Kitchen Remodeling

Custom Kitchen Remodel in Evanston, IL

Evanston, IL

About This Project

Project Overview

Evanston homeowners often bring us kitchens with good bones and significant untapped potential. This family’s kitchen occupied a generous footprint in their classic Evanston home, but dated finishes, inefficient storage, and a layout that prioritized wall space over workflow prevented it from living up to what it could be. The result is a kitchen that balances the architectural character of the home with clean, contemporary material choices — designed specifically for this family.

Project Details

Project Type

Kitchen Remodeling

Location

Evanston, IL

The Challenge

What We Were Up Against

The existing kitchen had been updated piecemeal over the years, creating visual inconsistency. Cabinets were a mix of original 1990s construction and a later addition using slightly different door profiles. The countertops were laminate. The range had no dedicated ventilation. Upper cabinets stopped short of the ceiling, leaving an awkward soffit that compressed the room. The sink sat in a corner that limited workspace on one side, and the island was undersized and didn’t connect well to the main counter run.

Our Solution

How We Solved It

Fairway ran custom cabinetry fully to the ceiling — eliminating the awkward soffit, dramatically increasing upper storage, and making the kitchen feel significantly taller. A consistent two-tone shaker profile (painted lowers, stained wood uppers) replaced all existing cabinetry. The layout was adjusted to open the sink corner and extend the countertop run to provide an uninterrupted prep surface.

The existing island was removed and replaced with a custom unit — quartzite top with seating overhang on one side, integrated storage on the other. A new exterior-venting hood replaced the cosmetic unit, and new tile flooring replaced the worn vinyl to anchor the redesigned space.

Scope of Work

What We Did

The Evanston kitchen remodel was completed in structured phases with careful coordination between trades:

  • Full demolition of cabinetry, countertops, island, and flooring
  • Soffit removal and ceiling repair — cabinetry extended floor to ceiling
  • Plumbing rough-in adjustment for repositioned sink
  • New exterior-venting range hood with exterior wall ductwork
  • Electrical update — additional circuits, dedicated outlets, 8 recessed fixtures
  • Custom full-overlay two-tone shaker cabinetry, floor to ceiling
  • Quartzite countertop fabrication and installation throughout
  • Custom island with quartzite top and seating overhang
  • Subway tile backsplash with herringbone accent at range
  • Undermount farmhouse sink, matte black faucet, and large-format porcelain floor tile

Materials & Finishes

What We Used

  • Custom full-overlay two-tone shaker cabinetry — painted white lowers, stained natural wood uppers, floor to ceiling, soft-close hardware
  • Quartzite countertops — white with natural grey and gold veining
  • Custom island with quartzite waterfall-edge top
  • Marble-look ceramic subway tile backsplash — herringbone accent at range
  • Undermount apron-front fireclay farmhouse sink — matte black faucet
  • Custom panel-front exterior-venting range hood
  • Dimmable under-cabinet LED lighting and recessed LED ceiling fixtures
  • 24″×24″ large-format porcelain floor tile — warm grey concrete look

The Result

Delivered

The transformation in this Evanston kitchen is noticed immediately. The floor-to-ceiling cabinetry makes the room feel taller and more architecturally considered. The two-tone palette creates warmth and depth that single-finish kitchens rarely achieve. The quartzite countertops and farmhouse sink provide material richness that wears beautifully in daily use.

Fairway has completed kitchen remodels throughout Evanston and across Chicago’s North Shore. Reach out to schedule a complimentary design consultation.

AFTER

After Gallery

Ready to Transform Your Home?

Whether you're planning a full renovation or need a targeted repair, Fairway Home Remodeling delivers premium craftsmanship and clean results — on time, every time.

Or call us at (224) 333-1883