We designed this kitchen using Plain & Fancy custom cabinetry with natural walnut and white pain finishes. The extra large island includes the sink and marble countertops. The matching marble backsplash features hidden spice shelves behind a mobile layer of solid marble. The cabinet style and molding details were selected to feel true to a traditional home in Greenwich, CT. In the adjacent living room, the built-in white cabinetry showcases matching walnut backs to tie in with the kitchen. The pantry encompasses space for a bar and small desk area. The light blue laundry room has a magnetized hanger for hang-drying clothes and a folding station. Downstairs, the bar kitchen is designed in blue Ultracraft cabinetry and creates a space for drinks and entertaining by the pool table. This was a full-house project that touched on all aspects of the ways the homeowners live in the space. Photos by Kyle Norton

Family/Entertaining Room with Linear Fireplace by Charles Cunniffe Architects http://cunniffe.com/projects/willoughby-way/ Photo by David O. Marlow

Contemporary family room in New York with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

David Deitrich
Inspiration for a traditional open concept family room in Other with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

This is an example of a large country enclosed family room in Detroit with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Inspiration for a mid-sized country open concept family room in St Louis with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Willie & Leslie of Barrington Hills loved the location of their home. Its breathtaking views overlooked a wooded backyard and a captivating lake. They didn’t want to move, but they needed more space. But the house was missing that big family room where everyone could gather, relax and converse, and the house was completely cut off visually from the beautiful outdoor view right outside! They knew what they wanted meant building an addition to their home. They began searching the internet and came across Advance Design Studio, and after browsing through project after project and reading one outstanding client review after another, they were sold on Advance Design. Additionally, they loved Advance Design’s “Common Sense Remodeling” process and felt confident that it would allow the Design/Build company to easily coordinate the multiple projects they wanted to complete all at one time. Willie and Leslie immediately set up a meeting with Owner Todd Jurs and Project Designer Claudia Pop. When the meeting ended, they were sure that Advance Design were the right people and the right approach for their project. "Establishing a direction and a budget is always key in project of this size," Todd said. "This house was screaming for a family room and it didn't have one. Ultimately, it's about working together towards the same goal of a beautiful functional addition." The project consisted of a significant family room addition with an extraordinary vaulted ceiling and floor to ceiling fireplace, a guest suite renovation with a luxury bath, a garage addition, and an adjoining outdoor patio renovation complete with a fantastic built in grilling station. The main goal was to add comfort and space to the existing home that would last their lifetime, and finally allow them to capture the amazing view of the backyard and lake that they never could really enjoy previously. Willie, Leslie and Claudia paid special attention to designing the space to make sure that the footprint of the room did not interfere with the views. Floor to ceiling Pella windows were incorporated into a spectacular window wall to provide plenty of natural light. Vaulted ceilings gave the room a bigger feel and the stunning floor to ceiling masonry fireplace was designed giving the room a rustic, comfortable feel of a Colorado Lodge. Barnwood doors and exposed wooden beams accentuate the crackling fireplace and family gathering space. An oversized statement chandelier bathes the space in soft light once the sun sets and compliments the exposed wood and fireplace perfectly. “It simple elegant and beautiful,” Designer Claudia Pop said. “It is a great family room that captures the views perfectly. They love the fireplace, the barndoors and the openness of the space we designed for the whole family now to enjoy.” And when warm weather beckons, the outdoor patio is a terrific place to spend an evening. The family now enjoys fall nights in front of their outdoor fireplace overlooking the quiet lake. Dekton Trillium Quartz counters tops adorn an amazing grilling bar. Nearly indestructible, they are the only manufactured stone product designed exclusively to withstand high heat in summer and extreme cold temperatures in winter. The guest bath renovation makes Willie and Leslie’s friends and family feel like they are staying at a 5-star hotel. Carlisle colored Maple cabinets from Medallion make a roomy dual vanity more than adequate with plenty of space to get ready for the day after a peaceful night’s sleep. Cambria Quartz countertops are durable and elegant, while contrasting the neutral cabinets flawlessly. Heated flooring from Warmly Yours is the cherry on top for this cozy guest bath. All the projects turned out better than they even imagined. Willie and Leslie now have a spacious family room with even better views of the lake and woods, a much larger garage, a fantastic relaxing outdoor patio, and a guest bath that makes it almost impossible to get the guest to leave after their stay. Are you thinking about a remodeling project? Talk to the experts at Advance Design about the renovation of your dreams. Now is the perfect time to renovate. Check out other amazing projects here. With “Common Sense Remodeling”, the process of renovating your home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-836-2600 or schedule an appointment to talk with us about your kitchen remodeling project, or any other home renovation you are planning. Our talented team can help you design and build the new space you’ve been dreaming about.

All Photos © Mike Healey Productions, Inc.
Large traditional open concept family room in Dallas with a home bar, beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a freestanding tv and brown floor.

Photo of a beach style open concept family room in Orange County with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

We replaced the brick with a Tuscan-colored stacked stone and added a wood mantel; the television was built-in to the stacked stone and framed out for a custom look. This created an updated design scheme for the room and a focal point. We also removed an entry wall on the east side of the home, and a wet bar near the back of the living area. This had an immediate impact on the brightness of the room and allowed for more natural light and a more open, airy feel, as well as increased square footage of the space. We followed up by updating the paint color to lighten the room, while also creating a natural flow into the remaining rooms of this first-floor, open floor plan. After removing the brick underneath the shelving units, we added a bench storage unit and closed cabinetry for storage. The back walls were finalized with a white shiplap wall treatment to brighten the space and wood shelving for accessories. On the left side of the fireplace, we added a single floating wood shelf to highlight and display the sword. The popcorn ceiling was scraped and replaced with a cleaner look, and the wood beams were stained to match the new mantle and floating shelves. The updated ceiling and beams created another dramatic focal point in the room, drawing the eye upward, and creating an open, spacious feel to the room. The room was finalized by removing the existing ceiling fan and replacing it with a rustic, two-toned, four-light chandelier in a distressed weathered oak finish on an iron metal frame. Photo Credit: Nina Leone Photography

This is an example of a country open concept family room in Oklahoma City with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

Darleen Halaby
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept family room in Orange County with beige walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and brown floor.

Comfortable and casual take on tailored coastal beach style interior.
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style open concept family room in Tampa with beige walls, light hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Den
Small transitional enclosed family room in New York with beige walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a built-in media wall and beige floor.

Interior Design, Custom Furniture Design, & Art Curation by Chango & Co. Photography by Raquel Langworthy See the project in Architectural Digest
Inspiration for an expansive transitional open concept family room in New York with beige walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Design ideas for a mediterranean open concept family room in Phoenix with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

This sprawling estate is reminiscent of a traditional manor set in the English countryside. The limestone and slate exterior gives way to refined interiors featuring reclaimed oak floors, plaster walls and reclaimed timbers.

Mary Powell Photography Kolter Homes- Cresswind at Peachtree City Built-In Units by Guildcraft Spruce Model Great Room Built-Ins with Arched Soffits
Photo of a traditional family room in Atlanta with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional open concept family room in Baltimore with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a concealed tv, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.