What makes a vacation home luxury-grade comes down to five things done right: siting, structure, materials, amenities that actually function, and service that never slips. Square footage and a marble backsplash will not get you there. After nearly 50 years of custom home design and construction across Chicago, the North Shore, and Harbor Country, Michigan,…
When you build a luxury home, you’re shaping every square foot around how you actually want to live, not choosing from a builder’s pre-set inventory. Getting it right starts with the right custom home design and build team from day one. This guide walks through defining your vision, planning your finances, and avoiding the mistakes…
Six months at minimum. Depending on scope, a whole-house remodel takes anywhere from 6 to 18 or more months, and knowing why means understanding every phase, every variable, and every decision point along the way. If you’re planning a renovation in the Chicagoland area, our whole house remodeling services lay out exactly what that process…
Most bathroom renovation projects don’t go wrong during construction. They go wrong before it starts, when homeowners choose a contractor without fully understanding what they’re hiring for. Knowing how to choose a bathroom renovation contractor is less about finding the lowest bid and more about finding the right match for your specific scope, timeline, and…
Most homeowners assume a premium price tag guarantees premium care, but knowing what to expect from luxury home care providers reveals a significant gap between what many services offer and what the best actually deliver. The in-house home maintenance professionals at Orren Pickell Building Group are a rare example of genuine full-service care: specialists who…
When homeowners start imagining their “forever home,” one of the first—and most important—questions is whether to build new or transform what they already have. Both paths can result in a stunning, highly personalized residence. The right choice depends less on trends and more on how you live, what you value, and what your property allows.…
When Bev and Dave began considering their next chapter as empty nesters, they knew they wanted a home that combined modern simplicity with warm livability. After evaluating whether to renovate their previous Georgian home, they instead chose to build new—pursuing an open, contemporary ranch that would feel connected to nature and remain adaptable for years…
If you’re building a luxury home (or remodeling a special space), adding a wine cellar or dedicated wine-display area isn’t just about storage—it’s about creating a distinctive, functional, and entertaining element that reflects your lifestyle and design vision. At Orren Pickell Building Group, we believe your wine space should look incredible, store efficiently, and deliver…
When most people think about building a custom home, they picture stunning kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, and beautifully crafted living spaces. But for many families, “family” also includes four-legged members — and they deserve thoughtful design, too. At Orren Pickell Building Group, we believe your home should support the way you live — and that includes…
When you think about building a luxury home, your mind probably jumps to architectural details, fine finishes, and beautiful materials. But today, what truly defines a high-performance home goes far beyond what you see—it’s also about what you hear, how you experience comfort and convenience, and how seamlessly technology integrates into your lifestyle. That’s where…