Distinctive Remodelers transforms and doubles the size of cramped kitchen in Tinley Park home

Aug. 23, 2012 - PRLog -- Breathing new life into an older home isn’t easy—unless you have the expert guidance of a master remodeler who can reconfigure spatial dimensions in creative and practical ways. Phil and Lisa Kearney benefitted from such guidance when they chose Distinctive Remodelers to renovate the cramped kitchen in their 34-year-old Tinley Park tri-level home late last year.

With two growing boys—Luke, 7, and Jake, 5—and a chocolate Labrador named Mae, the Kearneys were used to making sacrifices within their 1,800-square-foot interior since they moved in nine years back. But recently they had just about reached the breaking point in their tight kitchen. Having outdated cabinets, countertops, flooring and lighting was bad enough, but running out of storage space and having to pack pots and pans in closets downstairs was creating an extra strain.

“From day one, we knew that the kitchen was too small and that we needed more cabinet space,” said Phil. “We had kicked around different remodeling ideas for a while, like building an addition, but they were too expensive. We even thought about moving, but we realized that we like our house and our neighborhood too much to move.”

Their solution came in the form of a newspaper article that the couple noticed last fall. The story that caught their eye concerned a south suburban family who enlisted the aid of Distinctive Remodelers to re-envision their kitchen. Inspired by what they read, Phil called the company, and before long he and his wife met with chairman Bryan Nooner.

“They had a small, inefficient kitchen that was about as basic and utilitarian as you could get,” said Bryan. “It needed to be updated and expanded. At some point in the consultation, we recommended knocking out the wall between the kitchen and the adjacent dining room, which Phil and Lisa said they didn’t use very much anyway. That would create a U-shaped space that would more than double the size of their existing kitchen.”

The Kearneys loved the plan, but were concerned that they would not have any space to relocate a desk area currently residing in the dining room. Bryan demonstrated how a small office niche with a desk could be implemented in the new kitchen below a half wall that faced out toward the living room, and the couple gave him the green light to proceed.

After completely gutting the workspace down to the studs, Bryan’s crew replaced the old and worn oak cabinets with stylish custom maple cabinets in a staggered height configuration for greater visual appeal. Out went the Formica countertops and in went earth toned granite. In place of the outdated floor tile went a continuous oak hardwood floor that extended throughout the entire first level. The team also implemented 10 can lights and two pendant lights in the ceiling, installed a natural stone tile backsplash and decked out the entire space with new, eye-catching wider oak trim. Black appliances that the family had purchased in recent years were repositioned within the new design. A spacious pantry was added for extra storage capabilities. In addition, instead of crafting a center island, a more spatially efficient breakfast bar peninsula was fashioned that accommodates four stools.

“They also built in a wine rack and glass display above the desk, which adds a nice touch,” said Lisa. “When we entertain, we can clear off the desk and use it as a small buffet or drink station—it’s a very flexible space.”

Once the job was complete, the Kearneys were amazed with the results. They now have ample storage potential, expanded elbow room and a more open flow between their living room and new kitchen.

“We enjoy making meals together and hosting guests, and now we have an even better reason to do both,” said Lisa.

Aside from their quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, punctuality and tidiness, Phil was enamored by how friendly and accommodating the Distinctive Remodelers crew was.

“They went above and beyond the call of duty. A great example is how they cared for our dog while we were out of the house,” Phil said. “They would play with Mae and let her out to go do her duty. And there was even one day where they prepared to put a final coat of finish on the oak floor. They didn’t want Mae exposed to that smell, so Jeff Schultz, the project manager, offered to take her home with him for the night. She ended up being pampered by Jeff’s teenage daughters, and we were very grateful.”

Distinctive Remodelers provides a wide range of renovation projects, including room build-outs, second-level additions, home theater room installations, basement finishing, kitchen makeovers, and roofing, siding and window replacements — with no residential job too large for the firm to tackle. Plus, all work is backed by a full warranty.

Bryan’s firm draws on the built-in advantages of being a part of Distinctive Companies — a successful, established area business with 20-plus years of collective experience.

“I launched Distinctive Remodelers based in large part on growing demand from past home buyer customers eager to upgrade and expand their existing residences,” said Bryan. “We enjoy a sizeable base of contented, loyal clients from over the years who often call us for future projects. We would often receive requests and calls from many of these past purchasers who wanted to recruit us for jobs like adding a room, finishing a basement or reinventing a kitchen.”

Instead of turning down these requests, Bryan founded Distinctive Remodelers, which offers partial or whole-house renovation services throughout the suburbs.

“We’re familiar with these homeowners and what they’re looking for,” Bryan said. “Plus, we have a highly skilled crew in place that we’ve added to, as well as an unparalleled reputation for outstanding quality and value.”

What’s more, Distinctive Companies has a 3,000-square-foot, full-service design studio, making it simple and convenient for remodeling customers to choose their exterior and interior product, finish and material selections. From cabinet pulls and plumbing fixtures to flooring options, door handles, appliances and trim packages, everything is there under one roof. Homeowners can browse through plentiful wall and floor displays, samples and swatches.

Distinctive Remodelers also benefits from the parent company’s skilled architectural design team and its computer-aided design (CAD) resources to ensure that the conceptualizing and planning of every home project goes smoothly and efficiently.

“When you hire us, you can count on courteous, knowledgeable professionals. Everyone on our team has been carefully screened, and they will treat you and your property with the utmost respect,” said Bryan. “And you can rest assured that you’ll get punctual responses to your questions and requests.”

Best of all, he added, “you can count on the highest level of customer service from a project manager specifically assigned to your home who will supervise your job from start to finish.”

To make an appointment for a free estimate, contact Distinctive Remodelers at (708) 479-7700. For more information, visit www.DistinctiveRemodelers.com.