Design-build remodeling in Chicagoland since 2006
Blog → Are Gray Kitchens Out of Style? What’s Replacing Gray Updated November 10, 2026 Are Gray Kitchens Out of Style? What’s Replacing Gray Are gray kitchens out of style? Our designer shares what’s replacing gray, which colors and woods are popular, and what to do if you already have gray. Marc Santarromana Blog In…
Quiet cocooning, serotonin spaces, new romantics, and more. See what each 2026 home design style looks like and how to choose one that fits you.
Home Additions → Sunroom vs. Three-Season Room vs. Screened Porch Updated November 3, 2026 Sunroom vs. three-season room vs. screened porch They can look alike from the driveway, but they work very differently once you’re living in them. Here’s how to tell them apart and pick the right one for your home. Marc Santarromana Home…
Blog → 1/3 Offset Tile Pattern: What It Is and Where to Use It Updated November 3, 2026 1/3 Offset Tile Pattern: What It Is and Where to Use It A 1/3 offset tile pattern shifts each row by a third of the tile. See how it differs from brick lay, where it works, and…
Blog → How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take in Chicago? Updated November 2, 2026 How Long Does a Kitchen Remodel Take in Chicago? On our projects, a kitchen remodel takes about 8 to 12 weeks to build once the design is final. See what speeds it up, what slows it down, and how to…
Blog → Small Bathroom Remodel Ideas in Chicago and the Suburbs Updated October 29, 2026 Small Bathroom Remodel Ideas in Chicago and the Suburbs Small bathroom remodel ideas for Chicago-area homes: smart storage, a bigger-feeling shower, better light, and the clearances to check first. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article Quick answers 1. Give the…
Blog → Remodeling an Older Home: What to Know Before You Start Updated October 29, 2026 Remodeling an Older Home: What to Know Before You Start Remodeling an older home? See what to check first, from lead and asbestos to wiring and layout, plus how to plan for surprises. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article…
Blog → How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take in Chicago? Updated October 28, 2026 How Long Does a Bathroom Remodel Take in Chicago? How long does a bathroom remodel take in Chicago? A guest bathroom takes about 4 to 6 weeks, a primary bathroom 8 to 12. See the stages and what slows it….
Blog → Kitchen Layout Types: Which Shape Fits Your Home? Updated October 29, 2026 Kitchen Layout Types: Which Shape Fits Your Home? Kitchen layout types explained: one-wall, galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, G-shaped, and island. See which fits your room and how layout affects cost. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article Kitchen layout types: quick answers What…
Blog → Do You Need a Kitchen Backsplash? How to Decide Updated October 29, 2026 Do You Need a Kitchen Backsplash? How to Decide Do you need a kitchen backsplash? What it protects, when you can skip it, how high to go, and how to choose between tile and a slab. Marc Santarromana Blog In…
Blog → Remodel or Move? How to Decide What’s Right for You Updated October 29, 2026 Remodel or Move? How to Decide What’s Right for You Remodel or move? Sort out whether your frustrations are about the house or the location, and what to price before you decide. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article Quick…
Home → Blog → Tub or Shower in a Bathroom Remodel: How to Decide Updated October 29, 2026 Tub or Shower in a Bathroom Remodel: How to Decide Keep the tub, swap it for a walk-in shower, or add a soaker? Five questions to help you decide before you remodel your bathroom. Marc Santarromana Blog…
Blog → Which Rooms to Remodel First Updated October 29, 2026 Which rooms to remodel first: how to plan the order Plan the whole house first, then build it in phases. Here’s how to decide what comes first, what can wait, and why the order matters more than most people expect. Design First Builders ←…
Blog → Bathroom Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026 Guide) Updated October 29, 2026 Bathroom Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026 Guide) Bathroom remodel cost in Chicago: what drives the price, how a national average compares, and how to plan a realistic budget. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article Key Takeaways How much does a bathroom remodel…
Blog → Remodeling Contractor Questions to Ask (With Good Answers) Updated October 29, 2026 Remodeling Contractor Questions to Ask (With Good Answers) 15 remodeling contractor questions to ask before you hire, with what a good answer sounds like and which answers are red flags. Illinois tips included. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article Key Takeaways…
Blog → AI Kitchen Design: Can You Trust It? Updated October 29, 2026 AI Kitchen Design: Can You Trust It? AI kitchen design can inspire your remodel, but can you build it? Learn what AI images miss and how a designer makes your ideas real. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article What Homeowners Should Know…
Blog → Design-Build vs General Contractor in Chicagoland Updated October 29, 2026 Design-Build vs General Contractor in Chicagoland Design-build vs general contractor: what’s the difference, when does each make sense, and what to ask before you hire? A simple guide for Chicagoland homeowners. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article Key Takeaways What is a general…
Home → Blog → 9 Home Remodel Mistakes Homeowners Make & How to Avoid Updated October 29, 2026 9 Home Remodel Mistakes Homeowners Make & How to Avoid Avoid these 9 home remodeling mistakes: rushing decisions, vague quotes, no budget buffer, and more. Simple fixes from our Chicagoland design-build team. Marc Santarromana Blog In this…
Home → Blog → Inset vs. Overlay Cabinets: Which Is Right for Your Kitchen? Updated October 29, 2026 Inset vs. Overlay Cabinets: Which Is Right for Your Kitchen? Inset vs overlay cabinets: compare cost, storage, durability, and style to find the right fit for your Chicago-area kitchen remodel. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article Key…
Home → Blog → Home Addition Mistakes to Avoid in Chicago Suburbs Updated October 29, 2026 Home Addition Mistakes to Avoid in Chicago Suburbs Avoid the 8 costliest home addition mistakes Chicago suburb homeowners make, from budgets to permits. Free consult: (630) 250-7777. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article 8 Home Addition Mistakes to Avoid…
Open, closed, or hybrid? See real cost ranges, structural tradeoffs, and a decision framework for Chicagoland kitchen remodels and additions.
What to Expect From a Design-Build Remodel in Chicagoland Most homeowners planning a remodel start by hiring a designer, then separately vetting contractors once the plans are done. It’s a reasonable instinct — get the vision right first, then find someone to build it. It’s also where a lot of remodels lose months to miscommunication…
Blog → Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026) Updated October 29, 2026 Kitchen Remodel Cost in Chicago (2026) Kitchen remodel cost in Chicago: full projects often average $100,000–$120,000, but every kitchen is different. See what affects the price. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article Key takeaways How much does a kitchen remodel cost in Chicago?…
Blog → Custom Cabinets Compared: AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills Updated October 29, 2026 Custom Cabinets Compared: AnnTucker vs. Arbor Mills Custom cabinets in Chicago: compare AnnTucker and Arbor Mills on construction, finishes, and design freedom to find the right fit for your kitchen. Marc Santarromana Blog In this article Custom Cabinets in Chicago: AnnTucker vs….
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