Ana Santos Interiors

Our hearts are broken to see another terrible conflict in the Middle East.
Wishing for peace and safety, and sending love and comfort to all those who are suffering. 🤍

Out of the office, and into the world! I’m so excited about this particular trip!
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There are 8 of us that will be doing El Camino de Santiago (pilgrimage trails that go from France to Spain and Portugal that date back to the 9th century) from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
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We’ll be riding bikes, taking a week to do it, about 30-40 miles a day. We are using the services of a wonderful local company, Portugal Nature Trails, that will pick our baggage every morning and drop it off in the next village.
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This has been a dream of mine for many, many years! Bill and I have been training for the last 3 months so we won’t want to get an Uber after the first day
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BUT before all of the biking excitement, I will be spending the first 2 days of my trip in Portugal. I’ll be working closely with a small furniture factory, creating custom designs for my clients back in the U.S.!!
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Follow along in my stories to see where each day will take me!
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Happy anniversary to my sweetheart, Bill!⁠
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My biggest supporter and darling companion. ⁠
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He is always ready for the next adventure and can make any situation fun! ⁠
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Cheers to the next 16 years!

Working with us to create a custom kitchen design means, you’ll find back to school prep, a breeze. ⁠
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We work with our clients to create a kitchen based on YOUR morning routine. Specifically designed to make your mornings less chaotic. ⁠
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We help with: ⁠
▫️Custom organizational systems⁠
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▫️Thoughtful design for encouraging self-reliant kids, when it comes to making breakfast, or packing lunches.⁠
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▫️Message boards and calendars to ensure everyone knows where they need to be and when.⁠
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▫️Custom mudroom/ drop zones for backpacks, shoes, and whatever type of sports gear you are smelling this month. Haha! ⁠
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Send us a message if you’re ready to finally have a kitchen design that aligns with your family’s routine.

Let's talk about light
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Natural light plays a crucial role in home design, as it has the power to entirely change how a home feels, and how YOU feel in each space.
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It also is a starting point for most design decisions.
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Here are 4 things to consider when designing around natural light:

Window Size: Installing larger windows or floor-to-ceiling windows allows ample natural light to enter the space. This visually opens up the room, creates a sense of spaciousness, and provides unobstructed views of the outdoors. - Yay!!

Window Function: Bay windows protrude outward from the building, creating a small alcove inside. They enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room and provide a wider view. These windows make for excellent reading areas, dining benches, and plant ledges.
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Window Privacy: Choosing sheer or light-colored window treatments, such as curtains or blinds, allows natural light to filter through while maintaining privacy when needed. We will help you find the perfect style of window treatments for your space.

Window Orientation: South-facing windows receive the most sunlight throughout the day, while north-facing windows provide more consistent, indirect light. Light-filtering window treatments become especially important for south-facing windows.
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Design Tip Tuesday:⁠
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Save money at the florist, and forage your own flowers and greenery from your yard!⁠
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These are quick fire hydrangeas, and bloom like crazy during the late summer. They typically bloom a creamy white color in July, and then gradually turn a pinkish red in August and September.⁠
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To keep them looking gorgeous after being cut, we:⁠
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-Trim in the morning.⁠
-Cut stems at an angle, using clean and sharp pruning shears. ⁠
-Use a mister to spray them with water each day⁠
-Make sure to refill your vases with water frequently. They soak it up, fast!⁠
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📷️: .crost.creative

DAY 10: THINK OF YOUR HAPPY PLACE:⁠
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Echoing what we tell our clients, when designing their indoor spaces, make sure to think of your happy place.⁠
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Outdoor entertaining is an excellent place to showcase things that remind you of your happy places. If you love vacationing near the ocean, incorporate coastal elements and colors. If you love hiking in the mountains, incorporate more rustic elements and earthy colors. ⁠
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This is such a playful way to share your favorite places and experiences with your friends and family.⁠
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Get creative with it! Keep your spaces personal and compelling by incorporating a variety of textures, fabric prints in your outdoor decor, such as woven furniture, soft linens, metal accents, candles and natural stone elements.

DAY 8: BRINGING THE INDOOR PLANTS, OUT:⁠
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In the midwest, we have a lot of plants that “hibernate” indoors during the window, and then love to join us outdoors during the warmer months, when there is extended sunlight hours.⁠
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The process of moving indoor plants outside is called “hardening off.” This is typically safest when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 42 degrees Fahrenheit.⁠
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Some of our favorite indoor plants that thrive outdoors are: spider plants, ponytail palms, banana leaf plants, aloe vera varieties, and jade plants. If you’re feeling bold, fiddle fig trees can also grow like crazy outdoors. ⁠
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Be mindful of placement, as some plants can get sunburned, and may need to be in shady areas or under covered shelters. Don’t forget to increase your watering schedule, because outdoor plants will dry out more quickly.

DAY 9: BRING YOUR INDOOR TEXTILES & SERVEWARE, OUT.⁠
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Next time you have an outdoor function, consider using your indoor dining textiles and serveware.⁠
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This is the easiest way to elevate any function, and make it feel even more special. It is also much more environmentally friendly than using disposable plates, cups, napkins, and plastic table cloths.⁠
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Nobody likes plastic tablecloths. Period. Don’t be afraid to bring out your favorite fabric tablecloths, table runners, cotton throws and cloth napkins.⁠
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We have a love affair with cloth napkins, it’s a small luxury for you and your guests, just make sure to buy cotton or a cotton/linen blend to minimize any need to iron them after washing (the trick is to fold them while still warm from the dryer)

DAY 7: Transitioning to Evening
Mmm… Here comes dusk.
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To extend the usability of your space into the evening hours, Install outdoor lighting to keep the party going and incorporate citronella candles, bug zappers, or natural repellents to keep pests at bay.
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If your space allows, consider integrating a fire pit or outdoor fireplace to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere during cooler evenings.
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Bonus points: Bring out your cozy throws and blankets for chilly evenings, ensuring your guests stay comfortable, no matter how far they are from the fireplace

Day 6: Staying Cool⁠
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Outdoor entertaining in July can get SPICY!⁠
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Keep the heat and outdoor sun at bay, with a covered pergola or canopy to provide full or partial protection from the elements. Bonus: eating under my covered pergola while raining is one of my favorite things!⁠
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Bonus points if you have an opportunity to grow climbing roses or hydrangea along the posts. Yes, please!⁠
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In addition to our shady spots, we love to help keep our guests cool with a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at an arm’s reach. Bar carts are ideal, for keeping your beverage off the table, to ensure you’re not blocking your guest’s field of vision.⁠
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Think of creative containers you already have around your home that can store your iced beverages in. We absolutely LOVE this copper basin (it’s a traditional French pot to make preserves) and the eclectic energy it brings to the tablescape.⁠
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Day 5: DINING
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“I hope this party doesn’t have food!” -No one ever
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We love nothing more than to break bread with our friends and family, so we always emphasize the importance of installing an outdoor kitchen or bar area to make entertaining and cooking more convenient.
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To minimize how many times you have to go back inside while entertaining, consider integrating an outdoor grill or barbecue area, as well as a refrigerator or cooler to make cooking and entertaining seamless.
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When selecting an outdoor dining set, consider a size that accommodates the number of guests you typically entertain. When in doubt, add two more seats for unexpected guests, so you’re not scrambling to find additional seating. The more, the merrier!
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DAY 4: LOUNGING
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When it comes to outdoor lounging, we are ALL about comfort. Nobody fights over who gets to sit in a plastic folding chair. Haha!
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When given the option, opt for comfortable seating options, such as outdoor sofas, deep lounge chairs, and ottomans. This encourages maximum relaxation and long conversations. Don’t forget some light blankets for cool evenings.
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Comfort doesn't come cheap, so when purchasing outdoor furniture, we make sure to utilize outdoor-friendly fabrics. (Sunbrella is still the best and most durable; and many fabric lines use their product to print their fabrics.) You’ll be amazed at the prints available!
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You’ll also need ample storage options and covers to protect your cushions and pillows from the elements, to keep everything clean and ready for your next gatherings.

DAY 3: DEFINING YOUR SPACES⁠
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The most important part of creating the perfect outdoor entertaining area is to *define. your. spaces.*⁠
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Depending on your square footage, consider designating a dining area, a lounge area, and entertainment zone.⁠
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The easiest way to do this is with large, stylish, and weather-resistant outdoor rugs; different types of shade structures, and even thoughtfully placed planters and landscaping. ⁠
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You can see in our last photo, I especially love using planter boxes to define the spaces.

Day 2: SOUNDS⁠
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As we mentioned in yesterday’s post, sounds can really make or break your outdoor atmosphere.⁠
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One of our favorite solutions for homes near a noisy road or area, is to add a water feature, such as a fountain or small pond, to create a soothing and serene atmosphere, and to bring more birds into the garden!⁠
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Here’s a few water features in my garden areas. I especially adore the turtle one.⁠
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For more lively gatherings, installing outdoor speakers or a sound system to your space will keep the good vibrations going strong.⁠
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Not ready for a permanent solution? Synced bluetooth speakers will also do the trick. Just make sure to bring them back inside. :)

DAY 1: SETTING THE SCENE⁠
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Ana here: When we bought our house 9 years ago, there were no gardens, but there were plenty of weeds! We worked with a landscape designer to plant a full and luscious garden that provides privacy from our neighbors, and creates our own backyard sanctuary. It has taken work, (lots of weeding) and money, but we adore the results.⁠
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For new homeowners, we highly recommend working with local landscapers, to help determine the best options of your space and climate for year-round blooms and increased privacy.⁠
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In many locations, there are height restrictions for how tall privacy fences can be. (In DuPage County, we cannot exceed 6’.) BUT there are no height restrictions for trees and shrubs… :) ⁠
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For more temporary solutions, consider installing outdoor curtains on your porch or deck, or utilize outdoor-friendly privacy screens, to create a sense of intimacy and seclusion.

Sarah here: Today is Ana’s birthday!!! 🥳🥳🥳
Join me in celebrating this dynamite gal that makes all of our lives a little more playful, loving, and VIBRANT!
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Stick around this month, as Ana is sharing ALL of her tips for making your outdoor space the BEST place to be!
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Happy Summer!!

Here’s a fun before & after for Transformation Tuesday!
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When Ana renovated this Jack & Jill bathroom, she knew she wanted to create something chic, timeless, and with a hint of whimsy.
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Because it was in excellent condition, she had the existing vanity painted, and then upgraded the rest.
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Tile:
Mirrors:
Lights:
Wallpaper:
Marble:
After photos: .crost.creative

You know the old wedding tradition: ‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.’

We find that rhyme rings true from our home designs as well! We love curating spaces that incorporate vintage finds, modern lighting, sentimental items from loved ones, and if possible, our favorite shades of blue 💙

"Ana brought distinctive, creative, and original ideas to enhance our projects. We hope to work with Ana again this year." - RITE-WAY CUSTOM HOMES
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At Ana Santos Interiors, we love working alongside local builders to help new-build and renovation clients looking for more hands-on design assistance, and an upgraded final design. Please see our website (link in bio) for our full-service offerings and upgrades.
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Is your basement dark, cluttered, and a hodgepodge of leftover furniture and home decor? You’re not alone.
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As summer heat approaches, we find many of us retreating to the basement for respite.
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Our team believes this space has the potential to be the coolest space in your home. (Pun intended)
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With our expertise in colors, lighting, furnishing, and art, we’ll help transform your dark, sad “sunken place,” into the coolest basement around. Literally.
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'Be faithful to your own taste, because nothing you really like is ever out of style.'⁠
-Billy Baldwin

📸 Here’s a little candid photo Sarah took of me, while preparing for a discovery call with a new client.⁠
If you’ve had a discovery call before, you have already seen this cute wallpaper and my beloved sheep art, that reminds me of my Dad’s village in Portugal.⁠
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If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to schedule a discovery call with us! We have Discovery calls every Tuesday, and they are super easy to schedule through our website.⁠
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But Ana, WHAT DO WE DISCUSS DURING A DISCOVERY CALL??⁠
Glad you asked! 😄⁠
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-This is a 30 minute, informal, zero-pressure conversation about your potential project and what you generally have in mind.⁠
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-We do not give design advice during a discovery call. We simply discuss our service offerings with you, and determine which one could be a good fit for your design goals. No obligation, no stress.⁠
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-Investment: Free! BOO-YA! 🙌⁠
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Head to our website link in our bio to schedule your own 30 minute chat with us.

👋 Ana here: After years of designing custom drapery for clients, I acknowledged that whole home design was my passion, and I wanted the validation of formal training.

So, in 2012, I went back to school to complete an Interior Design program. I loved school, (except maybe when a project was taking over 40 hours!) Loved the interaction with the teachers, making lifelong friendships with other students, that shared the passion and life goals. I even loved autocad! (Aside from the first week though…) 🤪

Here’s a look back at a hand-drawn rendering I did for class, and I still love it! This outdoor space features a comfortable, all-weather sectional, a 3-piece lighting feature, and a stone, linear fireplace. Let me know if anyone’s yard could use a makeover like this one! 🔥

🌸 We are SO happy to be into the ‘May Flowers’ portion of spring!⁠
Here’s what we’ve been up to this month:⁠
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-Putting finishing touches on a gorgeous new build in Glen Ellyn⁠
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-Loving this gorgeous tile “rug” we designed for the primary bathroom⁠
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-Attended a wonderful design presentation at the Arlington Design Center with our dear friend, and fellow designer, ⁠
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-Spending lots of time with loved ones and soaking up every minute with this little one.

The truth is, not all homes are created equal…
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Some homes were designed by us, and that makes them WAY cooler than the rest.⁠

This living room and lounge renovation included new custom furniture, vintage items (Hello, circa Re*****on steel typewriter and WW2 British airplane propeller!). We married both coastal and industrial styles creating a comfortable and effortlessly cool vibe.
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Hope you all have a groovy day! 😎⁠..⁠

Home design is difficult.. time consuming, and can be costly... we totally get it.

That's why we work with our clients to determine what their design style is, early-on in our planning process. This helps us ensure every decision we make aligns with their design goals.

Here are 4 trays that we put together to represent different design styles. Let us know which style you like best, and why!

1.) A nature-inspired transitional home. This design is for clients wanting a fresh and timeless take on incorporating their surrounding areas in a tasteful way. Featuring: light neutrals, muted greens, and classic prints.

2.) An eclectic and well-traveled home. This design is for bold clients that love incorporating their favorite finds from their travels, family heirlooms, and statement pieces. Featuring: Rich textures, playful colors, and bold tiles.

3.) A Japanese and Scandinavian-inspired home. “Japandi.” This design is for clients looking for an at-home retreat, with minimal fuss, and maximum calm. Featuring: Soft, elongated lines, quiet neutrals, and incorporating raw elements from nature.

4.) A luxe and high-end home. This design is for clients who like the finer things, and want to feel like a movie star every morning. Featuring: Feminine and layered textiles, dreamy blush tones, bold mixed metals, and high-quality stone.

"Design, because life is too short for ugly."⁠
-David Fuller⁠
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Imagine coming home every day to a space that truly looks and feels like YOU. ⁠
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Ahhh... isn't that nice?⁠
Now, get a design call setup with us, so we can make it a REALITY.⁠..⁠

When we're not working on gorgeous home remodels, you can find Sarah and I tending to our home gardens. ⁠
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Few things bring us more joy than getting ready for the day in a gorgeous bathroom with the smell of fresh-cut flowers from our garden.⁠
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Are there any cut-flower gardeners here??⁠..⁠

We love a kitchen cabinet refresh as much as the next person, but some things are best left to the professionals. ⁠
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These kitchen cabinets were custom made of ½” maple, still in excellent condition, and fit the space perfectly. Instead of replacing them, we had them professionally sanded, painted, and sealed to ensure they will look as sleek as new cabinets.
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We know your kitchen cabinets endure A LOT of wear and tear, and are the first place to show dog scratches, kid's fingerprints, and distressing. That's why we team up with dynamite trades people that take the stress away, and leave you with an instantly updated space.⁠
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Send us a message if you'd like to hear more about our effortless kitchen refresh!⁠..⁠