This is a Sunroom Addition. It involved removing the Kitchen's existing exterior wall and adding a new Sunroom Addition, open and connected with the existing Kitchen. A new high counter was added for barstools adjacent the kitchen sink area as well as a new large island accommodating the "kids" while mom prepares dinner. The addition incorporates lots of glass windows, a continuous bench seat (with storage beneath) along an outside wall as well as a table for eight and a special "beverage center" for entertaining. Matching hardwood flooring lets one space smoothly "flow" into the next. All this is carefully designed while maintaining an uninterrupted Kitchen "work triangle" that allows the cook to remain a part of the "event".

This is a Sunroom Addition. It involved removing the Kitchen's existing exterior wall and adding a new Sunroom Addition, open and connected with the existing Kitchen. A new high counter was added for barstools adjacent the kitchen sink area as well as a new large island accommodating the "kids" while mom prepares dinner. The addition incorporates lots of glass windows, a continuous bench seat (with storage beneath) along an outside wall as well as a table for eight and a special "beverage center" for entertaining. Matching hardwood flooring lets one space smoothly "flow" into the next. All this is carefully designed while maintaining an uninterrupted Kitchen "work triangle" that allows the cook to remain a part of the "event".

A tailored solution for elevated kitchen organization. Crafted with precision, our bespoke pantries offer adjustable shelving, pull-out drawers, and specialized compartments for a seamless, efficient space. Choose from a range of high-quality materials and customizable features, ensuring durability and a timeless aesthetic. Our expert team collaborates with you to create a pantry that reflects your style, blending aesthetics with functionality. Streamline your kitchen routine with designated spaces for ingredients and cookware. Invest in the heart of your home – a personalized pantry that transforms your kitchen into an organized haven, making meal preparation a delightful experience.

This is a Sunroom Addition. It involved removing the Kitchen's existing exterior wall and adding a new Sunroom Addition, open and connected with the existing Kitchen. A new high counter was added for barstools adjacent the kitchen sink area as well as a new large island accommodating the "kids" while mom prepares dinner. The addition incorporates lots of glass windows, a continuous bench seat (with storage beneath) along an outside wall as well as a table for eight and a special "beverage center" for entertaining. Matching hardwood flooring lets one space smoothly "flow" into the next. All this is carefully designed while maintaining an uninterrupted Kitchen "work triangle" that allows the cook to remain a part of the "event".

This is a Sunroom Addition. It involved removing the Kitchen's existing exterior wall and adding a new Sunroom Addition, open and connected with the existing Kitchen. A new high counter was added for barstools adjacent the kitchen sink area as well as a new large island accommodating the "kids" while mom prepares dinner. The addition incorporates lots of glass windows, a continuous bench seat (with storage beneath) along an outside wall as well as a table for eight and a special "beverage center" for entertaining. Matching hardwood flooring lets one space smoothly "flow" into the next. All this is carefully designed while maintaining an uninterrupted Kitchen "work triangle" that allows the cook to remain a part of the "event".

This is a Sunroom Addition. It involved removing the Kitchen's existing exterior wall and adding a new Sunroom Addition, open and connected with the existing Kitchen. A new high counter was added for barstools adjacent the kitchen sink area as well as a new large island accommodating the "kids" while mom prepares dinner. The addition incorporates lots of glass windows, a continuous bench seat (with storage beneath) along an outside wall as well as a table for eight and a special "beverage center" for entertaining. Matching hardwood flooring lets one space smoothly "flow" into the next. All this is carefully designed while maintaining an uninterrupted Kitchen "work triangle" that allows the cook to remain a part of the "event".

This is a Sunroom Addition. It involved removing the Kitchen's existing exterior wall and adding a new Sunroom Addition, open and connected with the existing Kitchen. A new high counter was added for barstools adjacent the kitchen sink area as well as a new large island accommodating the "kids" while mom prepares dinner. The addition incorporates lots of glass windows, a continuous bench seat (with storage beneath) along an outside wall as well as a table for eight and a special "beverage center" for entertaining. Matching hardwood flooring lets one space smoothly "flow" into the next. All this is carefully designed while maintaining an uninterrupted Kitchen "work triangle" that allows the cook to remain a part of the "event".

This is a Sunroom Addition. It involved removing the Kitchen's existing exterior wall and adding a new Sunroom Addition, open and connected with the existing Kitchen. A new high counter was added for barstools adjacent the kitchen sink area as well as a new large island accommodating the "kids" while mom prepares dinner. The addition incorporates lots of glass windows, a continuous bench seat (with storage beneath) along an outside wall as well as a table for eight and a special "beverage center" for entertaining. Matching hardwood flooring lets one space smoothly "flow" into the next. All this is carefully designed while maintaining an uninterrupted Kitchen "work triangle" that allows the cook to remain a part of the "event".

The 4' Galley Sink provides a unique workspace experience. Sliding cutting boards, drain racks, colanders and a special 'bowl sink' that fits into the cut-outs has its own drain for smaller tasks and intermediate cleaning needs when not requiring the whole sink to be used. It is a fantastic option for food preparation and serving. Adjustable vertical dividers are used when one section of the sink is needed for keeping beverages on ice.

A tailored solution for elevated kitchen organization. Crafted with precision, our bespoke pantries offer adjustable shelving, pull-out drawers, and specialized compartments for a seamless, efficient space. Choose from a range of high-quality materials and customizable features, ensuring durability and a timeless aesthetic. Our expert team collaborates with you to create a pantry that reflects your style, blending aesthetics with functionality. Streamline your kitchen routine with designated spaces for ingredients and cookware. Invest in the heart of your home – a personalized pantry that transforms your kitchen into an organized haven, making meal preparation a delightful experience.

The Birch's primary closet features a plush carpet that adds a touch of luxury and comfort to the space. The soft and inviting carpeting creates a cozy atmosphere, making it pleasant to walk on while selecting outfits or trying on shoes. Combined with the gray cabinets and silver cabinet hardware, the carpet enhances the overall aesthetic of the closet, providing a stylish and comfortable environment for organizing and storing belongings. Whether you're getting dressed for the day or preparing for a special occasion, the carpeted floor in The Birch's primary closet adds a touch of elegance and coziness to the experience.

A tailored solution for elevated kitchen organization. Crafted with precision, our bespoke pantries offer adjustable shelving, pull-out drawers, and specialized compartments for a seamless, efficient space. Choose from a range of high-quality materials and customizable features, ensuring durability and a timeless aesthetic. Our expert team collaborates with you to create a pantry that reflects your style, blending aesthetics with functionality. Streamline your kitchen routine with designated spaces for ingredients and cookware. Invest in the heart of your home – a personalized pantry that transforms your kitchen into an organized haven, making meal preparation a delightful experience.

We found a granite slab that complimented the wood floor and we built the color palette around that. We opened the wall between the dining room and the kitchen, and updated the lighting and paint colors to make it a more special room to be in. We moved all the appliances around and improved the layout, flow and clearances. We also gave designated seating at the island and the peninsula so guests did not interrupt the cooks flow during meal preparation. The custom painted hood and the Blue Roma granite at the island and backsplash are a show stopper in the kitchen.

Living room - living room idea in Orange County

Ornamental grasses sway in the hillside breeze. A four-season lawn has specially prepared soils, amendments and finely tuned grading allowing firm, green, healthy lawn year-round... perfect for the furry members of the family. Photography by: Joe Hollowell

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.”

Trendy kitchen photo in Christchurch

We found a granite slab that complimented the wood floor and we built the color palette around that. We opened the wall between the dining room and the kitchen, and updated the lighting and paint colors to make it a more special room to be in. We moved all the appliances around and improved the layout, flow and clearances. We also gave designated seating at the island and the peninsula so guests did not interrupt the cooks flow during meal preparation. The custom painted hood and the Blue Roma granite at the island and backsplash are a show stopper in the kitchen.

Awarded "Best Smart Home of the Year" by EH. Spire outfitted this beautiful Michigan home with the best in high quality luxury technology. The homeowners enjoy the complete control of their home, from lighting and shading to entertainment and security, through the Savant Control System. Homeowners and guests can easily create “scenes” to manage their days and social gatherings. Lutron shades help maintain light, climate and privacy to balance the inside and outside views. Outdoor entertaining is easy with the Sonance Landscape Audio System, Lutron light controls for pools and fountains and Savant control of outdoor fire pits. The fully managed Whyreboot network allows for uninterrupted system control. To maintain security, Holovision doors and gates are equipped with Doorbird system to notify residents of visitors and to give control to open and close doors and gates. Music lovers can enjoy the highest level in audio from Meridian 7200 speakers in the lower level, as well as, Sonance in wall and in ceiling speakers throughout the home. In order for the homeowners to enjoy different music and entertainment in various rooms, 14 zones of video and 26 zones of audio were necessary. Spire added many special touches to this amazing home. The master bathroom boasts a MirrorTV so owners can enjoy some entertainment while preparing for the day. A floor lift in the kitchen and dining room allows for entertainment, but can be tucked away when distractions are not wanted. A floor lift in the bedroom makes watching TV convenient, but can be put away when not in use. A fingerprint lock was placed at the bar for peace of mind. Spire’s expertise and commitment to detail were key to the intricate design concepts throughout the home. Spire worked closely with design teams to ensure under cabinet lighting was just right.