The original kitchen in this downtown condominium was outdated and traffic flow was cumbersome. It lacked seating options, which limited options for conversing while entertaining and hosting. The footprint was rearranged to fix this and the island was rotated to extend the kitchen’s footprint. The new island is on the outside of the work space and incorporates two tiers to keep prep space away from the seating area.

An Ensuite Transformation in Richmond Hill This project showcases how we helped a wonderful retired couple in Richmond Hill transform their dated and dysfunctional master ensuite into a tranquil spa-like retreat. These lovely empty nesters, in their mid to late 70s, envisioned a space where they could truly relax and enjoy their time at home, especially when their family and grandkids came to visit. We were so honored to help them bring that vision to life. Understanding Their Needs: From our initial conversations, it was clear how much this couple valued comfort and tranquility. The existing ensuite, unfortunately, fell short of providing either. For the wife, the leaky deck-mount tub was a major disappointment, as she deeply cherished her long, hot baths. The husband, meanwhile, was eager to replace the outdated and cumbersome toilet/bidet combo with a modern, single-piece smart toilet – a desire for both convenience and a touch of modern luxury. The shower stall was cramped, dark, and plagued by mold, while the large double vanity, despite its size, lacked functional storage. It simply wasn't the relaxing oasis they deserved. Addressing Their Concerns: We understood that undertaking a renovation can be stressful, especially when you're not going to be on-site for much of the process. This couple was understandably concerned about potential delays, workmanship quality, and the possibility of unforeseen issues arising while they were away. We made it our priority to address each of these concerns with transparency, open communication, and a commitment to delivering on our promises. Our Personalized Solutions: We worked closely with the couple to develop solutions that perfectly matched their needs and desires: ● A Sanctuary for Soaking: The leaky deck-mount tub was replaced with a beautiful, freestanding oval tub – easier to access and offering a more contemporary aesthetic. The wife's vision of a small decorative table nearby for her bath essentials added a personal touch, creating a true spa-like experience. ● Modern Comfort and Convenience: The separate toilet and bidet were replaced with a sleek, high-tech smart toilet, fulfilling the husband's wish and adding a touch of modern luxury to their daily routine. ● A Bright and Inviting Shower: The cramped and moldy shower stall was completely transformed. We demolished the existing bulkhead and built a custom walk-in shower with frameless glass, a built-in bench, and a niche for toiletries. The result was a dramatically brighter and more spacious shower experience. ● Storage and Style: A semi-custom double vanity with ample cabinets and drawers was installed, finally providing each of them with dedicated storage and eliminating countertop clutter. This seemingly small change made a huge difference in their daily lives. ● A Calming Atmosphere: We carefully selected a calming spa-like color palette, incorporating muted, neutral tones and high-quality finishes to create a truly relaxing and inviting atmosphere. Navigating the Challenges Together: Renovations rarely go perfectly smoothly, and this project was no exception. We encountered delays with plumbing fixture deliveries, which threatened our timeline. However, by leveraging our established relationships with reliable suppliers, we were able to find alternative solutions and minimize the impact on the project schedule. We also faced a minor setback when the initially chosen grey vanity went out of stock. Working closely with the couple, we explored other options and ultimately selected a stunning sandstone-stained maple finish, which, as it turned out, complemented the other design elements beautifully. These moments reinforced the importance of open communication and collaboration throughout the process. The Joy of Transformation: The final result was truly remarkable. The transformed ensuite is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and meticulous execution. The space now features large-format, light-colored concrete-look porcelain tiles, creating a bright and airy feel. The sandstone-stained maple vanity, topped with a quartz countertop, serves as a beautiful focal point against the muted green walls. Matte black plumbing fixtures, hardware, and accessories add a touch of modern sophistication. The custom frameless shower glass enclosure enhances the spaciousness of the shower, while the smart toilet provides the ultimate in comfort and convenience. A Space to Cherish: The renovation has made a profound difference in this couple's daily lives. The wife can now indulge in her beloved long, hot baths in a truly tranquil setting. The husband enjoys the modern convenience of his new smart toilet. The spacious and bright walk-in shower is both beautiful and functional. And the new vanity provides ample storage, keeping the countertop clutter-free and contributing to the overall sense of peace and calm. This ensuite is no longer just a bathroom; it's a personal spa, a sanctuary within their home, where they can relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy their time together. Memorable Moments and Hiccups: ● Budget Adjustment: After finalizing the initial design, we worked closely with the clients to reselect the freestanding tub to ensure it aligned perfectly with their budget. ● Vanity Setback: The unexpected out-of-stock situation with the original vanity color required a quick and effective re-selection process, which ultimately led to an even better design outcome. This highlighted the importance of flexibility and collaboration during a renovation.

This beautiful kitchen was remodeled for a growing family in the Chicago suburbs. As they were purchasing a new home, they realized there were many drawbacks to the kitchen. It needed to be redesigned to meet their lifestyle and it made sense to do it before moving in. It was a large kitchen but the functional work space was very small. The work triangle was cumbersome and traffic flowed right through it. The existing kitchen had new red oak floors. They were beautiful, but dark red floors just aren’t practical for a growing family with dogs. THE REMODEL The first thing we did was redesign the space and reorient the layout with two islands. Incorporating a built-in banquette, instead of a table, freed up plenty of room for them. The islands are strategically placed in the opposite direction of the previous layout’s single island. This not only creates a better view from the family room, it keeps the traffic flow out of the work area while facilitating two separate workspaces. The small island incorporates a new prep sink. It’s right across from the cooking area, which is a new focal point with a gorgeous new metal hood. The larger island incorporates a Galley Workstation with accessories for efficient prep, expediting and serving. The 4′ sink makes post-meal clean-up a breeze. The butler’s pantry just outside the kitchen was large enough to create a new beverage center for morning coffee and cocktail prep. An ice maker was added to this area but there wasn’t enough room for a new wine cooler and refrigerator drawers. A separate area using previously unused space was added to the kitchen (by the table) – it includes a new wine cooler and cold beverage drawers. This is framed nicely with some glass door cabinets and a lighted open niche above for decorative display. STRATEGIC DESIGN A combination of colors and finishes highlight different focal points in the kitchen – this includes a slate blue, a soft grey and a light whitewashed stain on rift-cut oak. The stained white oak makes the wine cooler and refrigeration areas look more like furniture pieces instead of kitchen cabinets. The floors were refinished with a very light grey stain that enabled us to lighten up the color and get the red out of the finish. A new ceiling was designed to add architectural detail to the space – it includes three separate tray areas with new crown molding and lighting. THE RENEWED SPACE This stunning new kitchen is the perfect fit for the family and their home – the finishes and design elements flow beautifully into the adjoining spaces. It fulfills all of the family’s dreams for a beautiful and comfortable space that is functional and versatile.

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.