“House with the Common View,” Wallingford AWARDS: Best of Wallingford, Built Green Hammer Award Description Artistic, sustainable addition to a small Wallingford bungalow which was necessary to allow a growing family to continue to thrive in a neighborhood that they love. Challenge Growing family needed more space but they didn’t want to move. They knew that they would have to build up but don’t want to block views or ruin the experience for their neighbor friends. Because of the size and shape of the lot, there were also permitting and structuring challenges. Inspiration We found inspiration in the family and their commitment to the place, neighborhood and friends. We wanted to create a house that is not only functional and respectful of the neighbor’s view, but that actually gives back to the neighborhood. We had to lean in hard in the design process to pull all of that off. Solutions + Innovations We engaged in a meticulous design process included literal “boots on the ground” elements like standing on the property with sticks to measure the neighbor’s view. We not only maintained that view but enhanced it by giving the neighbors a view of green roof gardens on 4 sides of the house. To support that work, we had to rebuild the foundation. As an amenity for the neighborhood at large, we created a rain path that channeled into living wall and structured rain garden that was adjacent to the sidewalk. How is it sustainable? We salvaged or repurposed all of the materials that we could, including salvaging painted shingles on from house and repurposing them for a tiny play house (which also has a green roof). The old beams from basement became a cabinet in the new bathroom. We also used orchard-salvaged walnut which matched the horizontal grain already existing in the kitchen. We economized on space, saving the footprint on the main floor, and only added 600 feet upstairs which house two bedrooms and one batch. We used casework to create walls, used the stairs for part of the cabinets, and built walk-n cabinets, creating adaptable space for long term needs. More adaptable space included a sharable bathroom/wetroom which is functional for both adults and kids. We developed a green roof system, rain gardens, and a green wall along sidewalk. We took the opportunity to improve the envelope, insulating outside the building before the siding went back on. We also incorporated solar into the design, created the opportunity for natural daylighting all day on upper level and stairwell, as well as using resin-based eco countertops.

Patterned Tile Done Right — The Bathroom That Gets All the Details Perfect” A clean, modern bathroom remodel completed in 6 working days, built around one key challenge: 12x12 patterned wall tile that must align perfectly across every wall. This is where most contractors struggle — but when done right, the result looks like custom artwork. What we delivered: ? Patterned Walls 12x12 tile installed with full pattern continuity. Every line aligns — no mismatched motifs, no visual breaks. We flattened walls first to ensure clean geometry. ? Floors 24x24 porcelain tile over a Schluter anti-vibration membrane — stable, durable, quiet. ? Full Waterproofing Schluter + GoBoard system across all wet areas for long-term protection. ? Perfect Plumbing Alignment Shower head, valve, and faucet set in a single laser-straight vertical line. ? Mitered Niche & Window 45° edges and pattern continuation create a “hidden niche” effect — seamless and high-end. ? Lighting Upgrade New wall-mounted fixtures for balanced, soft illumination. ? Floor Transitions Bathroom floor leveled to match the adjacent carpet with no transition strips — clean, modern finish. With Mi Tile Installation Experts you get: ✔️ Full turn-key service ✔️ Anti-Surprise Estimate ✔️ Daily updates + 24/7 communication ✔️ Verified waterproofing photos ✔️ Official warranty Want your remodel done right the first time? Comment AUDIT for a free professional project review. ? MikhailBelov37@gmail.com ? micatile.info

Designed By: Sarah Buehlman Marc and Mandy Maister were clients and fans of Cantoni before they purchased this harbor home on Balboa Island. The South African natives originally met designer Sarah Buehlman and Cantoni’s Founder and CEO Michael Wilkov at a storewide sale, and quickly established a relationship as they bought furnishings for their primary residence in Newport Beach. So, when the couple decided to invest in this gorgeous second home, in one of the ritziest enclaves in North America, they sought Sarah’s help in transforming the outdated 1960’s residence into a modern marvel. “It’s now the ultimate beach house,” says Sarah, “and finished in Cantoni from top to bottom—including new custom cabinetry installed throughout.” But let’s back up. This project began when Mandy contacted Sarah in the midst of the remodel process (in December 2010), asking if she could come take a look and help with the overall design. “The plans were being drawn up with an architect, and they opted not to move anything major. Instead, they updated everything—as in the small carpeted staircase that became a gorgeous glass and metal sculpture,” Sarah explains. She took photographs and measurements, and then set to work creating the scaled renderings. “Marc and Mandy were drawn to the One and Only Collection. It features a high-gloss brown and white color scheme which served as inspiration for the project,” says Sarah. Primary pieces in the expansive living area include the Mondrian leather sectional, the Involution sculpture, and a pair of Vladimir Kagan Corkscrew swivel chairs. The Maisters needed a place to house all their electronics but didn’t want a typical entertainment center. The One and Only buffet was actually modified by our skilled shop technicians, in our distribution center, so it could accommodate all the couple’s media equipment. “These artisans are another one of our hidden strengths—in addition to the design tools, inventory and extensive resources we have to get a job done,” adds Sarah. Marc and Mandy also fell in love with the exotic Makassar ebony wood in the Ritz Collection, which Sarah combined in the master bedroom with the Ravenna double chaise to provide an extra place to sit and enjoy the beautiful harbor views. Beyond new furnishings, the Maisters also decided to completely redo their kitchen. And though Marc and Mandy did not have a chance to actually see our kitchen displays, having worked with Sarah over the years, they had immense trust in our commitment to craftsmanship and quality. In fact, they opted for new cabinetry in four bathrooms as well as the laundry room based on our 3D renderings and lacquer samples alone—without ever opening a drawer. “Their trust in my expertise and Cantoni’s reputation were a major deciding factor,” says Sarah. This plush second home, complete with a private boat dock right out back, counts as one of Sarah’s proudest accomplishments. “These long-time clients are great. They love Cantoni and appreciate high quality Italian furnishings in particular. The home is so gorgeous that once you are inside and open the Nano doors, you simply don’t want to leave.” The job took almost two years to complete, but everyone seems quite happy with the results, proving that large or small—and in cases necessitating a quick turnaround or execution of a long-term vision—Cantoni has the resources to come through for all clients.

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

Dimension: Coffee Table : 45" L X 45" D X 18" H End Table : 20" L X 20" D X 22" H Coffee tables make excellent centerpieces in a living room, and end table cap them off to give a truly wholesome look to the ambiance. Now you can add a touch of classy sophistication to your own with our Glencoe Contemporary Style Solid Wood 3 Piece Coffee Table Set. Stylishly low-height and square in shape, this trendy solid Rosewood coffee table set features 2 end tables and a coffee table, both designed in two-tiers. The top is smooth and plain, with four stocky, square-ish legs supporting the bottom tier. The dark finish gives it a timelessly chic edge that ensures that this table would look great in any and all settings. Handcrafted from solid Rosewood, this coffee table set boats an excellent heirloom quality that is long lasting, sturdy and durable. Moreover, the contemporary style craftsmanship of Glencoe coffee table set gives it flexibility in terms of aesthetics. It’s a highly adaptable piece that can be paired off with several unique living room interior design styles. You can make it a focal point in a Scandinavian style living area with an all-white backdrop and comfortable sofa sets. Or you can set it up in a classy modern ambiance with a backdrop of sleek sectionals and beautiful artworks. You can even pair it up with a dichotomous transitional style living room where this solid wood coffee table can represent the modern half of the setting. As far as embellishment goes, you can top this table off with a decorative bowl of potpourri, set-up a cluster of fake indoor plants on top, or even go for some small decorative bauble and trinkets in the middle. Special Features: • 100% Handcrafted • Solid Rosewood craftsmanship • Contemporary style • Square coffee table • 2 end tables • 2 tiered • Smooth finish • Aesthetically versatile • Heirloom quality • Easy maintenance Note: Real wood is a product of nature, and as such, no two pieces are alike. Variations in solid wood grain patterns are to be expected and make each furniture uniquely beautiful, just like us humans.

We handcrafted this traditional fitted home office and library in natural oak for our client’s characterful home in the village of West Chiltington in West Sussex. The bespoke, made to measure furniture features an executive desk, carefully configured bookcase cabinets and ingenious solutions for concealed storage. Decorative design features include fluted solid oak pilasters which add a sophisticated, classic look to the cabinetry. The cabinet doors, drawer fronts and frames have been constructed in 25mm thick European oak, and the warm tones and rich grain of this sustainable timber create a welcoming and productive home office with a timeless quality Shaped statement desk This impressive statement desk has been beautifully handcrafted for long-term durability and practical comfort. The angled shape creates a comfortable seating area with ample leg room. Every side of the desk has a high-quality finish to present a professional appearance from every angle in the room. The real oak veneered surface has solid oak edges and features two hand-fitted, sheepskin leather insets in a medium tan colour. Other customised features include eight equal-sized drawers and two pencil storage drawers, Shaker-style cabinetry The floor to ceiling and wall-to-wall oak bookcase cabinetry features tailored shelving, lower cupboards and hanging file drawers, and a glass-fronted upper display unit. This central cabinet is beautifully illuminated with concealed, dimmable LED lighting. The cabinet countertop and desktop both feature a matching chamfered edge and plinth detail. A chamfer is a refined yet impactful design choice that achieves a safer, more durable, and visually appealing furniture. All the cabinets are fully lined with real oak veneer. We also hand finished the cabinetry with natural Rubio Monocoat wood oil in Pure, which accentuates the authentic look of the oak.

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

A MODERN MISSION The challenge in this Ottawa South home was to update a turn-of-the-century home’s kitchen, preserving the Arts and Craft styling while providing the modern conveniences required by today’s lifestyles. The classic lines and warm colours combine to create a functional and inviting space. The upper cabinets do double duty, offering long-term storage space as well as providing extra lighting. A salvaged antique door with sandblasted glass replaced an inappropriate modern door. A custom cherry heat grill was crafted and stained to match for the stool side of the peninsula. With careful attention to detail, the painted and damaged mouldings in the dining & kitchen area were replaced with new ones that were finished with stain & amber shellac to help them blend seamlessly with the old ones. Mission accomplished.

On the sunlit approach to this modern Chicago residence, the architecture immediately asserts its presence with a crisp, geometric facade clad in luminous white Trespa panels. The clean lines and seamless finish emphasize precision craftsmanship, while the rhythm of the panel joints plays in harmony with the large-scale windows below. Every element of the exterior was designed to balance visual impact with long-term durability—ensuring the home's beauty will endure through Chicago's varied seasons. Anchoring the front elevation is a generous expanse of sliding glass doors and tall fixed windows, creating a nearly uninterrupted connection between the interior and the expansive deck beyond. The transparency allows natural light to flood the home's main living spaces, while the strategic overhang and orientation ensure comfort in every season. The elevated deck, built in rich wood tones, serves as a natural extension of the living area—perfect for both quiet morning coffee rituals and lively gatherings with friends. The exterior stair, crafted in matching wood tones, elegantly bridges the upper and lower outdoor spaces, inviting movement between levels with ease. This intentional layering of indoor and outdoor living reflects the home's core philosophy: every square foot should be both beautiful and functional. For a family that values connection—to each other, to nature, and to design—this home offers an environment that supports daily life while inspiring it. From its modern silhouette to its tactile material palette, this is more than a facade—it's the architectural handshake that welcomes you home.

This unique home on edge of downtown Calgary is a longer term project we had the privilege to design and implement. We were involved early in the extensive renovation process to provide input on design elements and help resolve logistical issues on the site. Among the many elements in the garden a large water feature was desired, in part to help mask traffic noise, as well as numerous areas to entertain, relax, and explore. Both large and dry-pack Rundlestone was utilized along with stamped concrete for much of the hardscaping. The slope was manipulated to construct the water feature which includes numerous falls, a stream, pond and bio-filter. Stucco walls were constructed on part of the property and river-stone walls were reconstructed to match the existing walls from the previous development. Extensive plantings throughout the grounds highlight and accent the hardscape and were designed for four seasons of interest.

For this East Nashville renovation, the client wanted to maximize her space and create a home that would meet her long-term needs, as the original layout was too small. We built a luxurious master suite addition that seamlessly matches the existing hardwood flooring. The suite includes a thoughtfully designed laundry area across from an expansive walk-in closet adorned with a chandelier. The master bathroom combines timeless charm with functionality, featuring vintage fixtures on the vanity, a freestanding clawfoot tub, and a walk-in shower with unique tile work, including a custom shower niche and a distinctive "toe niche" designed for added convenience while shaving. The renovation also showcases custom cabinetry design, modern storage solutions, and luxurious bathroom elements, blending clean lines with classic style. As East Nashville renovation experts, we specialize in custom construction, luxury homes, eco-friendly designs, and custom millwork. From high-end bathroom renovations to bespoke design-build projects, we deliver exceptional craftsmanship and innovative solutions to elevate any home. Photography: TNhometour.com