Remodeling the house you grew up in comes with challenges of its own. While Emotions, and stress are at an all time high, expenses shouldn’t be. With smart planning, sourcing price efficient materials and creative in-house design, we were able to complete our most budget friendly, full home remodel to date.

The Ballard Haus is an exciting Passive House design meant to fit onto a more compact urban lot while still providing an open and airy feeling for our clients. We built up to take full advantage of the extra sunlight for solar gain during the winter, and we crafted an open concept floor plan to maximize our client's space and budget.

Design consultation and advising for DIY/Budget Renovation. Owner purchased this condo with a very cramped and dated kitchen and light fixtures, and early 2000s-era café paint colors. Owner did a lot of the work himself or with friends to keep the budget down. HDC advised on design details and paint colors, chose light fixtures (ceiling lights for kitchen and dining and arch floor lamp in living room). HDC also assisted with creating a new kitchen floor plan, which involved removing one wall, replacing existing tile and modifying flooring transition location, replacing all cabinetry except for the tall pantry cabinet, choosing cabinet paint, installing modern cabinet hardware, replacing laminate counters with a budget white quartz prefab counter, replacing appliances, sink, and faucet, and installing a low-cost peel & stick backsplash. Due to budget constraints, we could not remove the entire wall between the kitchen and dining space to make the wall completely flush from the kitchen to dining area transition, but decided to relocate the refrigerator to that wall nonetheless, in order to improve sightlines and improve traffic flow and function for refrigerator access. We created a coffee/drinks bar where the original fridge was located. The owner decided to keep the existing water line that had serviced the ice maker in the fridge where it was previously located (and cap it temporarily). He plans to plumb it in the future to support a filtered drinking water line and auto-filling coffee maker to finish out the drink center. Ultimately, we couldn't stretch the budget for a perfect layout, but we were still able to improve the function and open up the flow of this hub of the condo for better entertaining and more convenient homeowner use of the space.

Design consultation and advising for DIY/Budget Renovation. Owner purchased this condo with a very cramped and dated kitchen and light fixtures, and early 2000s-era café paint colors. Owner did a lot of the work himself or with friends to keep the budget down. HDC advised on design details and paint colors, chose light fixtures (ceiling lights for kitchen and dining and arch floor lamp in living room). HDC also assisted with creating a new kitchen floor plan, which involved removing one wall, replacing existing tile and modifying flooring transition location, replacing all cabinetry except for the tall pantry cabinet, choosing cabinet paint, installing modern cabinet hardware, replacing laminate counters with a budget white quartz prefab counter, replacing appliances, sink, and faucet, and installing a low-cost peel & stick backsplash. Due to budget constraints, we could not remove the entire wall between the kitchen and dining space to make the wall completely flush from the kitchen to dining area transition, but decided to relocate the refrigerator to that wall nonetheless, in order to improve sightlines and improve traffic flow and function for refrigerator access. We created a coffee/drinks bar where the original fridge was located. The owner decided to keep the existing water line that had serviced the ice maker in the fridge where it was previously located (and cap it temporarily). He plans to plumb it in the future to support a filtered drinking water line and auto-filling coffee maker to finish out the drink center. Ultimately, we couldn't stretch the budget for a perfect layout, but we were still able to improve the function and open up the flow of this hub of the condo for better entertaining and more convenient homeowner use of the space.

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, white appliances, an island and black countertops

This project is a simple update of a hall bathroom in a 100 year old West Chester row home. The space had last been updated in the 80’s, and needed a facelift. The client had a vision of a tranquil space with a spa-vibe and modern, beachy colors. But a tight budget required very careful planning. Design Criteria - Design a light, modern/transitional style bathroom. - Update all the fixtures and finishes - Bring it in on a tight budget. Special Features: - Subway tile and glass mosaic tub surround. - Granite-topped vanity. - Re-enameled the original cast iron tub as a less expensive alternative to a replacement.

A person’s home is the place where their personality can flourish. In this client’s case, it was their love for their native homeland of Kenya, Africa. One of the main challenges with these space was to remain within the client’s budget. It was important to give this home lots of character, so hiring a faux finish artist to hand-paint the walls in an African inspired pattern for powder room to emphasizing their existing pieces was the perfect solution to staying within their budget needs. Each room was carefully planned to showcase their African heritage in each aspect of the home. The main features included deep wood tones paired with light walls, and dark finishes. A hint of gold was used throughout the house, to complement the spaces and giving the space a bit of a softer feel.

Example of a mid-sized transitional sunroom design in New York

This property was in badly in need of repair. The owner is a widow that has owned the property for 20 years and has a limited budget for the repairs on the property. We were able to help her develop a budget and plan to execute the work to insure her limited budget was spent wisely. These are pictures of phase 1 which was residing and painting of the exterior of the property. The exterior was the first phase because the house was not weather tight any longer. This phase was budgeted at $15,000 but there were a lot of unknowns as far as how much rot had penetrated into the structure requiring further repair. We were able to provide allowances for what these items might be up front. At then end the we only found minor structural damage that had to be paired and final bill came in at $15,900. Unfortunately phases 2 & 3 of this project are currently on hold awaiting approval of an insurance claim from the 2021 February Freeze. Screen porch, decking and handrail repairs where not include in the phase 1 scope of work on this project.

Before the gut remodel, these two adjacent spaces lacked the cool Midcentury style the homeowners craved The kitchen was our main focus, but dining room was also part of the design, because the rooms have such a strong relationship to each other. We consulted on furniture and lighting in that room, making sure the two light fixtures (one over the sink, the other over the dining table) didn't compete for attention. The harmony of the spaces was achieved by keeping to a neutral color palette and an emphasis on textural accents: the stone back splash, the woven rug, the voluminous light fixture, the table runner and so on. Kitchen and dining room staging by Allison Scheff of Distinctive Kitchens. Photos by Wynne H Earle

Contemporary style living room with teal accents in this open floor plan in this new airbnb in Raleigh, NC. Designed with a strict budget.
Home design - small contemporary home design idea in Raleigh

Design consultation and advising for DIY/Budget Renovation. Owner purchased this condo with a very cramped and dated kitchen and light fixtures, and early 2000s-era café paint colors. Owner did a lot of the work himself or with friends to keep the budget down. HDC advised on design details and paint colors, chose light fixtures (ceiling lights for kitchen and dining and arch floor lamp in living room). HDC also assisted with creating a new kitchen floor plan, which involved removing one wall, replacing existing tile and modifying flooring transition location, replacing all cabinetry except for the tall pantry cabinet, choosing cabinet paint, installing modern cabinet hardware, replacing laminate counters with a budget white quartz prefab counter, replacing appliances, sink, and faucet, and installing a low-cost peel & stick backsplash. Due to budget constraints, we could not remove the entire wall between the kitchen and dining space to make the wall completely flush from the kitchen to dining area transition, but decided to relocate the refrigerator to that wall nonetheless, in order to improve sightlines and improve traffic flow and function for refrigerator access. We created a coffee/drinks bar where the original fridge was located. The owner decided to keep the existing water line that had serviced the ice maker in the fridge where it was previously located (and cap it temporarily). He plans to plumb it in the future to support a filtered drinking water line and auto-filling coffee maker to finish out the drink center. Ultimately, we couldn't stretch the budget for a perfect layout, but we were still able to improve the function and open up the flow of this hub of the condo for better entertaining and more convenient homeowner use of the space.

Design consultation and advising for DIY/Budget Renovation. Owner purchased this condo with a very cramped and dated kitchen and light fixtures, and early 2000s-era café paint colors. Owner did a lot of the work himself or with friends to keep the budget down. HDC advised on design details and paint colors, chose light fixtures (ceiling lights for kitchen and dining and arch floor lamp in living room). HDC also assisted with creating a new kitchen floor plan, which involved removing one wall, replacing existing tile and modifying flooring transition location, replacing all cabinetry except for the tall pantry cabinet, choosing cabinet paint, installing modern cabinet hardware, replacing laminate counters with a budget white quartz prefab counter, replacing appliances, sink, and faucet, and installing a low-cost peel & stick backsplash. Due to budget constraints, we could not remove the entire wall between the kitchen and dining space to make the wall completely flush from the kitchen to dining area transition, but decided to relocate the refrigerator to that wall nonetheless, in order to improve sightlines and improve traffic flow and function for refrigerator access. We created a coffee/drinks bar where the original fridge was located. The owner decided to keep the existing water line that had serviced the ice maker in the fridge where it was previously located (and cap it temporarily). He plans to plumb it in the future to support a filtered drinking water line and auto-filling coffee maker to finish out the drink center. Ultimately, we couldn't stretch the budget for a perfect layout, but we were still able to improve the function and open up the flow of this hub of the condo for better entertaining and more convenient homeowner use of the space.

The goal for this husband and wife team was to create a functional home for their family. Because they love to entertain, they wanted to see how they could accommodate guests and extended family—improving the layout and functionality of their Bonita Bay home of more than eight years. Having worked with remodeling contractors in the past, they were reluctant to proceed. They had experienced a remodeling fiasco that drug on beyond their expected completion dates and went well over budget. This time, they hired a local architect, an interior designer, and Progressive Design Build as the general contractor. The three teams worked together to formulate a clear vision and plans for the renovation. Once this husband and wife team knew exactly what they wanted to achieve and had a design plan in hand, they set about creating a modern and functional outdoor living space. The three teams worked together to finalize the design and the budget—no headaches, not delays. After six months (two months finalizing the design and budget, and four months to build), this project finished on time and on budget and resulted in a beautiful outdoor living space that consisted of a massive outdoor kitchen with a separate dining area and sitting area, 20-foot tall vaulted ceilings, a beautiful glass fireplace and cost stone balustrades. It was finished with cast stone columns, huge stucco arches, a high tech lighting system and porcelain tile floors.

This property was in badly in need of repair. The owner is a widow that has owned the property for 20 years and has a limited budget for the repairs on the property. We were able to help her develop a budget and plan to execute the work to insure her limited budget was spent wisely. These are pictures of phase 1 which was residing and painting of the exterior of the property. The exterior was the first phase because the house was not weather tight any longer. This phase was budgeted at $15,000 but there were a lot of unknowns as far as how much rot had penetrated into the structure requiring further repair. We were able to provide allowances for what these items might be up front. At then end the we only found minor structural damage that had to be paired and final bill came in at $15,900. Unfortunately phases 2 & 3 of this project are currently on hold awaiting approval of an insurance claim from the 2021 February Freeze. Screen porch, decking and handrail repairs where not include in the phase 1 scope of work on this project.

Oakley Home Builders is a custom home builder and remodeling company in the Chicago suburbs that has integrated distinctive home designs into surrounding communities, neighborhoods and coveted residential landscapes. Positioned as a flourishing Chicago western suburbs home builder, Oakley Home Builders demonstrates a passionate pursuit of detail-rich, value-driven design and efficient construction that provides homebuyers with a masterfully planned and executed living environment. Whether building on your site or one of our many available lots, Oakley Home Builders is recognized among Chicago western suburbs home builders for its excellent build-to-suit program. Guiding homebuyers through a simple, step-by-step process, we enhance the building experience by providing practical advice, flexible accommodations, and educational insight. But while we are mainly a home builder in Chicago suburbs, we also build luxurious beach homes in Naples, FL and along the shores of Lake Michigan in Indiana and Michigan's Harbor Country. In addition we serve as an expert suburban Chicago remodeling company catering to the communities of Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Naperville, Glen Ellyn, LaGrange, Western Springs, Elmhurst, and other west suburban locations.