
The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn
https://www.houzz.com/pro/sklimala copied to clipboard
Kitchen & Bath Remodelers
About Us
Family owned
Award winning
Custom work
Chicagoland Kitchen & Bath Designer/Remodeler
17x Best of Houzz
17x Best of Houzz
The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn is a family-owned full-service residential interior design + build firm business made up of the most expert kitchen, bath and interior designers in the area. They believe in a collaborative approach, customizing recommendations and applying their design expertise to fit the vision of your home and unique lifestyle. We design, remodel and renovate kitchens, bathrooms and other residential spaces in Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Naperville, River Forest, Hinsdale, Arlington Heights, Downers Grove, Oak Park, Winfield, Burr Ridge, Geneva, Inverness, St. Charles, and the Chicago area.
Whether our experienced designers are working on a master bath remodeling project or a kitchen renovation designed around your family, we work with you from design to installation, ensuring each element fits your custom lifestyle. Our projects have been featured in national and local publications. We strive for beautiful and functional spaces that are a perfect reflection of our clients' needs and desires.
Services Provided
Bathroom Remodeling, Custom Bathroom Vanities, Custom Cabinets, Custom Kitchen Cabinets, Handicap-Accessible Design, Home Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Multigenerational Homes, Project Management, Sustainable Design, Universal Design, Bathroom Design, Kitchen Design, Interior Design, Furnishings
Areas Served
Burr Ridge, Chicago, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, Naperville, Oakbrook Terrace, Western Springs, Wheaton, Winfield, Oak Brook
Awards
NKBA 2018 DESIGN VISION AWARDS 1st Place Winner – Powder Room 3rd Place Winner - Medium Kitchen 3rd Place Winner - Small Kitchen Best Before & After - Small Bathroom Best Before & After - Laundry Room
Featured Review

Erin B
Average rating: 5 out of 5 starsRelationship
Client
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!! We could not ask for a better experience with The Kitchen Studio team in Glen Ellyn. We had a full kitchen remodel done and it is beautiful, we just love it!Read Full Review
66 Reviews for The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn
Newest first
Average rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars4.9|66 reviews
Work Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Value4.9

Lisa Leuer
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We had an outstanding experience working with The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn to refresh the majority of our first floor including the kitchen, butler pantry, mudroom, powder room and all hardwood floors. We are so happy with the gorgeous transformation. Susan incorporated our aesthetic and taste into the design and special details. We appreciated the quality of the materials selected and special touches to make things just right. All members of the TKS team were very professional and paid attention to detail throughout the project. Even with the challenges of the pandemic, the TKS team worked hard to keep the project moving, always communicating daily progress. Any questions or concerns that came up during the project were quickly addressed. The entire process was well planned and stress free. We love the end-result; especially the way the design flows from room to room, including rooms that were not completely refreshed. We highly recommend The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn. Thank you to the TKS team!
March 8, 2022Last modified:March 8, 2022
Comment from The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn:
Thank you Lisa. We are honored by your beautiful note, and by the opportunity to work with you on your home. Our favorite clients are those who’s style meshes perfectly with our brand aesthetic and creates the opportunity for wonderful things to happen! We hope your new space brings you many happy memories!





Erin B
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!! We could not ask for a better experience with The Kitchen Studio team in Glen Ellyn. We had a full kitchen remodel done and it is beautiful, we just love it! The entire team--including the owners, the designers, and the contractors were all very professional, punctual, responsive and reliable every day of our project. They kept us updated every day about what was done with our kitchen, what was happening the next day and if there were any delays with deliveries or supplies. The quality of the products (countertops, cabinets, appliances, tile backsplash, etc) are all excellent quality and look amazing. The contractors showed up every day on time and cleaned up very nicely at the end of the day--and always showed up! The designers really listened to our wants and needs for our kitchen and worked with us to make sure we liked the overall design. We also had some major structural work to do to our kitchen and they had a very good structural engineer make safe and aesthetically pleasing suggestions with a challenging wall in our kitchen. We had to have our floors refinished on our entire first floor and they look perfect. If you are looking to have your kitchen remodeled, whether a big or small project, hire The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn! You will be so happy you did!
January 26, 2022
Comment from The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn:
Erin, thank you so much for your wonderful review! It was such a pleasure to help bring your vision for your new kitchen to life, and our team was happy to navigate the structural challenges to find sound and beautiful solutions for your space. Your home is such a happy place, and the bright and airy quality of the new design really lends to the cheerful energy it exudes. It was an absolute joy to work with you and your family, and we are fortunate to have such amazing clients. Who says you can’t have it all?!




HU-917259400
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We hired The Kitchen Studio to remodel our kitchen and bathroom. Even though we have a small space, they were able to work with us to make the most of it. The results are beyond what we could have imagined our home looking like. Susan and team are incredibly respectful, talented, and professional. We plan on working with them for any future remodels.
September 26, 2021

Ellen McDonnell
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Hiring Susan was the best decision we made when building our house in Michigan!
During the design phase we weren’t pleased with the builders kitchen team. Living in Glen ellyn we were aware of the The Kitchen Studio (TKS) but never had the opportunity to work with them.
We dropped off our plans with Susan and in the first meeting we were extremely impressed with her knowledge and ability to listen to what we wanted.
Working with kitchen studio was seamless and stress free. Her team coordinated everything with our builder and we achieved our dream kitchen within budget.
If you’re considering a custom kitchen you owe it to yourself to meet with Susan and the TKS team.
September 22, 2021

llharti
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We worked with The Kitchen Studio when we decided to redo our kitchen. The layout was creative and really fit our requirements and needs. They have a large range of cabinet styles to choose from. Susan really payed attention to the little details, ones we never thought of. The completion of the kitchen was within the time frame we were promised and I can't say enough about the contractors used. They were friendly, neat and did great work. Overall, we are very pleased with our fabulous new kitchen designed and built by The kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn!
September 17, 2021

mhuml
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We had an outstanding experience with The Kitchen Studio. The designs presented were spot on to what we wanted, plus even better then we could ever imagine. And the project was perfectly project managed. We are thrilled with the finished product!
September 16, 2021

Andrew Vrabel
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
A couple years ago, the Kitchen Studio dramatically redesigned the kitchen in our 1926 home, later winning an NKBA design vision award for the project. We invited them back earlier this year to re-envision our main floor powder room and a full bath. Their work this time around was as incredible as our award winning kitchen. Our powder room should be in a magazine somewhere. Susan's eye for style and her team's devotion to perfection will cause me to come back to the Kitchen Studio again and again.

September 15, 2021

renee stephan
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Working with The Kitchen Studio was by far the smoothest and least stressful project we’ve ever done in our 130-year-old home. With Susan at the helm, our first floor bathroom renovation was handled by a great team with professionalism and a focus on customer satisfaction from start to finish.
Susan is a talented designer who took on the challenge of our historic home with a refreshing enthusiasm, re-assuring calm, and a “can-do” approach. She has impeccable taste mixed with a grounded sensibility that allows her to tailor a project to any budget and style. I really appreciated how she listened to my ideas and concerns, came up with a design that was sensitive to the history of the house, and assigned a competent and “old-house friendly” contractor to make it come to fruition.
Mary Ellen, the project manager, worked through every construction issue with an attentive focus and great problem solving skills. Although they always collaborated with me, she and Susan took full ownership of my project as if it were in their own house…and that type of intentional and personal approach translated to a close attention to detail that was unparalleled!
I couldn’t be happier with the finished product. I highly recommend The Kitchen studio of Glen Ellyn!
December 22, 2020

kenshrink
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Wonderful people to work and wonderful results! Susan did both our kitchen and master bath. She's got great ideas, gets the job done promptly and is a pleasure to work with. I'd use The Kitchen Studio again in an instant.
December 17, 2020

K Oser
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
I have worked with Susan and her team on two renovations, my kitchen and then my master bath. Susan was able to give me an update and classic design that fit with my vintage, city condo. The team is very professional and great to work with. I would not hesitate to recommend The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn to anyone.
December 17, 2020

Douglas
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
After starting our project with The Kitchen Studio, we ran into some unavoidable delays on our end and had to pause our kitchen remodel. Susan and her team have been super helpful and accommodating. We can't wait to get our project going again in the new year!
December 17, 2020

Jeannie
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn is not only a valued place to work with for your next project but also a good partner in business. The owners work very hard at strong relationships and fair business practices with their suppliers like us at Woodland Cabinetry, which results in better products and services for their clients. The Kitchen Studio's attention to detail is reflected at every level and supplies the consumer with a trusted source.
December 16, 2020

Karen C
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
I had heard about the dreaded kitchen remodel - construction debris, extended time without being able to cook, workers in the home all day. We didn't experience any of those headaches with The Kitchen Studio. Susan and MaryEllen were fabulous to work with from start to finish. We remodeled a kitchen and half bath in our older home (built 1897). From the first meeting, it was clear that they were pros! The planning process went smoothly and we were presented with three options to review - with a wide range of price points. Once we decided on our plan, they gave us plenty of time to make decisions, and communication was quick and professional. It was very important to us that our kitchen reflects our needs and style, including modern conveniences, but also honor the age of our home. Susan listened and took all that into consideration when presenting us with the design and selections. All of the contractors were fabulous and it was clear that there is mutual respect between The Kitchen Studio and the contractors. The contractors were very respectful of our home - they cleaned up during the day and then did a cleanup before leaving each evening. Timelines were set and well planned, it was clear that The Kitchen Studio knows their stuff! We are so pleased with the final result!
NOTE: Project price includes the appliances, which we handled on our own.
April 23, 2020

Susan G
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We had a wonderful experience with The Kitchen Studio redoing our master bathroom. Susan's design is beautiful and functional. She listened to what we wanted and incorporated our ideas with her creativity and practical knowledge. Every person on the entire team is great to work with. They addressed any questions or concerns right away as the project moved along. The contractors who did the installation do meticulous work and their attention to detail is appreciated. We are so happy with the wonderful work from The Kitchen Studio.
March 4, 2020

Jennifer Diab
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
I had a wonderful experience working with Susan Klimala and her staff. Her designs were beautiful and I really appreciate her attention to every little detail. My project went smoothly and I was kept informed every step of the way. I would definitely use them again.
December 5, 2019

HU-913410339
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We just had our kids bathroom completely redone by The Kitchen Studio. The end product exceeded our expectations (and our kids’) and the whole Kitchen Studio team delivered a functional and stylish bathroom on time and right on budget!
Working with Susan and Jeff could not have been easier and their straight forward process took us from concept to completion smoothly even in our 100 year old home. They listened to our wishes and concerns, addressing them at all times.
Thanks to the whole TKS team for renewing our faith in remodeling!
November 20, 2019

In Detail Interiors
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
I have worked with Susan recently and found her to be a skilled designer with a great eye for detail. Her portfolio speaks for itself- highly recommend Susan and her team!
November 18, 2019

Properties Scape
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
The Kitchen Studio was involved in a few of our projects in the last 24 months. Each one was delivered on time and within our budget. They were of great help and their knowledge of design is unparalelled. Thanks again!
November 18, 2019

MJ Renovation llc
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Received an estimate
The team helped my client sell their home in Chicago days after it was listed. The beautiful design of the kitchen and baths made the home pop online and at showings bringing an offer to purchase 3 days after we listed the home. Keep up the good work!
November 18, 2019

HU-462040735
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
The Kitchen Studio helped my client sell their home in Lombard. They designed all the rooms including the kitchen, baths, laundry room and provided custom materials. As a result my client was able to sell the home in days while others on the block not updated took months to sell.
November 14, 2019Last modified:November 14, 2019

Kusum Singh
Average rating: 1 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Received an estimate
We signed retainer to remodel kitchen & small bath and powder room with the kitchen studio of Glen Ellen that clearly specified their design and project overseeing fees as % of material ( I had to buy from them) and their labor cost. However when cost estimates were developed for contract signing for project implementation phase, her personal costs were 3 times of what they should have been. When I pointed out the terms, instead of correcting they sent me a new retainer document and told me process has now changed. The change is permanent and sometimes there is little fallout like this. These were Susan’s words in an email. I took them to court (case#2019SR000483 in dupage county) to get my money back which I did. Susan herself is talented and very personable but her finance partner and company coowner’s dealings are disappointing and ignorant of basic business ethics.
November 6, 2019
Comment from The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn:
We have hundreds of very satisfied customers. We are disappointed that you are not one of them despite our best efforts to work with you. You have posted false, disparaging inaccurate information in your review. It contains multiple factual inaccuracies, is defamatory, and even posting about it is potentially in violation of our agreement. We entered into an agreement in order to limit costs of litigation, with no admission of any wrongdoing on our part. We did not fully refund the retainer money paid by you as you claimed. All the design work was completed per the terms of the initial design contract before you requested a refund. We do our best to be transparent in how we work and how we price our jobs. We will continue to defend our company’s good reputation despite potential costs, and request that you remove your review.

Mark Weiss
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We remodeled our Master and second bathrooms in our 20 year old Arts & Crafts-style home. Susan, Rebecca, and our construction leader Chris were a pleasure to work with. Susan gave terrific design advice and helped us avoid several amateur mistakes inherent in our original thoughts, but she also listened and collaborated in a way that helped us feel our input was valuable. Rebecca handled logistics and communications and always kept us well informed. Chris is a wonderful craftsman, he executed the design to perfection. His crew also took great care of the house and protected the surrounding areas thoroughly. We couldn't be happier with the results!
September 23, 2019

D D
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
When we met Susan and the Kitchen Studio Team, we were stuck in what Susan called the "Analysis Paralysis" stage of planning. So we ask her to come up with a fresh perspective and a completely new design that would convince us to finally initiate our long planned kitchen renovation. Her plans included all items in our wishlist, projected our personality, had the counter dining space we wanted and reflected the midcentury modern unique design we had been looking for all along. It has been a successful cooperation between us, the Kitchen Studio and contractors included to complete our new kitchen. We love the fact that all contractors were local. Everyone involved showed professionalism, punctuality and cleanliness. Communication lines we open at all ends. Arising issues were acknowledged and addressed until the project was completed. The new kitchen is magnificent. We love cooking and entertaining in it and the feedback we receive is nothing short of astonishing and unique.
August 7, 2019Last modified:August 7, 2019

Sara Beazley
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
A fantastic experience from start to finish! Susan worked carefully with me through the design process, really listening to what I had in mind and creating a plan that not only incorporated what I had outlined, but brought a very fresh approach to the kitchen that far exceeded expectations! The whole design team was spectacular and managed the project with consideration, dedication and fun. I would recommend The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn to anyone needing a kitchen designer, and am looking forward to working with Susan again when it comes time to redo my two bathrooms!
August 1, 2019

Paulette McDermott
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
I cannot say enough good things about Susan and her team. I have an old home in Glen Ellyn. Susan has performed miracles with large jobs (turning two closets into an extra bathroom) and small jobs (helping to fit a new refrigerator into my kitchen). Recently she designed and executed a remodel of the master bath. It is beautiful. She has great ideas and the jobs are done on time. She is also always ready with recommendations when you need someone to help with other jobs that fall outside of her specialty. Trust her judgment.
January 16, 2019

Bryan & Lisa Kelly
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn team was an absolute delight to work with! They executed the combined vision we had for the project and the results are simply incredible. Susan and Lindsey were always accommodating while seeing every detail through to the very end. We highly recommend anyone interested in amazing design work and quality craftsmanship to talk with them.
October 7, 2018Last modified:October 25, 2018

barbmahoney
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Our overall response to our kitchen and living room remodel is quite positive. Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn upheld all of our expectations of reliable and professional performance, and we are entirely pleased with the results.
We had several major objectives and goals in this project. We wanted to create an open plan out of a conventional two room living room and kitchen design. We wanted to replace our cabinets, appliances, floors and add comfort and convenience, especially in the cooking and eating area of the kitchen. We also wanted to update the living room fireplace and furnishings consistent with the updated kitchen. All of our objectives were met.
We chose Kitchen Studio for two reasons. First, we wanted to support our local community businesses in Glen Ellyn. Second, we read online reviews which were quite positive of Kitchen Studio customers.
We fully enjoyed working with our kitchen designer, Susan, and her associate, Lindsey. The contractor and workers on the project were prompt, professional, remarkably neat, and were genuinely committed to completing the work at the highest level of excellence.
October 6, 2018

Kyle Johansen
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Susan and her team at The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn were fantastic to work with. The design process was much easier than anticipated, and Susan always had multiple options for finishes based on what fit into our budget and our design preferences. We could not be happier with the final product. We knew what to expect, and when to expect the project to be completed and this made everything so much easier. Highly recommended and will use again for future projects.
January 23, 2018

James Carter
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Our remodeling journey began in the early spring when Debbie and I decided that our first-floor bathroom needed a “makeover!” For most of the homes in our neck of the woods, this means a powder room update, but we built our home with our daughter’s special needs in mind which meant that the space for the power room was enlarged to include a walk-in shower. When we designed it back in the early 90’s we tried to make sure that it was as accessible as possible with grab bars both in the shower and attached to the sink cabinet. But almost 27 years later, the shower lip had become a nuisance to movement and the toilet and cabinet had taken a beating. We interviewed three remodeling companies and decided to go with “The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn” for two major reasons. 1) Susan Klimala listened to our thoughts regarding our design and accessible needs from day one. 2) She was well versed and had a lot of experience in designing bathrooms for individuals with special needs. The end result was a very “chique” and totally accessible bathroom!
The design process went smoothly and when it was time to begin, we were introduced to the professional staff that we would count on to get it done right. Rebecca Allen kept things moving and adjusted the calendar throughout the process. The plumbing, electric, and necessary carpentry (Thanks Chris!), were all done in a timely and professional manner. We had one hiccup during the process dealing with the sink cabinet but other than that we were able to entertain our family at Thanksgiving with a beautiful remodeled and accessible bathroom!! Thanks again, Susan, Rebecca, Jeff, and the boys!!
December 28, 2017

Debbie White
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We could not have been happier with the work that The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn did for us. From our very first meeting discussing ideas to the last day of final touches, everyone was helpful, professional, and top notch. The quality of work was excellent. We are absolutely thrilled with our kitchen and wouldn't change a thing! I highly recommend The Kitchen Studio!




December 16, 2017

Bobbie R.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We chose the Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn for our kitchen and bathroom remodeling based on reviews, personal recommendations, and attendance at special events sponsored by the Studio. From our first consultation through final inspections and tweaks, our projects proceeded smoothly and with minimal stress and disruption. Susan is a highly creative designer with great ideas and experience. She leads a talented team of designers, project managers, and support staff who were all helpful and patient throughout. The main crew who worked daily were skilled, prompt, clean, hardworking, and very considerate. They completed the carpentry, tilework, cabinet installation, and drywall with high quality workmanship. We were pleased that the projects were completed on schedule, and we attribute this to the Kitchen Studio’s high standards of organization, professionalism, and customer service. Minor problems were corrected in an efficient and responsible manner. Best of all, we love the results! Our kitchen and bathrooms are beautiful. The improvements are especially striking given the small scale of our rooms. The colors, textures, finishes, and overall design have greatly enhanced the look and value of our home. Thanks to all at the Kitchen Studio!
December 4, 2017

Rich Jorgensen
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
I wholeheartledly recommend Susan and her team.
We began working with them after my sister used them for a complete kitchen demo. We began doing the same - a complete redo of our kitchen. While planning the oldest bathroom in our 150 year old house had serious plumbing problems and it necessitated us guttng and redoing that room. The contractors that they used were great and handled all of the difficulties of working in a very old structure.
Wer returned to planning the kitchen but was so happy with the bathroom that we decided to gut and redo the master bathroom. Another huge project anderway and again the final product was stunning.
Finally we tackled the kitchen. Completely gutting the room adding six feet and redoing some other adjacent spaces. It was a huge project and expertly handled. We really enjoyed working with the contractor and Susan, Jeff and the design team The project has been a great use and asset to our house. We enjoy the spaces every day.
In summery they are a great team, have excellent contractors and our final product is spectacular
November 8, 2017

Jean Roser
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
If I had to do it all over again, the only thing I would change would be to have started sooner! After living for 13 years with the kitchen that came with our house, living with that kitchen became worse than the thought of living through a kitchen remodel. My husband and I work from home so the thought of living and working through a remodel that required walls to be removed, radiators to be relocated, wiring from the 1920s to be discovered was daunting. Susan and the staff at The Kitchen Studio were outstanding through our entire project. We needed more space but were not wanting to add on to our existing home. Susan’s patient listening and design creativity were apparent in the options we were presented to address our needs for more cabinet space in the kitchen, space for our growing boys and their friends to fit around a table, more counter space and have the new kitchen blend with the period of the home.
Details of the process were clearly communicated at the start of the project so we knew what to expect when. We had regular contact with Susan and Kari throughout the 3 months of our project on status and next steps. The contractors working with The Kitchen Studio are true craftsmen. Working from home during the project gave us the opportunity to see pride and care they take in their work. I love my new kitchen! Thank you Susan and everyone at The Kitchen Studio for the design and implementation of my happy kitchen.
October 28, 2017

M D
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Very happy! We wanted a clean, beachy feel with beautiful finishes. The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn exceeded our expectations. Our new kitchen is gorgeous--stunning cabinetry, a magazine-worthy color palette, and a well organized, highly functional space. Susan made the design process streamlined, smooth, and enjoyable. They are true pros at what they do! We love our new kitchen!
September 27, 2017Last modified:September 27, 2017

Marie Freier
Average rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
I found the Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn on the Houzz website. I set up an appointment to meet Susan and her team and felt very comfortable with them immediately. We initially wanted to do a limited project, but quickly realized it needed to be a full rehab/gut of a 22 year old kitchen. While keeping the layout I already had and was happy with, Susan suggested a few tweeks and offered great ideas to update and rework some appliance and cabinet placements to give the kitchen a better, more balanced look and feel. We are very happy with our new kitchen!
June 30, 2017Last modified:June 30, 2017

nryannet
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Scope of Project: To remodel an existing small kitchen.
Goal in selecting a kitchen designer and professional kitchen design company: Someone who could design the vision of our “dream kitchen” but have the project land within our budget and make it happen with quality of workmanship and within a reasonable timeline (meaning length of time as well as maintaining the promised schedule).
Design elements: We provided a portfolios of sample photos as well as answered questions about ‘our dream kitchen’. Susan actually provided two options for our remodel based on our discussions. We ended up selecting the larger remodel as she was able to visualize and shape our vision into a wonderful layout. This option entailed knocking out some walls and moving plumbing and heating. She was quick to form what we were imagining into a plan but leave the room as our own dream room. She suggested some touches that were reflective of our personal style. I find making paint selections very difficult and she made it easy by providing the options of color based on our tastes. She even helped with a paint color selection in an adjoining room. Based on our photos she made style selection easy by limiting the options. If we were not firm about the options Susan was very amenable to providing additional options or open to discussing why this particular option would be a good fit using her artistic design instincts. She never pushed for one particular option if we were interested in another path. Susan suggested resources for purchasing appliances and answered any questions concerning the appliances that we were selecting: how they would look and function in our project.
Characteristics of designer & staff: Susan has exceptional personal and communication skills. We found her easy to work with but never pushy or overbearing. She was extremely reliable and responsive to our questions or concerns and assisted with suggestions when asked. Her staff was very responsive as well. We found Susan and her husband, Jeff, to be extremely willing to please and to get the project done right. They were insistent that the project run smoothly.
Cost: We believe we received the best possible options within our budget. We received a detailed accounting of costs so both sides understood the costs. We had a very firm idea of what we were getting and the approximate cost.
Preparation & schedule: We reviewed all design options & considerations. We were provided a reasonable timeline of the project along with details of costs and any cost changes before the project began. Susan provided a precise beginning and end date. They stayed on schedule with the exception of a week delay due to the cabinet maker’s inability to ship cabinets on time. Susan provided us a large notebook that contained all the details of the project including the detailed timeline and materials and finishes selections and materials guarantees. Any modifications were added & documented via email correspondence.
Actual construction experience: We had excellent skilled professional contractors, who were courteous and respectful of our space and schedules despite the chaos. The job ran smoothly and efficiently. They provided excellent and quality workmanship in the implementation of the design. We were especially happy with their attention to detail. At the end of each day the area was neat and orderly and cleaned. They were easy to have in our home during the disruption to our life.
After construction wrap-up and recommendation: We had an issue with a cabinet door not being perfect and The Kitchen Studio was prompt to resolve the issue. After six months or so they were also quick to resolve a minor outside door handle issue. My husband and I would not hesitate to hire The Kitchen Studio again. We believe this business is run professionally, and Susan uses her creativity when she envisions your design project. You will be happy with their service & the quality of project you receive.




October 7, 2016

Lynn Arendt
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
This is my second project with the Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn. I was thrilled with the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom remodel three years ago, and I can say the same about the remodel of the master bathroom this year. Obviously, to return to a a group for a second project indicates the success of the initial project. Although the designer and very skilled contractors were different for each project, the result was pure excellence for both. Jeff and Susan Klimala at the helm are "great people" and their complete staff-- whether in the office or working in the home--reflect their qualities. After Susan designed and planned the master bath, I was concerned about not having the original workers from three years earlier. I soon discovered the new group was wonderful too! They were true artisans. I am so grateful and trusting of Susan for her design and thoroughness during the project and the superior execution by all those involved. I highly recommend the Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn.
September 18, 2016Last modified:September 18, 2016

Bruce Jensen
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We looked at several companies to renovate our Kitchen and The Kitchen Studio was selected. We absolutely loved working with Susan and Jeff. Susan, Jeff and their team were exceptional in the service and quality. The workers were clean and professional. I would definitely recommend using them on any type of project like this.




September 18, 2016Last modified:September 18, 2016

Alice Siehoff
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We hired Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn for three separate projects in our home; the kitchen (2011), master bath (2012), and laundry room (2014). We were very pleased with the service we received from the expert design assistance to excellent workmanship in implementation of the designs. The Kitchen Studio team is very reliable, flexible, easy to work with, and responsive when questions are asked. I would not hesitate to work with Kitchen Studio again in the future!


September 15, 2016Last modified:September 15, 2016

HU-76402
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
I am so pleased with my new kitchen! Susan is a master at design within budget. She maximized my ability to use all of the available kitchen space in my condo, blending old and new seamlessly. I cannot emphasize enough how organized and professional the whole process was. She responded to problems that occurred promptly and didn't say goodbye until I was completely satisfied. I give her the highest recommendation.



September 14, 2016

G D
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We used Susan to provide the finishing touches to our basement. She had creative ideas and was very easy to work with. Her contractors were friendly and efficient. We installed cabinets, electric, plumbing and moved some HVAC. All were handled well! We would definitely recommend using the Kitchen Studio!
September 14, 2016Last modified:December 18, 2017

Linda Kozoman
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Kitchen and family room remodel. Installed hardwood floors in 2 additional rooms. Also installed new oak baseboards throughout the first floor.
September 14, 2016

bryan_emrich
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We had the pleasure of working with Susan and her team at Kitchen Design Studio. We had previously worked with a few other people but never felt like we had a plan we lived. Once meeting with Susan we never stopped moving forward and couldn't be happier with the end result. Highly recommend you have the conversation as you will not be disappointed.
September 14, 2016

Cayt O'Neal
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We had never worked with an interior designer before we began our kitchen remodel project. Our home was built in 1921 and the kitchen had been remodeled sometime mid-century but had already become really outdated and worn when we purchased the home a few years ago. We love the original charm of our home and really wanted to restore the kitchen's look to honor the home's age but also find ways to add modern touches that reflect our personal style. We also wanted to open up a wall between the kitchen and an addition space at the back of the home to gain a larger kitchen space.
We wanted to work with a full-service designer who would also function as GC and handle all logistics from start to finish. And we wanted a kitchen "expert," who had lots of experience and could foresee every possible option/choice for what we could incorporate into our space. From the beginning, we absolutely loved working with Susan and her team! Even in the very first conversation we shared, we felt like they really listened and tried to understand our vision and priorities. They got to know our personal style and design preferences and then elevated our ideas to an even better finished space than we could have imagined! Susan presented us with three very different floor plan options for our remodel, which varied in price and scale, giving us clear choices for how much we wanted to take on financially and logistically. We were so impressed with what she had imagined for our space, and she had come up with an option to add even more space than we expected if we wanted to remodel an adjacent bathroom at the same time. We decided the extra cost was worth every penny and have not regretted that choice even for a moment. We can't thank Susan enough for her problem-solving skills in helping us reimagine and then execute our new floor plan!
Susan was very direct and clear with what we could expect of the project from start to finish. There were no changes in cost or design that we did not feel we understood and had the right to approve or not. The project finished on time exactly as projected, and would have actually finished a bit early if we had not found some HVAC and plumbing "surprises" in our old home when the walls first came down. Susan and her team even blew us away with how they handled those "surprises," by reacting with urgency to keep the project on track and help us manage those surprise costs. Everyone warned us that working with contractors on a project like this would be really difficult, and that we should plan on it taking twice as long and costing twice as much as we had planned. That could not have been more opposite of our experience! We did end up spending more than we'd imagined at the beginning but only because of those unexpected (but forewarned to be likely) findings behind our walls and because we decided to add a bathroom remodel to the project.
The Kitchen Studio's contractor team was incredible to work with. We have been pretty lucky before in managing our own projects to work with good contractors, but we were blown away by the craftsmanship of Chris, Susan's carpenter, as well as the rest of her team. Everyone was polite, conscientious, and very respectful of our family life with our daughter. They were friendly and pleasant, and truly made the remodel the best experience it could be for us! We absolutely love our new spaces and enjoy our updates every single day. We highly recommend The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn and definitely plan to work with them again ourselves!
April 19, 2016

barb41151
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We hired Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn to do a remodel of our master bath and an upgrade of our other three bathrooms. The project started in July and ended in November 2015. There are a lot of moving parts to this type of project from ideas, design, materials, outside contractors, etc. One should expect the usual delays that come along with any project. The reason why we went with Kitchen Studios is because we did not have the time nor the patience to manage the hundreds of details required and we had a friend who used them and were quite pleased. The three things a homeowner must focus on in out sourcing this type of project is:
1. The creativity and utility of the design
2. The skill sets of the contractors deployed
3. Communication of cost impact to the project from changes and unforeseen surprises.
In our estimation Kitchen Studios excelled in the design phase. We met often and were shown numerous options for color, style and design. We were very pleased with the final layout of the Master Bathroom. Susan is very gifted as a design artist. She helped us visualize what we were imagining. She got to know us as people and was able to design exactly what we wanted in a master bath. She was never pushy or overbearing.
The contractors were professional, had attention to detail and skilled at what they did. There were times we had to wait extra days to fit into their schedule which pushed back the completion date. But to us, quality was more important than time and Kitchen Studios accomplished that.
We had determined a budget we wanted to stick to and Susan was very mindful of that. However, there are always changes that impact your cost basis. Its very important that a detailed accounting be understood by both sides. We feel Jeff did a very good job in keeping track of all the changes and Susan did a great job in keeping us close to our budget.
We would highly recommend Kitchen Studios for either a bathroom or kitchen project.
January 10, 2016

dabovic
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We did a complete kitchen remodel and added hardwood floors to three additional rooms in 2015. The process started in mid-February with a consultation meeting and ended mid June. We went into this project with a solid idea of what we wanted and the approximate costs. We picked The Kitchen Studio because they had completed two other kitchen projects on our street and our neighbors were very happy with the results.
We wanted professionals who would provide quality work and honor their commitments. Susan and Jeff provided that level of work for our project. Susan and Jeff were actively involved in the project and watched the details for us. We were provided a 9 week schedule that gave us day by day details of what work was being performed. Susan advised that if we didn’t have any major surprises this schedule should be accurate. We did have a couple of surprises but they still managed to finish the project on the projected date.
I’m sure we could have found someone would have charged less. A kitchen remodeling project is expensive and the last thing we wanted was to have regrets when it was completed. We wanted a pro that would help us get the best possible results for the budget we had. We also wanted someone who would also stop us from making decisions that would provide those regrets.
I would use them again.
December 28, 2015

ralcorn
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
My interior design firm partnered with Susan on a kitchen design for a client. Susan was receptive to my creative guidance as a designer and her expertise was invaluable and netted the client a fabulous kitchen. Perhaps most importantly, when issues came up (as they invariably do in new construction and major renovations), her team was responsive quickly and had solutions to keep the project moving forward.
Rachel Alcorn, Owner at Two Hands Interiors
December 22, 2015

Julie Dunfee Designs
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
I love working with the Kitchen Studio! They make my job so much easier when doing kitchens and baths for my clients. Susan, Jeff and the rest of their staff are always so helpful and responsive to any of my needs. I have had a few snags in my project and they have been extremely helpful and have taught me a thing or two! I highly suggest using them for your next kitchen or bath project!
December 17, 2015

Ida Hagman
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Susan Klimala of the Kitchen Studio in Glen Ellyn remodeled my guest bathroom. She was a delight to work with -- a good listener with great ideas. The bathroom was transformed from a dingy, out of date eyesore to a bright, attractive, comfortable space. The project came in on budget and all deadlines were met.
December 16, 2015

june goggin
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
The Kitchen and Bath Studio remodeled my master bathroom. They took out a very dated tub and reconfigured the entire space. We now have a very spacious spa like shower. The new cabinetry and beautiful quartz counter top make the room very soft and relaxing. We were able to add a window that added natural light, which is a very important feature for me. It has a whole different feel to it. They completed the project on time with no problems. I highly recommend them, Susan is easy to talk to and is very quick to figure out what I like before I even knew.
December 14, 2015Last modified:December 19, 2017

corona245
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
One of my wisest lifetime decisions was to choose Susan Klimala & The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn to design & remodel a new kitchen & bath for me. Susan, her staff, and the team of workmen were a joy to work with. They were all professional, courteous, & caring & went above & beyond my expectations. I now have the kitchen & bathroom of my dreams.
August 1, 2015

gdc54atc
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
It was years before we finally decided on a company to remodel our home which included our kitchen, family room and small bath. After some research and reviews from Angie's list we decided to go with The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn. I had anticipated a very stressful and expensive project but Susan the owner made this project a learning and exciting experience. The professionalism exemplified throughout this project made us glad The Kitchen Studio of Glenn Ellyn was our designers. Please understand I am a negative and pessimistic person when it comes to large expensive projects and my stress level runs very high. We wanted something beautiful and modern so it wasn't easy for us to let go and trust a company to do just that, make us happy. We are absolutely pleased with our choice and the gorgeous results that Susan and her staff gave to our family. We give the Kitchen Studio five stars for their professional hard work and patience when working with me. We would hire them again in a second and highly recommend their design ideas and construction projects for your home.
Thanks,
Gary

September 23, 2014

vandanaiyengar
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
I am employed by The Kitchen Studio
I have been working with Susan at The Kitchen Studio for a couple of years now and it has been a wonderful experience. Susan and the team are very professional and amicable. The Kitchen Studio treats every one with great respect and values opinions.
September 21, 2014

dficarel
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We had a full remodel of our master bathroom done using the Kitchen Studio. A leaky floor basin had rendered our main shower completely unusable. It was imperative to have this job done from design to completion in a very short time. Susan, Jeff and the Kitchen Studio provided high quality advice and contracting expertise very quickly. The job was planned, executed and completed on time and under budget.
I would highly recommend the Kitchen Studio moving forward.
September 15, 2014Last modified:September 15, 2014

JMK Group
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
Susan and Jeff of The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn were easy to work with and extremely trustworthy.
I'm involved in another project with them currently.
The designs and execution of the work is impeccable allowing homes to sell quickly.
September 12, 2014

terri136
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Full kitchen remodel, including tear down of wall between kitchen and dining room. Couldn't be happier. Everyone was a pleasure to work with. Would hire them again in an instant. Whenever any questions arose, Susan, our designer, was always available. Workers were friendly and always cleaned up. Top notch work and company.
September 9, 2014Last modified:October 31, 2014

Syracuse Electric, INC.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
I have worked with The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn as an electrician for years and have greatly enjoyed the experience. In addition to the wonderful designs Susan and her team have created, they are constantly striving to make jobs run as smooth and efficient as possible. It is evident that Susan cares enough about her clients to be considerate of their budget, timeline, and cleanliness of their project throughout the entire job.
I highly recommend the experience of working with Jeff and Susan Klimala
as well as the staff at the Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn.
September 9, 2014

SHAUN EMERSON
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We hired the KSoGE to gut and redo our entire kitchen. From the beginning, our experience with the Kitchen Studio was outstanding. Susan was easy, creative and engaging during the design process and communicated well throughout the Project. The construction team was on-time and focused, diligent in their efforts, and also communicated well throughout the process. They cleaned up at the end of every day and were respectful of our space despite the chaos. A big Project it was completed on time and on budget. Very happy.
April 18, 2014

lisacleaver
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We worked with the Kitchen Studio on the recent remodel of our first floor which consists of our living room, dining room and kitchen. From start to finish, Susan, Jeff and their contractors were consummate professionals. During the initial design phase, Susan presented us with several possible plans, all of which contained great design elements. Susan's designs utilized every inch of space which is great in our modest size home. She took the time to really find out what we were looking for and asked a lot of questions to come up with what looked to be the perfect design,. Upon implementation of the plan, the contractors were very courteous and respectful. Additionally, Susan was always available to answer questions and was extremely responsive and attentive. When the project was finished, Susan came back and checked every detail and made sure everything was as planned. The end result is that we love our kitchen and the rest of our first floor. The design details that Susan suggested really made the remodel fabulous. We couldn't be happier and would definitely recommend Susan and the Kitchen Studio for any remodeling project whether it be a kitchen, bath or any other room in your house.
December 20, 2013

Plumbing Works
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
I have done several plumbing jobs for The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn over the past few years.
It has been a great relationship for both of us. They keep a good project schedule which I appreciate and do my best to stay on schedule. The projects Susan designs are one of a kind. I can say firsthand that her customers love to work with Susan (and us of course). When the kitchen or bath is completed, I always see a homeowner that is very happy with the renovation and many times I end up visiting that same customer a year or two later to work on a different room in their home.
December 19, 2013

K Woodworking
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Colleague
My company has worked with Susan at The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn frequently. They are a pleasure to work with and the kitchen and bath designs they produce are beautiful. (as you can see).
I am always paid on time and their projects are very detailed which makes my job enjoyable. We always end up with a happy client. I am looking forward to starting a few new jobs for Susan after Christmas and hopefully many more in the future with The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn.
December 19, 2013

nosim
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
Susan designed the kitchen in my house prior to our purchase of the home. I have relied on the skill of the Kithchen Studio staff to maintain my cabinets, update drawer mechnisms, correct scuffs, and design new projects (butler's pantry and master bathroom). Susan has done a fantastic job in designing and carrying out each project to my satisfaction. I highly recommend the Kitchen Studio. They stand by their work even after the house is sold...
April 24, 2013

Gina Batchelder
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We hired Susan and her team at The Kitchen Studio to remodel our kitchen. Exceeded all our expectations. Very Professional. Would recommend them to anyone and will use them again on our future projects. Thank you Susan
February 26, 2013

Nancy Evans
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
My husband and I would highly recommend The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn. After visiting numerous kitchen design/remodeling stores, we both knew from the moment we meet Susan Klimala that our search was over. She was so easy to work with, upfront on costs with a fabulous eye for design. I found Susan after searching for local area designers that had won design awards that worked on small kitchens as well as large. Our kitchen is a modest size, all the more reason to use a designer to use every inch as efficiently as possible. Susan came to our house to take measurements and took pictures of all the contents in our kitchen cabinets to help her design the best kitchen for us. Susan and Deb designed five sample kitchens for us to choose from. All were beautiful and creative. Susan and Deb even designed a custom soapstone table to match our soapstone countertops. The design that we decided on has improved our entire house because we opened up our kitchen to our dining room, eliminating a wall that separates the spaces. My new kitchen is completely organized. All my storage needs were met with even room for more! Not to mention that it is the kitchen of my dreams. Susan was fantastic through the entire process. She answered literally hundreds of emails and lots of phone calls as we consulted with her about everything from appliances to hardware while picking out choices for our new kitchen. She helped us find a fantastic deal on our floors after a last minute change on our part threatened our budget. Just as important as Susan was in this whole process was her subcontractors, who I can not say enough good things about. We had the option to use her contractors or our own. I am so glad we decided to use Susan's contractors. We were so impressed with them. Susan developed a detailed project plan. The plan was spot on throughout most of the project. They finished the majority of the work ahead of schedule. Susan also prepared an onsite project book full of her designs, electrical plans, plumbing plans, appliance manuals and other instructions. It kept her crew all on the same page as her during our project. Her crew worked continuously, not a few days here and a few days there as I have seen neighbors experience during their remodeling jobs. Jeff Klimala, Kitchen Studio's co-owner, was onsite and dealt with all the inspections and inspectors as well as helping to make sure that everything met code which kept the project on track. Susan and her studio have surpassed all our expectations. Our remodeling job went very well with very few problems and I know that was no accident. The quality of the materials that the Kitchen Studio uses, the tradesmen that she hires and the perfection of the design made that happen.




July 19, 2012Last modified:September 29, 2012

lettea
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
We used The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn while building our home. They helped us with kitchen, bathroom, mudroom and laundry room design. The Kitchen Studio provided cabinetry for all of these rooms and helped in coordinating the tile as well. Susan is a fantastic designer and has a keen eye for style and practicality. Kitchen Studio delivered a phenomenal product while also being mindful of our budget. They were an absolute joy to work with and made the stressful task of building a home a little less stressful!
July 18, 2012

chappy2
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Relationship
Client
The Kitchen Studio did a fabulous job on my kitchen remodel! I couldn't be more pleased with the quality of work, creativity, and professionalism. It was very helpful to have a designer narrow down my choices for me, rather than doing all the legwork myself. I love the ideas that were presented to me and felt comfortable with my choices. The wealth of experience at the Kitchen Studio makes them a must have for any remodelling job!
July 16, 2012
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