A new year is upon us, but the news is old: We’re still not back to “normal” since the onset of the pandemic, and people are continuing to think about their homes in a whole new way. That is, they’re spending a lot more time there, and wanting their homes to perform a lot of functions.
One of the most important aspects of designing outdoor spaces is creating different experiences – from intimate dining under the stars, to open yards for playing tag and catching fireflies, to lounge areas where the whole family can relax and reconnect. Which is why our list of Must Have’s when building custom includes a variety of features and outdoor rooms, like outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, water features, free play areas, al fresco dining spots, lounge areas, outdoor kitchens, and if you have the space, an outdoor pool is something the whole family will enjoy during the summer months.
For the 30 years BGD&C Custom Homes has been building in and supporting the local communities of the Gold Coast and Lincoln Park, so has our long time collaborator, Scott Byron & Co., been beautifying the area with their gorgeous, engaging landscape designs. We are excited to spotlight Scott Byron, CEO of Scott Byron & Co., who has over 40 years of experience in design, construction, maintenance, and project management. Byron’s goal is to create the most positive end result for the client, while “making sure the land is properly preserved and the design is complimentary to the architecture and setting”. We hope that while you are sheltering in place these beautiful gardens will provide you with inspiration.
As we welcome a new year and a new decade, we are excited about the latest trends in luxury and custom homes. Technology and sustainability are always at the forefront of design and home building, but we are seeing an increase in various other trends as well. Here are the top four trends we expect to see more of in custom homes in the new year.
Taryn Lund of BGD&C Custom Homes had a great time speaking with Taylor Bagley from MarketScale at this year’s Chicago Build Expo at McCormick. They discussed how BGD&C works to ensure each one of our homes is the true expression of the owner, what’s hot and what’s not in home trends, and more.
On September 17th, over 40 real estate brokers joined us for a private event, “Prolific Inspiration in Custom Home Building,” hosted at Montauk Sofa’s beautiful showroom. Speakers included Steve Kadlec, Summer Thornton, Taryn Lund, Kara Mann, Frank Mariani, and Donna Mondi.
It seems everything in our homes, from refrigerators to doorbells, is getting smarter these days. Which is precisely why we decided to pick the brain of Sound Specialists’ Leor Elfassy to learn more about home automation and its impact on our lives. Sound Specialists is a full-service, lifestyle technology firm that offers consultation, design, installation, and programming services for both residential and commercial projects. For over two decades they have specialized in integrating innovative technologies into elegant, coherent solutions based on each client’s needs.
Just as the perfect hat completes an outfit, tying it all together head-to-toe (imagine a 3-piece suit with matching fedora), a ceiling is the accessory that finishes a room. Yes, the suit would look fine without the fedora, but with the hat and a pocket square, it’s a whole new level of sophistication. It’s the same with ceiling details – sure you can paint the ceiling flat white and call it a day, but if you really want to make an impact, adding detail to the ceiling is a must.
We asked Chicago real estate broker (and Rodger’s wife) Janet Owen, a leading Chicago luxury Real Estate Broker with Bershire Hathaway Home Services, to offer some insights on custom home trends for 2019. We asked her what she sees as the must-haves for buyers these days. Here is her list.
As more people are choosing to move to the city when they become empty-nesters, and more and more young families are choosing to stay in the city, outdoor living and dining spaces are now a “must have” and seem to be on everyone’s wish list. From the smallest balcony to the most expansive lawn, these al fresco spaces are being lovingly transformed into charming and idyllic areas for living.
