This Cole Valley home is transformed through the integration of a skylight shaft that brings natural light to both stories and nearly all living space within the home. The ingenious design creates a dramatic shift in volume for this modern, two-story rear addition, completed in only four months. In appreciation of the home’s original Victorian bones, great care was taken to restore the architectural details of the front façade.

Added small mud room space in Laundry Room. Modern wallcovering Graham and Brown. Porcelain Tile Floors Fabrique from Daltile. Dash and Albert rug, Custom shelving with hooks. Baldwin Door handles. Cabinet custom white paint to match previous trim.

Stephanie London Photography

JVL Photography

Athos Kyriakides

We designed this beautiful space for our client, who wanted more storage and function in her laundry room. Working with this limited footprint, we provided her with plenty of storage, a deep undermount stainless steel sink with granite counter tops, and a clothing rod to dry clothes. In terms of storage, we added a wall cabinet, base cabinet, wall shelving, and a tall utilities cabinet with roll out shelves. Photos by Yogita Chablani

Previously the laundry area was a closet with a pass through area that lead to a hallway for the bedrooms. Since there was already access to the bedrooms on the other side of the wall, we closed off the pass through, removed the closet doors in front of the washer/ dryer and gave the client a functional and usefully laundry room. Coast to Coast Design, LLC

Vantage Architectural Imagery

Unlimited Style Photography

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.

A redesign of a laundry room that allowed for a new butler's pantry space and a laundry space. Spatial design and decoration by AJ Margulis Interiors. Photos by Paul Bartholomew. Construction by Martin Builders.

Within the master bedroom was a small entry hallway and extra closet. A perfect spot to carve out a small laundry room. Full sized stacked washer and dryer fit perfectly with left over space for adjustable shelves to hold supplies. New louvered doors offer ventilation and work nicely with the home’s plantation shutters throughout. Photography by Erika Bierman

My client wanted to be sure that her new kitchen was designed in keeping with her homes great craftsman detail. We did just that while giving her a “modern” kitchen. Windows over the sink were enlarged, and a tiny half bath and laundry closet were added tucked away from sight. We had trim customized to match the existing. Cabinets and shelving were added with attention to detail. An elegant bathroom with a new tiled shower replaced the old bathroom with tub. Ramona d'Viola photographer

Peter Krupenye