West Englewood Gut Rehab
A dated South Side Cape Cod taken down to the studs and rebuilt into a bright, open four-bedroom home — new kitchen, new baths, new systems, top to bottom.
Rebuilt From the Studs Up
This South Side Cape Cod had good bones but a dated, chopped-up interior that no longer suited how people live today. The goal was a complete transformation — a full gut down to the studs and a ground-up rebuild into a bright, open four-bedroom home with finishes that feel current and are built to last.
We stripped the house back to its framing and rethought it from there: a reconfigured open main floor, an all-new kitchen and full set of baths, fresh flooring throughout, and updated mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems behind the walls. Every finish was chosen to give the home a clean, contemporary feel while keeping the warmth of the original Cape Cod.
Set in the West Englewood neighborhood, this full-home renovation was completed by Lee & Sam Property Care, a licensed Chicago general contractor serving the city, the surrounding suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.
Room by Room
An Open, Light-Filled Main Floor
The main floor began as the series of small, closed-off rooms typical of an older Cape Cod. We took the walls down and reframed it into one open, connected living, dining, and kitchen space, so light from the bay windows now carries clear across the level. To give that openness real warmth and character, we layered in decorative wall trim, coffered and lighted tray ceilings, and large-format porcelain tile that runs throughout. What was once dark and compartmentalized now reads as the bright, generous heart of the home.
A Bright, Modern Kitchen
The kitchen is the centerpiece of the renovation, and we built it to live as well as it looks. Crisp white shaker cabinetry with glass-front uppers wraps the room, set against quartz countertops and a generous center island that adds prep space, storage, and a spot to gather. A full stainless-steel appliance package and layered designer lighting finish the space, while the open layout keeps whoever’s cooking connected to the dining and living areas. It’s a kitchen made for real, everyday family life — not just for show.
Spa-Style Bathrooms
Upstairs, the private master suite gained a spa-style bath built around a glass walk-in shower with body sprayers — a genuine retreat at the end of the day. Across all two and a half baths, we carried one clean, modern language: LED-lit mirrors, contemporary fixtures, and durable finishes meant for daily use. Every bathroom was taken down to the studs and rebuilt with new plumbing behind the walls, so what looks polished is also built to last. The result is calm, current, and cohesive from the top floor down.
Inside the Renovation Scope
Demolition & Framing
Full interior demolition down to the studs, then re-framing to open up and square the floor plan.
02Kitchen Remodel
A new open kitchen with white shaker cabinetry, quartz counters, an island, and stainless appliances.
03Bathroom Remodel
Two and a half new baths, including a master suite with a walk-in shower and body sprayers.
04Flooring
Large-format porcelain tile flooring throughout, with proper subfloor prep for a clean, durable finish.
05MEP Upgrades
New mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems brought up to current code behind the walls.
06Final Finishes
Interior paint, trim work, decorative ceilings, LED-lit mirrors, and lighting that pull the whole home together.
Down to the Studs
Before any of the finishes went in, the house was taken all the way back to its framing. A full gut means the work you never see again gets done right the first time — sound structure, and a clean slate for everything that follows.
From there the systems were rebuilt top to bottom: updated electrical, new plumbing, and modern insulation, all brought up to code before a single wall was closed. It’s the part that never shows up in listing photos — but it’s what makes the finished home solid.
See the Transformation
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The Details
“There were a bunch of things behind the walls that needed attention, too. Communication was good throughout and the crew was easy to work with. Looking at the before-and-after photos now, it honestly doesn’t even feel like the same house.”
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