A new wine bar in place of the old ugly one. Quartz countertops pair with a decorative tile backsplash. The green cabinets surround an under counter wine refrigerator. The knotty alder floating shelves house cocktail bottles and glasses. Photos by Brian Covington

Kitchen Designer (Savannah Schmitt) Cabinetry (Eudora Full Access, Cottage Door Style, Creekstone with Bushed Gray Finish) Photographer (Keeneye) Interior Designer (JVL Creative - Jesse Vickers) Builder (Arnett Construction)

The bar features an extraordinary back lit sliced geode slab. The cabinets are inset with crocodile. Photo by Sam Smeed

A decidedly modern, no-nonsense vibe permeates this 2018 kitchen remodel in Huntington Woods. Sleek gray and white cabinets feature flush mounted pulls reminiscent of filing cabinets. Hardworking Viking appliances and an industrial looking citrus juicer stand ready to get things done. Minimalist bar stools tuck neatly away beneath the extended island countertop. The one-handled, high arc faucet with gourmet spray joins an under-mount sink in front of an unadorned new picture window. Contemporary French doors by Weather Shield flank either side of the sink to create a calming sense of symmetry and balance. A second glance reveals understated touches that soften the edges of the kitchen to make it inviting and comfortable. Etched glass doors grace the upper cabinets in the side pantry. The stainless steel backsplashes wear a subtle, circular rubbed sheen. A trio of delicately bent glass pendants reminiscent of glowing Asian paper lanterns hover serenely above the length of the island's waterfalled countertop. The quartzite countertops themselves appear soft, almost like translucent origami paper that has been lovingly folded, refolded, and smoothed back out. The countertop edges are mitered and gently square to cascade to the floor with a graceful waterfall effect down to the walnut floors. The initial room design included a walk-in pantry, which during construction was transformed into an open wine bar with finished cabinetry. The square stepped ceiling detail symmetrically positioned over the island is the pleasing result of dropping the ceiling by two inches to conceal an original dropped beam. The finished design honors the spirit of the home's original design while ushering it graciously into the present day.

Jay Sinclair

Emily Minton Redfield

Design by Lisa Lauren of Closet Works A spare entry closet offered the perfect opportunity for a home bar to be created. With custom LED lighting, glass cabinets and glass shelves, plus a drawer and cabinets for barware, this design is a top notch transformation.

Builder: Homes by True North Interior Designer: L. Rose Interiors Photographer: M-Buck Studio This charming house wraps all of the conveniences of a modern, open concept floor plan inside of a wonderfully detailed modern farmhouse exterior. The front elevation sets the tone with its distinctive twin gable roofline and hipped main level roofline. Large forward facing windows are sheltered by a deep and inviting front porch, which is further detailed by its use of square columns, rafter tails, and old world copper lighting. Inside the foyer, all of the public spaces for entertaining guests are within eyesight. At the heart of this home is a living room bursting with traditional moldings, columns, and tiled fireplace surround. Opposite and on axis with the custom fireplace, is an expansive open concept kitchen with an island that comfortably seats four. During the spring and summer months, the entertainment capacity of the living room can be expanded out onto the rear patio featuring stone pavers, stone fireplace, and retractable screens for added convenience. When the day is done, and it’s time to rest, this home provides four separate sleeping quarters. Three of them can be found upstairs, including an office that can easily be converted into an extra bedroom. The master suite is tucked away in its own private wing off the main level stair hall. Lastly, more entertainment space is provided in the form of a lower level complete with a theatre room and exercise space.

Inspiro 8 Studios

Karen and Chad of Tower Lakes, IL were tired of their unfinished basement functioning as nothing more than a storage area and depressing gym. They wanted to increase the livable square footage of their home with a cohesive finished basement design, while incorporating space for the kids and adults to hang out. “We wanted to make sure that upon renovating the basement, that we can have a place where we can spend time and watch movies, but also entertain and showcase the wine collection that we have,” Karen said. After a long search comparing many different remodeling companies, Karen and Chad found Advance Design Studio. They were drawn towards the unique “Common Sense Remodeling” process that simplifies the renovation experience into predictable steps focused on customer satisfaction. “There are so many other design/build companies, who may not have transparency, or a focused process in mind and I think that is what separated Advance Design Studio from the rest,” Karen said. Karen loved how designer Claudia Pop was able to take very high-level concepts, “non-negotiable items” and implement them in the initial 3D drawings. Claudia and Project Manager DJ Yurik kept the couple in constant communication through the project. “Claudia was very receptive to the ideas we had, but she was also very good at infusing her own points and thoughts, she was very responsive, and we had an open line of communication,” Karen said. A very important part of the basement renovation for the couple was the home gym and sauna. The “high-end hotel” look and feel of the openly blended work out area is both highly functional and beautiful to look at. The home sauna gives them a place to relax after a long day of work or a tough workout. “The gym was a very important feature for us,” Karen said. “And I think (Advance Design) did a very great job in not only making the gym a functional area, but also an aesthetic point in our basement”. An extremely unique wow-factor in this basement is the walk in glass wine cellar that elegantly displays Karen and Chad’s extensive wine collection. Immediate access to the stunning wet bar accompanies the wine cellar to make this basement a popular spot for friends and family. The custom-built wine bar brings together two natural elements; Calacatta Vicenza Quartz and thick distressed Black Walnut. Sophisticated yet warm Graphite Dura Supreme cabinetry provides contrast to the soft beige walls and the Calacatta Gold backsplash. An undermount sink across from the bar in a matching Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop adds functionality and convenience to the bar, while identical distressed walnut floating shelves add an interesting design element and increased storage. Rich true brown Rustic Oak hardwood floors soften and warm the space drawing all the areas together. Across from the bar is a comfortable living area perfect for the family to sit down at a watch a movie. A full bath completes this finished basement with a spacious walk-in shower, Cocoa Brown Dura Supreme vanity with Calacatta Vicenza Quartz countertop, a crisp white sink and a stainless-steel Voss faucet. Advance Design’s Common Sense process gives clients the opportunity to walk through the basement renovation process one step at a time, in a completely predictable and controlled environment. “Everything was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to it’s full potential,” Karen said. Constantly striving for customer satisfaction, Advance Design’s success is heavily reliant upon happy clients referring their friends and family. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a remodeling project small or large,” Karen exclaimed at the completion of her project.

Blue custom cabinets, brick, lighting and quartz counters!

Custom bar in library. A mix of solid walnut and botticino classico marble. With integrated cabinet pulls and lighting under stone shelves. Photos by Nicole Franzen

Photo Credit: Studio Three Beau