This is an example of a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Indianapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

This sleek and chic pastel blue kitchen project is a stylish German kitchen with a touch of raspberry. This project has been designed and built for a husband and wife in Fernhurst, West Sussex, who loves to entertain. The wife is also a professional baker, so she was very clear about the space she wanted to create. The renovation goal was a kitchen with enough space for creating baked goods and socialising. Additionally, it must have a clear boundary so that guests can circulate around the rest of the room without coming into the central cooking zone. To turn this idea to life, we built a long peninsula that provides plenty of workspace for baking and ample storage for all of the client's baking supplies. We used Nolte's Feel range in Platinum Grey for the cabinetry and incorporated a LeMans corner mechanism for the tambour and larder units to maximize storage space. The 560 metal tab pull handles finish off the look and completes the kitchen's sleek, modern aesthetic. The worktops are from Classic Quartz in Alaska Quartz, a marble-effect worksurface that complimented the grey Nolte doors. To add a pop of colour and liven up the room, we opted for a glass raspberry pink backsplash that blends seamlessly with the sleek and chic theme of the space. This contemporary kitchen was also designed with tea and coffee lovers in mind. We built a tea and coffee station using our Matrix 900 cabinetry, which is the perfect height for making coffee. Floating shelves are included for additional storage of tea and coffee supplies. Appliances from AEG, Neff, and Elica provide the much-needed functionality to the space, while Franke sinks and taps add the finishing touches. Overall, this modern kitchen is light and airy with a touch of pink for a bit of fun and personality.

The design brief for this project was to create a kitchen befitting an English country cottage. Denim beadboard cabinetry, aged tile, and natural stone countertops provide the feel of timelessness, while the antiqued bronze fixtures and decorative vent hood deliver a sense of bespoke craftsmanship. Efficient use of space planning creates a kitchen that packs a powerful punch into a small footprint. The end result was everything the client hoped for and more, giving them the cottage kitchen of their dreams!

Rénovation de l’ensemble de l’espace cuisine et séjour pour cette maison bourgeoise des Hauts de Seine. Bicolore, le volume généreux et contemporain s’ouvre sur un jardin arboré, dont l’image est reprise par un grand panoramique de paysage intérieur. Un plan de travail en quartz vient sublimer cette cuisine où fonctionnalité et modernité sont de mise.

Tiled kitchen with birch cabinetry opens to outdoor dining beyond windows. Entry with stair to second floor and dining room.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and beige benchtop.

This kitchen was designed with all custom cabinetry with the lower cabinets finished in Sherwin Williams Iron Ore and the upper cabinets finished in Sherwin Williams Origami. The quartzite countertops carry up the backsplash at the back. The gold faucet and fixtures add a bit of warmth to the cooler colors of the kitchen.

Shaker doors set within a traditional frame, with detailed joinery and brass handles. Colour-matched to Stable Green. Calacatta worktops.
Photo of a small eclectic u-shaped kitchen in London with shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback and white benchtop.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Our clients in Tower Lakes, IL, needed more storage and functionality from their kitchen. They were primarily focused on finding the right combination of cabinets, shelves, and drawers that fit all their cookware, flatware, and appliances. They wanted a brighter, bigger space with a natural cooking flow and plenty of storage. Soffits and crown molding needed to be removed to make the kitchen feel larger. Redesign elements included: relocating the fridge, adding a baking station and coffee bar, and placing the microwave in the kitchen island. Advance Design Studio’s Claudia Pop offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to the homeowners’ problems. Our clients wanted a unique kitchen that was not completely white, a balance of design and function. Claudia offered functional, creative, and unique solutions to Chad and Karen’s kitchen design challenges. The first thing to go was soffits. Today, most kitchens can benefit from the added height and space; removing soffits is nearly always step one. Steely gray-blue was the color of choice for a freshly unique look bringing a sophisticated-looking space to wrap around the fresh new kitchen. Cherry cabinetry in a true brown stain compliments the stormy accents with sharp contrasting white Cambria quartz top balancing out the space with a dramatic flair. “We wanted something unique and special in this space, something none of the neighbors would have,” said Claudia. The dramatic veined Cambria countertops continue upward into a backsplash behind three complimentary open shelves. These countertops provide visual texture and movement in the kitchen. The kitchen includes two larder cabinets for both the coffee bar and baking station. The kitchen is now functional and unique in design. “When we design a new kitchen space, as designers, we are always looking for ways to balance interesting design elements with practical functionality,” Claudia said. “This kitchen’s new design is not only way more functional but is stunning in a way a piece of art can catch one’s attention.” Decorative mullions with mirrored inserts sit atop dual sentinel pantries flanking the new refrigerator, while a 48″ dual fuel Wolf range replaced the island cooktop and double oven. The new microwave is cleverly hidden within the island, eliminating the cluttered counter and attention-grabbing wall of stainless steel from the previous space. The family room was completely renovated, including a beautifully functional entertainment bar with the same combination of woods and stone as the kitchen and coffee bar. Mesh inserts instead of plain glass add visual texture while revealing pristine glassware. Handcrafted built-ins surround the fireplace. The beautiful and efficient design created by designer Claudia transitioned directly to the installation team seamlessly, much like the basement project experience Chad and Karen enjoyed previously. “We definitely will and have recommended Advance Design Studio to friends who are looking to embark on a project small or large,” Karen said. “Everything that was designed and built exactly how we envisioned it, and we are really enjoying it to its full potential,” Karen said. Our award-winning design team would love to create a beautiful, functional, and spacious place for you and your family. With our “Common Sense Remodeling” approach, the process of renovating your home has never been easier. Contact us today at 847-665-1711 or schedule an appointment.

What had been a wonderful new construction project got even better when learned that the homeowner wanted to build a contemporary bar - kind of like a kitchen, actually - with stone countertops, high-end appliances, and beautiful tile and custom cabinets in the basement. It's a unique project in that it is not fully a kitchen [there's only a beverage fridge, drawer microwave, ice maker, and dishwasher, but no oven], and it's more than a simple bar as it accommodates food preparation or a catering service. For the homeowner, who is a huge Vikings fan and entertains large groups of sports-loving fans, the perfect project was a full bar/kitchenette that would serve as the ideal place for friends to gather, eat and drink.!

Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

White oak flooring, walnut cabinetry, white quartzite countertops, stainless appliances, white inset wall cabinets
Large scandinavian u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

As with all communal spaces in the house, indoor/outdoor living. Note the 15’ accordion window opening to the outdoor eating/living area. Functionality was a top priority, but the space had to be beautiful as well. The top-stitched leather pulls help soften the look and make it feel more comfortable. We designed every cabinet for specified storage. [For example: The area to the right of the refrigerator with the open shelving: we designed this as “breakfast-central.” This is where the toaster oven, toaster, and Vitamix usually live and can be neatly hidden by the pull-down aluminum tambour doors when not in use. All the items needed for breakfast to get everyone out the door efficiently are located in the refrigerator on the left and cabinet drawers below.]

Carlisle Chalet collection hardwood flooring (8″ x 12″ x 3/4″). Hickory engineered flooring in snow drift on first floor, second floor hallway, stair landing and master suit

Beautiful kitchen remodel on the San Diego Bay.
Photo of a large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, limestone floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.

This couples small kitchen was in dire need of an update. The homeowner is an avid cook and cookbook collector so finding a special place for some of his most prized cookbooks was a must!

This kitchen has been designed by George Harvey from our Horsham showroom and installed by our kitchen installation team in the local Horsham area. This kitchen has been designed to utilise the space and light made be an existing conservatory to the rear of the kitchen which it does fantastically. The kitchen furniture used for this project is from Nobilia, a German kitchen manufacturer that offers an extensive range of modern, shaker and traditional kitchens. The German Nobilia furniture used for this kitchen is from the Touch range which is a matt effect range. The Super-Matt effect of this door means that is silky to touch while the lacquered laminate coating means that it is highly resistant to fingerprint marks and scratching. The touch range is one of our most popular ranges due to its texture, vast range of colours and ability to contrast with a secondary colour or stand alone as a single tone like in this kitchen. To make the most of the conservatory area in this kitchen George has used a peninsula island to create a dining and entertaining area in the lighter area of the room. In the same area exposed shelving is used as a place to store decorative items. Two exposed shelving units have also been used under the beam in this kitchen to make extra storage space again for either decorative items or kitchen essentials. This kitchen also uses the popular Nobilia 350 handle which is fitted to the top or bottom of a drawer or cupboard for sleek and easy access to units.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen on the Hills of San Marcos Decorative tile and a custom hood.
Photo of a large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.