Glorious copper sink with brass faucet on this custom furniture vanity are just out of this world. Meyer Design

Powder room on the main level has a cowboy rustic quality to it. Reclaimed barn wood shiplap walls make it very warm and rustic. The floating vanity adds a modern touch.

Tom Zikas

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath.

Cement tiles

The beautiful, old barn on this Topsfield estate was at risk of being demolished. Before approaching Mathew Cummings, the homeowner had met with several architects about the structure, and they had all told her that it needed to be torn down. Thankfully, for the sake of the barn and the owner, Cummings Architects has a long and distinguished history of preserving some of the oldest timber framed homes and barns in the U.S. Once the homeowner realized that the barn was not only salvageable, but could be transformed into a new living space that was as utilitarian as it was stunning, the design ideas began flowing fast. In the end, the design came together in a way that met all the family’s needs with all the warmth and style you’d expect in such a venerable, old building. On the ground level of this 200-year old structure, a garage offers ample room for three cars, including one loaded up with kids and groceries. Just off the garage is the mudroom – a large but quaint space with an exposed wood ceiling, custom-built seat with period detailing, and a powder room. The vanity in the powder room features a vanity that was built using salvaged wood and reclaimed bluestone sourced right on the property. Original, exposed timbers frame an expansive, two-story family room that leads, through classic French doors, to a new deck adjacent to the large, open backyard. On the second floor, salvaged barn doors lead to the master suite which features a bright bedroom and bath as well as a custom walk-in closet with his and hers areas separated by a black walnut island. In the master bath, hand-beaded boards surround a claw-foot tub, the perfect place to relax after a long day. In addition, the newly restored and renovated barn features a mid-level exercise studio and a children’s playroom that connects to the main house. From a derelict relic that was slated for demolition to a warmly inviting and beautifully utilitarian living space, this barn has undergone an almost magical transformation to become a beautiful addition and asset to this stately home.

Sky Blue Media

Karen Dorsey Photography

The clients wanted to turn their bathroom into a luxurious master suite. They liked the location of the tub and shower, so we kept the layout of the bathroom the same. We removed the wall paper and all finishes, fixtures and existing mirrors and started over. Atrium Marte Perla porcelain flooring was installed which is tougher, more scratch resistant than other varieties, and more durable and resistant to stains. We added a beautiful Victoria+Albert Radford freestanding tub with a beautiful brushed nickel crystal chandelier above it. His and hers vanities were reconfigured with 'Lehigh' Quality Cabinets finished in Chiffon with Tuscan glaze with Venus White Marble counter tops. Two beautiful Restoration Hardware Ventian Beaded mirrors now mirrored each other across the bathroom, separated by the open corner display shelves for knickknacks and keepsakes. The shower remained the same footprint with two entrances but the window overlooking the bathtub changed sizes and directions. We lined the shower floor with a more contemporary Dolomite Terra Marine Marble Mosaic tile, surrounded by gray glossy ceramic tiles on the walls. The polished nickel hardware finished it off beautifully! Design/Remodel by Hatfield Builders & Remodelers | Photography by Versatile Imaging

Kathleen Wallace

Lilian August Hutchinson Mirror, Rist Corporation 24 Sconce, Walker Zanger Ash Grey Small Brick Offset back splash, Ferguson Enterprises Archer Toilet and Newport Brass Aylesbury Wide Spread Lav Faucet, Hines & Company Hemp Wall Covering in Lunar Gray,

This traditional powder room design brings a touch of glamor to the home. The distressed finish vanity cabinet is topped with a Carrara countertop, and accented with polished brass hardware and faucets. This is complemented by the wallpaper color scheme and the classic marble tile floor design. These elements come together to create a one-of-a-kind space for guests to freshen up.

Photography by Gillian Jackson