The large wet bar featuring bar-stool seating, open shelving, and stainless steel appliances in the Elgin basement.

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

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Collaborations with builders on new construction is a favorite part of my job. I love seeing a house go up from the blueprints to the end of the build. It is always a journey filled with a thousand decisions, some creative on-the-spot thinking and yes, usually a few stressful moments. This Naperville project was a collaboration with a local builder and architect. The Kitchen Studio collaborated by completing the cabinetry design and final layout for the entire home. In the basement, we carried the warm gray tones into a custom bar, featuring a 90” wide beverage center from True Appliances. The glass shelving in the open cabinets and the antique mirror give the area a modern twist on a classic pub style bar. If you are building a new home, The Kitchen Studio can offer expert help to make the most of your new construction home. We provide the expertise needed to ensure that you are getting the most of your investment when it comes to cabinetry, design and storage solutions. Give us a call if you would like to find out more! Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Builder: Hampton Homes Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Built by: Ruben Alamillo ruby2sday52@gmail.com 951.941.8304 This bar features a wine refrigerator at each end and doors applied to match the cabinet doors. Materials used for this project are a 36”x 12’ Parota live edge slab for the countertop, paint grade plywood for the cabinets, and 1/2” x 2” x 12” wood planks that were painted & textured for the wall background. The shelves and decor provided by the designer.

Dustin.Peck.Photography.Inc

This guest bedroom transform into a family room and a murphy bed is lowered with guests need a place to sleep. Built in cherry cabinets and cherry paneling is around the entire room. The glass cabinet houses a humidor for cigar storage. Two floating shelves offer a spot for display and stacked stone is behind them to add texture. A TV was built in to the cabinets so it is the ultimate relaxing zone. A murphy bed folds down when an extra bed is needed.

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Kip Dawkins

Bar area done in warm tones. Faux painting beneath top of bar with speciality lighting. Photo by David Keith

Jason Hartog Photography

This built-in home bar adds storage and function to the lounge area off of the kitchen and living rooms. The mosaic tile backsplash adds a unique flair.

This transitional-style kitchen revels in sophistication and practicality. Michigan-made luxury inset cabinetry by Bakes & Kropp Fine Cabinetry in linen establish a posh look, while also offering ample storage space. The large center island and bar hutch, in a contrasting dark stained walnut, offer space for seating and entertaining, as well as adding creative and useful features, such as walnut pull-out serving trays. Light colored quartz countertops offer sophistication, as well as practical durability. The white lotus-design backsplash from Artistic Tile lends an understated drama, creating the perfect backdrop for the Bakes & Kropp custom range hood in walnut and stainless steel. Two-toned panels conceal the refrigerator to continue the room's polished look. This kitchen is perfectly practical luxury in every way!

Stunning built in wet bar with black and white geometric tile, floating shelves, glass front cabinets, built in wine refrigerator and ice maker. Perfect for entertaining.

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.

Created by CASON luxury home - Media room with kitchen. Baja blue granite, with lucien metallics tile from Ann Sacks

The bar areas in the basement also serves as a small kitchen for when family and friends gather. A soft grey brown finish on the cabinets combines perfectly with brass hardware and accents. The drink fridge and microwave are functional for entertaining. The recycled glass tile is a show stopper!