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Our lead interior designer, Stephanie Cole of Habitar Design, was recently interviewed by Homes & Gardens for its comprehensive guide to the most durable and low-maintenance kitchen countertop materials. The article examines the most popular countertop options and evaluates them based on durability, maintenance, heat and scratch resistance, longevity, value, and how well they perform in everyday kitchens. Stephanie specifically shared her expertise on granite countertops, helping dispel...

Sherwin-Williams Waterlool' drenches these custom built-ins, adjacent wall, and is used above the fireplace place and on the kitchen island, adding richness and cohesion to the open floorplan. Before After There are four spacious cabinets above. The six open spaces are deep, pull-out trays, and there is a large drawer with push-to-open slides for ease of use. A small upper cabinet on the left side is for lesser used items, and two bottom drawers on the right side maximize storage space. The...

Soft green tiles paired with botanical wallpaper add interest in this small, hallway bathroom. Primary Bathroom This primary is mostly neutral, but made memorable by a stripe of rich blue shower tile. The LED vanity mirror gently lifts up revealing generous storage behind.

If you renovate older homes in Chicago, you'll eventually face a common question: What should we do with the radiators? Many homeowners see radiators as bulky obstacles that interfere with furniture placement and modern design. Others appreciate their character and the comfortable heat they provide. Before deciding whether to keep, replace, relocate, or remove a radiator, there's one critical first step. Determine Whether the System is Steam or Hot Water. Not all radiators are the same. Most...

One of the most overlooked storage opportunities in a home is hiding in plain sight: the space beneath your cabinets. Most base cabinets include a four-inch toe kick area that typically goes unused, yet this space is often large enough to accommodate a drawer with a usable interior height of approximately 2.5 to 3 inches. While shallow, these drawers can provide surprising amounts of storage. With a typical depth of 18 inches and widths ranging from 24 to 36 inches, toe kick drawers are ideal...

Residential construction costs have risen far faster than inflation over the past five years. A bathroom renovation that once cost $20,000–$30,000 now commonly costs $30,000–$45,000 or more — an increase of 50% or higher. Many of our clients expected pricing to soften after the COVID-era home renovation boom, but the opposite has happened. Here are several of the biggest reasons we see construction costs continuing to rise in Chicago. 1 - Labor Costs Continue to Climb Much of the increase is...

What is Farmhouse Chic? There’s something about walking into a home that just feels right. Calm. Warm. Inviting - yet still clean and elevated. That’s the essence of farmhouse chic. As a Chicago interior designer, I often see clients drawn to this feeling - they want cozy, but not cluttered… refined, but not cold. This style lives right in that balance. A modern take on traditional farmhouse design Warm and natural - without feeling heavy, old, or rustic. Clean and simple. Whites, creams, and...

Adding custom built-ins in Benjamin Moore 'Ocean Floor' add grandeur to what was a pretty ordinary space. The bookcases with rolling library ladder add so much character and seemingless endless storage. Before After The Jendaya Blue Stone wallpaper by Mitchell Black adds color and movement. Behind the monitor is a custom foam board wrapped in sand colored linen. It's perfect for pinning photos and notes. The Xaviero Chandelier features a striking combination of metal and opal glass elements to...

Smaller homes need to think of spaces having dual purposes. In this 2-bedroom West Loop condo, the 2nd bedroom needed to be both home office and guest bedroom. A murphy bed surrounded by custom built-ins was the answer. Before After Custom built-ins are painted in Sherwin Williams 'Courtyard' and adorned with Howell series unlacquered brass hardware by Rejuvenation. Wallpapered in black 'Wildwood' by Rifle Paper Co., bifold closet doors disappear when closed. This office space is now vibrant,...

Kitchen A cabinetry update with Tafisa laminate in Acacia Honey mirrors the design aesthetic in the primary bathroom. It is a bright contrast to the 'Black Tempal' quartz countertop and blacksplash by Caesar Stone. Modern light fixtures and newly polished concrete floors bookend this sleek, modern kitchen. Before After New black appliances and modern, matte black cabinet pulls keep this space sleek.

Habitar Design was recently featured in a Houzz article highlighting one of our kitchen transformations: “Narrow Kitchen Goes From Dark and Cramped to Bright and Breezy.” Being recognized on a platform like Houzz is always an honor, especially when it showcases the kind of thoughtful, detail-driven work we’re passionate about. About the Project The featured kitchen design project focuses on a 165-square-foot kitchen in a Chicago home that simply wasn’t working for a busy family of four. The...

Stepping through the front door of this charming Lincoln Park townhome, your gaze is drawn to the soft blue of the kitchen cabinets ahead and the stream of light coming through the window. You wouldn't know this small patch of square footage has had one of the biggest transformations. A Closet Becomes a Powder Room There was no existing bathroom on the main floor, making a powder room top priority.  Designer Renata Malafaia enlarged a closet by six inches and maximized the space with a petite...

The End of the Three Pendant Island For nearly two decades, the formula for kitchen lighting was predictable: recessed cans in the ceiling, under-cabinet lighting for task work, and a row of three pendants hanging over the island. It was safe, symmetrical, and easy for builders to replicate. But kitchen design has matured. As the kitchen has evolved from a purely functional workspace into the architectural and social center of the home, lighting design is evolving with it. Today, designers are...

We’re excited to share that our interior design team has recently been featured across three nationally recognized design publications. Being included alongside some of the industry’s top voices is always an honor—but more importantly, it reflects the design principles we bring to every project: timelessness, functionality, and thoughtful detail. Below is a closer look at each article and the key insights it explored. 1. Staircase Design Trends: What’s Making Homes Look Dated In this article...

Why Cabinet Color Matters in Chicago Kitchen Remodeling Unlike new construction markets, many Chicago homes were built between 1890 and 1970. Remodeling projects must work around: • Existing hardwood floors • Brick or plaster walls • Limited natural light • Narrow or galley-style layouts Because cabinets occupy the largest visual area of a kitchen, color selection directly impacts how large, bright, and modern the space feels. In today’s Chicago remodeling market, homeowners are choosing...

Renovating a condo kitchen in Chicago is one of the most valuable upgrades homeowners can make usually returning 50% to 75% of the cost at the time of sale but possibly much more if badly needed.   It also speeds the sale.   A good design is critical to getting the best return. If you’re planning a kitchen upgrade in Chicago, understanding realistic pricing, cost drivers, and budgeting strategies can help you avoid surprises and make smarter design decisions. Average Condo Kitchen Renovation...

Habitar Design founder, Mitch Newman, recently joined The Service Call podcast for a thoughtful conversation about his journey as an entrepreneur and the lessons he’s picked up along the way. Rather than focusing only on highlights, he spoke honestly about the challenges, tough decisions, and pivotal moments that helped shape both his business and his leadership style. It’s a candid look at what it really takes to build something meaningful over time. During the episode, Mitch shared his...

Let's say you know the kind of kitchen you want, and all you need is a professional to take your ideas and shape them into the kitchen of your dreams.  That's the wish of most clients starting out on a kitchen renovation, and it's a reasonable one.  So why do about 80% of clients end up disappointed?   I'm going to share some thoughts to help you not become one of them.   It begins with finding the RIGHT designer.  Your interior designer is going to be your guide through design and...

You've probably heard that remodeling your kitchen can be a nightmare, or perhapsyou've gone through kitchen renovation hell yourself.  Here's why it happens.  Highly designed kitchens are complicated, technical spaces that need plumbing, gas, power, and a myriad of fixtures, appliances and cabinetry that all must fit and work together seamelssly.  If any one of them are damaged, defective, the wrong model, out-of-stock or incorrectly installed, there will be delays.  Think about a...

In a recent interview, our own interior designer Brandy Rinehart was asked about pricey kitchen upgrades that aren't worth it. Brandy argues that certain kitchen upgrades, such as pot filler faucets, steam ovens, built-in coffee systems, and professional-grade ranges, often come with high costs that outweigh their benefits and frequently remain underused or unnecessary. She also highlights that specialty features like single-slab Italian marble countertops and elaborately designed custom...

In a recent interview with House Digest, our own interior designer Brandy Rinehart spoke on the design secret behind why wood and marble complement each other perfectly. Brandy emphasized the ideal material usage ratio in design. According to Brandy, 60% of your space should feature a dominant material, such as wood. For the secondary material, which makes up 30%, options like marble are recommended. Finally, the remaining 10% should be reserved for an accent material to complete the design...

While big-box brand couches may appear appealing due to their affordability and availability, they often come with notable downsides. One major issue is the lack of durability and quality, as these couches are frequently made with lower-grade materials and mass-produced construction techniques. Over time, this can lead to uncomfortable seating, sagging cushions, or even structural issues. Additionally, big-box options often offer limited customization in terms of fabric, size, and design,...

One of our lead interior designers, Brandy Rinehart, recently was interviewed by House Digest on what things to consider when adding curtains to your kitchen. From the article, Brandy mentioned: "At the end of the day, there are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to window treatments in the kitchen," Rinehart said. "Whether you choose to blend styles — like a Roman shade over the sink paired with flowing drapery on other windows — or keep things simple with blinds, the goal is to create a...

In a recent article by House Digest, our interior designer Brandy Rinehart was interviewed and shared her thoughts on how open design concepts designs feel more modern. If you would like to read the full article, please click here.

Habitar Design was recently selected as The Best Interior Designer in Chicago, Illinois by Quality Business Awards. Habitar Design achieved an overall quality score of 95% or greater. You can view our award by clicking here. If you are looking for a Chicago interior designer to help with your home, learn more about our services. Our team of designers can help give your home the design you have been wanting!

As a designer of 29+ years, I personally have seen many items that start out as “luxury” designer item, that seemingly only the elite can afford – but has become cost-efficient and very accessible to us all.  Fabric Steam units are officially part of that list. So this linen-pants-wearing maniac mom loves it! Whether you’re one who needs crisp ironed clothes & bed linens or steaming out the occasional wrinkle on a dress shirt, there are plenty of options for all consumers.  Both stand-up...

With the Kitchen and bath market trending towards well-being and respite from the outside world, fitting kitchen and bath spaces with tools engineered to make your home experience more enjoyable is well worth the investment. Kohler is one brand of Kitchen and bath products that never ceases to amaze with innovative fixtures and intuitive design since 1873.  While visiting their showroom and taking a tour with their team, we went through some exciting items. Here are 5 things we found in...

Habitar Design was recently awarded "The Best Interior Designer in Chicago for 2022" by Quality Business Awards for achieving an overall quality score of 95% or greater by our clients. If you are looking for an experienced interior designer in Chicago to help with your project, contact us today. Read More.