As a builder of custom homes primarily on the Northshore of Chicago, Raugstad has been building custom homes, and homes on speculation for three generations. Our commitment is always to the client. From commencement of the project all the way through to completion and the finishing touches, we are right there with you – one hundred percent. As your go-to Northshore Chicago custom home builder, we are proud to put our name on every completed Raugstad home.

Embarking on a garage remodeling project is a transformative endeavor that can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of the space. By investing in tailored storage solutions such as cabinets, wall-mounted organizers, and overhead racks, one can efficiently declutter the area and create a more organized storage system. Flooring upgrades, such as epoxy coatings or durable tiles, not only improve the garage's appearance but also provide a resilient surface. Adding custom workbenches or tool storage solutions contributes to a more efficient and user-friendly workspace. Additionally, incorporating proper lighting and ventilation ensures a well-lit and comfortable environment. A remodeled garage not only increases property value but also opens up possibilities for alternative uses, such as a home gym, workshop, or hobby space, making it a worthwhile investment for both practicality and lifestyle improvement.

Living room - contemporary open concept gray floor living room idea in San Francisco

The famiy desk area was part of the previous playroom and the tv now hangs on a wall of the former walk-in pantry. When removing walls relaocating the hvac to ensure proper circulation becomes the biggest challenge and for this was project that was no exception.

Peter McMenamin
Mid-sized tuscan dark wood floor hallway photo in Los Angeles with beige walls

Stripped of its original charm with sagging floors and water leaks, this 1900 row house was prime for a full renovation. While the staircase and marble fireplace are original, everything from the white oak flooring, crown, applied, and base moldings, to the archways and brass door hardware is new; yet they all feel original to the house. Other projects included removing soffits and tucking away randomly placed support beams and posts, relocating and expanding the kitchen, renovating each bathroom – and adding a new one, upgrading all the mechanical, electric and plumbing systems, removing a fireplace, and regrading the back patio for proper drainage and added greenery. The project is a perfect study of juxtaposing new and old, classic and modern. Photography Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Here you can see how the Rollamatic motorized skylight has slipped through an opening in the parapet wall. The project is not complete yet; when it is, the safety railing will be properly glazed.

Example of a trendy entryway design in Toronto

Wall Framing Provide and install wood or metal stud framing as per the approved plans. Ensure all framing is plumb, level, and secured per structural requirements. Install necessary blocking, bracing, and fire stops. Coordinate with other trades as needed. Drywall Installation per Plans Provide and install drywall per project specifications. Include necessary taping, mudding, and sanding for a smooth finish. Install moisture-resistant drywall where required. Ensure all seams and joints are properly finished for paint application. Insulation per Plans Supply and install insulation as specified in the project plans. Ensure proper R-values for thermal and acoustic performance. Install vapor barriers where required. Ensure all insulation is properly fitted and secured. Interior Painting per Plans Prep all surfaces, including priming where necessary. Apply paint per specifications, ensuring even coverage and smooth finish. Use high-quality paint as specified by the client. Protect surrounding surfaces and clean up upon completion. Acoustical Ceilings per Plans Provide and install acoustical ceiling grid and tiles per project specifications. Ensure level and secure installation. Coordinate with electrical and mechanical trades as needed. Baseboards Supply and install baseboards as per project requirements. Ensure precise cuts and seamless installation. Caulk and paint/stain as necessary. Flooring Labor Perform labor for flooring installation as per client-provided material. Ensure proper subfloor preparation. Install flooring per manufacturer guidelines. Provide final cleanup and ensure smooth finish. New Siding Remove existing siding if necessary. Supply and install new siding as per project specifications. Ensure proper flashing and weatherproofing. Seal all joints and ensure a finished look.

Embarking on a garage remodeling project is a transformative endeavor that can significantly enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of the space. By investing in tailored storage solutions such as cabinets, wall-mounted organizers, and overhead racks, one can efficiently declutter the area and create a more organized storage system. Flooring upgrades, such as epoxy coatings or durable tiles, not only improve the garage's appearance but also provide a resilient surface. Adding custom workbenches or tool storage solutions contributes to a more efficient and user-friendly workspace. Additionally, incorporating proper lighting and ventilation ensures a well-lit and comfortable environment. A remodeled garage not only increases property value but also opens up possibilities for alternative uses, such as a home gym, workshop, or hobby space, making it a worthwhile investment for both practicality and lifestyle improvement.

Bungalow renovation. by FitzHarris Designs
Mid-sized traditional blue two-story exterior home idea in DC Metro

This modern green home offers both a vacation destination on Cape Cod near local family members and an opportunity for rental income. FAMILY ROOTS. A West Coast couple living in the San Francisco Bay Area sought a permanent East Coast vacation home near family members living on Cape Cod. As academic professionals focused on sustainability, they sought a green, energy efficient home that was well-aligned with their values. With no green homes available for sale on Cape Cod, they decided to purchase land near their family and build their own. SLOPED SITE. Comprised of a 3/4 acre lot nestled in the pines, the steeply sloping terrain called for a plan that embraced and took advantage of the slope. Of equal priority was optimizing solar exposure, preserving privacy from abutters, and creating outdoor living space. The design accomplished these goals with a simple, rectilinear form, offering living space on the both entry and lower/basement levels. The stepped foundation allows for a walk-out basement level with light-filled living space on the down-hill side of the home. The traditional basement on the eastern, up-hill side houses mechanical equipment and a home gym. The house welcomes natural light throughout, captures views of the forest, and delivers entertainment space that connects indoor living space to outdoor deck and dining patio. MODERN VISION. The clean building form and uncomplicated finishes pay homage to the modern architectural legacy on the outer Cape. Durable and economical fiber cement panels, fixed with aluminum channels, clad the primary form. Cedar clapboards provide a visual accent at the south-facing living room, which extends a single roof plane to cover the entry porch. SMART USE OF SPACE. On the entry level, the “L”-shaped living, dining, and kitchen space connects to the exterior living, dining, and grilling spaces to effectively double the home’s summertime entertainment area. Placed at the western end of the entry level (where it can retain privacy but still claim expansive downhill views) is the master suite with a built-in study. The lower level has two guest bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and laundry. The flexibility of the space—crucial in a house with a modest footprint—emerges in one of the guest bedrooms, which doubles as home office by opening the barn-style double doors to connect it to the bright, airy open stair leading up to the entry level. Thoughtful design, generous ceiling heights and large windows transform the modest 1,100 sf* footprint into a well-lit, spacious home. *(total finished space is 1800 sf) RENTAL INCOME. The property works for its owners by netting rental income when the owners are home in San Francisco. The house especially caters to vacationers bound for nearby Mayo Beach and includes an outdoor shower adjacent to the lower level entry door. In contrast to the bare bones cottages that are typically available on the Cape, this home offers prospective tenants a modern aesthetic, paired with luxurious and green features. Durable finishes inside and out will ensure longevity with the heavier use that comes with a rental property. COMFORT YEAR-ROUND. The home is super-insulated and air-tight, with mechanical ventilation to provide continuous fresh air from the outside. High performance triple-paned windows complement the building enclosure and maximize passive solar gain while ensuring a warm, draft-free winter, even when sitting close to the glass. A properly sized air source heat pump offers efficient heating & cooling, and includes a carefully designed the duct distribution system to provide even comfort throughout the house. The super-insulated envelope allows us to significantly reduce the equipment capacity, duct size, and airflow quantities, while maintaining unparalleled thermal comfort. ENERGY EFFICIENT. The building’s shell and mechanical systems play instrumental roles in the home’s exceptional performance. The building enclosure reduces the most significant energy glutton: heating. Continuous super-insulation, thorough air sealing, triple-pane windows, and passive solar gain work together to yield a miniscule heating load. All active energy consumers are extremely efficient: an air source heat pump for heating and cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation (ERV), and high efficiency appliances. The result is a home that uses 70% less energy than a similar new home built to code requirements. OVERALL. The home embodies the owners’ goals and values while comprehensively enabling thermal comfort, energy efficiency, a vacation respite, and supplementary income. PROJECT TEAM ZeroEnergy Design - Architect & Mechanical Designer A.F. Hultin & Co. - Contractor Pamet Valley Landscape Design - Landscape & Masonry Lisa Finch - Original Artwork European Architectural Supply - Windows Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Bathroom in Fairway Drive | Room Type: Whole House Furnishing and Remodel-4 bed, 4 bath, 4293 square feet. Project Name: Fairway Drive | Key Feature: A full-scale renovation focused on transforming the bathrooms and kitchen while creating a cohesive, modern space designed for the entire family to enjoy. Challenge: The guest bathroom tile had not been properly sealed, which led to water staining over time. Solution: We coordinated directly with the vendor to source replacement tile and brought in a trusted subcontractor to ensure proper installation and sealing, preventing future issues and restoring the integrity of the space. Materials: Furniture: Ethnicraft, Four Hands, Nuevo Living | Art: Leftbank | Drapery: Kravet | Ferguson- Bath hardware and plumbing | Budget: $200K–$350K | Timeline: Completed July 2021

This is another of our two part projects we refreshed a hall bath with granite, tile, and fixtures. A few month later we installed a proper hearth with a stacked stone fireplace and a beam mantle.

This is another of our two part projects we refreshed a hall bath with granite, tile, and fixtures. A few month later we installed a proper hearth with a stacked stone fireplace and a beam mantle.

Detailed instruction on which OZCO products to use and how to properly install them to construct a Garden Arbor. Or use this guide and alter it to fit your specific project! Project #347

This is another of our two part projects we refreshed a hall bath with granite, tile, and fixtures. A few month later we installed a proper hearth with a stacked stone fireplace and a beam mantle.

Detailed instruction on which OZCO products to use and how to properly install them to construct a Garden Arbor. Or use this guide and alter it to fit your specific project! Project #347

After View of the Family's Kitchen Photo Credit: Laura Moss
Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in New York