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The original kitchen felt undersized for a 4,500-square-foot home, with adjacent formal spaces left unused and disconnected from daily life. The homeowners envisioned a larger, more welcoming kitchen that could better support cooking, entertaining, and gathering.
The renovation reworked the layout by incorporating the underutilized sitting room, allowing the kitchen to expand and open directly to the formal dining area. This created a more spacious and highly functional flow between spaces. A 10-foot walnut-stained island anchors the kitchen, complemented by a matching glass-front curio cabinet, chef-grade appliances, and dual sinks designed to support multiple cooks. A large window above the sink brings in natural light and frames views of the backyard, while a dedicated scullery provides additional pantry storage and prep space, keeping the main kitchen organized.
The result is a kitchen that feels open, intentional, and well-suited for both everyday living and entertaining.

This beautiful patio is part of a backyard project completed by Gary Duff Designs. The team first stepped onto this unkempt yard equip with a few relaxation requisites but lacking the thoughtful finishing touches needed to refine the space. In one month, Gary Duff Designs tapped into its unused potential by opening up the yard, adding an entrance and creating extra areas to sit and relax, including a shelf in the home’s new spa and a new counter at the bar. When confronted with years-old pavers, the team found a perfect replacement that protected cohesion and elevated design. By combining earth tones, wood grain, bronze ornamental aluminum railing and colorful flowers throughout, the backyard was transformed into a homey escape that embraces residents and guests alike.

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 What they didn’t love was how outdated their home had become.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
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This Jefferson Avenue basement remodel strikes the perfect balance between comfort and utility. A once-unused lower level is now a warm, welcoming space that includes a media lounge, light-filled sitting area, full bathroom, and custom wet bar. The bar features natural maple cabinetry, a bold glass tile backsplash, and hidden storage designed for everyday ease. Wide-plank flooring and soft blue walls create cohesion, while the open ceiling—painted for a clean, modern-industrial look—adds visual height. Every design detail was chosen to make this space feel bright, connected, and ready for daily living or casual entertaining.

Accoustical Panels with Art Deco Flair
Example of a large classic enclosed carpeted home theater design in Salt Lake City with gray walls and a projector screen
Example of a large classic enclosed carpeted home theater design in Salt Lake City with gray walls and a projector screen

"Kerry Taylor was professional and courteous from our first meeting forwards. We took a long time to decide on our final design but Kerry and his design team were patient and respectful and waited until we were ready to move forward. There was never a sense of being pushed into anything we didn’t like. They listened, carefully considered our requests and delivered an awesome plan for our new bathroom. Kerry also broke down everything so that we could consider several alternatives for features and finishes and was mindful to stay within our budget. He accommodated some on-the-fly changes, after construction was underway and suggested effective solutions for any unforeseen problems that arose.
Having construction done in close proximity to our master bedroom was a challenge but the excellent crew TaylorPro had on our job made it relatively painless: courteous and polite, arrived on time daily, worked hard, pretty much nonstop and cleaned up every day before leaving. If there were any delays, Kerry made sure to communicate with us quickly and was always available to talk when we had concerns or questions."
This Carlsbad couple yearned for a generous master bath that included a big soaking tub, double vanity, water closet, large walk-in shower, and walk in closet. Unfortunately, their current master bathroom was only 6'x12'.
Our design team went to work and came up with a solution to push the back wall into an unused 2nd floor vaulted space in the garage, and further expand the new master bath footprint into two existing closet areas. These inventive expansions made it possible for their luxurious master bath dreams to come true.
Just goes to show that, with TaylorPro Design & Remodeling, fitting a square peg in a round hole could be possible!
Photos by: Jon Upson

Basically designed by the homeowner with my input, this built-in storage unit maximizes the use of previously nearly-unused space in a wide hallway. The tricky part was building around the existing off-centered window. It is 18" deep, so lot's of space for clothes (master closet is across the hall) or whatever. Includes interior shutters that can either completely block off sunlight or the tops open for let light in but maintain privacy.

Nestled in a historic residential neighborhood this 1950s Baptist Church was outgrown by its congregation. The building was left unused for 12 years until it was adapted for reuse as a single family home. The home, for a young family of four, was designed with the healthy building principles in mind. The completed house is net zero ready, meaning that all of the systems necessary to convert this house to a net zero home are in place, all that is needed are solar panels. Though the original building was in very rough shape, the design team worked hard to retain as much of the original form as possible. The addition distinguishes itself from the original through materiality and structural articulation. The new form hovers on cantilevers, creating a light touch with the ground plane, in contrast to the heavy form of the original masonry structure. Even though the new building has a modern aesthetic it had to conform to some of the historic neighborhood ordinances of the city. The completed product is loved by the neighborhood, with many people taking their evening walks to pass by their new favorite house.

We relocated the master suite into the east wing to have the views of the lake, vaulted the master bedroom ceiling into unused attic space, and installed a glass railed deck over the sunroom below to take advantage of the view.
Norman Sizemore-Photographer

A simply stunning transformation of an small, unusable patio, into an oasis of beauty. Mexican pebbles paths with stepping stones, set between new brick columns with metal gates and railings, lead you back to a new bluestone patio large enough for entertaining and dining options. The new yard and plantings are just the topping needed when accented by the amazing low voltage lighting. This is one you have to truly see to enjoy!

This old and outdated kitchen was transformed into an open, inviting, modern and functioning space that everyone wants to gather and hang out in. This was achieved by reconfiguring the space, eliminating walls and adding and incorporating the unused dining space. The new kitchen cabinets were done in the Manhattan door from the Kitchen Solvers Classic Collection line in an Alabaster color while the island was done in a black tea color. We next installed a Cambria Quartz countertop in Carrick around the kitchen while the island was done in Minuet. To finish the new look we added a Ceramic white with marble veining backsplash around the kitchen, while around the hood they went with a gray glass backsplash. The two-toned cabinets topped with two beautiful different Cambria quartz and backsplash gave it the added sophistication.

Before & after photos,moved the dishwasher closer to sink. Moved stove away from drawers,added corner 1/2 moon pull outs to unused corners,added vented microwave.Built angled uppers by windows with glass doors.Trade off was sink not centered on window to fit dishwasher. Photos , flooring, lighting & paint by Richard ,Michelle & Drew Harris.

This old and outdated kitchen was transformed into an open, inviting, modern and functioning space that everyone wants to gather and hang out in. This was achieved by reconfiguring the space, eliminating walls and adding and incorporating the unused dining space. The new kitchen cabinets were done in the Manhattan door from the Kitchen Solvers Classic Collection line in an Alabaster color while the island was done in a black tea color. We next installed a Cambria Quartz countertop in Carrick around the kitchen while the island was done in Minuet. To finish the new look we added a Ceramic white with marble veining backsplash around the kitchen, while around the hood they went with a gray glass backsplash. The two-toned cabinets topped with two beautiful different Cambria quartz and backsplash gave it the added sophistication.

This beautiful outdoor space was designed to replace a shady, largely unused space in our client's backyard. We transformed a small, exposed aggregate patio into an expansive covered outdoor room complete with a gas fireplace and an elaborate outdoor kitchen and bar seating area. The additional open patio space takes advantage of views out to a waterfall and greenery beyond.
William Wright Photography

Revamped this unused space in the kitchen to be a breakfast nook with added storage
Inspiration for a craftsman light wood floor and beige floor breakfast nook remodel in Seattle with white walls
Inspiration for a craftsman light wood floor and beige floor breakfast nook remodel in Seattle with white walls

The Fargo Corner Bookcase is a compact solid wood storage piece designed to make unused corners more functional while adding natural warmth to the room. Handcrafted from 100% solid pine wood, it features a space-saving corner form, rounded edges, and open shelving that can be used for books, plants, framed photos, decor, and everyday essentials.
Available in multiple corner sizes with two height options, Fargo offers either 5 or 6 shelves, making it suitable for small living rooms, home offices, bedrooms, apartments, and reading corners. Its natural pine grain, rustic character, and vertical design create a practical yet visually warm storage solution for interiors that need organization without feeling crowded.

Driven by a need to park a custom retro RV trailer in the backyard, the design maximized unused side yard space and opened up the rest of the yard for improvements.

The reason for the project was purely due to the age of the existing space. There were different types of flooring (including carpet that was showing a lot of wear) throughout the first floor, the doors and windows were showing their age, and the kitchen was outdated, dark, and not functioning well for the family. The laundry room didn’t have any storage at all, and was open to the kitchen, which was unsightly to guests. Additionally, the heights of the family members range between 6’ and 6’5” so they were looking to customize the height of all of the cabinetry to make tasks easier and more comfortable. To remedy these challenges, the flooring and baseboards throughout the first floor of the home were updated with a high-quality, refinishable engineered walnut, providing the home with an instant update and creating a more cohesive flow. A wall was added with a sliding barn door between the kitchen and laundry/powder room area, giving that space some separation and privacy from the social space. Beautifulpainted tile was used in the laundry powder room and pantry, which added an artistic pop, and to highlight this we replaced the pantry door with a framed glass door.In the kitchen, an obstructive peninsula was removed, and the cabinetry was extended to make space for a large island that seats up to six people. The range was swapped for a cooktop and double oven, and an exterior-venting fan was added. The microwave was moved into the island, the window above the sink was replaced with a large, single-pane casement, and a gorgeous four-inch mitered edge marble countertop made the island a stunning focal point. A coffee bar and beverage station was added to free up working counter space, and added a functioning feature to an unused corner of the room.

This late 90’s home was ready for a refresh, and boy did we have fun delivering just that! Fully renovating the kitchen, family room, dining room, laundry room, entry, and study as well as converting an unused formal room to a wine lounge allowed us to update the first floor of this home in a meaningful way. Lightening and brightening the walls and completely redoing all furnishings and decor, were just the beginning. The kitchen’s complete redesign involved moving obtrusive walls, creating more functional spaces, and incorporating current design trends. Fresh greens and blues were chosen to brighten the spaces, and texture was integrated to keep an organic feel. The clients are so pleased, we’re now embarking on Phase 2!

After sitting on the market for three years, this property was purchased by a visionary client who understood that the right landscape designer could turn the unusable landscape into highly comfortable outdoor spaces. db Landscaping LLC designed a series of tiered outdoor living spaces, gardens, and access to the lake that responded to the steep lakeshore terrain of the property. Larger areas for entertaining were complimented by smaller, more intimate spaces for relaxing. The new landscape incorporated lake views and water access while utilizing environmentally responsible materials such as aged local stone and drought tolerant native plants. Storm-water runoff was also engineered to mitigate erosion and allow water to return to the ground rather than entering the lake directly. The resulting outdoor rooms and gardens were balanced, relaxing, and in harmony with the surrounding landscape.
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