The North Shore’s Boutique Kitchen Remodeling Firm
Kitchen Remodeling on Chicago’s North Shore
Rosalie Remodeling is committed to making the remodeling process as stress-free as possible, with clear communication, thorough planning, and attentive guidance from start to finish. Serving Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, and Glencoe, our design-build firm takes on a limited number of projects at a time so every homeowner gets the personalized attention they deserve.
What a Boutique Kitchen Remodel Looks Like
Nate Rosalie brings his unique perspective to kitchen design, informed by his experience as a culinary professional and an industrial artist. He understands how to merge aesthetics with the practical elements that make a kitchen efficient and comfortable to work in. The workflow between a cooktop and a prep station, the balance of practical use and clean design, and a lighting plan that illuminates workstations while also creating ambiance. Nate’s expertise produces kitchens that look exceptional and work exceptionally well.
Our Design-Build Process for Kitchen Remodeling
A kitchen remodel is a meaningful investment, and the experience should feel just as thoughtful as the finished space. Rosalie Remodeling’s design-build process is crafted to deliver a more comfortable, enjoyable experience by partnering with homeowners from the first conversation through project completion.
We prioritize communication and clarity, with Nate as your project lead each step of the way. By the time construction begins, each homeowner has a detailed project plan, a calendar of events, and a fixed project cost. You’ll know exactly what you’re investing in.
The Initial Conversation
Our process begins with a phone call. Nate will ask about your project goals, your timeline, and your budget. He’ll be direct and can discuss recent costs for similar projects. It gives you a chance to ask questions and discuss whether our firm is a good fit for your project.
Visiting Your Home
The next step is for Nate to visit your home to discuss your goals, personal style, and kitchen wish list in more depth. During this initial in-person conversation, Nate shares ideas and possibilities for your kitchen and looks for any existing conditions to keep in mind during the design process.
Beginning Design
Moving forward in the process begins with a Design Proposal. After consulting with you, Nate documents the existing space and notes your preferences. He’ll present a variety of design concepts and material selections as you and he zero in on the final design.
Once you're happy with the design, Nate walks through the space with our trade partners to specify the work to be performed, identify any existing issues, and finalize the list of materials needed. From this information, we’ll create a Project Planning Summary for you.
Meticulous project planning takes time and communication. Throughout this process, Nate is available to answer questions. Design packages start at $1,500 for simple projects that don’t require architectural drawings. We adjust the price based on project size and scope.
The Project Planning Summary
Our Project Planning Summary is a comprehensive description of your kitchen remodel, complete with a fixed price. We meet with you to go over the plan, fine-tuning it as we go to ensure everything is clear and accounted for.
This important step refines the final scope and cost for your new kitchen. In this way, we eliminate the unpleasant surprise of discovering the actual cost upon project completion. We structure our payment schedule very straightforwardly to make the financial piece predictable.
Construction and Daily Communication
The Project Planning Summary is used to create the Construction Agreement. Once signed, Nate begins the permitting process, schedules trade partners, sets the calendar, and orders materials. On the first day of construction, you’ll have a temporary kitchen set up for use during the remodel.
Before demolition begins, floor protection, dust barriers, and air filtration are installed throughout. Clients are always impressed by how meticulous our demo team is both in carefully removing debris and containing the mess.
Nate will be there to explain what’s going on, whether any conditions need to be addressed, and to go over the possible solutions. No additional work is ever done without your conversation and approval as the homeowner.
You are always kept informed of the schedule so you know what to expect in your daily lives. Some homeowners work from home, have children with nap schedules, or have pets that are sensitive to a disruptive environment, and we keep this in mind to help ease the stress of home remodeling.
Project Completion and Warranty
At the end of a project, Rosalie Remodeling schedules a professional photoshoot of the completed space. All work is warrantied for three years, and all materials carry the manufacturer's warranty.
Kitchen Remodeling in a Historic Home
Rosalie Remodeling is based in Evanston and serves the full length of Chicago’s North Shore, including Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, and Glencoe. These communities are home to some of the most beautiful and architecturally significant residences on the Chicago North Shore, many of them built in the early to mid-twentieth century with bones that reward investment but require a remodeler who understands older construction. Nate grew up working on these historic homes, starting as his dad’s apprentice, and he appreciates the craftsmanship of houses from different eras. One of the challenges he enjoys is remodeling these vintage homes to suit our modern way of life while preserving the character that makes them special.
Custom Woodworking and Kitchen Design Details
One of the things that makes working with Nate special is his custom woodworking and carpentry skills. He incorporates details that make your kitchen genuinely custom.
Visit our portfolio to see what Nate has built in homes like yours. All project photography on the Rosalie Remodeling website is from real completed projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kitchen remodel cost on Chicago's North Shore?
Rosalie Remodeling sets expectations early in the process. Kitchen remodeling projects with Rosalie Remodeling start at $100,000, reflecting the quality, craftsmanship, and personal attention the firm delivers. Nate is direct about budget ranges in the first conversation, and he uses the cost history of comparable recent projects to help prospective clients understand where a project is likely to land. We never want to design a project you’ll fall in love with only to discover it exceeds your budget.
How does the Rosalie Remodeling design-build process protect me from surprise costs?
Rosalie Remodeling’s process is centered on the customer experience. From your initial meeting with Nate through the design and decision-making process to construction, Nate is your project partner every step of the way. Before a construction contract is ever signed, you will have spent time with Nate discussing your project in great detail, and you’ll have in hand a comprehensive project plan, a calendar of events, and a fixed price for the project. It’s our way of offering you the peace of mind of knowing exactly what you’re investing in and how much it will cost.
Will I be working with the same person throughout the project?
Yes. Nate is your primary point of contact from the design through the final walkthrough. Since opening in 2004, we’ve intentionally taken on a select number of projects so Nate can provide every client with a personalized remodeling experience.
Do you offer free estimates?
Rosalie Remodeling does not offer free estimates.
How long does a kitchen remodel take?
Active construction on a kitchen generally runs eight weeks. Larger or more complicated projects will take longer.
What should I expect during construction?
On the first day, demolition begins. The team installs floor protection, dust barriers, and air filtration throughout the space to limit disruption to the rest of your home. Nate is there daily and working behind the scenes to keep the project moving forward without delay. Any needed adjustments to the plan are documented as written change orders. Homeowners are kept informed about the schedule and about anything that affects their daily lives at home. At the end of the day, the work space is tidied up. We recognize that we are guests in your home, and we do our utmost to minimize disruption. Our trade partners are friendly and highly skilled. Nate is always available by phone, text, or email to quickly respond to clients’ questions and requests.
If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, we’d love to hear about your project and answer any questions you have about our personalized approach to the design-build process. Get in touch with us here.