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This project centered on helping a wonderful client and her equally fantastic dog transform her condo into a space that truly reflected her style and simplified her life. Eager to create a home that was both beautiful and functional, she envisioned a haven in the heart of the city.
Before: Feeling Disconnected
Before the renovation, our client felt disconnected from her condo. The builder-grade kitchen was a constant source of frustration, with an awkward peninsula that hindered the flow of the space. The condo overall felt outdated and no longer captured her vibrant personality. The foyer and laundry areas were cramped and lacked organization, while the mismatched hardwood flooring only added to the disjointed atmosphere. As for the bathrooms, they felt frozen in time, desperately needing an update.
Worries and Concerns
Like many homeowners, our client had heard her fair share of renovation horror stories—tales of projects gone awry and the frustrations of managing multiple contractors. She was understandably cautious and needed a trustworthy, experienced team she could rely on to handle the project with care and expertise.
The Solution: A Personalized Transformation
We took the time to listen carefully to our client’s needs and concerns and developed a tailored plan to address each of her pain points. For the kitchen, we preserved the existing layout but reimagined the space entirely. The awkward peninsula was redesigned to improve traffic flow and provide much-needed storage and counter space. Clever storage solutions, such as pull-outs, shelving, concealed drawers in the toe kicks, and an appliance garage, were incorporated. The kitchen now boasts a warm and inviting atmosphere, with light wood-tone lower cabinetry, off-white upper cabinets, and brushed nickel hardware that ties it all together.
The laundry room, once cramped and chaotic, was transformed into an organized, efficient space. We added custom cabinetry with pull-outs for hanging clothes, open storage above, a laundry sink, and a spacious counter for folding—no more piles of laundry!
Both the en-suite and shared bathrooms underwent complete renovations. Custom cabinetry was installed, including a floor-to-ceiling linen closet, and light grey and brown-toned tiles were selected, with contrasting hexagonal tiles for the shower floor. A heated flooring system was added for luxury and comfort year-round.
The mismatched flooring throughout the condo was replaced with cohesive vinyl and porcelain tiles, creating a seamless, modern aesthetic throughout the space.
Overcoming Challenges
As with any renovation, there were challenges to navigate. One of the key obstacles was managing the condo board’s renovation rules and policies while coordinating the delivery schedules for finishes and fixtures, especially during the busy holiday season. With careful planning, we ensured the project stayed on track. Additionally, we encountered a height variation between the tile and vinyl flooring. To resolve this, we used self-leveling material under the vinyl, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition between the two flooring types.
The Grand Reveal: A Dream Come True
The final result is simply stunning. The kitchen is now a chef’s dream, with custom-built cabinets, smooth quartz countertops, and a matching stone backsplash. Brushed nickel and stainless steel plumbing fixtures, elegant cabinet hardware, and LED lighting under the upper cabinets add the perfect finishing touches. Custom organizers in the foyer and laundry closets provide ample storage and keep everything neatly in place. The bathrooms have been transformed into spa-like retreats, with beautiful porcelain tiles and custom cabinetry. The new vinyl flooring throughout the main living areas and bedroom unifies the space, creating a cohesive and modern atmosphere.
Life Transformed
Our client’s life has been completely transformed. As a passionate cook, she now relishes spending time in her beautiful and functional kitchen. The single-bowl sink makes cleanup a breeze, and the thoughtfully designed storage solutions have brought a sense of calm and order to her home. The refreshed flooring and neutral paint palette have created a relaxing, comfortable environment she truly loves.
A Memorable Journey
This project was more than just a renovation—it was a collaboration. Our client valued our guidance throughout the design process, particularly when faced with the overwhelming number of decisions. We built a strong relationship with her, and we are immensely grateful for the trust she placed in our team.

2011 CAPITAL COTY HONORABLE MENTION AWARD
Located in the new Trump International Golf Course Community, this contemporary home has a great location overlooking the golf course. The current layout, however, prevented the owners from taking advantage of its breathtaking view.
Goals of the remodel were to open up the first floor layout by taking down the partition walls between the kitchen and dining room. The homeowner also wanted to update the home’s galley kitchen, replacing its dark cabinets and counters.
Once the walls were removed, major obstacles because they were load bearing, the new design could evolve. The ten foot ceilings provided the opportunity to stack up decorative glass cabinetry and highly crafted crown moldings on top, while maintaining a considerable amount of cabinetry right below it. The custom made brush stroke finished cabinetry with bells and whistles such as corbels and chimney style wood hood surrounded with leaded glass cabinetry. Pillars were all part of detailed craftsmanship of this project.
A large 5’ x 14’ island is the focal point of the design. The island consists of main sink with a pedal style control disposal, dishwasher, microwave, second bar sink, beverage center refrigerator and still has room to sit five to six people. Its darker cabinetry provides a beautiful contrast to the opaque white cabinets on the surrounding walls.
White marble counters and backsplash brighten up the kitchen and two crystal chandeliers create a timeless yet elegant feel. High-end Thermador appliances covered in custom inset panels are part of this featured project to implement the classic look the homeowner wanted for this kitchen. Finally, a featured cabinet arch with leaded glass separates the kitchen from the dining room and displays the homeowner’s fine china.
Finally, large windows and French doors offer beautiful golf course views from multiple vantage points.

Relocating from San Francisco, this young family immediately zeroed in on the wonderful historic homes around downtown Chicago. Most of the properties they saw checked a lot of wish list boxes, but none of them checked every box. The house they landed on had beautiful curb appeal, a dramatic entry with a welcoming porch and front hall, and a really nice yard. Unfortunately, it did not have a kitchen that was well set-up for cooking and entertaining. Reworking the kitchen area was the top priority.
The family had met with a few other designers and even had an architect take a crack at the space, but they were not able to come up with a viable solution. Here’s how Senior Designer Diana Burton approached the project…
Design Objectives:
Respect the home’s vintage feel while bringing the kitchen up to date
Open up the kitchen area to create an open space for gathering and entertaining
Upgrade appliances to top-of-the-line models
Include a large island with seating
Include seating for casual family meals in a space that won’t be a replacement for the adjacent formal dining room
THE REMODEL
Design Challenges:
Remove a load-bearing wall and combine smaller rooms to create one big kitchen
A powder room in the back corner of the existing kitchen was a huge obstacle to updating the layout
Maintain large windows with views of the yard while still providing ample storage
Design Solutions:
Relocating the powder room to another part of the first floor (a large closet under the stairs) opened up the space dramatically
Create space for a larger island by recessing the fridge/freezer and shifting the pantry to a space adjacent to the kitchen
A banquette saves space and offers a perfect solution for casual dining
The walnut banquette table beautifully complements the fridge/freezer armoire
Utilize a gap created by the new fridge location to create a tall shallow cabinet for liquor storage w/ a wine cubby
Closing off one doorway into the dining room and using the “between the studs” space for a tall storage cabinet
Dish organizing drawers offer handy storage for plates, bowls, and serving dishes right by main sink and dishwasher
Cabinetry backing up to the dining room offers ample storage for glassware and functions both as a coffee station and cocktail bar
Open shelves flanking the hood add storage without blocking views and daylight
A beam was required where the wall was removed. Additional beams added architectural interest and helped integrate the beams into the space
Statement lighting adds drama and personality to the space
THE RENEWED SPACE
This project exemplifies the transformative power of good design. Simply put, good design allows you to live life artfully. The newly remodeled kitchen effortlessly combines functionality and aesthetic appeal, providing a delightful space for cooking and spending quality time together. It’s comfy for regular meals but ultimately outfitted for those special gatherings. Infused with classic finishes and a timeless charm, the kitchen emanates an enduring atmosphere that will never go out of style.
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Design Objectives:
Respect the home’s vintage feel while bringing the kitchen up to date
Open up the kitchen area to create an open space for gathering and entertaining
Upgrade appliances to top-of-the-line models
Include a large island with seating
Include seating for casual family meals in a space that won’t be a replacement for the adjacent formal dining room
THE REMODEL
Design Challenges:
Remove a load-bearing wall and combine smaller rooms to create one big kitchen
A powder room in the back corner of the existing kitchen was a huge obstacle to updating the layout
Maintain large windows with views of the yard while still providing ample storage
Design Solutions:
Relocating the powder room to another part of the first floor (a large closet under the stairs) opened up the space dramatically
Create space for a larger island by recessing the fridge/freezer and shifting the pantry to a space adjacent to the kitchen
A banquette saves space and offers a perfect solution for casual dining
The walnut banquette table beautifully complements the fridge/freezer armoire
Utilize a gap created by the new fridge location to create a tall shallow cabinet for liquor storage w/ a wine cubby
Closing off one doorway into the dining room and using the “between the studs” space for a tall storage cabinet
Dish organizing drawers offer handy storage for plates, bowls, and serving dishes right by main sink and dishwasher
Cabinetry backing up to the dining room offers ample storage for glassware and functions both as a coffee station and cocktail bar
Open shelves flanking the hood add storage without blocking views and daylight
A beam was required where the wall was removed. Additional beams added architectural interest and helped integrate the beams into the space
Statement lighting adds drama and personality to the space
THE RENEWED SPACE
This project exemplifies the transformative power of good design. Simply put, good design allows you to live life artfully. The newly remodeled kitchen effortlessly combines functionality and aesthetic appeal, providing a delightful space for cooking and spending quality time together. It’s comfy for regular meals but ultimately outfitted for those special gatherings. Infused with classic finishes and a timeless charm, the kitchen emanates an enduring atmosphere that will never go out of style. This photo hones in on the lap drawers on seating side of island.
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