Labor vs. Art
He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.
Saint Francis of Assisi
Artisans in Residence is a general contracting company that brings collaboration, design and real artistry to residential remodeling of historic and pre-war homes and town homes in the Chicagoland area.
Services
Collaboration
Some owners have a vision but don’t know how to execute it. Others know the limitations of their space, but don’t know how to resolve them. Still others have maintenance issues that need to be solved now, but would love to uncover design opportunities for the future.
Artisans in Residence collaborates with you to help you work out all these details, especially where reconfiguring rooms and accommodating system changes (e.g., plumbing, electric, HVAC, etc.) are needed. With expert understanding of building codes and with extensive experience, we can lend our own design and structural ideas that can augment your plan, or at a minimum give you options to consider. As necessary we can refer you to architects or specialty designers.
Design
When blending new lives with older homes, off-the-shelf solutions fall short. Standard solutions for today’s high function living frequently compromise the integrity, character and history of the original home.
What’s required are inventive solutions that fit the homeowner’s style and activities, can be accomplished with the structural framework of the house and are in keeping with the original architectural style and time period of construction.
Artisans in Residence is inherently inventive and the hallmark of our design approach is to create a seamless union between new lives and old homes.
Construction
Renovating in this area requires a general contractor who can bring 100 year old homes to present day standards, reconciling modern needs with unrelenting building codes. There are inherent constraints updating within an existing structure (e.g., space, systems, conditions, etc.), which means experience and creativity are key.
Artisans in Residence has decades of experience renovating older and historic homes. This experience crosses disciplines and means we are familiar with underlying conditions, product lines, materials and various solutions. As a result, we can provide options to meet homeowners’ modern living needs while accommodating complex building codes.
Our appreciation for older and historic homes means we will gladly mill and fashion wood to be the exact fit and finish to repair and restore historical homes or customize solutions to achieve the desired design.
About
David Gruber is the general contractor of Artisans in Residence who accesses a network of artisans across a variety of disciplines to collaborate, design and construct projects in the Chicagoland area.
David did not set out to become a contractor. In fact he studied art, sculpture, English and history in college. Upon moving to Oak Park in the late 1980’s and buying an “as is” bungalow for his family, he embarked on years of structural repairs, space reconfigurations and design enhancements, to the point that his home was featured in the 2009 South Oak Park Style house walk. During the same time period, friends and neighbors asked for help rehabbing their own homes, David hired workers and a general contracting business was born. This business has grown by referral through a network of friends, to the point that David has completed over 200 projects in the past 25 years.
Artisans in Residence is a new name and website to showcase the scope and quality of work that has been ongoing for years. This work is a result of collaboration that comes from an English major, design ideas that come from an art and sculpture minor, and construction that comes from a restoration carpenter and a network of artisans.
25+ Years in Business
200+ Major Projects Completed in Chicagoland Area
EPA-Certified Lead Abatement Renovator
City of Chicago Licensed General Contractor
Projects
Dormers & Additions
Kitchens
Bathrooms
Basements
Porches, Decks, Pergolas & Exterior Restoration
Fireplaces, Custom Cabinets, Columns & Furniture
Reviews
Project: Exterior Restoration of Historical Home, 2015-2016
"David has tackled the exterior restoration of our Victorian era home in a way that has exceeded our expectations. The extent of the project included everything from roof to foundation, and David amazed us with the knowledge and skill needed to address every complication this historical structure presented. In addition, we appreciated David's eye for design as well as his many ideas. The ability to be equally adept in both the technical and artistic sides of construction/rehab work is the reason we would recommend him for any project. He is enjoyable to work with and has listened to us throughout the process.
Thank you David for making our 1886 home like new again!"
Jennifer Cozette, Oak Park homeowner
Project: Exterior Restoration of Historical Home, 2015-2016
"David Gruber, with Artisans in Residence, has done extensive work at my house. He is professional from start to finish. His design ideas to refinish our front porch and restructure the support for it and our steps, the first impression of our home, were spot on. Now it is beautiful and safe, warm, welcoming and a beautiful place to gather. David has also done electrical, repair, and restoration work for us, all of which has been excellent. Additionally he is completely trustworthy, completing many of these jobs in our absence leaving nothing behind but a completed project. Thank you David!"
Traci Melcher, Oak Park homeowner
Project: Front Porch Columns, 2014-2015
" The 10-foot columns supporting our front porch were rotting and starting to look pretty nasty. We called David in to see what Artisans In Residence could do about it. After we signed off on their very detailed and complete proposal they came in about a week later to do the job. The result? Beautiful new columns to match the original millwork of our 1925 -built home. Strangers walking by the house actually commented on our new, attractive columns...and asked for the name of the builder, which we gladly shared.
David Gruber has done several projects at our home over the years and we have always been very satisfied. He knows and understands residential architecture and makes great effort to have all work be sympathetic to the original structure.
Jim & Suzanne Rohr, Oak Park homeowners
Project: Basement Excavation, Structural Remodel and Water Remediation, 2015
" My wife and I wanted to transform our basement to a living area for our family. The problems were many and at times seemed impossible. We live in a house built in 1890 with a basement that had seepage whenever it rained. Additionally the ceiling height was less that 5 feet in most areas. It worked for storage, the mechanical equipment, and the washer/dryer, but not for a living space. We chose to work with Dave because his knowledge of the area, type of project, and all in one service. We also trusted him to keep to the price he quoted us. Dave worked with us to develop a design that would provide what we were looking for, for the best price. Dave and his crew performed all of the work from the design, to the permit, to the construction. Dave worked through challenges that the Village brought up during the permit review, ensured all inspections were passed and delivered the product he promised. Though unknown challenges were uncovered during the demolition process, Dave was fair and worked with us to resolve all issues. We now have a space that we are proud of and use daily. From the beginning to the end, Dave was a pleasure to work with and gave us comfort that we would have a project to be proud of."
Jason Perez, Oak Park homeowner
Contact
Let's Talk about Your Project!
For any inquiries, questions or estimates needed, please call David Gruber at (708) 860-1522,
or email david@artisansinresidence.biz.
(Note this is a .biz and not a .com account.)
I look forward to hearing from you!