A custom builder designs and builds one home at a time to your specifications, on land you already own or select. A production builder puts up many houses from a fixed set of plans inside a subdivision it controls. That single structural difference decides who draws your plans, how long the build runs, and how…
Want to build on your own lot in Chicago or the North Shore? Congratulations! It’s an exciting time for you and your family. But if you’re land shopping before you choose your builder, you may be making an expensive mistake. All lots are not created equal, and the location, features and regulations that apply to…
It’s no secret that when you live in the city, in a luxury high-rise or an historic brownstone, working within the existing footprint of your unit can be challenging since you don’t have the luxury of building up or adding a room like you do in a single-family home. But that doesn’t mean you don’t…
So you’ve built (or bought) your luxury home, the place where you’ll raise your family, entertain guests and live your life. And if you want to make the most of your investment and maximize your enjoyment, you’ll want to ensure that your home is properly maintained. By staying on top of maintenance tasks, you’ll be…
Which room in your home do you spend time in every day but often overlook? Your master closet. And today’s homeowners are looking for ways to enhance the level of luxury and organization by building a luxury custom walk in closet in their new homes or upgrading their standard closets with custom closets that offer…
If you’re interested in going green when it comes to building your new luxury home, you’re in good company; research shows that 61% of consumers are interested in sustainability and environmentally-friendly home features. But what are the real benefits of creating an energy-efficient house, what role does insulation play in energy-efficiency and what other elements…
If you’re looking for a way to maximize the value of space in your new home construction or home remodel, you may want to consider a jack and jill bathroom; it’s something that many Orren Pickell homeowners are requesting. But what exactly is a jack and jill bathroom, and what are some of the benefits…
If you’re new to wine collecting or are a long-term wine connoisseur, adding a wine cellar or custom wine room to your house is a good way to store, display and enjoy your collection. Wine cellars offer a beautiful yet pragmatic way to provide storage for your collection while protecting the value of your investment.…
The complete open-concept kitchen in this remodeled Chicago home is nothing like its tiny, cramped predecessor. The kitchen cabinets are the same style but with different finishes; the perimeter cabinets are matte twilight while the island cabinets are champagne. The metal base on the blue leather bar stools complements the sleek stainless steel appliances. The…
So you’ve weighed the pros and cons of buying an existing luxury home versus building your custom dream home and you’ve decided to take the construction plunge. Congratulations! Now comes one of the most important and exciting parts of your home building adventure—selecting the lot on which your new home will be constructed. Whether you…