Naperville Ranch Home Completed

You may remember the whole house renovation of the ranch home in Naperville.  Well, the transformation is finally complete! The family is moved back in and ecstatic with the results!

The exterior has received a dramatic makeover complete with the addition of a porch, new siding, architectural gables, and a new driveway.

The interior has gained an updated kitchen, a powder room, a new fireplace with built-in shelving, and a brand new master suite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The focus of the kitchen design, besides the obvious aesthetics, was to increase storage and efficiency for everyday use.  By tastefully adding more cabinetry and installing organization systems in them, the kitchen is now much easier to cook in with everything in its place.

We also increased the efficiency of the space upstairs by turning two small bedrooms and a bathroom into a spacious master suite.  By moving a few walls and rethinking the space, Crimson was able to give the homeowners a bigger master bedroom, a walk-in closet, a master bathroom, and a home office.  Talk about efficiency!

Crimson is happy to welcome yet another family back to their new and improved home, custom designed for their specific needs, wants, and tastes.

Crimson Updates Kitchen in Record Time

A kitchen in Downers Grove just finished receiving some dramatic updates thanks to the Crimson team.  Rather than ripping out the entire kitchen and starting over, this homeowner decided to save money by keeping the existing cabinets and updating everything else.

First, we removed the old, worn-out linoleum flooring and installed brand new pre-finished hardwood.  The laminate countertops were then replaced with elegant granite counters which were extended further on the peninsula for additional seating.  We also dressed up the space by adding a natural stone backsplash to compliment the granite.  The outdated appliances and plumbing fixtures were replaced with new, more efficient options.  The walls were repainted a lighter color and more light fixtures were added to increase the visibility and open feeling in the otherwise dark kitchen.  Lastly, we installed new decorative hardware on the cabinets to add more detail and improve their functionality.

In just two weeks, this kitchen went from drab to fab with a few simple updates!

Crimson Loves Repeat Clients!

Back in 2008, Crimson completed a kitchen remodel for a couple in Naperville.  Now, three years later, they’re coming back for more.  This time, we’ve moved upstairs to update the master bathroom and the hall bathroom.

In the master bath, new Fieldstone stained cabinets with granite countertops have been installed.  The cramped corner shower unit has been replaced with a custom shower surrounded by frameless glass giving it a much more open feel.  It is dressed up by a combination of ceramic and natural stone tile.  The design also includes brand new plumbing and lighting fixtures and brushed nickel accessories.

The hall bath is also undergoing some changes.  New ceramic tile flooring has been installed along with ivory painted cabinets and granite countertops.  The existing tub has been replaced with a more up-to-date tub and decorative ceramic tile adorns the walls surrounding it.

In the next week, the rest of the plumbing fixtures will be installed, the walls will be painted, and the bathroom will be ready for the family to use once again.

South Naperville Home Seeing The Light

Another home in south Naperville is seeing some big changes thanks to the Crimson team. The owners loved the existing home, but its kitchen was small, dark, and did not take advantage of the views to the beautiful back yard.

Our solution: a 300 square foot addition that would add ample light and space to the kitchen, making it the centerpiece of the home.

Now, the walls and drywall are up, and it’s all coming together.

As you can see, the addition blends seamlessly with the existing structure and features plenty of windows to provide light and views to the backyard.

Soon, the hardwood floors and cabinetry will be installed and it will really come to life.  The kitchen design includes ivory painted inset cabinetry by Fieldstone Cabinetry, a built-in range hood, plenty of pantry storage, and a large central island with seating.

The galley-shaped design will keep the kitchen feeling open and easy to move around in.  The large island will act as a central gathering place, encouraging the family to cook together and making it perfect for entertaining.

The space by the windows will serve as a nice sunny spot for the dining table and even enough room for some extra seating.  Stay tuned to watch this beautiful space unfold.

 

Huge Transformation of Naperville Ranch Home

An old ranch home in the downtown area of Naperville is undergoing a huge transformation. The plans for this 1950s house include a completely updated kitchen with a built-in office area featuring Fieldstone Cabinetry’s custom painted and stained cabinetry.

The existing cramped office space adjacent to the kitchen is being repurposed into a much needed powder room, while the living room is receiving a custom fireplace surround and expansive shelving to store and showcase the family’s book collection.

On the next level, what used to be two small bedrooms and a modest bathroom is now reconstructed into a spacious master suite including a luxurious master bath, a walk-in closet, and a home office.

On the exterior, an inviting front porch has been added featuring gables to add more architectural detail to its otherwise simple facade. The home will also have new siding installed in some areas to act as an accent while the remainder will receive a fresh coat of paint.

It is exciting for us and the homeowners to see the transformation take place. Soon, they’ll have a home that reflects their personal style and better suits their needs for daily living.

 

Kitchen Remodel In South Naperville

We just wrapped up an extensive kitchen remodeling project on the South Side of Naperville.  The project involved removing all the kitchen cabinets and one pantry closet (where the new wall oven and microwave are located).  The cabinets were replaced with new Fieldstone Cabinetry in stained cherry and painted maple hardwoods.  The backsplash tile is all new with a great design and accent pattern above the cooktop.

The cabinets contain many innovative design configurations such as roll-out shelving, spice rack drawers, garbage and recycling center, and self-closing drawers.

The original kitchen did not have a vent to clear cooking fumes and smoke from the range.  We were able to add one set in a dramatic mantle-like style.  The new vent exhausts to the exterior and clears any unwanted odors from the kitchen quickly.  No more setting off the smoke detector!  That’s actually a common problem we hear that our clients would like to fix.

See some before pictures of this project.

 

One of the other big changes to the kitchen space was to add a stainless steel 48″ built-in refrigerator.  This new fridge fits perfectly in an alcove that used to contain the refrigerator and some cabinets.  No lack of space in that machine.  But just to make sure, we also added a beverage fridge near the family room so that the kids can grab pops and fruit juice without getting in the way in the kitchen.

One of the biggest changes to the house was the addition of hardwood floors throughout the first floor and upper hallway.  Every room on the first floor now has beautifully stained white oak floors.  Some of the rooms even have the flooring in patterns with walnut inlays.  Quite the elegant look.

 

 

 

All of the formal spaces on the first floor, and upper hallway, were upgraded with wainscot paneling on the walls.  The white panels add a great contrast to the darker floor and really help to make the wall colors stand out.  The panels were carried up the stairway and down the hall to really tie all the spaces together.

Speaking of stairs, the stairway was also rebuilt to add oak treads and handrails.  The oak was all stained to match the flooring.  New painted balusters were also installed.  A formal wool carpet runner was installed to add that last finishing touch.

Overall this project has turned out great.  It’s a great new living space that the homeowners can be proud of for years to come.

Updating A Kitchen In South Naperville

This kitchen on the South end of Naperville is getting a dramatic facelift.  We will be pulling out all the cabinets and replacing them with new Fieldstone Cabinetry.  Beyond the kitchen, we will also be replacing two stairways in the home  with new oak treads and rails, adding hardwood flooring in the living room, dining room and study, and adding trip upgrades such as door heads and wainscot panels.  It’s really quite an extensive project.

This week the homeowners moved out and we relocated all their furniture from the first floor to the basement to make way for the hardwood floor installation.  Any flooring on the first floor that was not hardwood will be upgraded to new white oak hardwood to match the existing.  The existing floors will also be sanded, stained and refinished so that all the flooring blends together.  Three of the rooms will also get walnut inlay strips for a stunning pattern.  Not easy work, but well worth it!  After a two week temporary move the owners will be able to return to a beautiful new floor.

At this point the kitchen cabinets have been removed and as soon as the floors are done the new Fieldstone Cabinetry will be delivered.  The cabinets will be a combination of stained cherry and painted maple with a glaze.  We are using some of the existing granite countertops since they were only a couple of years old.  We will be able to match the existing tops with new granite in some areas to fit our new layout.

Converting A Finished Basement To A Bedroom Suite

We have just started work on a basement bedroom suite in Naperville.  The existing basement was one giant finished room.  We are splitting it in half and using half for the new bedroom, bathroom and walk-in closet.

One of the challenges in fitting a bedroom in a basement is having the code required window.  In this case we had to dig in a new window well and install a four foot square window.  This will allow for some natural light in the basement as well as allow for someone to escape if there is a fire or emergency.

The window well was dug out by hand (8 feet deep!) because there was not room to get a piece of excavation equipment around the side of the house.  This is very common for these situations and we usually end up hand digging the windows.

So far on this project the room has been stripped of old paneling, we have dug in the new window well, and we have cut up the floor and installed the new underground plumbing required for the bathroom.  Overall this project will take about 8 weeks.  Stay tuned for more updates.

Second Story Addition Completed In Downers Grove

Well, we have completed 98% of an addition in Downers Grove.  The remaining exterior parts of the project will remain until the weather cooperatives and we can replace the existing driveway and front porch.  The client is all moved in and the kids are enjoying their new bedrooms.  What fun.  A room of your own!  It is reported that our youngest client (2 years old) is sleeping much better now that she doesn’t have to share a room.  It’s good to know that these projects really do make a difference in peoples’ lives.

For those that have not seen this project before, we added an entire second-story on an existing 1950′s ranch home.  We also added a family room addition on the first floor that allowed for a family room three times as large as the original.  It also made room for the laundry to move from the dark basement to our client’s new favorite room in the house – a laundry/mud room.

This room off the garage now has space for a five foot long coat rack as well as individual lockers for each child.  Everybody gets their own storage space for coats, books and shoes.  In addition the room has a good-sized closet, the washer/dryer, cabinets above the washer/dryer and a laundry sink.  There is a lot of function packed into one room!

One of the former bedrooms on the first floor was turned into a home office area where the kids can gather around the computer after school and do their homework.  This room also made way for the new stairway to the second floor as well as a large closet under the stairs.

Upstairs are three new bedrooms, a bathroom and a large hall closet.  Each bedroom has it’s own double-wide closet the length of the room.  Giving each bedroom almost fourteen feet of hanging space!  The homeowner says that this is one of her favorite features to the new addition – all the closet space!

The upstairs bath features two sinks and a separate toilet/shower room.  Plenty of room for the three young children to get ready in the morning.

All-in-all the clients are loving this new addition.  Their friends, family and neighbors all say that the addition looks like it has always been there; which is music to our ears!

Residential Elevator Completed In Naperville

We recently completed work on a residential elevator retro-fit in Naperville.  Our clients were very happy to take their first ride in their new elevator.  Health problems have made navigating the stairs a real concern for them.  The new elevator was buy no means a luxury, but a real necessity to staying in their current home.  Having lived in the home since it was built 20 plus years ago, moving was not really a consideration for them.  The elevator gives them the ability to stay in their home for many years to come.

The largest challenge with this project was finding a place to put a six foot square elevator shaft through all three stories of the home.  Luckily there was an existing spiral staircase that we were able to remove and put the elevator shaft in its place.  By adding windows in the shaft walls and in the cab itself we were able to keep the light flowing through the home so that the new structure did not create a dark and foreboding feeling in the family and kitchen areas.

The cab interior makes a real statement and adds a level of class and sophistication to what could have turned out to be no more than a painted box.  Luckily the clients saw the value in upgrading the cab interior and it turned out great!

In addition to the elevator, we also repainted quite a bit of space on the first floor of the home as well as replaced the old outdated oak flooring with some great bamboo flooring.

This was our third project in this home and one that will make a lasting impact.

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