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'Windy City Rehab' Season 3: Alison forced to work on a tight budget for Chicago project

Alison Victoria gains clients who think just like her while she frets over a limited budget

Alison Victoria, the host of 'Windy City Rehab,' has taken on a home restoration project for a couple after taking on personal projects outside of Chicago, most notably in Los Angeles and Atlanta. The episode is set in Chicago and centers around Alison trying to woo her clients, who have big plans but a limited budget.

In the fifth episode of the third season of 'Windy City Rehab,' host Alison Victoria returns to Chicago's "client game." Alison took up new clients Nahal and Amin Mashouf, a married couple who bought a brick house in the affluent Tri-Taylor neighborhood after they completed her investment properties. The 3,400-square-foot mansion, built in the 1890s, has three stories, a basement, and a roof deck. It was clear why the couple chose Alison for the renovation: the Mashoufs planned to paint the masonry white and the trim black. Classic Alison taste!

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For the Mashoufs, having Alison on board was a huge relief because they were up at night worrying about how they were going to pull this off on such a tight budget. Inside, demolition has already begun, with all kitchen and bathroom appliances, as well as floors and fixtures, being removed. The pair explained the wine cellar they desired under the stairs, as well as the sauna and gym in the basement, as they walked around. They commissioned Alison to build a bespoke kitchen hood to make their kitchen stand out. Alison had her job cut out for her with only a $150,000 budget for a luxury design. That may seem to be a large sum of money, but with all of their premium design concepts, the budget is not that huge.

With six months till move-in, Alison summoned the two to her office to go over the proposed design as work on the house progressed. When the property failed the electrical and plumbing inspections, problems arose. Everything would cost around $15,000 to remove and reinstall. Amin accepted the bad news and agreed to postpone the rooftop deck upgrades. Alison then collaborated with artisan and friend Ari to design the ideal kitchen hood, living room mantle, and unique pedestal for the kitchen island. Meantime, in Atlanta, Alison discovered two carved vintage doors to border the kitchen doorway and a brass frame for the fireplace in the master bedroom.

When the couple walked into their new home, the brick was unpainted, but the window trim was a stunning black. They were met by a new and tall front entrance, as well as two exterior sconces. They were impressed with their new living area and the manner the new kitchen doors complemented the floor. Amin decided to discontinue his gym membership while looking at the sauna, gym, and media room in the basement. The new custom hood in the kitchen astonished the Mashoufs, and they appreciated the area for bartending, cooking, and booking. The duo expressed being blown away by the master bedroom design, which merged the bedroom, closet, and bathroom in one open-concept-styled space with a unique fireplace mantel.

As Alison recovers from a difficult year, she returns to the realm of client renovations with the Mashoufs. She takes on the Chicago couple with a long wish list and a limited budget, ultimately succeeding as she manages to "stay on budget."

Tune in to HGTV every Thursday at 9/8c for new episodes of 'Windy City Rehab,' to see Alison take on more client rehab projects.