The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

Our client planned to spend more time in this home and wanted to increase its livability. The project was complicated by the strata-specified deadline for exterior work, the logistics of working in an occupied strata complex, and the need to minimize the impact on surrounding neighbours. By reducing the deck space, removing the hot tub, and moving out the dining room wall, we were able to add important livable space inside. Our homeowners were thrilled to have a larger kitchen. The additional 500 square feet of living space integrated seamlessly into the existing architecture. This award-winning home features reclaimed fir flooring (from the Stanley Park storm), and wood-cased sliding doors in the dining room, that allow full access to the outdoor balcony with its exquisite views. Green building products and processes were used extensively throughout the renovation, which resulted in a modern, highly-efficient, and beautiful home.

Creating environments that encourage our families to spend more time outdoors is important in today’s hi-tech world. Designed for the 2014 Chicago Flower and Garden show, this display garden captures a playful sensibility well-suited for any family to enjoy. The clean, modern lines and carefully planned spaces of this 50’ by 50’ garden form an enticing setting to simply unplug. Working within a very limited area, the design organizes a bio pool with sundeck, a spillover water feature and lounge area, and a gravel dining terrace with a built-in fireplace and shade tree canopy. Unlike traditional pools, our bio pool utilizes aquatic plants, beneficial bacteria, and microbes, rather than harsh chemicals, to filter the water. Impurities and excess nutrients are drawn out of the water naturally, creating a much healthier swimming environment. A native plant palette is incorporated throughout the garden with shade trees, ornamentals, native forbs, and perennials in an emergent spring landscape. We hope this exciting design will encourage green inspiration for visitors, whether they have a tight city lot or a larger suburban property.

Creating environments that encourage our families to spend more time outdoors is important in today’s hi-tech world. Designed for the 2014 Chicago Flower and Garden show, this display garden captures a playful sensibility well-suited for any family to enjoy. The clean, modern lines and carefully planned spaces of this 50’ by 50’ garden form an enticing setting to simply unplug. Working within a very limited area, the design organizes a bio pool with sundeck, a spillover water feature and lounge area, and a gravel dining terrace with a built-in fireplace and shade tree canopy. Unlike traditional pools, our bio pool utilizes aquatic plants, beneficial bacteria, and microbes, rather than harsh chemicals, to filter the water. Impurities and excess nutrients are drawn out of the water naturally, creating a much healthier swimming environment. A native plant palette is incorporated throughout the garden with shade trees, ornamentals, native forbs, and perennials in an emergent spring landscape. We hope this exciting design will encourage green inspiration for visitors, whether they have a tight city lot or a larger suburban property.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

This Jersey Shore vacation home was designed for relaxed, multigenerational living embracing a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Generous areas for outdoor dining and lounging extend the home’s footprint, creating an easy rhythm of summer living—where days flow naturally from beach to terrace to interior gathering spaces. The design prioritizes openness, comfort, and connection, reflecting how the family lives, entertains, and spends time together. Interior spaces are thoughtfully arranged to support both quiet moments and larger gatherings, with clear sightlines and an intuitive flow that keeps family and guests connected throughout the home. At the center of this plan, the kitchen functions as a natural gathering point without overwhelming the overall composition. Designed to support shared use, it allows multiple people to cook and interact comfortably. Structural elements, including load-bearing posts were integrated into the architecture as sculptural features—transforming a constraint into a defining design moment. Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances were selected for their durability, performance, and timeless design, ensuring the home will serve the family for years to come. The result is a home that feels both elevated and effortless—where architecture, interiors, and landscape work in harmony to create a setting for gathering, entertaining, and everyday living at the shore.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.

Jackie and Sean loved the Algonquin neighborhood they lived in with the peaceful neighborhood and the close proximity to work and school. What they didn’t love was how outdated their home had become. With a cramped kitchen and an unused dining room, they decided a remodel was the perfect solution to their problem. They would be able to continue to live in the area they loved, while at the same time they could have the dream home they envisioned. After a thorough search, Jackie came across Advance Design Studio. She was impressed by all of the positive reviews she saw on the internet and saw herself identifying with all of the project stories she saw on the website. Once they met with designer Scott Christensen and owner Todd Jurs, they knew Advance Design was the right company to make their dreams a reality. The project consisted of four main areas: the kitchen/dining/powder room, the laundry room, the master bathroom, and the kid’s bathroom. They wanted to expand the kitchen into the seldom used dining room and add a large island for hosting parties and family gatherings. They also wanted new hardwood flooring throughout the first level. The laundry room needed to be more functional, and all three bathrooms were in dire need of updating. The closed off kitchen was opened up to create a sweeping space between the new eating area and the much larger kitchen. A handsome dry bar complete with a beverage refrigerator and lighted glass door cabinetry makes an elegant transition across from a peninsula area filled with storage. An additional decorative cabinet lighting up elegant dishware through the mullioned glass sits directly across from the drybar. An expansive island was critical to the kitchen plans. Jackie, Sean and Scott worked closely together to create just the right details for their design. They wanted the island to be functional in addition to being the centerpiece of the room. Added storage for the kid’s school supplies was hidden behind cabinet doors so the children could do their schoolwork right at the island, and a microwave drawer glides open with the touch of a finger hidden inconspicuously within the island space. The easy to care for Cambria Britannica Quartz island top with its sweeping grey and white marble look perched atop hand-carved Craftsman corbels was absolutely what they were hoping for, blending both beauty and function perfectly. Adding a nice contrast to the brightness of the quartz and the white cabinetry, Kodiak - Leather granite countertops were used to balance the light and dark tones of the space. Dura Supreme Classic White painted cabinets grace the perimeter, while Maple Poppy Seed stained cabinets with a beautiful soft grey woodgrain were used in the beverage center and island. The two tones compliment the large space balancing it out nicely creating interest and elegance with the simple Craftsman style full overlay doors. A deep warm Barnwood White Oak flooring was added throughout the lower level. The new floor brings additional contrast to the bright kitchen and provides unity with the now open floorplan as it rolls in to the foyer and family room. Final details like the show-stopping lunar like duo light fixtures complete the space and intermix expertly with crisscross details of the glass door mullions, the island bar seating and even accessories in the space. The small cluttered laundry room needed more space and more storage. With a busy family it seemed to overflow daily and did not have anywhere to hide the families “in and out stuff.” Scott designed the new space with a stackable washer and dryer and much more efficiently organized cabinetry. Doing laundry is now (almost!) a pleasure and keeping everyone’s “stuff” hidden, but readily accessible is now a snap. The master bath was not a place where the couple enjoyed spending time getting ready for their day. The tub almost never was used, so removing it made it possible to build an extra-large shower, replacing the small cramped cube of the previous shower they hated. Clean, horizontal lines softly draw your eye around the space with porcelain tile called Driftwood Sea spray. Full overlay cabinetry in a soft white vanity with double sinks makes getting ready for the day much more convenient for the busy couple. Long floor planks made of porcelain tile mimic real hardwood floors in a soft grey to compliment the shower, but with the ease and care of a tile surface. Cambrian Black Granite counters with a matte finish and under mount porcelain sinks with handsome brushed chrome hardware complete the handsome space. A real bonus in any master bath; a custom built in storage nook was tucked in the corner of the space for linens and heavenly storage. The kid’s bath was in sad shape because it was original to the house. To keep the budget in control, the tub which was in great condition was retained, but focus was on the new large brick style porcelain charcoal tile on the floor, crisp white new Craftsman style cabinetry with pretty furniture details on the corner base, a striking granite top with white under mount porcelain sinks and fresh hardware and faucets. Some beautiful soft grey wood mirrors to match mom and dads were custom sized and placed under new lighting, and 4 hooks were smartly arranged down the wall for kids’ towels. This couple was determined not to move, and made their house their dream home. Not only does their home function greatly now, but Jackie says, “When the neighbors come to visit, they’re asking if they can “steal” the design”! The added functionality, elegance, and open floor plan were exactly what this family needed in order to stay. Advance Design Studio, Joe Nowak

The new owners of this 1974 Post and Beam home originally contacted us for help furnishing their main floor living spaces. But it wasn’t long before these delightfully open minded clients agreed to a much larger project, including a full kitchen renovation. They were looking to personalize their “forever home,” a place where they looked forward to spending time together entertaining friends and family. In a bold move, we proposed teal cabinetry that tied in beautifully with their ocean and mountain views and suggested covering the original cedar plank ceilings with white shiplap to allow for improved lighting in the ceilings. We also added a full height panelled wall creating a proper front entrance and closing off part of the kitchen while still keeping the space open for entertaining. Finally, we curated a selection of custom designed wood and upholstered furniture for their open concept living spaces and moody home theatre room beyond. This project is a Top 5 Finalist for Western Living Magazine's 2021 Home of the Year.