Mike and Michelle of Lake Barrington knew they needed extra space. Their home was becoming too crowded for their family with blossoming teenagers, so a basement renovation offered the perfect solution for more space for the kids and more room to entertain for the adults. “Our project consisted of expanding our laundry room, putting in a first floor wet bar so we had adult space upstairs, while also renovating our basement for a family-friendly and teen-functional area as well,” Michelle says. They found Advance Design Studio through a neighbor who gave a glowing recommendation, giving Michelle and Mike the confidence they needed to move forward with a major home renovation. They felt like they knew Advance Design before they even worked together. When they met with the owner Todd Jurs and designer Nicole Ryan, Mike and Michelle knew they were getting a trustworthy, dependable team that could create the project they had been dreaming about for 7 years. Having virtually no natural light to work with, one of the biggest design challenges was creating a basement that did not feel dark and depressing. The Advance team got to work creating architectural archways and custom detailed dry-stack stone columns artfully designed into the space, adding a dramatic element that made the space feel less like a basement or more like a relaxing family room. Color 3D renderings were created to portray what the space would look like so Mike and Michelle could visualize the space in advance. Detailed trim and crown moldings grace the built in buffet and wet bar making for an amazingly functional space that lacks nothing in style and visual interest. Cherry wood cabinetry by Dura Supreme is featured in the space with a “Cocoa Brown” finish and includes beautiful mirrored glass doors embellished with unique elliptical mullion details. A built-in microwave, dishwasher and mini fridge add practicality to the ample entertainment mecca. An under mounted sink finishes the space joined with a intricate mosaic tile backsplash and “Ventisca Polished” quartz countertops. The basement is absolutely perfect for hosting friends and family with expertly designed key areas such as a game space for the kids, a movie area for the family, an ample workout room with luxurious full bath, and even built in wine storage. The family absolutely loves the new basement living space, and has already enjoyed numerous family movie nights and sleep-overs with friends. While custom cabinets made by Dura Supreme were used to create unique spaces that lived up to Mike and Michelle’s expectations., heated flooring under the 16”x16” “Mongolian Spring” tile was installed giving all tiled areas of the basement a much cozier feel, eliminating that cold hard surface most of us hate in our basements! The new basement must-have requirement list included a new bath space, which was incorporated adjacent to the work out room. The sleek shower door and cabinets in the new bathroom make guests and family feel like they are in an elegant hotel. The new guest bath features 4”x36” “Silver Screen” honed marble tile in a brick pattern on the shower walls and 2”x2” “Chenille” limestone tile in a hexagon mosaic pattern on the shower floor. “I came in with very specific requirements for our three project areas,” Michelle says. “There was not one time that I felt like I was asking for something that was not going to turn out how I anticipated.” Tying in multiple rooms during a renovation if you have can do it makes a lot of sense and saves money in the long run. A fully functional laundry room as well was a must on this family’s wish list. Michelle wanted to add space to the existing cramped and awkward laundry room, and Mike wanted to make sure they could still park a car in the garage. Reconfiguring interior walls required borrowing unused space cleverly from the garage in order to enlarge the laundry room space. Drawers under the stairs added beautiful hidden storage created almost magically out of dead space. White painted Dura Supreme cabinets bring additional light into the small space; while the 16”x16” cleft slate tile flooring provides excellent contrast and the naturally earthy feel Michelle wanted. Quartz countertops with a 3”x12” “Debut Dew” subway tile backsplash add elegance to the now upliftingly bright laundry room. The extra space makes doing laundry much more pleasurable and the added storage is a great for all those little things like winter hats and gloves, umbrellas and the like. “The Advance Design project team was phenomenal to work with,” Michelle says. “They came in, shared the plans with us and walked us through the expectations. We always knew what was coming next.” Converting an existing closet space, the wet bar upstairs was challenging because they wanted a functional area that didn’t look or feel like cabinets just sticking out of a closet. So the Advance team transformed this ordinary closet space into a stunning wet bar that architecturally appears as if it’s always been there. Traditional, elegant hand carved custom molding matching the adjacent fireplace ties the new entertainment bar area in nicely with the existing family room and kitchen area. Featuring a built in wine refrigerator, Dura Supreme cabinetry in deep cherry wood elegantly displays wine bottles and etched glass mullion doors that fill with soft light in the evening hours. Cambria “Windermere” quartz countertops with a sophisticated hammered copper sink and a glimmering backsplash round out the stunning wet bar. Hosting parties and family functions has become much more enjoyable now that they have a dedicated beverage serving area large enough to include hors devours. All three projects were designed and constructed together at the same time, making for a cohesive project that was administered smoothly and easily both for the design team and for the family. Disruption to the home was minimal as each phase was completed in each project conclusively, and design and meeting time for the homeowner was efficient and organized making for an enjoyable process. “Advance Design was great to work with,” Michelle says. “I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a home improvement project. They took the time at the beginning to understand our needs, our budget, and our vision for our home. The field team was great, attentive, on time, cleaned up each day and made the overall experience very positive. We couldn't be happier with the finished product.” With the help of our talented, award winning design team you can create the basement, laundry room, or any other home renovation that you have been dreaming of. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating you home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-836-2600 or schedule an appointment to talk with us about that kitchen remodeling project. Joe Nowak

Photo of a large traditional galley dedicated laundry room in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige walls, a side-by-side washer and dryer and white floor.

PHOTOS: MIKE GULLION
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall dedicated laundry room in Other with an utility sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey walls, ceramic floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer and grey floor.

Elizabeth Steiner Photography
This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped utility room in Chicago with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white walls, ceramic floors, a side-by-side washer and dryer and brown floor.

The homeowners had just purchased this home in El Segundo and they had remodeled the kitchen and one of the bathrooms on their own. However, they had more work to do. They felt that the rest of the project was too big and complex to tackle on their own and so they retained us to take over where they left off. The main focus of the project was to create a master suite and take advantage of the rather large backyard as an extension of their home. They were looking to create a more fluid indoor outdoor space. When adding the new master suite leaving the ceilings vaulted along with French doors give the space a feeling of openness. The window seat was originally designed as an architectural feature for the exterior but turned out to be a benefit to the interior! They wanted a spa feel for their master bathroom utilizing organic finishes. Since the plan is that this will be their forever home a curbless shower was an important feature to them. The glass barn door on the shower makes the space feel larger and allows for the travertine shower tile to show through. Floating shelves and vanity allow the space to feel larger while the natural tones of the porcelain tile floor are calming. The his and hers vessel sinks make the space functional for two people to use it at once. The walk-in closet is open while the master bathroom has a white pocket door for privacy. Since a new master suite was added to the home we converted the existing master bedroom into a family room. Adding French Doors to the family room opened up the floorplan to the outdoors while increasing the amount of natural light in this room. The closet that was previously in the bedroom was converted to built in cabinetry and floating shelves in the family room. The French doors in the master suite and family room now both open to the same deck space. The homes new open floor plan called for a kitchen island to bring the kitchen and dining / great room together. The island is a 3” countertop vs the standard inch and a half. This design feature gives the island a chunky look. It was important that the island look like it was always a part of the kitchen. Lastly, we added a skylight in the corner of the kitchen as it felt dark once we closed off the side door that was there previously. Repurposing rooms and opening the floor plan led to creating a laundry closet out of an old coat closet (and borrowing a small space from the new family room). The floors become an integral part of tying together an open floor plan like this. The home still had original oak floors and the homeowners wanted to maintain that character. We laced in new planks and refinished it all to bring the project together. To add curb appeal we removed the carport which was blocking a lot of natural light from the outside of the house. We also re-stuccoed the home and added exterior trim.

This typical laundry room held dual purposes - laundry and mudroom. We created an effective use of this space with a wall mudroom locker for shoes and coats, and upper cabinets that go to the ceiling for maximum storage. Also added a little flare of style with the floating shelves! Designed by Wheatland Custom Cabinetry (www.wheatlandcabinets.com)

Unused attic space was converted to a functional, second floor laundry room complete with folding space and television!
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional galley dedicated laundry room in Indianapolis with open cabinets, solid surface benchtops, purple walls, vinyl floors, a stacked washer and dryer and grey floor.

The concept in this laundry room was to create a simple, easy to use and clean space with ample storage and a place removed from the central part of the home to house the necessity of the cats and their litter box needs. There was no need for glamour in the laundry room yet we were still able to create a simple, classy and highly utilitarian space. Photo credit: Fred Donham of PhotographerLink

Grary Keith Jackson Design Inc, Architect Matt McGhee, Builder Interior Design Concepts, Interior Designer
Photo of an expansive mediterranean u-shaped laundry room in Houston with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite benchtops, beige walls, travertine floors and a side-by-side washer and dryer.

Mid-sized traditional single-wall utility room in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige walls, travertine floors and a side-by-side washer and dryer.

This laundry room, was a space room in the back of the house where all the extra items would normally go. We converted it into a laundry room for better usage of the space. The compact design holds the laundry, linen closet, water meter, electrical panel and tons of storage all blend in seememless into the space to make this room fresh and inviting.

Plumbing Fixtures through Weinstein Supply Egg Harbor Township, NJ Design through Summer House Design Group Construction by D.L. Miner Construction
This is an example of a mid-sized eclectic single-wall dedicated laundry room in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue walls, a stacked washer and dryer, porcelain floors, beige floor and medium wood cabinets.

Small country galley dedicated laundry room in Phoenix with wood benchtops, blue walls, ceramic floors and a side-by-side washer and dryer.

Laundry Room
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary galley dedicated laundry room in Toronto with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, laminate benchtops, grey walls, porcelain floors and a concealed washer and dryer.

Perfect for a family of 6 (including the 2 large labs), this spacious laundry room/mud room has a plenty of storage so that laundry supplies, kids shoes and backpacks and pet food can be neatly tucked away. The style is a continuation of t he adjacent kitchen which is a luxurious industrial/farmhouse mix of elements such as complimentary woods, steel and top of the line appliances. Photography by Fred Donham of PhotographyLink

JANE BEILES
Photo of a mid-sized transitional galley dedicated laundry room in New York with shaker cabinets, a farmhouse sink, green cabinets, marble benchtops, ceramic floors, multi-coloured floor and yellow walls.

Tall utility cabinet with roll out shelves for ease of storage. Yogita Chablani
This is an example of a small transitional l-shaped dedicated laundry room in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige walls and a side-by-side washer and dryer.

Traditional laundry room in Other.

Dennis Mayer Photography
Photo of a large transitional galley utility room in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey walls, dark hardwood floors and a concealed washer and dryer.