Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

What began as a shower repair, in a mid-century modern, townhome in the Lake Anne community of Reston Virginia, led to a complete gut and remodel of the original master bathroom. The focus was on creating an updated, efficient, aesthetically pleasing, modern design, to complement the home, on a very tight budget. The updated bath now has a full sized bathtub, 48" vanity, with ample storage, modern plumbing and electrical fixtures, and soothing color tones. The homeowners were able to get everything on their wish list, within their budget, and now have a more functional and beautiful bathroom. What began as a shower repair, in a mid-century modern, townhome in the Lake Anne community of Reston Virginia, led to a complete gut and remodel of the original master bathroom. The focus was on creating an updated, efficient, aesthetically pleasing, modern design, to complement the home, on a very tight budget. The updated bath now has a full sized bathtub, 48" vanity, with ample storage, modern plumbing and electrical fixtures, and soothing color tones. The homeowners were able to get everything on their wish list, within their budget, and now have a more functional and beautiful bathroom.

To keep this kitchen expansion within budget the existing cabinets and Ubatuba granite were kept, but moved to one side of the kitchen. This left the west wall available to create a 9' long custom hutch. Stock, unfinished cabinets from Menard's were used and painted with the appearance of a dark stain, which balances the dark granite on the opposite wall. The butcher block top is from IKEA. The crown and headboard are from Menard's and stained to match the cabinets on the opposite wall. Walls are a light spring green and the wood flooring is painted in a slightly deeper deck paint. The budget did not allow for all new matching flooring so new unfinished hardwoods were added in the addition and the entire kitchen floor was painted. It's a great fit for this 1947 Cape Cod family home. The island was custom built with flexibility in mind. It can be rolled anywhere in the room and also offers an overhang counter for seating. Appliances are all new. The black works very well with the dark granite countertops. The client retained their dining table but an L-shaped bench with storage was build to maximize seating during their frequent entertaining.

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

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.

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Vancouver

Raza and Baneen purchased their home in Schaumburg IL. knowing it needed work, but they saw the incredible potential it had with its expanse of beautiful kitchen windows and spacious floor plan. The kitchen technically functioned fine, but was desperately outdated with its honey oak cabinets and plain countertops. This family loved to cook and host parties so it was an easy decision that the kitchen remodel was the first project they needed to tackle to make their home come to life. Baneen had very specific ideas for her new dream kitchen and had been thinking about it for over 10 years! When they met Advance Design’s Project Designer Claudia Pop, Baneen felt an instant connection. “From the first meeting, I knew that Claudia would guide us without putting down our ideas,” Baneen said. The couple had two fears common among remodeling home owners: Would the project be done on time? And, would the project stay on budget? Advance Design was able to alleviate their fears early on, as Claudia shared the “Common Sense Remodeling” process. Raza and Baneen absolutely loved the custom project analysis that helped them understand how a budget could be accurately predicted and then safeguarded during the design process. “Advance Design was spot on with both the budget and the project timeframe,” Baneen said. “Overall there were no surprises, and the budget was exactly what we were quoted. The experience was phenomenal, everybody was professional, everybody was courteous, everyone was nice, everyone was friendly. It wasn't stressful for us, they still left the house in a presentable state. It wasn't like we would come home and we were bring the kids in and it was going to be hazardous." After the relationship was cemented, Raza, Baneen and Claudia began to finalize the kitchen design. The main objective was to create a functional space for preparing meals and to create an inviting space for their family and friends to enjoy, while incorporating interesting design elements such as the iconic blue island and reclaimed Chicago brick walls. Sufficient storage space was really important to Baneen, and high quality appliances were a priority. As the overall layout was being completed, together they reviewed each cabinet to determine exactly what would be stored there. Because cooking was a high priority for this family, Claudia incorporated spice racks close to the range and included two mixer lift shelves for their larger countertop appliances. The focal point of the kitchen is the striking blue island constructed from custom colored Dura Supreme cabinets. Designed with decorative shelving and a highly functional prep sink. The couple loves the “galley” prep sink, it adds even more functionality and significantly shortens preparation and cleaning time. This island also includes a 24" Bosch Dishwasher with matching panel to blend in. "Aesthetically, and in terms of functionality, the island everything I imagined," Baneen said. "I love how beautiful it looks and how functional it is. It just brings everybody together." The Praa Sands Quartz countertop with an ogee edge profile provides excellent contrast by blending it's subtle tones with the outer cabinetry. It ties the island together with the rest of the space. Overlooking the beautiful backyard through spacious windows, the crisp white farmhouse sink is something that Baneen envisioned in her kitchen for years. Two tones of Dura Supreme Cabinetry were used throughout the rest of the kitchen. Chestnut Cherry cabinets grace the range and decorative range hood and as panels over the Wolf refrigerator and freezer. Antique White cabinets surround the perimeter, creating a warm balance that beckons guests into the softly rounded space. Drawing the eye immediately to the custom wood hood hiding a powerful 1,500 CFM ventilation system and spectacular 60” Duel Fuel Wolf range, a creatively patterned Tessen in Café & Brine backsplash detail stands out from the white subway tile backsplash spanning the outer walls. The vibrant space reflects the lively personality of the family who now loves spending time both cooking and enjoying this kitchen as a family. “The end result is a beautiful and extremely functional kitchen that is able to handle a growing family, lots of parties and lots of cooking,” Claudia said. “Advance Design was wonderfully professional and a pleasure to work with. They catered to what my needs and ideas were, while skillfully guiding us to make the right choices where we seemed lost,” Baneen said.

What began as a shower repair, in a mid-century modern, townhome in the Lake Anne community of Reston Virginia, led to a complete gut and remodel of the original master bathroom. The focus was on creating an updated, efficient, aesthetically pleasing, modern design, to complement the home, on a very tight budget. The updated bath now has a full sized bathtub, 48" vanity, with ample storage, modern plumbing and electrical fixtures, and soothing color tones. The homeowners were able to get everything on their wish list, within their budget, and now have a more functional and beautiful bathroom. What began as a shower repair, in a mid-century modern, townhome in the Lake Anne community of Reston Virginia, led to a complete gut and remodel of the original master bathroom. The focus was on creating an updated, efficient, aesthetically pleasing, modern design, to complement the home, on a very tight budget. The updated bath now has a full sized bathtub, 48" vanity, with ample storage, modern plumbing and electrical fixtures, and soothing color tones. The homeowners were able to get everything on their wish list, within their budget, and now have a more functional and beautiful bathroom.

Stacy Zarin - Goldberg
Example of a mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room design in DC Metro with white walls, a standard fireplace, a plaster fireplace and no tv

Client had a very dated bright aquamarine mudroom and a very tight budget. We mocked up a workable floor design and created a user friendly space that fit within her budget by utilizing a local builder supplies outlet and creating a design around the cabinets that fell into their budget.

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.

What began as a shower repair, in a mid-century modern, townhome in the Lake Anne community of Reston Virginia, led to a complete gut and remodel of the original master bathroom. The focus was on creating an updated, efficient, aesthetically pleasing, modern design, to complement the home, on a very tight budget. The updated bath now has a full sized bathtub, 48" vanity, with ample storage, modern plumbing and electrical fixtures, and soothing color tones. The homeowners were able to get everything on their wish list, within their budget, and now have a more functional and beautiful bathroom. What began as a shower repair, in a mid-century modern, townhome in the Lake Anne community of Reston Virginia, led to a complete gut and remodel of the original master bathroom. The focus was on creating an updated, efficient, aesthetically pleasing, modern design, to complement the home, on a very tight budget. The updated bath now has a full sized bathtub, 48" vanity, with ample storage, modern plumbing and electrical fixtures, and soothing color tones. The homeowners were able to get everything on their wish list, within their budget, and now have a more functional and beautiful bathroom.

Kitchen Remodeling Do you believe that when someone looks at your kitchen, they should exclaim “WOW”? It is quite possible with our kitchen remodeling service. Cavalier Homes Inc. believes that the kitchen is the powerhouse of your family. Therefore, top-quality products combined with our impeccable craftsmanship have resulted in some of the most stunning kitchens in West Islip, Long Island, New York since 1985. The kitchen of your dreams is well within your budget. If you’ve been envisioning something unique in terms of design, we can bring it to life. Kitchen remodeling is not always as simple as it appears. The upgrades must be finished, depending on the size of your kitchen. All you need is a team of experts to guide you through the entire kitchen remodeling process, from design to completion. From project planning and design to sourcing materials and installation, Cavalier Homes is equipped to undertake every aspect of your kitchen remodel. We take on all of the responsibilities required to complete the kitchen remodeling work on time. Our home remodeling team is dedicated to making your kitchen as spectacular as you have imagined. Important factors to consider before remodeling your kitchen: As previously stated, a kitchen renovation can appear to be a massive undertaking. When you choose Cavalier Homes, you’ll be working with a Long Island home remodeling company that has been in business for nearly 40 years. Not only do we have four decades of design and craftsmanship experience, but we also have a professional team that will guide you through the entire kitchen remodeling process. Here are some crucial factors to take into account in order to maximize the value of your kitchen remodeling service: #1 Budget: This is quite an important factor as every home renovation project starts here. Think about the aspects that are important to you before deciding on the overall remodeling budget. If it’s flooring, you should probably spend more money there and perhaps spend less on appliances and lighting. #2 Design: Keeping the existing design of your kitchen definitely keeps your budget low, but it may not be possible to realize what you have envisioned. However, walking through our ideas will yield the best results. Take some time to consider your workflow when remodeling your kitchen. What would work best for your cooking style? Is it easy to move around your kitchen? What happens if your family grows? #3 Appliances: Upgrading their current appliances is one of the main reasons homeowners think about remodeling their kitchens. The adjustments that may be necessary to make room for the new appliances must possibly be taken into consideration. We will assist you in preparing the extra wiring, plumbing, and cabinetry. #4 Countertops and Cabinets: For a more elegant appearance, choose countertops made of wood, marble, or granite. Wooden surfaces add character and charm while not costing a lot. Solid wood cabinets and slabs of granite, marble, or quartz are classic choices that will never go out of style. #5 Lighting and Flooring: These elements can make a significant difference in your kitchen’s appearance, giving it a stunning and unique look. In addition to the above, you’ll have to compare the costs and benefits of upgrading to current trends versus classic designs. Kitchen renovations remain one of the most popular home improvement projects among the majority of homeowners. Contact us to discuss the design of your new kitchen and how we can assist you in providing the best kitchen remodeling service possible.

For this interior design project, we seamlessly blended modern elegance with budget-conscious design. For a sleek and sophisticated look we picked a white, black, grey, and golden color palette that infuse the apartment with a contemporary, luxurious feel. We decided to keep the original kitchen and bathrooms to maximize budget resources and maintain the functionality of these spaces. We curated a complete shopping list with budget-friendly finds, proving that style doesn't have to come at a high cost. This projects was entirely executed remotely, showcasing the possibilities of long-distance creativity.

Proving that every home can be beautiful, regardless of size, style or budget...this master bedroom used carefully selected products from budget-friendly sources. Bold colors and use of texture create an inviting and beautiful bed, all without breaking the bank. The ample use of color helps reflect the youth of the couple, while the tailored and structured styling of the bed and tufted chairs add sophistication and a casual maturity. Tall ceilings were accented with the use of tall mirrors behind the nightstands and through floor-to-ceiling red drapes (in production during photos). Although there is ample natural light, there was no ceiling lighting. A modern ceiling fan with a drum-style light kit was added. The mirrors also serve to amplify the side lamps in the evening. A sitting area for relaxing, reading, and retreat was added with an area rug to balance the room with color and scale.

Proving that every home can be beautiful, regardless of size, style or budget...this master bedroom used carefully selected products from budget-friendly sources. Bold colors and use of texture create an inviting and beautiful bed, all without breaking the bank. The ample use of color helps reflect the youth of the couple, while the tailored and structured styling of the bed and tufted chairs add sophistication and a casual maturity. Tall ceilings were accented with the use of tall mirrors behind the nightstands and through floor-to-ceiling red drapes (in production during photos). Although there is ample natural light, there was no ceiling lighting. A modern ceiling fan with a drum-style light kit was added. The mirrors also serve to amplify the side lamps in the evening. A sitting area for relaxing, reading, and retreat was added with an area rug to balance the room with color and scale.

“Overall, the cabinets were very easy to put together. Once put together, the cabinets were set into place using the IKD precise measurements to ensure that everything would fit,” he adds. With an initial budget of $15,000, Timothy chose IKEA cabinetry for the cost, considering the large number of cabinets needed. “We didn’t have it in the budget to do custom wood cabinets. But once we looked into IKEA cabinets, we were pleased with the reviews for the durability and modularity. We were able to tailor the cabinets to best work for our kitchen when deciding between drawers or doors,” he says. During the renovation, the family also decided to splurge on a few items, such as the LG refrigerator, that were not in the initial budget. “This caused us to go over our budget but was worth it in the end,” he says. They also decided on a Quartz countertop that is white with streaks of silver in it.

Benefits of Plantation Shutters Plantation shutters offer advantages and benefits to homeowners over other window coverings including: • A permanent addition to a house: While they don't add much to the sale price and don't guarantee a return on investment, the curb appeal helps the house sell faster. The permanency of plantation shutters allows them to be included in appraisals. • Versatility: Many have the ability to open only halfway if desired. If you want to let in all the light, plantation shutters swing away from the window to grant an unobstructed view. • Insulation: When all louvers are closed, a good insulating barrier is created, trapping unwanted temperatures and saving you money on your energy bill. • Easy maintenance: With wide louvers, a simple wipe-down is often all that's needed. Vinyl shutters can be taken off their hinges and sprayed off for a major cleaning. • Elegance: The classic, yet modern look conveys a permanency like no other window dressing can. Whether painted or natural wood, they all have a look that says; welcome home. Wood vs. Faux Wood It's not hard to argue that natural wood is more appealing than vinyl or PVC. However, "faux wood," as it's sometimes called, has some advantages: • Price -- Faux wood shutters are often lower in price than real wood. • Weight -- Because some shutters are made "hollow core" (as opposed to vinyl-wrapped medium density fiberboard, MDF), they can be significantly lighter. • Moisture Resistance -- If you live in an area with high humidity, hollow faux wood or aluminum core will resist expanding and sagging. (MDF core louvers will tend to expand and crack as the material swells with moisture.) Natural wood is the choice for those who have a very healthy budget or for whom a specific appearance is a must. Among the advantages are: • Size -- Because wood plantation shutters are made of hardwood, they can be quite a bit larger than plastic or vinyl. Vinyl shutters larger than 29 inches may be prone to sag, so they need divider rails or other supports which can destroy the traditional look of a plantation shutter. • Natural -- While vinyl or plastic shutters can be painted to match any color scheme, the natural shades and finishes of the various species of wood have something for every look. • Classic -- While many plastic shutters can be made to look like real wood, the faux wood finishes can vary significantly depending on manufacturer and model. Up close, it can be easy to tell they're plastic. The warmth of natural wood is a classic feel that's impossible to beat. Popular Plantation Shutter Brands When you go to purchase your plantation shutters, brands names may offer a good representation of high-, mid-, and low-cost range of what's available. Which one you choose depends on your budget and your tastes. Hunter-Douglas and Norman Shutters produce three lines of plantation shutters in both real wood and faux wood styles. A higher-end product, Hunter-Douglas may be worth the cost for beauty and quality of workmanship. The Window Outfitters and Sunland produce a mid-cost line of shutters. The mid-range pricing may be for those who are balancing aesthetics with a budget. National franchise and or box stores may not offer an in-house expert or designer. Look to local companies that specialize in plantation shutters looking online may offer a low-cost brand for budget-minded DIYers. Available in both faux and real wood, the affordability combines with the visual appeal to make this a very popular choice for plantation shutters. Regardless of which line you go with, be sure to ask about frames. Generally all manufactures offer frame choices and may add to the cost, but they add an unsurpassed beauty and warmth to a room with plantation shutters. Plantation shutters look like similar to wooden blinds, but there are significant differences. Blinds are often narrow, made of aluminum or vinyl, and the slats tilt based on a gear and pulley mechanism and they hang in the window with cords. By contrast, plantation shutters have wide compound louvers that fit into a frame and are controlled by way of a wooden rod running up the middle. When not needed, they can be manufactured to swing back onto the wall. Options to are available to build a more contemporary look with a larger view with a “hidden tilt” feature. Cost of Plantation Shutters Nationally, the cost of plantation shutters, depending on their size and the material, whether or not they are custom arches and colors or stains, may vary. Most manufacturers want their shutters to be professionally installed to keep the warranty intact which is a benefit to the customer in the long run. They will usually have a limited lifetime warranty. Cost of Installation Costs for having plantation shutters installed by a contractor are a bit more predictable. Contractors who have installed plantation shutters before can quickly get accurate measurements and suggest which materials would work best in different rooms. For example, while natural wood may look beautiful in your living room, it might not be so practical in a bathroom where moisture will cause the wood to warp. The size, material, and quality of the shutter will have a significant effect on the cost. Contractors usually go through a shutter supplier and can get various sizes that are not normally available at home improvement stores. Hiring a professional team of knowledgeable suppliers and installers is a good choice. Here are some sample prices of the shutters most contractors use for standard-sized windows: In general, plantation shutters should cost approximately $20 to $26 per square foot. Labor costs depend on factors such as the contractor's workload, remoteness of the location, environment, and the contractor's overhead. Labor generally runs about $100 per hour and will be added to the shutter cost. • 16x20 -- Faux wood $120. Real wood $156 • 24x50 -- Faux wood $160. Real wood $208 • 36x54 -- Faux wood $270. Real wood $351 • 36x60 -- Faux wood $300 Real wood $390 • 42x72 -- Faux wood $420. Real wood $546 • 48x82 -- Faux wood $550. Real wood $715 DIY Plantation shutters can be purchased and installed by the homeowners. How much they cost will depend on size and material. Faux wood shutter’s cost depends on size and wooden shutter’s cost will depend on size and whether or not they are painted or stained. • Natural wood is $90-$600 depending on size. Many companies offer standard stained selection but custom color matching may be available from $175 -$250. • Faux wood will be from $120-$500. • Additional tools include: Hang Strips $4-$15 and about $4 for mounting hardware. Locks or closures can cost up to $15 for each shutter. Finally, if you order them online, you can expect to pay $30-$70 shipping per shutter or per set of shutters per window depending on the supplier. Keep in mind that even if you're handy with tools, installing shutters can be time-consuming if you've never done it before there is defiantly a learning curve.