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.

Custom bar in library. A mix of solid walnut and botticino classico marble. With integrated cabinet pulls and lighting under stone shelves. Photos by Nicole Franzen

Two cabinets and two floating shelves were used to turn this empty space into the perfect wet bar in the recreation room. Featuring integrated shelving lighting and a mini fridge, this couple will be able to host friends and family for multiple parties and holidays to come.

Pool parties and sports-watching are cherished activities for the family of this 1961 ranch home in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood. As the design process evolved, the idea of the Ultimate Cocktail Bar emerged and developed into an integral component of the new bright kitchen.

Mid-sized traditional single-wall seated home bar in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and beige benchtop.

This is an example of a large transitional seated home bar in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors, an undermount sink, black cabinets, marble benchtops, subway tile splashback, brown floor and white benchtop.

©Sean Costello Photography
Beach style single-wall wet bar in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, medium hardwood floors and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a mid-sized country seated home bar in Columbus with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, porcelain floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Bridgeport with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Contemporary single-wall wet bar in Denver with an undermount sink, multi-coloured splashback, beige benchtop and shaker cabinets.

Inspiration for a small country single-wall wet bar in Chicago with no sink, glass-front cabinets, grey cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, timber splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and brown benchtop.

Design ideas for a country single-wall wet bar in Dallas with an undermount sink, blue cabinets, white splashback and glass-front cabinets.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in San Francisco with no sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

We remodeled the interior of this home including the kitchen with new walk into pantry with custom features, the master suite including bathroom, living room and dining room. We were able to add functional kitchen space by finishing our clients existing screen porch and create a media room upstairs by flooring off the vaulted ceiling.

This is an example of a mid-sized beach style u-shaped seated home bar in Philadelphia with glass benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, blue benchtop, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary single-wall wet bar in Salt Lake City with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors, grey floor and white benchtop.

Joshua Hill
Small modern single-wall wet bar in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, an undermount sink, white splashback, stone slab splashback and white benchtop.

Photo of a transitional single-wall wet bar in Calgary with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor, marble benchtops, marble splashback and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a small traditional single-wall wet bar in New York with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback and subway tile splashback.