Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

This project in the north-central Twin Cities metro area features frameless full overlay construction and vertical grain-matched white birch exteriors. The doors and drawer fronts include matching edgebanding. Hinges are soft close concealed, and drawer boxes rest on full extension undermount soft close guides. Homeowners chose Berenson bow pulls for hardware, which not only connects well with stainless steel appliances but also ties together cabinets throughout the home.

Sip into Style: Maple Latte Remodel Kitchens are often the centerpiece of our homes, a place where culinary creativity meets family gatherings. Yet, many kitchens fall victim to outdated designs and worn-out finishes. If you’re feeling uninspired by your current space, it’s time to consider a remodel that can elevate your kitchen from drab to fab. Let’s explore how we transformed this client’s kitchen into a posh, stylish retreat that featured a combination of stunning materials and thoughtful design choices that truly elevated the space. Creating an Open Concept One of the most significant changes anyone can make in a home remodel is to modify or remove walls. Even though there were two points of entry into this client’s kitchen, the space was closed off. Opening up the wall instantly created a more open and inviting layout that allowed for the installation of a large island. Eliminating the barrier between the kitchen and the adjacent living area, provides a seamless flow that is perfect for entertaining guests or simply keeping an eye on the kids while cooking dinner. A Showstopping Island At the heart of this kitchen remodel is an expansive 9 ft. island, designed to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The island features a stunning White Pearl natural quartzite countertop that radiates elegance. With its unique veining and shimmering finish, this stone serves as a beautiful focal point and adds a touch of luxury to the space. A beverage cooler and dishwasher are tucked underneath, concealed from the view of the living area. Three 12” deep and 36” wide cabinets line the front of the island providing additional hidden storage. This multifunctional design makes the island an essential part of daily life in the kitchen, making it a cozy spot for casual dining or morning coffee. Complementary Perimeter Countertops To enhance the overall look, the perimeter countertops are topped with Silestone Eternal Charcoal. This material offers a striking contrast to the lighter island, featuring rich, dark hues that ground the space and create depth. The durability and easy maintenance of Silestone make it an ideal choice for busy kitchens, ensuring that the surfaces remain beautiful and functional for years to come. Beautiful Cabinetry The cabinetry in this remodel plays a pivotal role in both style and storage. We opted for Waypoint Cabinetry in a Maple Latte finish, which adds warmth and sophistication to the kitchen. The soft, neutral tones of the cabinetry complement the countertops beautifully and create a cohesive look throughout the space. The cabinets are thoughtfully designed to provide ample storage, with pull-out shelves and organizers that maximize accessibility. Finishing Touches No remodel is complete without the right finishing touches. We chose sleek, modern matte black Top Knobs hardware that enhances the cabinetry's clean lines while adding a touch of contemporary flair. The 2 ½” x 10” San Marcos Tortora stylish backsplash tile, a striking black hood with brushed gold accents and brushed gold large pendant lighting tie together the colors and textures of the room, adding visual interest. The Result: A Dream Kitchen The result of this kitchen remodel is nothing short of spectacular. The combination of the open layout, stunning island, and thoughtful materials creates a space that is both functional and beautiful. Whether you’re considering a full kitchen remodel or simply looking for inspiration, this project highlights the transformative power of thoughtful design and quality materials. If you’re ready to create your dream kitchen, don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can help bring your vision to life. Happy remodeling! Cabinetry: Waypoint Living Spaces: Maple Latte Stain Finish Countertops: Stone Showcase - Atlanta Natural Quartzite White Pearl & Engineered Quart Silestone by Cosentino Eternal Charcoal Tile: San Marcos Tortora B&F Ceramics Design Showroom Inc. Faucets: Delta Faucet

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

This project in the north-central Twin Cities metro area features frameless full overlay construction and vertical grain-matched white birch exteriors. The doors and drawer fronts include matching edgebanding. Hinges are soft close concealed, and drawer boxes rest on full extension undermount soft close guides. Homeowners chose Berenson bow pulls for hardware, which not only connects well with stainless steel appliances but also ties together cabinets throughout the home.

Closet - contemporary closet idea in Chicago

Example of a classic entryway design in Chicago

Meaning “line” in Swahili, the Mstari Safari Task Lounge itself is accented with clean wooden lines, as well as dramatic contrasts of hammered gold and reflective obsidian desk-drawers. A custom-made industrial, mid-century desk—the room’s focal point—is perfect for centering focus while going over the day’s workload. Behind, a tiger painting ties the African motif together. Contrasting pendant lights illuminate the workspace, permeating the sharp, angular design with more organic forms. Outside the task lounge, a custom barn door conceals the client’s entry coat closet. A patchwork of Mexican retablos—turn of the century religious relics—celebrate the client’s eclectic style and love of antique cultural art, while a large wrought-iron turned handle and barn door track unify the composition. A home as tactfully curated as the Mstari deserved a proper entryway. We knew that right as guests entered the home, they needed to be wowed. So rather than opting for a traditional drywall header, we engineered an undulating I-beam that spanned the opening. The I-beam’s spine incorporated steel ribbing, leaving a striking impression of a Gaudiesque spine.

n this stunning, newly built, custom home it was important to be able to design a kitchen that tied in both elegant aesthetics and efficient performance. This kitchen includes gorgeous floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, concealing large appliances such as the freezer and refrigerator with custom appliance panels and giving the kitchen next-level charm and sophistication. The stacked wall cabinets incorporate gorgeous framed glass upper doors which serve as the perfect display case for delicate china and priceless souvenirs. The magnificent premium-alder, raisin-stained wood-hood acts as a focal point with functionality. It contains, on either side of the cooktop, convenient pull out spice racks allowing for optimal organization and accessibility while cooking. The massive, raisin-stained island compliments the hood and features an extra bar sink and luxurious 6mm Cambria quartz countertops. This quartz carries over beneath the hood creating a beautifully unique backsplash. In this custom Crystal Keyline kitchen, every inch of cabinetry appears as a gorgeous furniture piece yet acts as if it owns the performance and harmony of a professional kitchen.

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Example of a classic home theater design in Chicago

Example of a classic laundry room design in Chicago

This spacious kitchen was ready for a refresh. Over time, it’s many cabinets had become cluttered with unnecessary items. We began by removing the peninsula’s upper and lower cabinets, which had divided the space in two, along with the small island that once housed the cooktop. In their place, we introduced a large central island that now serves as a multifunctional hub—for prep, serving, and casual dining—while dramatically improving the kitchen’s traffic flow. To create a true focal point, we added an elegant arch that mirrors the architectural arches found throughout the home. It feels like it was always meant to be there. Beneath it, we installed the range, now beautifully highlighted by a custom plaster hood that ties in the island’s dark gray accent color. The new island is as functional as it is beautiful. Its curved countertop and reeded base soften the overall aesthetic, adding warmth and texture to the space. The panel-ready refrigerator and freezer are centered between two cabinet-on-counter hutches. These hutches cleverly conceal small appliances, keeping them both accessible and out of sight. Thanks to pocket doors, they can remain open during use and closed for a clean, “company-ready” look at any time.

Custom-built in the early eighties, this contemporary home was cloaked in all brown board siding with brown windows and a cumbersome street-facing carport. The current owners had raised their family there on property that borders serene conservation land. Now they were ready for a new, brighter exterior look that would include all new windows to take in the exquisite view, unobscured by the fog of failing window seals; new siding that wouldn’t be subject to woodpecker wear and tear; a refinished screen porch; a new garage to replace the undersized carport; and new entry access. On the interior, they wanted the new, fresh vibe to extend to the design of three renovated modern bathrooms. In response, KHS proposed black-framed windows throughout in simpler configurations; fiber-cement (and PVC) exterior cladding in three textures to differentiate functions and features; a unifying light-gray and white palette teamed with clear-finished mahogany/sapele to carry across the exterior as well as the bathroom renovations; a stream-lined screen porch with cable rails; a new shed-roofed garage to resolve the exterior massing; and a new covered walkway entrance delivering those arriving into a repurposed interior space. Once the overall design was resolved, the owners elected to complete the work in phases over several years. Phase 1 included renovating the powder room, guest bathroom, and primary bathroom, and refreshing the screen porch. See the reconceived modern bathrooms here on the KHS website. Next came constructing the new garage and entry, which on the interior included new floor tile and a new entry wall-paneling system to conceal electrical, solar, and security panels/controls. Phase III involved installing the rest of the new windows and completing the comprehensive new exterior cladding and palette to tie the earlier phases together. To cap it off, KHS worked with the owners to select new clean-lined furnishings for the living area in colors inspired by their coastal view.

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Home theater - traditional home theater idea in Chicago

This project in the north-central Twin Cities metro area features frameless full overlay construction and vertical grain-matched white birch exteriors. The doors and drawer fronts include matching edgebanding. Hinges are soft close concealed, and drawer boxes rest on full extension undermount soft close guides. Homeowners chose Berenson bow pulls for hardware, which not only connects well with stainless steel appliances but also ties together cabinets throughout the home.

To help make this family room in Wexford more functional and cohesive, we added new custom built-in storage around the brick fireplace. On the left side, an existing built-in was situated in between the fireplace and a small closet, which also contained a sink. We started by peeling away these elements to create a larger space. Adding symmetry to the room, we designed new cabinetry which included a mix of hidden and open shelf storage. Behind full-height pocketing doors on the left, a new wet bar with a tiled backsplash and quartz countertop. On the right, another set of pocketing doors conceals three large drawers, plus overflow toy storage for the adjacent playroom. Immediately flanking the fireplace, bookshelves provide a space to display favorite items with even more storage beneath. To balance the room’s rich wood tones and multi-tonal red brick, we helped the clients select a neutral color palette to make the space feel more relaxed. Complimentary colors and textures are added through the playful wallpaper lining the back of the shelves, and hexagon backsplash tile. A stylish new fireplace faceplate, gallery lighting, and cabinet hardware — each in a dark metal finish — help to tie everything together.

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Inspiration for a contemporary home office remodel in Chicago

RHEINZINK ROOF PANELS PLAY KEY ROLE IN UNIQUE RESIDENTIAL WATER COLLECTION SYSTEM Located on a steeply sloped site in the central Texas hill country, visitors to the Cascading Creek House look down on the unique water-collection system of the house when entering from the street above. Descending the steps at the property’s entry, the experience begins with the structure’s paired zinc roofs. The northern roof collects rainwater from the sudden downpours that are characteristic of the area and deposits it into a central trough concealed by a line of solar thermal assemblies. The trough culminates in a giant scupper that feeds rainwater into an open cistern before being stored in a 30,000 gallon tank buried beside the house. The scupper can be run artificially as a fountain. The storage tank also collects runoff from the hardscape on the sloped lot. The stored water ties into an extensive climate conditioning system which utilizes water source heat pumps and radiant loops to supply both the heating and cooling for the residence. Design for the project and its innovative technological features was done by Bercy Chen Studio, Austin. Principal Thomas Bercy selected RHEINZINK PrePATINA blue-grey Double Lock Standing Seam Panels to clad the 3,200 sq. ft. roof area. “We used the zinc for aesthetic purpose as well as durability,“ Bercy said. “We were looking for a natural color palette that would work with the other materials on the house. The grey of the RHEINZINK worked perfectly with the grey tones of the Lueder limestone. And I’ve always loved the patina that aged zinc presents.“ The RHEINZINK distributor on the project was MetalTech—USA, Peachtree City, GA. Photographer: Tom Bardagjy

The Otter street basement renovation was a fix-to-sell project. The homeowners were being relocated by the military, and they needed to do a facelift on their home before selling. The main point of contention was the basement: it had been finished in a country-barn style, and was dark and uninviting. The walls were in bad shape, and the electrical needed to be brought up to code. Also in this project, were other touch-ups including replacing the kitchen backsplashes. The main issue was a wood-burning stove that was placed on a pad of tiles, which really took up space in the room, and was an eye-sore. The solution to this was to replace it with a gas-burning efficient direct vent corner fireplace, and cut away the flooring to make a symmetrical tiled pad. The opposite corner had to have a pipe concealed, so we decided to make it look like the fireplace mantel. The fireplace mantel, the corner mantel, and the window sill were all done in red oak, and were tied together. The tops of the mantels were done with the same tiles as on the floor. The kids' playroom had new walls, ceiling, and flooring to brighten it up. This house was placed on the market after a month of renovations, and was sold within 24 hours with an offer in excess of 98% of the asking price. Now that's a Fix It 2 Sell It success!