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.

Large transitional l-shaped wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, vinyl floors, brown floor and beige benchtop.

Adam Gibson
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Photography by Starboard & Port of Springfield, MO.
Inspiration for a large transitional galley wet bar in Other with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets and copper benchtops.

In partnership with Charles Cudd Co Photo by John Hruska Orono MN, Architectural Details, Architecture, JMAD, Jim McNeal, Shingle Style Home, Transitional Design Basement Wet Bar, Home Bar, Lake View, Walkout Basement

Stefanie Rawlinson Photography
Large transitional u-shaped home bar in Other with shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback and light hardwood floors.

Photo by Allen Russ, Hoachlander Davis Photography
This is an example of a small transitional single-wall seated home bar in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite benchtops, brown splashback, timber splashback, porcelain floors and multi-coloured floor.

Todd Yarrington
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley wet bar in Columbus with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, mirror splashback and medium hardwood floors.

Basement Bar Matt Mansueto
Large transitional wet bar in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Nora Best
Small transitional single-wall wet bar in Other with white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, medium hardwood floors, shaker cabinets and brown floor.

Photo of a large transitional u-shaped seated home bar in Denver with raised-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, grey splashback, an undermount sink, quartz benchtops, marble splashback, carpet and multi-coloured floor.

Stoffer Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall home bar in Grand Rapids with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in New York with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface benchtops, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

Small transitional single-wall home bar in Orange County with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

A wonderfully useful bar/butler's pantry between the kitchen and dining room is created with rich gray painted cabinets and a marble counter top.
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional galley wet bar in New York with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, dark hardwood floors, brown floor, mirror splashback and recessed-panel cabinets.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional single-wall wet bar in Other with white cabinets, brown floor, glass-front cabinets, white splashback and dark hardwood floors.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall seated home bar in Edmonton with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, marble benchtops, black splashback, porcelain floors, beige floor and mosaic tile splashback.

Small transitional l-shaped wet bar in Austin with white cabinets, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, matchstick tile splashback, porcelain floors and brown floor.

Jane Beiles
Photo of a small transitional single-wall home bar in DC Metro with no sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, mirror splashback, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.