---
title: "DesignIY — Kitchen & Bath Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-designers/designiy-pfvwus-pf~345708465
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~345708465.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: DesignIY
category: ["Kitchen & Bath Designers"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/04e329860688c228_3178-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "Danville, Illinois, United States"
latitude: 40.137
longitude: -87.6217
phone: "(217) 356-6688"
website: http://theunlikelydesigner.houzz.com
rating: 5
review_count: 4
followers: 22
last_updated: 2026-09-30
---

# DesignIY

Original Houzz profile: [DesignIY](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-designers/designiy-pfvwus-pf~345708465)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Kitchen & Bath Designers
- **Location:** Danville, IL
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (4 reviews)

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Star Houzzer
- 1,000 Ideabook Saves

I am employed by Hampton's Kitchens and Appliances as a design consultant specializing in kitchen and bath design and sales.

### Typical Job Cost

$9,500 - 85,000

Full bathroom remodels in this area generally cost $2,000 - $25,000 in products and kitchens from $18,000 - $75,000 in product. We also welcome single piece inquiries as well as ventures outside the kitchen or bath to other rooms. At which point, the investment is completely up to the the investor.

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | DesignIY |
| Address | Danville, Illinois, United States |
| Phone | (217) 356-6688 |
| Website | http://theunlikelydesigner.houzz.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 22 |

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [DesignIY](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-designers/designiy-pfvwus-pf~345708465)
- **Website:** http://theunlikelydesigner.houzz.com
- **Phone:** (217) 356-6688

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 4 reviews**

### All 4 reviews

**★★★★★ — Mark Kerkering II, Jan. 2020**

> The best Hands down for Design and all around great guy
> if you need it done right get hold of him asap
> he has real passion for your Kitchen/Bath remodels / Design and sales

**★★★★★ — Jeremy Crafton, Oct. 2017**

> Marcus is a true professional in his field!  He is always current on trends, styles, and timeless designs.  He can be relied on for always knowing about different products that are available and always teaching others about different options.  As a peer of his, I don't ever hesitate to reach out to him to ask for advice, guidance, or simple questions.  I can without hesitation recommend Marcus to anyone remodeling a kitchen or bathroom in the Danville area.  You will be thankful after the whole process is over that you had such a strong partner at your side!

**★★★★★ — brutisbuckeye, Feb. 2014**

> Very professional and courteous. Extremely happy with the installation of our flooring. Scott and his crew did an excellent job.

**★★★★★ — aikomsingh5, Feb. 2013**

> I had carpet installed and would like to get more work done in the near future. Love to win IPAD to do work on the IPAD

## Selected projects

- [For the Love of Elegance... and Coffee](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/for-the-love-of-elegance-and-coffee-pj-vj~1751219)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 22
  - Description: After years of driving 2 hours to and from work, the couple finally settled in this perfect home just 10 minutes away! Well, near perfect: it needed new kitchen desperately. Our goal was evident: create a traditional kitchen for a cake decorator and a coffee lover.
- [Come stay awhile!](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/come-stay-awhile-pj-vj~1816375)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 9
  - Description: One of the world's most comfortable kitchens: This kitchen was designed and built to make you feel at home. Warm, cozy, subtle elegance, and hand crafted details are written in every square inch of this space. So, come on in! Stay awhile!
- [Good Morning!](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/good-morning-pj-vj~1816561)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: You can't put a value on a good morning to start your day, everyday. It can literally keep a bad day from happening. No one knows that better than the lawyer and claims adjuster this bath was designed to say good morning to. And it continues to make mornings good, everyday!
- [A Kitchen to Retire In](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-kitchen-to-retire-in-pj-vj~1751233)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: A contemporary kitchen to retire in.
- [Refreshed](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/refreshed-pj-vj~1816520)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: Who said you had to replace cabinets to remodel the kitchen? We replaced the cooktop, dishwasher, and faucet, added lighting, built a knee wall behind the island, installed granite countertops and a gorgeous tile backsplash to take this kitchen to a new level!
- [Home, sweet home.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-sweet-home-pj-vj~1816489)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 5
  - Description: A country kitchen for a country home. This kitchen was designed for a young family after making their first home purchase!
- [Go Big or Go... Small.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/go-big-or-go-small-pj-vj~6680649)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 25
  - Description: This is a very special project for me. Why? Because I did it. I did it all. It's one thing to design spaces with custom elements and test crazy design theories on a computer, but it's another thing to execute these designs in the real world. Finally, I got to see what it takes to make my antics into a reality. Furthermore, I was able to experience the unpredictable pressures that only contracted craftsmen experience. Crazy deadline shortening, faulty product issues, costly screw-ups, differences…
- [It's a Small Kitchen Thing...](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/it-s-a-small-kitchen-thing-pj-vj~5598220)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 26
  - Description: As a designer and salesperson, it's humbling to watch a client put in as much effort into their kitchen project as you are. It means they trust your opinions, decision making, and trust the expectations you set them up with. The design process turned into a two year long refinement as hindrances popped up on both our sides. The whole while the client took care to research every decision and product and double check as time when by to make sure time didn't change the results. Together, we created…
- [Major Minor Reno](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/major-minor-reno-pj-vj~5618215)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 17
  - Description: Our clients had already just replaced their kitchen a handful of years ago, but knew something had to be updated. All things considered we agreed on a "minor" kitchen remodel (which basically means we are not replacing the cabinets or relocating work centers); however, even categorized as minor the difference is quite major! We replaced the island, counters, tile back splash, appliances, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and flooring throughout!
- [Pure Luxury](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pure-luxury-pj-vj~5499308)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 21
  - Description: It's hard to find quality craftsmen these days and it's just as hard to find quality design help. Our clients looked for more than 3 years before finding both here at Lowe's. They came to us with a plan, but after discovering several other options they landed a much different plan that better suited their wants and needs. Having initially chosen a full tile shower, she remembers being anxious to see the onyx shower walls go up. But when she did, her first thought was "pure luxury"! So, then her…
- [Cornerstone](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cornerstone-pj-vj~3018134)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 15
  - Description: Let's not snuff out the story just because it's hard to talk about. Our client was faced with this project almost directly after losing her husband. The loss was an all too blatant reminder that nothing in this world lasts forever, even for us at the office... Kitchens don't last forever either, and her's was on it's way out. Our mission was to create a lasting work space, a kitchen that functions for you and takes care of itself. We needed something steadfast for someone who's world was just sh…
- [Chicken and Wine](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/chicken-and-wine-pj-vj~2985259)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: As a common theme to our area, the client recently purchased this home knowing the kitchen was the only thing that needed renovated. We made it through a few challenges. First, the laminate had to stay which meant we had to keep the original cabinet foot print and work the then over-bearing red hue into the color scheme. Second, the attention grabbing floor and quartz counter chosen required the remaining materials to rather simple. How can we take simple and boldly establish our ideas for the s…
- [Small yet Effective](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/small-yet-effective-pj-vj~2818324)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 14
  - Description: This is the smallest kitchen I have designed to date! With so few cabinets and so few inches to fit them in, every cabinet has to have a specific purpose. I won't say everything is ideal in such a small space, but I can say we made every decision based on the clients' priorities. This small kitchen has the maximum possible effectiveness for the clients it was designed for!
- [Easy as 1,2,3](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/easy-as-1-2-3-pj-vj~2255057)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: This master bathroom is completely open to the master bedroom. I effectively separated the shower/stool, vanity, and closet areas from each other making your morning routine a simple 3 step process.
- [While you were out](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/while-you-were-out-pj-vj~2817933)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 6
  - Description: Without an exhaust fan, the moisture took control of this bathroom. We were called in for an estimate when the mildew was literally climbing up the walls, but could only give a starting price. I believe our words were: "we will find black mold behind the walls, but until we rip them out to see how much there is, we cannot give you a full price." To much surprise there was none. Nevertheless our client opted to vacation during the project so the messy renovation could happen while she was out.
- [Happy Wife Happy Life](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/happy-wife-happy-life-pj-vj~2608475)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 26
  - Description: I can't think of any other project that offered a fuller experience. Through months of design and budget refinement, anxiously awaiting product arrival, and construction inconveniences our clients witnessed their dream shape reality. It is a long process, and it can be frustrating throughout. It's remodeling. It always is. However, it is quite incredible what can be accomplished when the necessary time is spent and a designer learns their client well. In the end she remarked, it was indeed her d…
- [The Final Piece](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-final-piece-pj-vj~2594846)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 30
  - Description: No family deserves this 4000 square foot home more than these new homeowners. With 12-14 residents, every square foot is used to it's full potential. It came complete with a guest house, several out buildings, a few pastures, a creek and an in-ground pool. However, there was one problem. Of the 4000 sqft of living space the kitchen took up a mere 48. So, let's knock down some walls and make a kitchen proportional-to-the-house and deserving of the property it sits on! The kitchen was the final pi…
- [For Fridge's Sake!](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/for-fridge-s-sake-pj-vj~2339053)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 24
  - Description: The refrigerator was on it's last leg. Time to buy a fridge! Of course, in the back of this mother and daughter's mind was a much different initiative. Once they discovered they were of the same mind, there was no stopping it. For fridge's sake let's just replace the whole kitchen!
- [Two is Better than One](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/two-is-better-than-one-pj-vj~2387338)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: It all started with a leaky stool and shower base in the master bath. But that was just his bath. The other belongs to her and the two cats. He was out numbered. So it was decided: If the master bath gets it, the hall bath gets it too. After all, two is better than one.
- [Against all Odds](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/against-all-odds-pj-vj~2282343)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 11
  - Description: I have never witnessed such strength as strength this homeowner posses. Without it, this project would have never happened. Against all odds, the homeowner still pressed on, allowing us to remodel the entire bathroom and save what mattered most.

[See all 28 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-designers/designiy-pfvwus-pf~345708465)

## Ideabooks

- [Kitchen Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59148180/list/kitchen-inspiration) — 15 ideas
- [Bath inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59146046/list/bath-inspiration) — 14 ideas
- [General Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/59147504/list/general-inspiration) — 4 ideas

[See all 3 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/theunlikelydesigner)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Are the wood counter tops on the islands from Lowes?** *(in Photo Questions)*

I am researching wood counter tops from Lowe's Allen and Roth. If these are from Lowe's, would you recommend them to others? How are they holding up? Are they easily dented/scratched? Was it a smooth installation? Thank you!

A: And thank you sir!

**Q: Can you tell me what grout color you used with the Leonia Sand tile?** *(in Photo Questions)*

A: Hey Mike! Thanks for the inquiry. I cannot remeber exactly but but I can tell you we used a TEC product (H.B. Fuller) called Power Grout of which they have about 12 colors. We found the closest match to the darkest color found in the tile. Paired with only 1/8" grout lines the idea was to make a seam that resembled a hardwood install. You can fine both Leonia sand tile and power grout at your Local Lowe's. hope this helps!

**Q: Shower** *(in Photo Questions)*

What color is the choreograph shower wall?

A: The color is their Naturals series in VeinCut Biscuit (which is W08 model number-wise). The color looks a little grey in the photo due to the 5000k light; it could look muck more "biscuity" with a 2700 or 3000k light.

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*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-30.*