Success all around!

"I want people to say 'Wow!' when they walk in to my house" This was our directive for this bachelor's newly purchased home. We accomplished the mission by drafting plans for a significant remodel which included removing walls and columns, opening up the spaces between rooms to create better flow, then adding custom furnishings and original art for a customized unique Wow factor! His Christmas party proved we had succeeded as each person 'wowed!' the spaces! Even more meaningful to us, as Designers, was watching everyone converse in the sitting area, dining room, living room, and around the grand island (12'-6" grand to be exact!) and genuinely enjoy all the fabulous, yet comfortable spaces.

Custom coastal 4-bedroom summer home in Connecticut. A feel good home library for a quite cozy read.
Example of a large beach style entryway design in Bridgeport

Front yard entry. Photo by Clark Dugger
Small tuscan concrete floor and gray floor entryway photo in Los Angeles with a medium wood front door and white walls

This beach house was renovated to create an inviting escape for its owners’ as home away from home. The wide open greatroom that pours out onto vistas of sand and surf from behind a nearly removable bi-folding wall of glass, making summer entertaining a treat for the host and winter storm watching a true marvel for guests to behold. The views from each of the upper level bedroom windows make it hard to tell if you have truly woken in the morning, or if you are still dreaming… Photography: Paul Grdina

Project Team: Ben Awes, AIA, Principal-In-Charge, Bob Ganser AIA, Nate Dodge Photographer: Alyssa Lee www.alyssaleephotography.com
Example of a trendy kitchen design in Minneapolis

Photo: Margot Hartford © 2017 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic kitchen remodel in Other