Beautiful Finishes and Lighting

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.

This beverage center located in the kitchen creates a separate space and additional storage for the families wine collection and beverage.

Photos by JMB Photoworks

This custom designed basement home bar in Smyrna features a textured naples finish, with built-in wine racks, clear glass door insert upper cabinets, shaker door lower cabinets, a pullout trash can and brushed chrome hardware.

This charming European-inspired home juxtaposes old-world architecture with more contemporary details. The exterior is primarily comprised of granite stonework with limestone accents. The stair turret provides circulation throughout all three levels of the home, and custom iron windows afford expansive lake and mountain views. The interior features custom iron windows, plaster walls, reclaimed heart pine timbers, quartersawn oak floors and reclaimed oak millwork.

Built in 1915, this classic craftsman style home is located in the Capitol Mansions Historic District. When the time came to remodel, the homeowners wanted to continue to celebrate its history by keeping with the craftsman style but elevating the kitchen’s function to include the latest in quality cabinetry and modern appliances. The new spacious kitchen (and adjacent walk-in pantry) provides the perfect environment for a couple who loves to cook and entertain. White perimeter cabinets and dark soapstone counters make a timeless and classic color palette. Designed to have a more furniture-like feel, the large island has seating on one end and is finished in an historically inspired warm grey paint color. The vertical stone “legs” on either side of the gas range-top highlight the cooking area and add custom detail within the long run of cabinets. Wide barn doors designed to match the cabinet inset door style slide open to reveal a spacious appliance garage, and close when the kitchen goes into entertainer mode. Finishing touches such as the brushed nickel pendants add period style over the island. A bookcase anchors the corner between the kitchen and breakfast area providing convenient access for frequently referenced cookbooks from either location. Just around the corner from the kitchen, a large walk-in butler’s pantry in cheerful yellow provides even more counter space and storage ability. Complete with an undercounter wine refrigerator, a deep prep sink, and upper storage at a glance, it’s any chef’s happy place. Photo credit: Fred Donham of Photographerlink

The exquisite transformation of the kitchen in Silo Point Luxury Condominiums is a masterpiece of refinement—a testament to elegant design and optimized spatial planning. Jeanine Turner, the creative force behind Turner Design Firm, skillfully orchestrated this renovation with a clear vision—to harness and amplify the breathtaking views that the condominium's generous glass expanses offer from the open floor plan. Central to the renovation's success was the decisive removal of the walls that previously enclosed the refrigerator. This bold move radically enhanced the flow of the space, allowing for an uninterrupted visual connection from the kitchen through to the plush lounge and elegant dining area, and culminating in an awe-inspiring, unobstructed view of the harbor through the stately full-height windows. A testament to the renovation's meticulous attention to detail, the selection of the quartzite countertops resulted from an extensive and discerning search. Creating the centerpiece of the renovation, these breathtaking countertops stand out as a dazzling focal point amidst the kitchen's chic interiors, their natural beauty and resilience matching the aesthetic and functional needs of this sophisticated culinary setting. This redefined kitchen now boasts a seamless balance of form and function. The new design elegantly delineates the area into four distinct yet harmonious zones. The high-performance kitchen area is a chef's dream, with top-of-the-line appliances and ample workspace. Adjacent to it lies the inviting lounge, furnished with plush seating that encourages relaxation and conversation. The elegant dining space beckons with its sophisticated ambiance, while the charming coffee nook provides a serene escape for savoring a morning espresso or a peaceful afternoon read. Turner Design Firm's team member, Tessea McCrary, collaborated closely with the clients, ensuring the furniture selections echoed the homeowners' tastes and preferences, resulting in a living space that feels both luxurious and inviting.

© Lassiter Photography | ReVisionCharlotte.com

Hand-polished lacquered cabinet doors and drawer faces inlayed with buffed brass and integral pulls create a modern, tailored statement. The composition of the lower cabinet is set off against a polished and patinated brass counter, which brings a timeless nuance to this modern design. Amuneal’s Collector’s wall hung shelves provide relaxed, but luxurious, open shelving as the perfect complement to the bar below. All of our products are fabricated in Amuneal’s Philadelphia-based furniture studio and can be customized as required for residential and commercial spaces. This piece is on display at our New York Showroom.

Custom 10' brass wet bar with ebonized oak cabinets.

Dining Room Entertainment Bar