MPink Design LLC.

Main Line Addition Completed!!!!

2011-12-14T07:24:00.000-08:00

The Main Line Addition project is completed. Here are some pictures of the completed work.

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Main Line Exterior

2011-10-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

We're just about finished. These photos of the exterior and screened porch were taken in June. We will be visiting the site in a month to see the finished product, so check out the final photos soon.

Northbrook Remodel

2011-09-06T09:17:00.000-07:00

The cabinets are installed! The cabinetry is a "transitional" style that combines two types of edge profiles. The color is an off white which keeps the kitchen soft. Quartzite countertops will soon be installed. With the secondary bathroom countertop being installed this week, the demolition of the master bathroom and closet will soon begin.

Trim and Floor Northbrook Remodel

2011-08-07T05:11:00.000-07:00

A lot of progress at the Northbrook Remodel. The half-inch limestone floor was installed in the kitchen and laundry room. Still to be grouted. The cabinetry in the laundry room and the secondary bathroom were installed. There is also a lot of trim up including crown, window, and door trim. The photo below shows the new kitchen. The sliding door was a small window above the sink and the large bank of windows were 2 smaller windows. The island will be located where you see the plumbing in the center of the photo. CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE.

2011-08-02T15:42:00.000-07:00

Pearson Interiors

2011-08-02T15:36:00.000-07:00

This project shows how you can take an ordinary, "vanilla box" and really turn it into something warm and well designed by carefully planning spaces and materials. This project has included new custom furniture, adding tile and additional storage to a kitchen, new rugs, lighting, and a custom desk. The kitchen backsplash is a thin glass tile.

Bernard Progress

2011-08-02T15:23:00.000-07:00

Custom Master Bath vanity partially installed. The sink and marble top are yet to be installed. The vanity was fabricated by Joliet Cabinet.

Palmolive Interiors

2011-08-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

Over the past few months we've been working at the Palmolive building on Michigan Avenue. The project has included a new tile backsplash, new kitchen countertops, new furniture, lamp selections, space/furniture planning and custom window coverings. This photo shows a custom walnut coffee table in progress at the shop. The final finish will be darker than the raw walnut shown. We'll follow up soon with more pics of the space.

Bernard Interiors

2011-07-28T06:54:00.000-07:00

After a call from the client saying "we've demoed our bathroom", we came to the house to see what the owner was planning. A few schemes later we decided to make the hall bath, into a master suite and closed off the entrance from the hallway. A new door from the bedroom leads you through the reconfigured bathroom to a newly fitted out master closet. The owner for this job is also acting as the general contractor. Here are a few progress pics.

Northbrook Views from Kitchen Island

2011-07-25T12:44:00.000-07:00

These views show the dramatic result of removing the wall between the former kitchen and former dining room. This space now occupies the new kitchen. The plumbing shown is the location of the kitchen island sink. A new sliding door replaces a small window and large windows expand the view to the yard.

Northbrook Remodel Progress

2011-07-25T12:34:00.000-07:00

These views show how we've opened up the Den to the new Kitchen. The door to the garage (shown in the before pic) has been relocated. The red wall was the wall to the laundry room which is now removed, and the door to the backyard has been replaced with a window.

Northbrook Remodel Plans

2011-07-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

Before and after plans of the Northbrook Remodel. We've refocused the larger spaces of the home to the backyard. The Before Plan shows a large living room. We've move the laundry room to the front of the home leaving a large new Family Room that opens up onto a patio. A new 9ft. wide set of windows across from the new kitchen island opens up the view to the yard as well.

Northbrook Remodel

2011-04-21T13:02:00.000-07:00

We have just submitted for permit for a renovation project in Northbrook. The project will include renovating a secondary bathroom, enlarging and renovating a new master bathroom, reconfiguring most of the first floor including a new, larger kitchen, and a larger family room.
In addition, we will be replacing all the windows in the home with Marvin casement windows. A new entry from the garage will be created along with a new laundry room.
Here's a rendering of the master bathroom vanity, where we had to work around a window opening by stepping the vanity top.

Bambi Lane Progress

2011-04-21T10:24:00.000-07:00

The Bambi Lane Addition is almost complete. The kitchen is getting the final touches. A new "sea glass" color backsplash will be installed soon. We used a ET2 fixture over the breakfast table, which really adds a nice touch to the space. The countertops are Azul Aran. More photos to come will hopefully show it even better. In person, they are incredible. On the exterior, the wood louvers are in on the screened porch. We'll be painting soon and adding the gutters and downspouts which will pull the whole thing together.

Bernard Interiors

2011-01-18T07:05:00.000-08:00

We've been working on the interiors of a beautiful home on Bernard. We've worked with the owners to select new furniture, lighting and paint colors as well as reusing and relocating existing furniture to function better in the spaces. We've removed and fabricated new window trim and cleaned up the walls to provide for the homeowner's vibrant artwork. A major move was to install the new hanging light fixture in the entry hall. The spheres work very well to compliment the intricate detail of the stair's wooden balusters. The couple continues to make changes to update the home and we hope to have more photos soon.

Before View of Den


After View of Den

Bambi Lane Addition

2011-01-18T06:11:00.000-08:00

We're pretty far along on the addition in Haverford, Pa. Windows are in. Electrical is coming along and we've broken through the exterior walls showing us what the new spaces are going to look like.

View of New Breakfast Room from Kitchen

Exterior View. Standing seam roof is covered with snow. Our screened porch is to the right.

Mudroom Entrance view. The large overhangs will help shade from the early afternoon summer sun.

Piggy-Back House

2011-01-18T05:32:00.000-08:00

The second floor of the Piggy-back house is completed. Some of these photos were taken right before we added towel bars, shower rods, and some other accessories.

Second Bath and Master Bedroom entry/office

Master Bathroom

Mudroom Addition - Completed

2011-01-18T04:59:00.000-08:00

The Mudroom Addition project on the North side of Chicago is completed. It adds an fantastic light to the space and provides a great spot to keep the clutter of the everyday out of the kitchen. Click on the images to enlarge for better quality.

SPS Marble Bath

2010-12-03T15:05:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what a makeover can do. Some simple changes to this master bathroom resulted in major impact. New radiant heated floors are underneath the new marble tile. We removed the wall between the vanity and the toilet and designed a new custom vanity. The sconces are by Vibia. We reused the sliding glass doors and the bathtub and kept the layout the same. In addition, the shower was bumped out just a bit to give a proper ending to the tub corner.

Piggy-Back Plans

2010-10-07T14:45:00.000-07:00

We are just about completed with the Piggy-Back house second floor rehab. Here is a plan showing the before and after layout. As you can see, we reduced the size of the secondary bathroom to fit a 4th bedroom into the plan. We also made better use of a hallway connecting the master bathroom to the master bedroom by building custom desks and file and book storage. In the master bedroom, we raised the ceiling to match the small cathedral portion they already had so that the entire master bedroom has a peaked ceiling. In addition, we better utilized the shape of the room and created 2 large master closets behind the bed wall.

The big trick in all of this was figuring out how to tackle the house plan changes while keeping the original West exterior wall intact. This wall, which now separates the two bathrooms, is crucial to the structure as it carries much of the roof weight down to the foundation.

Piggy Back House

2010-09-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

We're almost there. Master Bedroom is finished with furniture still to arrive.

The secondary bathroom is almost there as well. Better photos coming soon.
The new raised ceiling in the master bedroom makes a huge difference in the perception of the space. At the entrance to the master bedroom we've created a small office area with built-in file storage, bookshelves, and a desk.

Mudroom Addition

2010-09-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

The Mudroom Addition project is well underway. The framing is mostly up and you can now see how the porch will be transformed into an enclosed and glassy addition.

We kept the addition up on piers instead of using a full foundation to keep costs down and leave the space underneath the addition for outside storage.

Lake Shore Remodel in Progress

2010-07-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

The furniture is mostly in for our remodel on Lake Shore Drive near Division. We are still waiting on some lamps and other items, but it's all filling in nicely. Black chairs are the owner's original chairs that have been recovered. The leather chairs and sofas are all new as is the coffee table and rug underneath. The bookcase is a custom piece we designed and had fabricated by Joliet Cabinet.

Piggy-Back House Progress

2010-07-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

The latest shot of the expanded master bedroom area. The new windows are in on the north wall. The master closet is tucked in behind the bed wall. To the left are the nooks. The larger openings below will be filled with custom built-in dressers.
CLICK ON ANY PHOTO IN BLOG TO ENLARGE

Evanston Lair

2010-07-08T13:30:00.000-07:00

We were asked by our client to do something with his small home office. More storage, a cooler space and maybe a place he would like to hang out. We came up with the "Lair" concept. Not the typical "Man-Cave" but instead, a place to easily move from working to relaxing.

Lakeview Bedroom Remodel

2010-07-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

We are finally posting pictures of the bedroom remodel we completed about a year ago. The project consisted of shifting walls and adding and moving doors in order to turn a three bedroom condo into a four bedroom condo with the arrival of our son, Oliver. In order to save space we lost the walk-in closet and instead built a custom wall of closets. The bump out you see is the closet for the new bedroom beyond.

2010-07-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

EXTERIOR BEFORE

Lakeview Coffee Shop

2010-07-08T08:38:00.000-07:00

A prominent and fast growing coffee company based in Chicago was looking into expanding their store. MPink was asked to solve the issue of creating a temporary space with the feel of an art installation. The resultant design included prefabricated wood boxes that could be used as seating, lighting, and display. These boxes could be repositioned at any time. Striking images related to the coffee's origin would be printed on translucent panels. These panels would act as artwork while at the same time providing information about the process that occurs before you put that first sip of coffee to your lips each morning, a focus that is important to this local store.

LAKESHORE DRIVE INTERIOR

2010-07-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

This Lakeshore Drive apartment need a quick interior remodel and update for a new owner. We designed a bookshelf piece to anchor the corner of the room. Furniture selection included a new dining table and chairs, sofas, nightstands, lamps, and club chairs. A new coat of paint makes a world of difference and expands the space. Other updates included new kitchen cabinet handles, a new toilet, electrical updates, and some major patching and refinishing of the parquet floors to match the existing floors.

Lake Bluff Makeover

2010-07-08T07:31:00.000-07:00

We wanted to share this project we finished in Lake Bluff a while ago but it has yet to make it onto our blog. The addition of the new front pergola was a great way to celebrate the entrance to the house. New windows in the dining room open up the home to a beautifully landscaped front yard. Flagstone was used for an enlarged front walkway and a new deck made from ipe wood replaced the original crumbling concrete pad.

Piggy-Back House Remodel

2010-07-06T15:25:00.000-07:00

We're well underway what we're now calling the "Piggy Back" House. This late 19th century balloon frame house has been changed, gutted and renovated over time. The original footprint remains with a newer addition "piggybacked" over the top of the roof and walls. We even uncovered the original siding and windows inside an interior wall. It truly is a layered home which makes this renovation very special. The new owners have asked us to reconfigure the second floor and add a bedroom. The master suite will now be more efficient and elegant. We've also completely re-structured the ceiling in the master suite area to both stabilize it and provide a dramatic space.

Ravenswood Green Garage Update

2010-07-06T12:41:00.001-07:00

The Green Garage is complete. These photos are taken just before the final staining of the deck and wood has occurred. We'll update with new pics as soon as we take some of the final stain and wood sealing. We encountered some issues with using "green" wood sealants but the new product seams to be working better. We are still fine tuning some drainage issues with our floating planters but should have that worked out soon.

Great shot of our clients in front of the garage. Green Cross installed a burnt wood fence. The shadows from a tree across the way really provided an unexpected but beautiful effect on the west side.

The work on the garden itself continues. We can't wait to see it all in full bloom, but it's already looking great!

The green roof has filled in very nicely. You can see how the floating planters on the left and right will tie in to the green roof.
The benefits of a green roof inculde: energy conservation, reduction of storm water runoff, absorbing carbon dioxide, filtering air, and protecting the roofing membrane from environmental effects such as ultraviolet radiation. In our case, we've done all of this as well as providing the owners with an extra bit of real estate to use as a backyard in the air.

Mudroom Addition

2010-04-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

We are currently developing the plans for a small mudroom addition to an existing house in Lakeview Chicago. The concept for the addition is based on the functional needs of the client including the need for more light, while also dealing with a large open space next to the home.

The side of the addition acts as a barrier towards the noise from below with choice of material and form. The top end of glass and wood lets in light are redirects the orientation of the entrance. The mudroom has to recognize the large open space adjacent to the house but also create a sense of enclosed space and privacy directly behind the existing house. The result is a blurred edge condition and a mudroom space that creates a dialog between the adjacent space, the rear yard, and finally, the kitchen.

Green Garage Progress

2010-04-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

The Richmond Green Garage is wrapping up and looking great. We've made as many eco-conscious decisions along the way including reusing doors, deciding on stain and finish materials, and how to re-use as much material as possible. Derek Ottens of Green Cross has been crucial to the process and has been great to work with as our general contractor. He sent us a couple photos this week showing the progress from last week.

Lake Bluff Dining Room

2010-03-25T07:32:00.000-07:00

We designed this built-in cabinetry to compliment a piece we had already designed in the living room. All hardware is concealed by using touch latch and notch pulls giving it a cleaner look to match the open and modern feel to the house.

RICHMOND GREEN GARAGE

2010-03-24T15:36:00.000-07:00

We are almost there on the green garage. The 3-Form reclaimed panels are installed. Most of the railing pickets and planter railing frames are installed. We expect the siding to be delivered next week along with the garage door. The filtercrete concrete permeable paving is being poured this week as well.
And old door is being used for the entry to the storage area.
The cedar bench is almost complete. The large hole at the end will be the raised planter. Below it to the left will be the stepped lower planting beds.

RICHMOND GARAGE PROGRESS

2010-02-04T13:00:00.000-08:00

The 3-Form reclaimed resin panels are going up on the Green Garage on Richmond. Due to the limited availability of reclaimed materials, we chose to use different shades and textures that would work well together. The west side, above the future garage door is the wave texture and it looks great. The FSC certified cedar trim boards are also almost complete. The corrugated aluminum siding is to arrive soon.

BAMBI LANE ADDITION

2010-01-29T09:56:00.000-08:00

We are currently developing the details, picking out the finishes, and really getting ready for the final bids and permit submittal for The Bambi Lane Addition and Kitchen Remodel in Haverford, Pennsylvania. We are really excited to get to this stage and are ready to see this project come to reality after a long time in development. The project involves an enlarged and redesigned kitchen, a mudroom addition, bathroom remodel, and a new screened porch and patio.

RENDERING OF THE NEW KITCHEN

RICHMOND GREEN GARAGE PROGRESS

2010-01-28T06:28:00.000-08:00

The Green Garage is looking great and moving along even in this frigid weather. The windows went in yesterday. We're reviewing all of the trim details to prepare for the corrugated metal siding. The East wall, above the stair, will now be clad with reclaimed wood decking material.

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

Carmen Basement

2010-01-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

The Carmen basement continues to move forward and is nearing completion. All of the architectural design elements are in. Furniture will hopefully follow soon once we have completed the punchlist items. See the earlier pics for the transformation.

Green Garage Progress Ravenswood - Chicago IL

2009-12-29T13:50:00.000-08:00

Chi-Lot House

2009-12-29T11:43:00.000-08:00

We are continuing to work on the designs for our ongoing Chicago Lot Project. This design is based on a typical Chicago Lot Size. Our design approach is to create a floor plan that is different from the typical chicago developer infill house. The design idea is to create 4 distinct spaces on the first floor while maintaining continuity through materials, and light. A large slice in the east side of the house lets light filter down the stairwell. The slice expands as it goes from floor to floor.

BUNGALOW BASEMENT

2009-12-29T11:37:00.000-08:00

Designs for the Bungalow Basement in Ravenswood are under way. We are continuing to revise the plan to allow for a laundry room, kitchen, workout area, game room, reading room, and lots of storage. The designs we are developing allow for an open flow while maintaining an order of defined spaces. A row of bookshelves and storage create an edge condition between the south and north spaces. We are also testing some new rendering programs to potentially use for future projects.

Carmen Basement

2009-12-16T14:16:00.000-08:00

Carmen is almost finished as Tony will be putting in the finishing touches in the next couple of weeks. The Bench is mostly in but will be painted soon. The stair also will be painted and the stair screen will be added. The plumbing fixtures will also be installed this week.

Carmen Basement Remodel

2009-12-10T06:43:00.000-08:00

Before Pic Carmen Basement

View towards bathroom after

The Carmen basement project is well underway and it's all coming together. We opened the space up and brightened it all with horizontal wood tongue and groove boards. The stair will be a stage and a storage area for their daughter's toys and books.

Garage Pics

2009-12-08T18:34:00.000-08:00

The Framers at the green garage project were braving temps in the teens today. The garage is taking shape but is still skeletal. By tomorrow, we will have some of the sheathing up as well. Our contractor, Derek of Green Cross has been diligently reviewing the plans and asking questions to keep this thing on track.

The old garage is gone and the team awaits the digging to start.
It's a happy day for the family who has been thinking about the new garage for years.

The foundation and slab is poured. Delivery of the framing materials coming soon although Chicago winter has hit hard (not in this pic).

Green Garage - Ravenswood Chicago, IL

The Ravenswood Green Garage is currently under construction and we will be posting new construction photos soon. Right now, the foundation is in and the slab is poured. We're waiting on the delivery of the wood to start framing. We are using FSC certified wood where possible as well as recycled wood and acrylic. Care has been taken in the research of the all of the products being used in the garage.

MPink Design first Post

2009-12-08T15:17:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the MPink Design Blog. Hopefully, this should be an easy way to keep everyone updated on our progress without waiting for perfect shots of our projects to post on our website. We hope you continue to check in to see how we're doing and we will continue to update the blog.
We welcome your thoughts and opinions.

Sincerely,

Josh Pincus and Claudia Mendelson
MPink Design LLC.

Lake Bluff Remodel