Luis Valdizon
Danish home design photo in Vancouver

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

MAKING A STATEMENT sited on EXPANSIVE Nichols Hills lot. Worth the wait...STUNNING MASTERPIECE by Sudderth Design. ULTIMATE in LUXURY features oak hardwoods throughout, HIGH STYLE quartz and marble counters, catering kitchen, Statement gas fireplace, wine room, floor to ceiling windows, cutting-edge fixtures, ample storage, and more! Living space was made to entertain. Kitchen adjacent to spacious living leaves nothing missed...built in hutch, Top of the line appliances, pantry wall, & spacious island. Sliding doors lead to outdoor oasis. Private outdoor space complete w/pool, kitchen, fireplace, huge covered patio, & bath. Sudderth hits it home w/the master suite. Forward thinking master bedroom is simply SEXY! EXPERIENCE the master bath w/HUGE walk-in closet, built-ins galore, & laundry. Well thought out 2nd level features: OVERSIZED game room, 2 bed, 2bth, 1 half bth, Large walk-in heated & cooled storage, & laundry. A HOME WORTH DREAMING ABOUT.

Completely custom hand-hewn reclaimed timber & stone veneer hood surrounding Thermador 48" professional range and hood insert. Custom distressed rustic cherry cabinetry and honed granite counter tops. Herringbone back splash. Photo by: Tom Martineau (Martineau Design)

Jeff McNamara Photography
Example of a home office design in New York

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Seattle

Spacecrafters Photography
Inspiration for a transitional exterior home remodel in Minneapolis

Casey Dunn
Farmhouse exterior home idea in Austin

Elegant kitchen photo in Columbus

This bathroom was a must for the homeowners of this 100 year old home. Having only 1 bathroom in the entire home and a growing family, things were getting a little tight. This bathroom was part of a basement renovation which ended up giving the homeowners 14” worth of extra headroom. The concrete slab is sitting on 2” of XPS. This keeps the heat from the heated floor in the bathroom instead of heating the ground and it’s covered with hand painted cement tiles. Sleek wall tiles keep everything clean looking and the niche gives you the storage you need in the shower. Custom cabinetry was fabricated and the cabinet in the wall beside the tub has a removal back in order to access the sewage pump under the stairs if ever needed. The main trunk for the high efficiency furnace also had to run over the bathtub which lead to more creative thinking. A custom box was created inside the duct work in order to allow room for an LED potlight. The seat to the toilet has a built in child seat for all the little ones who use this bathroom, the baseboard is a custom 3 piece baseboard to match the existing and the door knob was sourced to keep the classic transitional look as well. Needless to say, creativity and finesse was a must to bring this bathroom to reality. Although this bathroom did not come easy, it was worth every minute and a complete success in the eyes of our team and the homeowners. An outstanding team effort. Leon T. Switzer/Front Page Media Group

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Example of a large beach style gray two-story wood gable roof design in DC Metro

This bathroom was a must for the homeowners of this 100 year old home. Having only 1 bathroom in the entire home and a growing family, things were getting a little tight. This bathroom was part of a basement renovation which ended up giving the homeowners 14” worth of extra headroom. The concrete slab is sitting on 2” of XPS. This keeps the heat from the heated floor in the bathroom instead of heating the ground and it’s covered with hand painted cement tiles. Sleek wall tiles keep everything clean looking and the niche gives you the storage you need in the shower. Custom cabinetry was fabricated and the cabinet in the wall beside the tub has a removal back in order to access the sewage pump under the stairs if ever needed. The main trunk for the high efficiency furnace also had to run over the bathtub which lead to more creative thinking. A custom box was created inside the duct work in order to allow room for an LED potlight. The seat to the toilet has a built in child seat for all the little ones who use this bathroom, the baseboard is a custom 3 piece baseboard to match the existing and the door knob was sourced to keep the classic transitional look as well. Needless to say, creativity and finesse was a must to bring this bathroom to reality. Although this bathroom did not come easy, it was worth every minute and a complete success in the eyes of our team and the homeowners. An outstanding team effort. Leon T. Switzer/Front Page Media Group

A Picture's Worth
Example of a classic blue one-story vinyl house exterior design in Boston

We always say that a powder room is the “gift” you give to the guests in your home; a special detail here and there, a touch of color added, and the space becomes a delight! This custom beauty, completed in January 2020, was carefully crafted through many construction drawings and meetings. We intentionally created a shallower depth along both sides of the sink area in order to accommodate the location of the door openings. (The right side of the image leads to the foyer, while the left leads to a closet water closet room.) We even had the casing/trim applied after the countertop was installed in order to bring the marble in one piece! Setting the height of the wall faucet and wall outlet for the exposed P-Trap meant careful calculation and precise templating along the way, with plenty of interior construction drawings. But for such detail, it was well worth it. From the book-matched miter on our black and white marble, to the wall mounted faucet in matte black, each design element is chosen to play off of the stacked metallic wall tile and scones. Our homeowners were thrilled with the results, and we think their guests are too!

LAIR Architectural & Interior Photography
Entryway - rustic entryway idea in Dallas

Curtis and Peggy had been thinking of a kitchen remodel for quite some time, but they knew their house would have a unique set of challenges. Their older Victorian house was built in 1891. The kitchen cabinetry was original, and they wanted to keep the authenticity of their period home while adding modern comforts that would improve their quality of life. A friend recommended Advance Design Studio for their exceptional experience and quality of work. After meeting with designer Michelle Lecinski at Advance Design, they were confident they could partner with Advance to accomplish the unique kitchen renovation they’d been talking about for years. “We wanted to do the kitchen for a long, long time,” Curtis said. “(We asked ourselves) what are we actually going to do? How are we going to do this? And who are we going to find to do exactly what we want?” The goal for the project was to keep the home renovation and new kitchen feeling authentic to the time in which it was built. They desperately wanted the modern comforts that come with a larger refrigerator and the dishwasher that they never had! The old home was also a bit drafty so adding a fireplace, wall insulation and new windows became a priority. They very much wanted to create a comfortable hearth room adjacent to the kitchen, complete with old world brick. The original cabinetry had to go to make way for beautiful new kitchen cabinetry that appears as if it was a hundred years old, but with all the benefits of cutting-edge storage, self-closing drawers, and a brand-new look. “We just wanted to keep it old looking, but with some modern updates,” Peggy said. Dura Supreme Highland Cabinets with a Heritage Old World Painted Finish replaced the original 1891 cabinets. The hand-applied careful rubbed-off detailing makes these exquisite cabinets look as if they came from a far-gone era. Despite the small size of the kitchen, Peggy, Curtis and Michelle utilized every inch with custom cabinet sizes to increase storage capacity. The custom cabinets allowed for the addition of a 24” Fisher Paykel dishwasher with a concealing Dura Supreme door panel. Michelle was also able to work into the new design a larger 30” Fisher Paykel French refrigerator. “We made every ¼ inch count in this small space,” designer Michelle said. “Having the ability to custom size the cabinetry was the only way to achieve this.” “The kitchen essentially was designed around the Heartland Vintage range and oven,” says Michelle. A classic appliance that combines nostalgic beauty and craftsmanship for modern cooking, with nickel plated trim and elegantly shaped handles and legs; the not to miss range is a striking focal point of the entire room and an engaging conversation piece. Granite countertops in Kodiak Satin with subtle veining kept with the old-world style. The delicate porcelain La Vie Crackle Sonoma tile kitchen backsplash compliments the home’s style perfectly. A handcrafted passthrough designed to show off Peggy’s fine china was custom built by project carpenters Justin Davis and Jeff Dallain to physically and visually open the space. Additional storage was created in the custom panty room with Latte Edinburg cabinets, hand-made weathered wood shelving with authentic black iron brackets, and an intricate tin copper ceiling. Peggy and Curtis loved the idea of adding a Vermont stove to make the hearth-room not only functional, but a truly beckoning place to be. A stunning Bordeaux red Vermont Castings Stove with crisp black ventilation was chosen and combined with the authentic reclaimed Chicago brick wall. Advance’s talented carpenters custom-built elegant weathered shelves to house family memorabilia, installed carefully chosen barn sconces, and made the hearth room an inviting place to relax with a cup of coffee and a good book. “Peggy and Curtis’ project was so much fun to work on. Creating a space that looks and feels like it always belonged in this beautiful old Victorian home is a designer’s dream. To see the delight in their faces when they saw the design details coming together truly made it worth the time and effort that went into making the very compact kitchen space work”, said Michelle. “The result is an amazing custom kitchen, packed with functionality in every inch, nook and cranny!” exclaims Michelle. The renovation didn’t end with the kitchen. New Pella windows were added to help lessen the drafts. The removal of the original windows and trim necessitated the re-creation of hand-made corbels and trim details no longer available today. The talented carpenter team came to the rescue, crafting new pieces and masterfully finishing them as if they were always there. New custom gutters were formed and installed with a front entry rework necessary to accommodate the changes. The whole house functions better, but it still feels like the original 1891 home. “From start to finish it’s just a much better space than we used to have,” Peggy said. “Jeff and Justin were amazing.” Curtis added; “We were lucky to find Advance Design, because they really came through for us. I loved that they had everything in house, anything you needed to have done, they could do it”.

MAKING A STATEMENT sited on EXPANSIVE Nichols Hills lot. Worth the wait...STUNNING MASTERPIECE by Sudderth Design. ULTIMATE in LUXURY features oak hardwoods throughout, HIGH STYLE quartz and marble counters, catering kitchen, Statement gas fireplace, wine room, floor to ceiling windows, cutting-edge fixtures, ample storage, and more! Living space was made to entertain. Kitchen adjacent to spacious living leaves nothing missed...built in hutch, Top of the line appliances, pantry wall, & spacious island. Sliding doors lead to outdoor oasis. Private outdoor space complete w/pool, kitchen, fireplace, huge covered patio, & bath. Sudderth hits it home w/the master suite. Forward thinking master bedroom is simply SEXY! EXPERIENCE the master bath w/HUGE walk-in closet, built-ins galore, & laundry. Well thought out 2nd level features: OVERSIZED game room, 2 bed, 2bth, 1 half bth, Large walk-in heated & cooled storage, & laundry. A HOME WORTH DREAMING ABOUT.

A Murphy bed lends a comfortable guest space in an office.
Example of a small french country guest bedroom design in Denver