WHAT DOES KITHCEN DESIGN INCLUDE?

SPACE PLANNING & LAYOUT

CABINETRY DESIGN & SELECTION
contractor builds from directly.

COUNTERTOP, TILE, & FINISH

LIGHTING DESIGN & ELECTICAL PLANNING

DRAWINGS & DOCUMENTATION
mid-build surprises.


Starting or already building? A clear discussion comes first.






Design investment typically starts at a flate rate of $2700, depending on scope.
Clear Drawings So Nothing Gets Misbuilt
Picking Selections That Fit Your Style, Not Ours
Everything Ordered, Tracked, and Handled
We Can Manage Contractors So You Don’t Have To

Crystal clear drawings starting at $1000. Catch layout issues, budget risks, and design mistakes before they become expensive to fix.
Floor Plans & Layouts
Elevations & Sections
Electrical & Basic Construction Plans
Accurate Measurements & Documentation

Flexible hourly support at $200/hr, ideal if you only need help with specific decisions.
Fixing Layout Problems
Checking Design Choices
Selection Help
Product Research

From our first meeting, we felt heard. Kristie produced incredible renderings, translating my pie in the sky vision onto paper. She was in tune with our design wants and needs while also bringing fantastic outside of the box ideas to the table. She introduced us to an amazing contractor who turned what was on paper into a reality for us. Kristie managed our kitchen transformation from beginning to end.

Here's how an average kitchen redesign project works, from start to end.
We start with an in-home walkthrough of your kitchen — assessing the layout, identifying what isn't working, and getting clear on your goals and budget.
You'll leave with a project process sheet that outlines a timeline of what a kitchen renovation needs and a tailored quote, so there's no guesswork before a single decision is made.

We measure the space, develop your layout, and produce drawings — floor plans, elevations, and electrical plans — before anything is ordered. Then we walk you through every cabinet, countertop, tile, fixture, and finish until the full kitchen is coordinated and every selection is confirmed. Nothing goes to a contractor until it's right.

If you already have a contractor, we walk them through the kitchen drawings so nothing gets misread on site. If you're still choosing one, we help you review bids so you know exactly what you're paying for.
From there, we offer ongoing design oversight throughout the build — attending site visits, answering contractor questions, and making sure your kitchen comes out exactly as designed.

Drag the slider to reveal the incredible transformation of each kitchen, all design around our clients' lifestyles.






Most kitchen remodels that go over budget or over schedule share one thing in common: decisions that were made in the wrong order. Here is what to know before anything is demolished or ordered.
This is the most common mistake we see. Homeowners find a contractor, get excited, and schedule demo — then realize there is no actual plan for what gets built.
Layout decisions, cabinetry configuration, electrical placement — all of these need to be resolved before a contractor starts. Bringing a designer in after demo has already begun means redesigning under pressure, which costs more and produces worse results.
Appliance dimensions drive cabinet sizing, not the other way around. Refrigerator depth, range width, dishwasher placement, and microwave location all determine how your cabinet runs are configured. Choosing cabinets first and appliances second is one of the most expensive sequencing mistakes in a kitchen remodel. Lock in your appliances early and design around them.
This is especially true for older homes in St. Charles, Geneva, and Batavia. Pre-1980 homes regularly hide surprises behind walls — outdated knob-and-tube wiring, galvanized plumbing, unexpected structural elements. These are not rare exceptions. They are common enough that any realistic kitchen budget in an older Kane County home needs a contingency built in from the start.
Once drywall goes up, adding or relocating light fixtures becomes a major expense: new drywall cuts, patching, repainting. Your lighting plan needs to be finalized before the framing inspection. This means deciding on recessed can placement, pendant locations over the island, under-cabinet lighting circuits, and any specialty fixtures before a single sheet of drywall is hung.
Contractor-ready drawings like floor plans, elevations, and electrical plans are not a luxury. They are the single most effective tool for keeping a kitchen remodel on budget.
Drawings give your contractor a precise roadmap, reduce the back-and-forth that generates change orders, and create a clear paper trail of what was agreed before anyone breaks ground.




Most homeowners aren’t sure how to plan a kitchen remodel, they have ideas, but no clear direction. We help you create a complete kitchen design plan, including layout, materials, and key decisions, so your remodel runs smoothly and avoids costly changes later.
You can get clarity on your next steps with a 1-hour kitchen design consultation, where you’ll leave with a written project timeline and a clear plan to move forward.
Kitchen design costs vary depending on the scope, but we use flat-rate pricing so you know the full design investment upfront. This helps you make decisions with clarity and avoid unexpected costs as the project moves forward.
For full-service kitchen remodel projects, our flat rate starts a $2700. For kitchen contractor drawings, an upfront investment would start at $1000. All prices are determined by scope.
While we are based in St. Charles, IL, we regularly work with homeowners in Geneva, Batavia, Naperville, Wheaton, and surrounding areas like Naperville. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in the western suburbs, we can help you create a clear, well-designed plan for your space.
You are not required to hire one — but professionally designed kitchen remodels consistently come in closer to budget, experience fewer change orders, and produce results homeowners are happier with. For any project involving layout changes or cabinetry, professional drawings are strongly recommended.
The design phase typically takes four to six weeks from initial consultation to contractor-ready drawings. This covers site visits, layout development, selections, and documentation. We give you a clear timeline before any work begins.
Both. We work seamlessly with contractors you have already chosen — preparing drawings and attending walkthroughs. We can also help you identify and vet qualified contractors in the St. Charles and Kane County area if you do not have one.
Yes — this is one of our specialties. Older homes near the Fox River present specific challenges: load-bearing walls, outdated electrical, limited natural light, and layouts designed for a different era. We have extensive experience working with these homes while preserving their character.
Single-room kitchen projects are one of our most common engagements. You do not need to commit to a full-home design to work with us. We scope every project to fit your goals and budget.
Book a free in-home consultation. Kristie will walk your kitchen, assess the space, and leave you with a clear project plan and quote. No pressure, no obligation.