An open plan living space was created by taking down partition walls running between the posts. An egress window brings plenty of daylight into the space. Photo -

This LVP driftwood-inspired design balances overcast grey hues with subtle taupes. A smooth, calming style with a neutral undertone that works with all types of decor.The Modin Rigid luxury vinyl plank flooring collection is the new standard in resilient flooring. Modin Rigid offers true embossed-in-register texture, creating a surface that is convincing to the eye and to the touch; a low sheen level to ensure a natural look that wears well over time; four-sided enhanced bevels to more accurately emulate the look of real wood floors; wider and longer waterproof planks; an industry-leading wear layer; and a pre-attached underlayment. The Modin Rigid luxury vinyl plank flooring collection is the new standard in resilient flooring. Modin Rigid offers true embossed-in-register texture, creating a surface that is convincing to the eye and to the touch; a low sheen level to ensure a natural look that wears well over time; four-sided enhanced bevels to more accurately emulate the look of real wood floors; wider and longer waterproof planks; an industry-leading wear layer; and a pre-attached underlayment.

The new addition at the basement level allowed for the creation of a new bedroom space, allowing all residents in the home to have their own rooms.

James Benson Group

Penny Lane Home Builders

The new basement rec room featuring the TV mounted on the orginal exposed brick chimney

Small basement finish with rustic wood wall.

We built a multi-function wall-to-wall TV/entertainment and home office unit along a long wall in a basement. Our clients had 2 small children and already spent a lot of time in their basement, but needed a modern design solution to house their TV, video games, provide more storage, have a home office workspace, and conceal a protruding foundation wall. We designed a TV niche and open shelving for video game consoles and games, open shelving for displaying decor, overhead and side storage, sliding shelving doors, desk and side storage, open shelving, electrical panel hidden access, power and USB ports, and wall panels to create a flush cabinetry appearance. These custom cabinets were designed by O.NIX Kitchens & Living and manufactured in Italy by Biefbi Cucine in high gloss laminate and dark brown wood laminate.

Andrea Cipriani Mecchi: photo

Robb Siverson 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. Joe Nowak

Simple finishing touches like polished concrete and dark painted ceiling help this basement family room feel stylish and finished. Design by Kristyn Bester. Photo by Photo Art Portraits

Amoura Productions

A custom bar in gray cabinetry with built in wine cube, a wine fridge and a bar fridge. The washer and drier are hidden behind white door panels with oak wood countertop to give the space finished look.

Toddler play area

Two salvage doors were transformed into a cool industrial sliding barn door to partition off the unfinished laundry room area from the finished basement family room in this basement renovation by Arciform. A charming piece of art camoflauges the basement's original coal bins while sprayed out ceilings keep the basement's ductwork accessible while creating a finished feeling to the space. Design by Kristyn Bester. Photo by Photo Art Portraits