Real Projects. Real Homes. Real Chicagoland.

The challenge

1929 Queen Anne home with original galvanized supply lines, knob-and-tube electrical behind two walls, and a 7'6" ceiling that constrained light-fixture placement. Original kitchen layout was a 1970s remodel with cramped peninsula, no island, and zero pantry space.

What we built

Full gut. We rerouted a non-structural load-bearing wall (with stamped engineer drawings), replaced galvanized supplies with PEX and copper, brought 14 circuits up to code on a new sub-panel, and opened the kitchen to the dining room with a hidden steel I-beam. New layout includes a 9-foot waterfall quartzite island with seating for 4, a 60-inch Wolf range with two ovens, paneled Sub-Zero columns flanking a custom range hood, and a walk-in pantry carved from a former butler's closet.

The challenge

1990s primary bath in a 1985 Tudor with an awkward L-shaped layout, a fiberglass tub-shower combo nobody used, single vanity blocking access to the walk-in closet, and a separate toilet room with a door that couldn't fully open. Original tile floor was so cold the homeowners avoided the room in winter.

What we built

Reconfigured the entire footprint. The unused tub came out. The walk-in closet got 18" returned to the bath, allowing a 6-foot zero-threshold walk-in shower with rain head, hand-held, and 3-jet body system. The single vanity became a 78-inch double vanity in rift-cut walnut. We installed Schluter Ditra-Heat under the porcelain marble-look tile across the entire floor. The toilet room was re-doored with a pocket door.

The challenge

Family with aging mother-in-law moving in from out of state needed a code-compliant separate living space in a 1,400 sf walk-out basement. Existing space had moisture issues at one wall, sub-7' ceiling height in part of the room, and no egress for a legal bedroom.

What we built

Phased project: waterproofing first (interior drain tile + sump backup), then ceiling height fix (lowered floor 4" across 220 sf), egress window cut through 10" poured concrete wall, then full finish-out. Result is a 1-bedroom suite with private exterior entrance, full bath with curbless walk-in shower (aging-in-place), kitchenette with full-size appliances, separate HVAC mini-split zone, and laundry. Bedroom code-compliant with a glass-block window light beneath the egress.

The challenge

Homeowner had a 12-year-old pressure-treated deck with rotted joists at the ledger board, cupped boards throughout, and a railing that wobbled when leaned on. They wanted to add a covered outdoor dining area connecting to the kitchen.

What we built

Tore the existing deck completely to ground, kept the original concrete footings (engineering review confirmed they were sound), and rebuilt with TimberTech AZEK Vintage Mahogany decking on PT joists with rim-joist tape (Trex Protect). Added a 16x10 cedar pergola with retractable Sunbrella canopy and integrated string lights on a smart-home switch. Lower level extends as a 14x12 stamped concrete patio with built-in fire bowl.

The challenge

1908 brick two-flat in Lincoln Park, original kitchen had 8' ceiling, no dishwasher, gas-line that didn't pass inspection, and load-bearing wall separating the kitchen from a tiny dining nook. HOA-equivalent neighbor approval needed for any exterior change. Permitting through ProjectDox.

What we built

Permitted plan to remove the load-bearing wall with a flush steel beam (engineered drawings + 3 inspections), open kitchen + dining + living to one 580 sf great room. New kitchen runs the full back wall with custom shaker cabinets, premium quartz, paneled Bosch refrigerator, induction range, and bar seating for 5 at the new peninsula. Reused original 1908 hardwood floors after sanding + matching new patch where wall came out.

The challenge

Mid-century ranch sat untouched since 1989. Buyer purchased it expecting to move in, then realized: original electrical panel, polybutylene plumbing, single-pane windows, original kitchen, three original bathrooms, popcorn ceilings throughout, carpet over likely-asbestos tile in the basement.

What we built

16-week phased renovation. Week 1-2: full electrical panel + service upgrade, polybutylene replaced with PEX. Week 3-4: window replacement (Andersen 100 series throughout). Week 5-7: kitchen gut + rebuild. Week 8-10: three bathrooms remodeled in parallel. Week 11-12: flooring (LVP main level, replaced asbestos tile in basement after professional abatement). Week 13-14: popcorn ceiling abatement + smooth-coat plaster. Week 15-16: paint, trim, fixtures, punch list.

The challenge

Couple working from home (her: lawyer, him: software architect) needed his-and-hers home office with serious storage, two desks, and a library wall in their 1998 colonial's underused dining room. Existing dining room was 14x18 with bay window and crown molding to preserve.

What we built

Floor-to-ceiling custom built-ins on the long wall — 22 linear feet of bookshelves, two integrated desks with cable management, and a center file column with locking drawers. Preserved the original crown molding with a coffered hand-off transition. Two zones with separate task lighting and individual outlet runs. Added a corner reading nook with built-in bench storage.

The challenge

Homeowner in her early 70s with mobility concerns wanted to stay in her home indefinitely. Existing primary bath had a step-in alcove tub/shower, narrow door (28"), and a vanity that blocked turning radius for a future walker if needed.

What we built

Reconfigured the bath to be fully aging-in-place ready while staying visually clean and modern (not 'institutional'). Curbless zero-threshold walk-in shower with bench, hand-held + fixed head, multiple grab bars in studs (concealed reinforcement so future bars can be added anywhere). Wider 32" door swap with lever handle, comfort-height toilet, single-bowl vanity moved to allow 60" turning radius, anti-scald thermostatic shower valve.