Highland Park Ranch Home
In a quiet Highland Park neighborhood surrounded by nature preserves and winding streets, a newly built modern ranch home blends simplicity with subtle nods to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style. Long, low rooflines and strong horizontal geometry give the home its architectural character, while the interiors reflect a distinctly modern sensibility born from close collaboration between the homeowners and the Orren Pickell Building Group.
For Bev and Dave, the decision to build new rather than renovate marked a major shift as they transitioned out of their former Georgian home. As empty nesters, they wanted to downsize and embrace a more contemporary aesthetic. Having enjoyed a seamless experience with a previous kitchen remodel, they returned to Pickell without hesitation. “We were so happy with our prior working relationship that we made a conscious effort not to shop builders,” says Dave. Bev adds, “The architecture team does a great job of listening and accommodating, as well as bringing in little details we wouldn’t have thought about.”
Bev had been gathering design inspiration online, gravitating toward homes that brought the outdoors in, featured open floor plans, and reimagined classic ranch layouts. One of the first things guests notice is the serene, cohesive color palette. “We didn’t want rooms to be compartmentalized,” Bev explains. “We wanted something serene and timeless.” Warm grays and whites connect the spaces, while artwork supplies color.
In the kitchen, darker tones define the substantial island and cabinetry, anchoring a quartzite countertop that serves as both prep space and entertaining hub. Wolf appliances and a concealed Sub-Zero refrigerator maintain the streamlined look. Nearby, a butler’s pantry doubles as a coffee station with garden views—an unexpected delight for the homeowners.
Universal design elements quietly enhance both functionality and future accessibility. Wider hallways, a curbless primary shower with bench, continuous flooring, and shallow outdoor steps support aging in place while making the home more comfortable today.
Construction wasn’t without surprises; excavation uncovered an unrecorded ten-inch water main. Pickell coordinated a temporary reroute to avoid delays while long-term solutions were negotiated. Now, nearly a year and a half after moving in, Bev reflects: “We love the house—we love the look and how it all evolved.”