New Perspective Design, Inc.

In June 2020, we bought a house in Michigan that was built in 1996 and was in desperate need of an update. We retained Amy Kartheiser Design (AKD) to handle the interior design of ours based upon our friend’s recommendation and seeing first-hand what AKD to their house. The scope was comprehensive from fixtures to lighting, paint colors to furniture and furnishings. The process was very collaborative throughout and the results were stunning. The house sits high on a dune with unobstructed views of Lake Michigan from every window that faces west and views of a ravine and nature from every eastern facing window. We wanted the design work to be both elegant yet completely functional and comfortable and didn’t want the design to detract from the massive windows/views but add to it. This is a fine line to walk, and AKD did a masterful job. From multiple conversations, photographs and drawings, Amy, Sarah and the rest of the team, made suggestions and picked out things that enhanced what was already a beautiful shell. They found us flooring for our kitchen which is absolutely breathtaking, unique and completely functional. Though furnishings they recommended lend themselves perfectly to the house and environment and seem to meld in and yet are attention getting without being overwhelming. Everyone that’s seen the house has commented on how incredible the design of it was/is. The AKD helped transformed the house from what it’s been for the last 26 years into an up to date, warm and inviting home that truly reflects our aesthetic. Amy and Sarah were particularly good at setting expectations and helping us through the process including pricing, timing, etc. They never disappointed and were incredibly patient throughout our working together. They were knowledgeable, professional in all dealings, exacting and very detail oriented and really focused on doing the best job possible. The customer service experience was truly outstanding and of a level far superior to anybody we have ever worked with in that space. In short, if you’re looking for a fantastic full-service design studio that does it all, Amy Kartheiser Design is the best and will, working with you, create a beautiful space that is functional and, perhaps more importantly, a true work of art. For that alone we couldn’t recommend AKD more highly.

After living in our newly constructed home for 11 years, we hired New Perspective Design (NPD) to update our home. The design and décor were very traditional, so we wanted to add more current design features and transform it into a more transitional look without having to re-do the entire house. NPD pulled together old elements with the new and gave our home a warm, connected look and feel. In short, they nailed it!! The original scope was to remodel a Jack & Jill bathroom and update our guest room, which then expanded to include updating our kitchen, three-season room, and mudroom/laundry rooms. The scope was ever changing, and Angie and Pam easily adapted to those changes. The Jack & Jill bathroom was totally transformed from a dimly lit bathroom with dark features that felt quite small to a space that is open, bright, and has a much larger feel to it. The completed bathroom was absolutely on target and we all love the new space. NPD redesigned the guest room, as well as two young adult bedrooms. The guest room is absolutely beautiful, yet functional and practical for guests with a welcoming and calm feel. The other two bedrooms are just as nice, giving the upstairs of our home a very nice vibe. The redesign of our kitchen included new countertops, tile work, window treatments, and lighting, which resulted in the kitchen having a warm, inviting feel to it. The redesign of the three-season room created an inviting, comfortable space that is now the “go to” place for relaxing or an afternoon nap!! And finally, the redesign of the mudroom & laundry rooms, which included new flooring, countertops, window treatments and artwork, transformed the two rooms into a light, airy space that makes me feel good just walking into it. In the past we have worked with some very well known, high end design/build firms, however we can honestly say that working with NPD was a much better experience with a much better outcome. At times Angie gently pushed me outside my “comfort zone” to try new materials like tile or fabrics, and I could not be happier with the results. From conception and design, the selection of materials, fixtures and finishes, through recommendation and selection of well-qualified contractors, our experience with NPD was fantastic from start to finish. Barb & Joe Freda

We hired Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn to do a remodel of our master bath and an upgrade of our other three bathrooms. The project started in July and ended in November 2015. There are a lot of moving parts to this type of project from ideas, design, materials, outside contractors, etc. One should expect the usual delays that come along with any project. The reason why we went with Kitchen Studios is because we did not have the time nor the patience to manage the hundreds of details required and we had a friend who used them and were quite pleased. The three things a homeowner must focus on in out sourcing this type of project is: 1. The creativity and utility of the design 2. The skill sets of the contractors deployed 3. Communication of cost impact to the project from changes and unforeseen surprises. In our estimation Kitchen Studios excelled in the design phase. We met often and were shown numerous options for color, style and design. We were very pleased with the final layout of the Master Bathroom. Susan is very gifted as a design artist. She helped us visualize what we were imagining. She got to know us as people and was able to design exactly what we wanted in a master bath. She was never pushy or overbearing. The contractors were professional, had attention to detail and skilled at what they did. There were times we had to wait extra days to fit into their schedule which pushed back the completion date. But to us, quality was more important than time and Kitchen Studios accomplished that. We had determined a budget we wanted to stick to and Susan was very mindful of that. However, there are always changes that impact your cost basis. Its very important that a detailed accounting be understood by both sides. We feel Jeff did a very good job in keeping track of all the changes and Susan did a great job in keeping us close to our budget. We would highly recommend Kitchen Studios for either a bathroom or kitchen project.

I recently had the pleasure of working with Amy Kartheiser Design for a day, and I cannot express how impressed I am with their exceptional service and creativity. Amy and Meggie truly exceeded my expectations in every aspect. From the moment I reached out to inquire about their services, the communication was prompt, professional, and friendly. Amy took the time to understand my design needs for the day, ensuring that every detail was tailored to my vision, and she arrived ready to get right to work. During our day together, Amy showcased her remarkable talent and expertise. Her ability to conceptualize and execute designs is unparalleled. She brought fresh ideas to the table while also incorporating my input seamlessly, resulting in a finished product that surpassed anything I could have imagined. What sets Amy Kartheiser Design apart is their unwavering dedication to customer satisfaction. Throughout the day, Amy and her team went above and beyond to ensure that I was happy with every aspect. They were receptive to feedback, quick to make adjustments, and incredibly accommodating. Not only is Amy an incredibly talented designer, but she is also a pleasure to work with. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, and genuine passion for her craft shine through in every interaction. It was truly a delight to spend the day collaborating with her and her teammate, Meggie. I cannot recommend Amy Kartheiser Design Firm highly enough. Whether you're looking for a complete redesign or simply seeking inspiration for one room in your home, Amy and her team are the perfect choice. Their creativity, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence make them the go-to firm for all your design needs. Thank you, Amy and Meggie, for an unforgettable experience!

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!! We could not ask for a better experience with The Kitchen Studio team in Glen Ellyn. We had a full kitchen remodel done and it is beautiful, we just love it! The entire team--including the owners, the designers, and the contractors were all very professional, punctual, responsive and reliable every day of our project. They kept us updated every day about what was done with our kitchen, what was happening the next day and if there were any delays with deliveries or supplies. The quality of the products (countertops, cabinets, appliances, tile backsplash, etc) are all excellent quality and look amazing. The contractors showed up every day on time and cleaned up very nicely at the end of the day--and always showed up! The designers really listened to our wants and needs for our kitchen and worked with us to make sure we liked the overall design. We also had some major structural work to do to our kitchen and they had a very good structural engineer make safe and aesthetically pleasing suggestions with a challenging wall in our kitchen. We had to have our floors refinished on our entire first floor and they look perfect. If you are looking to have your kitchen remodeled, whether a big or small project, hire The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn! You will be so happy you did!