Our process always begins with a free initial consultation. We prefer to meet you at the project location. This allows us to see first-hand the full extent of the work, and any unique opportunities to be captured. The initial meeting lasts between 1 and 2 hours. We will discuss your goals, construction budget, timeline, level of finish, and preferred style.
RESIDENTIAL
We understand that your house may be your single largest asset, but it is much more than just a financial investment – it is the place you call Home. We realize that the effort you put in to improve the functionality and comfort of your home should not come at the heavy price of stress and cost overruns. That is why we try to keep the design process as simple and straightforward as possible.
PROCESS
01 CONSULTATION
02 PROPOSAL
We prepare a formal written proposal customized to your specific project. Our proposal will include a detailed project description listing the owner’s goals and requirements, included services, project schedule and fixed fee. We keep our fee structure transparent, and clearly list all anticipated services required, including outside consultants.
03 DESIGN
Based on the goals we have identified, we will prepare up to various unique design options for your review at each design meeting. Design meetings take place at your convenience – at your home, at our office, over the phone, or over virtual video conference. Each design meeting typically lasts between 1 and 2 hours. The number of design meetings needed is directly related to the size and complexity of your project. A small addition project may take only 1 to 2 meetings whereas new custom homes will take between 6 to 10 meetings. We schedule meetings in advance to occur on a weekly basis. This helps to ensure that your project keeps moving forward. Progress may seem slow at first, but once a good design begins to take shape, the project will come together quickly. The final design may Include floor plans, elevations and 3D renderings.
04 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Construction documents are the drawings that your builder will need to construct your project and that are required to secure a building permit. There are no regular meetings during the construction documents phase. As soon as your design is set, we put your project in the pipeline, and as soon as we get to your project, we will work on it until it is complete and ready for permit. Small additions may take 1 week whereas new custom homes will take up to 3 weeks. Once ready, we prepare all the permit applications, print all necessary drawings, and submit them for permit. If any permit corrections are required, we address them promptly and resubmit drawings as necessary.
05 CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION
The most elegant designs can be for nothing if the design intent is not captured during the construction. Construction Administration includes regular site construction visits to ensure that the home we have designed is being built the way you intended. You can request as many site construction visits as you would like. They can be weekly, monthly, or simply at key points in the project. We generally recommend a minimum of two site visits.
06 ENJOY
PROJECT TYPES
REMODEL
These are projects typically limited to the interior of the home. The most common examples include new kitchens or finishing basements. They also include more extensive remodeling projects such as substantially altering the interior layout of the home. Exterior work may include new roof, windows or architectural elements to enhance the curb appeal of the home.
ADDITION
As the name implies, these are projects that add to the overall size of the home. Additions can be up (2nd story addition), out (rear / side addition) or both. They generally require more design work than remodeling projects. We strive to ensure that the addition aesthetically match the existing home and not look like an addition.
TRANSFORMATIVE ADDITION
This is a special type of addition project. In this case, the home will be given a completely new look and character. Often times the addition will be so large that it completely overwhelms the original home, or the homeowner is not satisfied with the style of the existing home and wants a completely new look.
NEW CONSTRUCTION
This includes custom, semi-custom, spec, and builder home designs. Whether It Is a French Chateau or a Modern Minimalist home, we have experience In a diverse set of aesthetic styles.
PRICING
We understand that nothing can be more frustrating than the surprise of an unexpected bill. That is why we keep our pricing structure as predictable and transparent as possible. We also understand that our customers choose us not only for our good value, but because of the quality of the work that we do.
The pricing for our major project types is based on a flat, fixed fee. This fee includes all work necessary to secure a building permit. The fee is based on the project type, size and complexity. While the project type and size are easy to determine, the project complexity is evaluated at the free initial consultation. The following is an approximate pricing guide for our major project types:
REMODEL
$1.5 – $3.0 per square foot
$1,000 minimum
$1,000 minimum
2–4 weeks Design
1–3 weeks Construction Documents
1–3 weeks Construction Documents
ADDITION
$2.0 – $3.0 per square foot
$2,000 minimum
3–6 weeks Design
2–4 weeks Construction
$2,000 minimum
3–6 weeks Design
2–4 weeks Construction
TRANSFORMATIVE ADDITION
$2.5 – $5.0 per square foot
$4,000 minimum
4–8 weeks Design
3–4 weeks Construction Documents
$4,000 minimum
4–8 weeks Design
3–4 weeks Construction Documents
NEW CONSTRUCTION
$2.0 – $6.0 per square foot
$7,000 minimum
5–10 weeks Design
3–4 weeks Construction Documents
$7,000 minimum
5–10 weeks Design
3–4 weeks Construction Documents
PORTFOLIO

Residential Lake Forest 2021

Residential Grayslake 2021

Residential Palatine 2020

Residential Chicago 2020

Residential Antioch 2020

Residential Glenview 2019

Residential Glenview 2019

Residential Long Grove 2019

Residential Northbrook 2019

Residential Glenview 2019

Residential Glenview 2019

Residential Arlington Heights 2019

Residential Arlington Heights 2019

Residential Chicago 2019

Residential Chicago 2018

Residential Chicago 2017

Residential Oakbrook Terrace 2016

Residential Riverwoods 2016

Residential Glenview 2015

Residential Oak Park 2015

Residential La Grange 2015

Residential Itasca 2014

Residential Schaumburg 2013

Residential Riverwoods 2013

Residential Itasca 2012

Residential Glenview 2010

Residential Glenview 2008

Residential Glenview 2005

Residential Chicago 2005

John Appleseed
Creative Director
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