Distinctive creates custom gazebo, driveways and fresh landscaping plan for New Lenox home

When Pete and Bobbi Egle decided to fill in their old in-ground swimming pool, they knew they needed an expert to help them reinvent their backyard and overall landscaping plan. So they enlisted the aid of Distinctive Construction Services Inc., which was able to pool its remodeling and landscaping resources together to create an exciting new exterior look for the couple’s New Lenox home.

As empty nesters residing in a two-story home built in the 1960s, the Egles recently came to the conclusion that their pool had outlived its usefulness. Now, with major repairs beckoning and waning interest in swimming in and maintaining the pool, Bobbi and Pete decided to fill in the big hole and lay sod over it. But once completed, that left a huge gap in their backyard which cried out for attention. So in its place, they imagined a new gazebo with walking paths leading from it to the home’s front and rear entrances, as well as freshly planted foliage and tidier landscaping that would prevent their Rottweiler Bella from tracking dirt and mud back into the house.

“We began calling different companies last August, but soon learned that most firms could either do one or the other—build the gazebo as general contractors, or put in the landscaping,” said Pete. “Eventually we ended up phoning Distinctive Remodelers after reading a newspaper article about one of their projects.”

Distinctive Construction Services Inc. chairman Bryan Nooner personally visited the Egles’ home and surprised the couple when he said his two divisions—Midwest Landscape Design and Distinctive Remodelers—could consolidate its services to more efficiently and economically complete all phases of the project.

Pete and Bobbi told Bryan they yearned for a sizeable, maintenance-free gazebo with a screened-in porch and a ceiling fan/light that they could enjoy during the warmer months and that could serve as an attractive focal point and centerpiece in the rear of their property.

“Bryan also made many creative and practical suggestions to improve our landscaping. He then went back to the shop, drew up some detailed plans as to what he envisioned for our grounds and came back with an impressive outdoor design,” said Bobbi. “It was clear that we picked the right company for the job.”

Because Distinctive was able to integrate its in-house services, “the design phase went quickly and smoothly, as we coordinated all the elements needed in one design platform,” said Bryan. “That took a lot of stress off the homeowners and saved us weeks of design meetings.”

The Distinctive crew crafted a 16-foot-diameter, 12-foot-high wood-constructed custom gazebo topped with white vinyl for easy upkeep. They laid walkways on either side of the gazebo—leading to the front and back doors of the house—using Ashbury haze brick pavers sporting warm red and brown earth tones.

Several large older trees were removed, primarily ones that shed messy nuisance fruits like thornapples. Planted in their places and in other perimeter spots were tall birch and pine trees, magnolias and spruces, “trees which elicit a soothing feeling, create a visual buffer and add extra privacy,” Bryan said.

Additionally, the Distinctive team planted a variety of perennials and plants that would add a diverse blend of colors and textures and provide extra density and coverage to fill in bare spots—among them roses, hostas, weigelias, boxwood shrubs, black-eyed Susans, lilacs, Japanese maples and wild prairie grasses.

“We were careful to scout out the property ahead of time and examine the heights and proportions of the home, fence and existing foliage so that we could achieve an effective, comfortable design,” said Bryan. “We also implemented a series of plants that would bloom radiantly at different times of the year in order to create varied focal points throughout the growing season.”

When it came to choosing the right foliage for their project, “we deferred to Bryan’s expertise on species, colors and the rest,” Bobbi said. “He also convinced us that putting in rock instead of mulch around plantings and trees was best for our overall theme.”

The Egles’ project didn’t stop there, however. Bobbi and Pete expressed to Bryan their desire to eventually replace their existing dual driveways—one leading to their detached garage, the other to the front entrance—for wider access and a more decorative look. Bryan amazed them again when he said that Distinctive could handle that portion of the project, too.

But instead of installing expensive stamped concrete, as they originally envisioned, Bryan suggested using the same attractive brick pavers for the driveway that they chose for the walking paths, which would save thousands and produce a more harmonious, consistent look across their grounds. Excited by the idea, the couple gave Distinctive the green light to proceed and came away thoroughly impressed by the outcome.

“I was blown away by the finished product, which far exceeded our expectations. Now, when you look out from the front or back of our home, you can’t help but say ‘wow—this really looks nice and all tied together,’” said Pete. “We have received many compliments from our family, neighbors, and people walking by our house, as to how nice the project turned out.”

Canine companion Bella also loves the reimagined property—so much so that it’s often hard to get the dog back inside after roaming around the more spacious, pool-less backyard.

“Any time we had a question or request, Bryan responded quickly and to our full satisfaction,” Bobbi added. “He and his team allayed all our concerns and produced high quality work with fine attention to detail. I would recommend Distinctive to anyone.”

For his part, Bryan is equally proud of the end results.

“The Egles had an overall vision of what we eventually created, which is a more relaxing, private, tidy and esthetically pleasing environment. We just made it easier for them to achieve that dream with one package, one company and one contact,” he said.

Distinctive Remodelers provides an impressive range of renovation services, among them kitchen makeovers, basement finishing, room build-outs, second-level additions, roofing, siding and window replacements, and home theater room installations — with no residential job too large for the firm to tackle. Also, all work is backed by a full warranty.

Likewise, Midwest Landscape Design offers a one-stop-shop approach to every home project. Bryan’s crew can create an entire customized package that meets your needs. They can suggest appropriate hardscaping and landscape planting recommendations that blend in well with your property, as well as tasteful touches that can add panache and allure to your surroundings. The firm also boasts a talented roster of in-house designers with horticultural design backgrounds.

Bryan created Distinctive Remodelers and Midwest Landscape Design based in large part on growing demand from past home buyer clients eager to upgrade and expand their existing residences.

“We’ve benefited from a large number of satisfied, repeat customers from over the years who continue to enlist us for future jobs,” said Bryan. “In the past, we would often field calls and requests from many of these past purchasers who wanted to enlist our help for projects like building a room addition, completing a basement or reimagining a backyard. Instead of turning down these requests, we launched Distinctive Remodelers and Midwest Landscape Design.”

Moreover, Distinctive Remodelers boasts a 3,000-square-foot, full-service design studio, making it simple and convenient for remodeling customers to choose their exterior and interior product, finish and material selections. From cabinet pulls and plumbing fixtures to the latest stone, brick and outdoor living products and eye-catching flowers, shrubs and trees flooring options, everything is there under one roof.

To make an appointment for a free estimate, contact Distinctive Remodelers at (708) 479-7700. For more information, visit www.DistinctiveRemodelers.com or www.MidwestLandscapeDesign.com.