ABLAZE Design Group (The ABL Group)

What ABLAZE Design Group (The ABL Group) does

ABLAZE Design Group is a family-owned residential design-build firm founded in 1974 and headquartered in Highwood, Illinois, serving affluent homeowners across Chicago's North Shore. The firm operates as an integrated provider spanning architecture, interior design, custom remodeling, cabinetry, painting, and handyman services, supported by an in-house showroom and design center where clients select materials and review plans. The design team includes NCIDQ-certified and CKBD-certified professionals, and the firm has been recognized with regional industry awards including the 2026 NARI Regional Remodeler of the Year (Residential Kitchen Over $200K) and participation in the 2025 Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens.

The firm generates revenue primarily through project-based contracts on luxury renovations and custom homes, with disclosed pricing ranging from $400 to over $1,200 per square foot. Ancillary income comes from in-house brands such as Dovetails Cabinetry, retail product sales (paint, wallcoverings, fixtures), and complementary handyman work. Go-to-market is anchored by 50+ years of brand equity, referrals from designers/architects/realtors, and industry recognition. Buildertrend is deployed as the third-party project management and client portal platform. ABLAZE is privately held with no external investment and no disclosed financial figures; headcount is approximately 15 team members.

Name

ABLAZE Design Group (The ABL Group)

Legal name

The Ablaze Design Group

Website

https://ablazedesigngroup.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ABLAZE Design Group is a family-owned, full-service residential design-build firm founded in 1974, serving affluent homeowners on Chicago's North Shore with integrated design, remodeling, cabinetry, painting, and handyman services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Design-Build Remodeling Services

NAICS

Interior Design Services (541410), Architectural Services (541310)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Design-Build & Renovation-Integrated Builders (IMAFABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kitchen Permitting, Design & Project Management (HSAPAAAK), Full Gut Renovation (Studs-Out Remodel) (HSAPAEAA), Interior Painting (Walls, Ceilings, Trim) (HSAPAHAA), Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Residential design-build
• Luxury home renovation
• Custom kitchen remodeling
• Interior painting services
• Custom cabinetry installation

Headquarters

HQ city

Highwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Design Services: Design retainer fees covering design development, finish selections, site visits, client meetings, drawings, and 3D renderings. The retainer is non-refundable and applied toward design services.
2. General Contracting and Construction: Licensed general contracting services including rough and finish carpentry, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC coordination. Revenue split into payment schedule: 25% deposit, 25% at startup, 25% after rough, 20% at substantial completion, 5% punch list.
3. Retail Sales: Sale of home goods, accessories, cabinetry, countertops, flooring, tile, window treatments, hardware, paint, and other finishing materials through the company's retail showroom and design center in Downtown Highwood.
4. Custom and Semi-Custom Cabinetry: Sale of custom and semi-custom cabinetry lines including Dovetails Cabinetry brand. Cabinetry over $20,000 requires 60% deposit, 40% before delivery.
5. Painting and Finishing Services: Professional interior and exterior painting services, cabinet refinishing, wallcovering installation, and faux finishing. Projects under $5,000 require 50% deposit, 50% at completion; projects over $5,000 require 35% deposit, 35% at startup, 30% at completion.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ABLAZE Design Group is a full-service residential design-build firm offering integrated kitchen, bath, and whole-home renovations that combine architectural design, interior design, construction, and project management under one roof. Complementary services include professional interior and exterior painting, cabinet refinishing, wallcovering installation, custom and semi-custom cabinetry sales and installation, handyman services, and retail sale of home goods through its Downtown Highwood showroom and design center.

Product overview

ABLAZE Design Group is a full-service residential design-build firm offering an integrated suite of home renovation products and services. The core offering centers on Design + Build services for custom kitchen, bath, and whole-home renovations, complemented by specialized painting services (interior, exterior, cabinetry, and wallcovering), cabinetry sales and installation, and handyman services. The company operates a retail Store & Design Center in Downtown Highwood that functions as both a showroom for products and a client design consultation hub. A Buildertrend-powered Client Portal provides customers with real-time project access. The portfolio is anchored by wellness and biophilic design principles, with services spanning from initial concept through construction completion, including finish selections, material procurement, and post-project support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design + Build Full-service design-build offering for custom kitchen, bath, and whole-home renovations including concept development, space planning, architectural design, 3D renderings, permit-ready construction drawings, and project management from concept through completion. Targeted at affluent Chicago North Shore homeowners.
• Remodeling Comprehensive home remodeling services including kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, whole-home renovations, and windows and doors replacement. Targeted at residential homeowners undertaking renovation projects.
• Painting Services Full-service professional painting including interior painting, exterior painting, cabinetry painting, wallcovering installation, and faux finishing using high-grade paints from Farrow & Ball, Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Fine Paints of Europe, and Valspar. Targeted at residential homeowners and commercial facilities.
• Cabinetry High quality semi-custom and custom cabinetry offerings along with countertop installation and organizational solutions for kitchens, baths, mudrooms, and more. Includes the in-house Dovetails Cabinetry brand. Targeted at homeowners and trade designers specifying cabinetry.
• Handyman Services General handyman services for various home improvement and repair needs. Targeted at residential homeowners seeking smaller-scale maintenance and repair work.
• Store & Design Center Boutique-style retail showroom in Downtown Highwood offering home decor, furnishings, lighting, hardware, accessories, textiles, and seasonal home goods curated by the ABLAZE team. Also features cabinetry design options with color libraries of wood species, countertop options, hardware, and lighting. Serves both walk-in retail customers and design consultation clients.
• Wallcovering Installation Professional wallpaper removal, luxury wallcovering installation, complex and intricate murals, and wallpaper sales and design services. Targeted at residential and select commercial clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 47 Google Reviews with 5-star rating
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dovetails CabinetrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn-house cabinetry brand operated at the company's 259 Waukegan Ave location. Dovetails Cabinetry offers custom and semi-custom cabinetry solutions as part of ABLAZE's full-service design-build offering.
• CambriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership featuring Cambria quartz surfaces in projects. Featured in Cambria's Show House Splendor editorial showcasing primary bathroom design with custom vanity and backlit quartz applications.
• CosentinocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCosentino collaborated with ABLAZE on the Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens 2025. Main kitchen featured Dekton Nacre in 2.0 cm and 12 mm thicknesses with Velvet finish for perimeter countertops and expansive island.
• Plain & Fancy Custom CabinetrycoreOthersBrand partner offering custom cabinetry. Featured in Plain & Fancy's blog 'The Allure of Mixed Metals in Your Designs' showcasing ABLAZE's incorporation of multiple finish styles in modern kitchens.
• Hunter DouglasminorOthersWindow treatment brand partner offering Hunter Douglas window coverings and treatments as part of ABLAZE's product offerings.
• Sherwin WilliamsminorOthersPaint supplier partner offering professional-grade paint products including industry-preferred brands for interior and exterior painting services.
• Benjamin MooreminorOthersPremium paint supplier partner used for residential painting projects. Benjamin Moore Regal paint specifically referenced in client reviews for quality finish.
• Farrow & BallminorOthersLuxury paint brand partner offering premium wall finishes as part of ABLAZE's painting and finishing services.
• CaesarstoneminorOthersQuartz countertop supplier partner offering premium surface materials for kitchen and bathroom projects.
• HafeleminorOthersHardware and functional components supplier providing cabinet hardware, lighting systems, and organizational solutions for cabinetry projects.
• Starmark CabinetrycoreOthersSemi-custom cabinetry brand partner offering quality cabinetry solutions for residential projects.
• American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association partnership. ABLAZE has received multiple ASID Design Excellence Awards and participates in ASID Illinois Chapter events and programs.
• National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry association membership. ABLAZE has won multiple NARI CotY awards including 2024 NARI Greater Chicagoland CotY Winner and 2026 Regional Remodeler of the Year.
• Lake Forest Showhouse & GardenscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured designer in the Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens, a bi-annual charitable event benefiting the Lake Forest Chapter of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago. ABLAZE designed kitchens and bathrooms in the historic Georgian-style Pembroke Lodge for the 2025 20th anniversary showhouse.
• Infant Welfare Society of ChicagominorOthersCharitable beneficiary of Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens. ABLAZE participates by designing showcase rooms that help raise funds for the organization.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Orren Pickell Building Company: Orren Pickell is a Chicago-area luxury custom home builder and remodeler serving affluent North Shore and Lake County clients. Comparable in customer profile (HNW homeowners), luxury price point, and integrated design-build delivery for renovations and additions.
• John Kraemer & Sons: John Kraemer & Sons is a Minnesota-based luxury design-build remodeling firm specializing in high-end kitchens, baths, and additions. Comparable on integrated design-build model, HNW homeowner targeting, custom cabinetry in-house, and award-winning brand positioning.
• Case Design/Remodeling: Case Design/Remodeling is a national design-build remodeling franchise with a local presence serving Chicago-area homeowners. Comparable as a residential design-build competitor pursuing a structured multi-phase process; broader scale provides reach, but ABLAZE competes on boutique luxury positioning.
• Mosby Building Arts: Mosby Building Arts is a St. Louis-based design-build remodeler offering kitchen, bath, and whole-home renovations through an integrated in-house design and construction team. Comparable to ABLAZE on integrated delivery model, designer-led sales, and showroom-driven customer engagement.
• Airoom Home: Airoom is a Chicago-area design-build remodeling firm offering integrated design, architecture, and construction for kitchens, baths, additions, and whole-home projects at luxury price points — a direct competitor to ABLAZE on overlapping geography, customer base, and service mix.
• Normandy Design Build Remodeling: Normandy is a Chicago-area design-build remodeler serving homeowners in the western and northern suburbs with kitchen, bath, and addition projects. Comparable to ABLAZE in integrated design-build delivery, HNW targeting, and showroom-led sales process.

Broad incumbents

• Power Home Remodeling: Power Home Remodeling is a large, nationally scaled exterior and remodeling company with significant digital marketing muscle and standardized delivery. Comparable to ABLAZE as a residential remodeler but operates at much broader scale and lower price tier, making it an incumbent on adjacent categories.

Others

• Cambria: Cambria is a leading quartz surfaces manufacturer partnered with ABLAZE on showhouse and client projects. Included as an ecosystem peer — supplier of premium countertops used in ABLAZE kitchens and bathrooms rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ABLAZE Design Group (The ABL Group)