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See what our client say about Paul Lopa Designs:
We recently remodeled a studio we purchased for guests who visit us. The project included the demolition of a kitchenettem and a bathroom, and the installation of new cabinets, wood flooring, granite countertops, appliances, wood molding and a custom Murphy bed in the sleeping area.
My husband and I wanted a contractor who specializes in high end kitchens. We hired Paul Lopa (who had previously done two projects for us—a kitchen remodel and a bathroom remodel) as we were extremely impressed with his work, from beginning to end.
For the studio project, Paul brought many samples to our home before the project commenced. It was very easy for us to select the materials, from the wood used for the cabinets and Murphy bed to the granite countertop and wood floor. We were also very pleased with the appliances he helped us select as well, as the kitchen was transformed into a full-fledged kitchen with an eat-at counter. Paul helped us select custom marble for the bathroom which is gorgeous! Every suggestion he made was great. The studio is now worthy of being photographed by Architectural Digest!
Paul and his crew are very professional. His staff is friendly and were always on time. Upon completion of the job, the whole area was clean and ready to use.
Paul was always accessible and available to answer questions whenever we had one. We were impressed that the project finished on time and on budget!
We will definitely use Paul for all future work. He is a consummate professional and very nice to work with.

The Setup
The homeowners of this Barrington Hills residence approached Drury Design with a clear vision: transform their existing kitchen into a space that would better serve their active family of four. With two young children who are homeschooled and love to bake with their mom, plus two dogs, this kitchen needed to function as the true heart of the home.
The existing kitchen was functional but didn’t maximize the potential of the beautiful natural light and scenic views available through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The space was locked between the dining room and family room, which limited structural modifications, but the homeowners wanted to create a more family-friendly environment that would complement the warm walnut built-ins and furnishings in the adjacent dining room while staying true to the home’s overall aesthetic.
Design Objectives:
Create a highly functional workspace that accommodates multiple family members cooking and gathering simultaneously
Maximize the connection to the beautiful outdoor scenery and natural light through thoughtful design choices
Establish a cohesive color palette that complements the existing walnut elements in the adjacent dining room without becoming too tone-on-tone (aka “matchy matchy”)
Improve the seating arrangement to take advantage of the stunning views (rather than facing away from the windows)
Work within the existing architectural constraints, including a curved soffit that could not be removed
Increase storage capacity while maintaining clean, uncluttered sightlines throughout the space
Design Challenges:
The curved soffit presented a design dilemma of whether to echo the curve throughout the kitchen or work with it in a more subtle way
The relatively low ceiling height required careful consideration to avoid making the space feel cramped or cave-like
The existing hardwood floor could not be refinished, which meant the new kitchen footprint had to match or exceed the original layout exactly
Finding the right balance of warm and neutral tones to complement both the existing walnut elements nearby and the natural outdoor views proved challenging
The refrigerator placement was constrained by door swing requirements, which affected the entire layout and prevented centering the sink on the back wall
Rethinking the original seating, which faced inward toward the kitchen (turning backs to the beautiful windows and outdoor views)
Pendant lighting from the previous kitchen obstructed views to the outdoors despite the abundant natural light available
The Renewed Space
Design Solutions:
The curved soffit was embraced subtly through the full slab backsplash, which echoes the curve without requiring curved cabinetry or architectural elements that might feel forced
Low ceiling challenges were addressed by using lighter painted cabinets for some tall elements, including the double oven, pantries, and refrigerator area, creating an airy feel while reserving the darker stained walnut for the center section and island
The floor constraint was managed by designing the new layout to cover all previously unfinished areas while maintaining the exact footprint, with only minor touch-ups needed in a few areas
The color palette balances warm walnut stain (harmonizing with the dining room built-ins) with soft, neutral painted cabinets – avoiding stark white that wouldn’t complement the home’s warm aesthetic
Refrigerator placement was optimized with a slim pullout pantry to the left, allowing proper door clearance while maintaining the desired layout flow and enabling the main pantry to be positioned adjacently
The seating was completely reimagined with a built-in banquette facing the windows, allowing diners to enjoy the outdoor views while providing flexible seating for two to four people
Decorative pendant lighting was eliminated in favor of recessed can lights, preserving the unobstructed views to the beautiful outdoor scenery
This kitchen transformation demonstrates how thoughtful design can dramatically improve functionality for a busy family while honoring existing architectural elements. The children immediately began cooking and baking with their mother in the new space, and the window-facing banquette has become a favorite gathering spot where the family can enjoy both meals and the beautiful outdoor views.

Inspiration for a mid-sized open concept medium tone wood floor living room remodel with white walls and no fireplace

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Copyright 2014 Jan Weiss
Inspiration for a large modern enclosed home design remodel in San Francisco
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Innovative Design Build was hired to renovate a 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo in the prestigious Symphony building in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The project included a full renovation of the kitchen, guest bathroom and primary bathroom. We also did small upgrades throughout the remainder of the property. The goal was to modernize the property using upscale finishes creating a streamline monochromatic space. The customization throughout this property is vast, including but not limited to: a hidden electrical panel, popup kitchen outlet with a stone top, custom kitchen cabinets and vanities. By using gorgeous finishes and quality products the client is sure to enjoy his home for years to come.

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Example of a minimalist home design design in Los Angeles
Example of a minimalist home design design in Los Angeles

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Example of a minimalist kitchen design in Salt Lake City with an island
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