The Art of the Possible
A Malvern family has “a happier, brighter space to be in” thanks to a seamless first-floor renovation orchestrated by Dilworth’s Custom Design.
by Jeneane Brown

For Jessica and Casey Shure, a simple decision to update their kitchen evolved into something much greater—a full-scale, first-floor transformation that would redefine life in their Malvern colonial. 
 
Having lived in their house for 12 years, and with their daughters now teenagers, the Shures felt the time for significant change had come. They had completed several renovation projects over the years, but the first floor remained largely untouched. Having made only superficial updates to the home’s original kitchen, the couple realized the need for an updated, family-focused area. They also envisioned a more open space infused with more natural light that would better accommodate their lifestyle and enhance the downstairs flow, as well as strengthen the connection between the indoors and their recently redesigned backyard.
 
“You know how projects go,” Jessica says. “You start with one thing and then you say, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice to do this and do this?’”
 
Jessica and Casey’s process for selecting a contractor began with gathering referrals from friends, some of whom had worked previously with one company in particular: Dilworth’s Custom Design Inc., based in Phoenixville. Although they interviewed several candidates, they appreciated the fact that Dilworth’s “brought to us an entire package of experts,” as Jessica says—namely, an architect, a project manager, an interior decorator, and a team of skilled carpenters, among other key players. 
 
Ultimately, the Shures chose Dilworth’s. Its reputation of high quality, its more than 35 years in business, and its ability to deliver the completed project in a much shorter projected timeline compared with its peers all made the Phoenixville-based firm “the clear choice.”
 
Members of the Dilworth’s team—including Sheri Schack, the designer; Aaron Stallone, the CAD designer; and Ryan, the lead project manager who brought the design to life—spent significant time on site, discussing what Jessica calls “the art of the possible.” Dilworth’s was able to provide bespoke design options for their revitalized first floor based solely on the feeling the Shures wanted to create. 
 
“Casey and I are financial people; we wouldn’t say we’re creative types,” Jessica adds with a laugh. “One of the things that I valued tremendously was being able to explain a concept, a feeling, to the Dilworth team about what we were hoping to achieve in the space: more light, bright, airy. I will say that the design choices they recommended helped to accomplish exactly what we were hoping for.”
 
The targeted design choices ensured a cohesive connection throughout the space; they also made the decision-making process as simple as possible for the Shures. Thoughtful suggestions from the Dilworth’s team, such as using rain-glass accents for a unique texture or pantry-size adjustments for better overall flow, added value the Shures believe they never would have discovered on their own.
 
To realize the Shures’ open-concept vision, the Dilworth’s team determined that the project would require significant structural changes. Walls had to be taken down, the plumbing relocated, and a series of small windows replaced with a large quad slider in the back—essentially, opening up the space to the inviting outdoor space the Shures had previously redesigned. The modern kitchen, which was to be moved to where the Shures’ previous dining room was located, would include all-new appliances and the convenience of beverage drawers. Furthermore, the mudroom was to be expanded to include a second powder room, requiring the addition of all new plumbing. In all, the large-scale undertaking necessitated the addition of a second HVAC zone in the attic to run through the upstairs, allowing them to remove a wall that had previously housed the ductwork. 
 
Exhaustive preparation made the process incredibly easy, according to Casey. Long before the renovation began, Dilworth’s provided the Shures with a 40-page document with all the plans, drawings, and selections completed in advance, meaning very few unknowns to figure out during the renovation. This level of planning was a huge stress reliever for Jessica and Casey.
 
The Shures decided to move forward with the project in January 2025. Demolition began at the end of June to coincide with a scheduled family vacation. When the family returned, the Dilworth’s team made living in a construction zone “as easy as possible,” Jessica recalls. Communication between the homeowners and the Dilworth’s team was practically without flaw. Casey remembers talking with Ryan, the team leader, every morning to discuss progress and outline plans for the day. 
 
“I couldn’t believe how easy this was, given the scope of what we were doing,” Casey adds. “They really brought it to life. The end-to-end process was phenomenal. The amount of time and energy they spent up front made for a seamless experience.”
 
The Shures’ kitchen was functional again by Labor Day weekend, just in time to host seasonal celebrations. Having the Dilworth’s team on site every day eliminated most, if not all, of the delays often associated with large-scale home renovations. 
 
The Shures now have an incredible space they can share with their friends and family; feedback on the transformation has been, in a word, incredible. The larger, easily accessible pantry enables the family to inventory and meal plan more efficiently, and the indoor-outdoor connection feels natural. The renovation has not only delivered measurable gains in terms of property value, but it also has fundamentally changed how the family lives and entertains. 
 
“The renovated space makes preparing meals and just being together feel more fun,” Jessica says. “It’s a happier, brighter space to be in.”
 
Dilworth’s Custom Design
175 N. Whitehorse Road
Phoenixville, PA 19460
(610) 917-9119
dilworthscustomdesign.com
 
Photo by Jody Robinson 
 
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, February 2026.
 

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