Mike and Anne of Barrington Hills desperately needed to update and renovate both their kid’s hall bath and guest bath, and in their 1980’s home each project presented a different set of unique challenges to overcome. When they set out to identify the right remodeling company to partner with, it was important to find a company that could help them to visualize design solutions for the bath renovations. When they came across Advance Design Studio’s website, they were immediately drawn to the solution-oriented remodeling process and the family friendly company. They say they chose Advance Design because of the integrated approach of “Common Sense Remodeling”, making the design, project management and construction all happen in one place. When they met with Project Designer Michelle Lecinski, they knew they chose the right company. “Michelle’s excellent work on the initial designs made it easy to proceed with Advance Design Studio,” Mike said. Like most homeowners anticipating a big renovation project, they had some healthy fears; with two bathrooms being remodeled at the same time they worried about timeframes and staying within budget. With the help of Michelle, and the “Common Sense” guidelines, they were confident that Advance Design would stay true, orchestrating all the moving parts to stay within both the estimated timeline and budget. The guest bath offered the biggest design challenge. A dormer obstruction made the already cramped shower awkward to access. Mike and Anne also wanted the shower size to be expanded, making it more accommodating. Working with Advance’s construction expert DJ Yurik, Michelle relocated the shower concealing the original dormer and creating a larger, more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing guest shower. The unsightly and not at all user-friendly closet was removed and replaced with elegant White Maple Dura Supreme cabinetry with much improved function featuring dual tall linen cabinets, a special makeup area and two sinks, providing a dual vanity which was extremely important for better guest use. The Fossil Brown quartz countertop is in pleasing contrast to the white cabinetry, and coordinates nicely with the mocha porcelain tile gracing the shower for an accent. The decorative glazed turquoise tile backsplash, tile border, and bottle niche adds a taste of marine green to the room, while marble-looking porcelain tile makes guests feel they are staying in a 5-star hotel. Polished nickel Kohler plumbing fixtures were chosen to add a touch of sophistication. This renovated guest bath is comfortable and elegant, and Anne and Mike’s house guests may never want to leave! “The end result was updated and restyled bathrooms that the client will enjoy and increase the value of their home,” Designer Michelle said. The children’s hall bath had its own set of challenges. The current placement of the sink was not conducive to the best use of the existing space, nor did it allow for any visual interest, something Advance’s designers always work to achieve even within the tight confines of a small bath. Advance removed the linen closet and used the gain in wall space to create a dramatic focal point on the vanity wall. They also took additional space that wasn’t being used for new Storm Gray Dura Supreme tall built-in linen cabinets, creating functional storage space that the former bath lacked. A customized glass splash panel was created for the bath, and the high ceilings with skylights were accented with a custom-made track lighting fixture featuring industrial pipe and cage materials. Authentic cement encaustic tile was used wall to wall surrounding the vanity to create a dramatic and interesting back drop for the new elegant and stately furniture-like double sink wall. Hand-made encaustic tile originated in Western Europe beginning in the 1850’s and reminded Mike and Anne of tile they had seen and loved from their travels overseas. Today, encaustic tile has made a re-appearance in today’s modern bath design with its wide array of appealing patterns and artistic use of color. Oil rubbed bronze Kohler fixtures echo the black accents in the beautiful tile pattern and reflect the matte black of the unique lighting detail. Easy to maintain Blanca Arabescato Quartz countertops add practicality and natural beauty and compliments the warm wood porcelain tile floors. This handsome bath has generated praise from friends and family even before it’s complete unveiling as photos of the space leaked out on social media! It’s not only completely functional to use, but especially pretty to look at. “Advance Design Studio did a terrific job for us. We really appreciated how easy it was to work with them on a complex project of the complete remodeling of two bathrooms. They very capably handled all the details from design, to project management, to construction. It is a great group of people to work with and we would welcome the opportunity to work with them again anytime,” Mike said.

Photo of a small modern bathroom in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, a shower/bathtub combo, gray tile, cement tile, grey walls, concrete floors, an integrated sink, marble benchtops, grey floor, a hinged shower door, multi-coloured benchtops, a niche, a single vanity and a floating vanity.

The house's second bathroom was only half a bath with an access door at the dining area. We extended the bathroom by an additional 36" into the family room and relocated the entry door to be in the minor hallway leading to the family room as well. A classical transitional bathroom with white crayon style tile on the walls, including the entire wall of the toilet and the vanity. The alcove tub has a barn door style glass shower enclosure. and the color scheme is a classical white/gold/blue mix.

Guest bathroom with custom touches and gold fixtures and hardware
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional bathroom in Dallas with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, white tile, subway tile, white walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, quartzite benchtops, beige floor, a shower curtain and multi-coloured benchtops.

This stunning master bath remodel is a place of peace and solitude from the soft muted hues of white, gray and blue to the luxurious deep soaking tub and shower area with a combination of multiple shower heads and body jets. The frameless glass shower enclosure furthers the open feel of the room, and showcases the shower’s glittering mosaic marble and polished nickel fixtures.

The family bathroom is quite traditional in style, with Lefroy Brooks fitments, polished marble counters, and oak parquet flooring. Although small in area, mirrored panelling behind the bath, a backlit medicine cabinet, and a decorative niche help increase the illusion of space. Photography: Bruce Hemming

Classic upper west side bathroom renovation featuring marble hexagon mosaic floor tile and classic white subway wall tile. Custom glass shower enclosure and tub.

Mid-sized transitional kids bathroom in Other with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, gray tile, subway tile, blue walls, ceramic floors, a drop-in sink, granite benchtops, multi-coloured floor, a shower curtain, multi-coloured benchtops, a niche, a double vanity and a built-in vanity.

This is the remodel of a hall bathroom with mid-century modern details done in a modern flair. This hall bathroom maintains the feel of this 1920's home with the subway tile, living brass finish faucets, classic white fixtures and period lighting.

Indulge in a lavish escape - where the serenity of a quartz bathtub/shower harmonizes with the timeless elegance of green ceramic tiles and shimmering gold mirrors.

When a large family renovated a home nestled in the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains, all bathrooms received dazzling upgrades, but in a family of three boys and only one girl, the boys must have their own space. This rustic styled bathroom feels like it is part of a fun bunkhouse in the West. We used a beautiful bleached oak for a vanity that sits on top of a multi colored pebbled floor. The swirling iridescent granite counter top looks like a mineral vein one might see in the mountains of Wyoming. We used a rusted-look porcelain tile in the shower for added earthy texture. Black plumbing fixtures and a urinal—a request from all the boys in the family—make this the ultimate rough and tumble rugged bathroom. Photos by: Bernardo Grijalva

Photo by Open Homes Photography
This is an example of a small transitional bathroom in San Francisco with raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, white tile, ceramic tile, white walls, an undermount sink, engineered quartz benchtops, a shower curtain and multi-coloured benchtops.

Photo of a mid-sized country bathroom in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a freestanding tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a two-piece toilet, white walls, laminate floors, an integrated sink, granite benchtops, brown floor, a shower curtain, multi-coloured benchtops, a single vanity, a freestanding vanity, timber and planked wall panelling.

We used the concept of a European wet room to maximize shower space. The natural and aqua color scheme is carried through here and seen in the unique tile inset. The straight lines of the brick set tile are offset by the organic pebble floor.

Photo of a small country kids bathroom in Little Rock with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a two-piece toilet, gray tile, ceramic tile, grey walls, porcelain floors, an undermount sink, granite benchtops, grey floor, a shower curtain, multi-coloured benchtops, a niche, a single vanity and a built-in vanity.

Photo of a small beach style bathroom in Orlando with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, a drop-in tub, a shower/bathtub combo, white tile, grey walls, granite benchtops, multi-coloured benchtops, a single vanity and a built-in vanity.

Photo of a mid-sized beach style master bathroom in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, a drop-in tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, beige tile, ceramic tile, beige walls, laminate floors, a drop-in sink, marble benchtops, beige floor, a hinged shower door, multi-coloured benchtops, a single vanity and a floating vanity.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional kids bathroom in Los Angeles with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an alcove tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a one-piece toilet, white tile, pink walls, an undermount sink, grey floor, an open shower, multi-coloured benchtops, porcelain tile, marble floors and marble benchtops.

Thomas Grady Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional kids bathroom in Omaha with raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, a drop-in tub, a shower/bathtub combo, a two-piece toilet, green tile, glass tile, grey walls, mosaic tile floors, an undermount sink, solid surface benchtops, white floor, a shower curtain and multi-coloured benchtops.