FOLLYN BUILDERS Chicago's Custom Home Builders

When you have a kid home from college for the holidays, you put him to work! And sometimes he sends you cool pictures from the site 😎. . This series of pics is like a walk into the butlers pantry heading toward that sink. It’s just so dang pretty. Who knew a pantry could be pretty?? . . . . . . . . . . Project: #winnetka #chicago #builder #northshore #luxuryhomes #luxuryrenovations #butlerspantry #customkitchen #interiordesign #keepcraftalive #thisoldhouse #hgtv #customhomes #interiors #housegoals (at Winnetka, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CnVOgU2PSZk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

You know how when you work on something really hard and you do it for a long time and there comes that moment when it tips over? It tips over from kind of a jumbled mess of disconnected pieces into something that will be so much better than the sum of all those little parts? It’s happening my people. . Suddenly every contractor (and there are lots of them) that walks through the door is commenting on it, because you can start to feel it. The finish line is in sight. . And it’s gonna be a beauty. . . . . . . . . Project: #Winnetka #worthit #home #customhomes #houseexterior #northshorechicago #dusk #gaslights #builder #renovation #beautiful #sunset #hgtv #thisoldhouse #builditbetter (at Winnetka, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmNTr4ELk_w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Checking out the progress in Winnetka today. Wow! So much happening! . While I was there I said hello to a whole team of HVAV contractors getting heating and AC set-up, carpenters installing new windows, the plumber making some adjustments, the masons literally rebuilding this amazing room that used to be outdoor and will now be indoor and that GC guy walking around. . Lots and lots and lots of moving parts. Check out our stories to get up to date. . . . . . . . . Location: #winnetka #chicago #builder #northshore #luxuryhomes #renovations #chicagobuilder #brickrestoration #hvac #carpenters #buildersofig #gc #generalcontractors #progresspics #build #hgtv #thisoldhouse #oldhouselove #generalcontracting #home #rainyday #design #progress (at Winnetka, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/CdOeBN_rbXD/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Letting the sun shine in ☀️. . We have drywall in Avondale! Check out stories for updates from Avondale and Wrigleyville. Drywall and cabinets and flooring! Lots happening… . . . . . . . . Project: #avondale #avondalechicago #chicago #builder #chicagorealestate #home #drywall #blackwindows #luxuryhomebuilder #hgtv #chicagointeriordesigners #bluesky #sunshine (at Avondale) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcqAmZxrFQ9/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I know, I know, not enough construction pictures. I hear ya. . Check out our stories today updating the spectacular brick 2-flat renovation in North Center or Wrigleyville, no one seems to agree on the neighborhood name 🤪. . Complete gut with a 2-story rear addition. It’s gonna be a show stopper! . . . . . . . . . Project: #northcenterchicago #follynbuilders #chicago #builder #chicagorealestate #home #chicagointeriordesigners #chicagoconstruction #brick #buildersofinsta #brickhouse #renovations #chicagodreamhome #construction #cljsquad #thisoldhouse #hgtv #makeitpretty #vintagehome #wrigleyville #2flat #remodel #gutrehab (at North Center/St. Ben's) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca5Aw9ULmrP/?utm_medium=tumblr

So. I realize I posted a picture of this same room yesterday. But come on! This picture is WAY better! And I want to tell you a little bit about it. . It’s the 4th floor “penthouse” in a Bronzeville greystone from the late 1800’s that was quite literally uninhabitable before we started. Seriously, home only to critters and squatters. For years. It was seriously creepy and smelling and downright dangerous. . And then a whole lot happened to make it look like this. . I told you yesterday about the mantle that came from the massive beams that held up the house. The ceiling beams here? Same. . Those shelves next the the fireplace? Yep, more beefy basement beams. . The light fixture? A vintage gas fixture that was retrofit to work with electricity. . The skylight? Also added. Because what was there was more of a sky hole. . What you can’t see? A guest room and a guest bath and an amazing rooftop patio. Oh and a bar. . All from a space that no one would walk up to in case you would fall through the floor. You might plummet straight through because leaking had damaged the floors so much that big chunks were missing. . All this from an abandoned, neglected, sad home on Chicago’s southside. It was not easy and it was not quick and it was not without hiccups. It was not an HGTV quick flip 🙄. . But the end result? Well, the end result speaks for itself. . . . . . . . . . . #chicago #chicagobuilder #home #builder #bronzeville #chicagorealestate #housegoals #hgtv #renovation #chicagogrammers #cljsquad #bhghome #homebuilder #fire #skylight #fireplace #lights #imagine #possibilities (at Bronzeville, Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/B451udYJR7Y/?igshid=mescqiyj42df

I have not been a good instagramer of late. I’ll try to remember you all and post more pictures of amazing projects! . We are getting slammed with weather that is just stupid cold and snow that is blanketing everything and it is not nice. Or fun. . But it does make me think about curling up by the fire! This fireplace surround was a custom creation from a talented metal worker here in Chicago. . The mantle? That solid hunk of timber was McGyvered by none other than John himself. Fashioned from the 100+ year old timbers that used to hold up the building. The man has vision! . Today, I just want that fireplace! 🔥❄️🔥❄️🔥 . . . . . . . . . . #chicagobuilder #follynbuilders #chicago #bronzeville #buildersofinsta #fireplace #homebuilder #customhomes #renovation #vintage #luxury #fire #thisoldhouse #cljsquad #chicagorealestate #builder #FineHomebuilding (at Bronzeville, Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/B40xopVpx55/?igshid=6h7zw4q5pydj

When you build a custom home for folks that put not one but TWO small refrigerators in the master suite, you know the butlers pantry is going to be important. . Bridging the space between the massive chef’s kitchen and the fabulous formal dining room, the butlers pantry is where the fun happens. . Well, there are those 2 fridges in the master suite, that’s pretty fun too. Safe to say, this family knows how to have a great time!! 🍷🍺🍷 . . . . . . . . . . . Project: #LincolnSquare #chicagobuilder #customhome #homebuilder #newhome #pantry #wine #whiskey #entertaining #finehomebuilding #chicago #chicagorealestate #interiors #cljsquad #mycurrentdesignsituation #luxury #home #builder #hgtv #mybhg #chicagorealestate #luxuryhomes #butlerspantry (at Lincoln Square, Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1FJ5VNpxsE/?igshid=11x0opx9qfxn9

It’s BEAUTIFUL here in Chicago this week! . Makes me think about some of the great outdoor spaces we have built over the years. When set-up correctly, your outdoor space can truly be a great space for guests, or just you and a glass of wine! 🍷😁🍷. . . . . . . . . . Project: knight #chicagorealestate #chicago #builder #chicagobuilder #summer #outdoorentertaining #backyarddesign #suburban #homebuilder #newconstruction #outdoorfireplace #finehomebuilding #summer #bluesky #cljsquad #custombuilder #igerschicago (at Park Ridge, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Wk3lNHeki/?igshid=roqt8z0e64xl

#PROGRESS! . Stopped in to the project in #LincolnPark and lots happening. This old gal is over 100 years old, it was time for an update. . The trick is this type of renovation? Keep the charm but add modern amenities. So the fabulous staircase (which I ❤️) stays. With some TLC to make it stable and safe and good for the next 100 years. The old outdated, plumbing and electrical wiring? Gone. . This is some of the stuff behind walls and under floors that you don’t see but makes a home function as it should. . Up soon? The pretty stuff 😊. . Project: #chalmers #chicago #chicagobuilder #home #thisoldhouse #renovation #finehomebuilding #oldhousenewhome #luxuryhome #mycurrentdesignsituation #homeremodeling #cljsquad #builder #plumbing #electrical #plaster #demo #chicagorealestate (at Lincoln Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BztFBdMHtis/?igshid=1a6vcscg2jcor

Chicago lots are not huge. On this row home in Bronzeville? Even smaller than average. . How do you get some quality outdoor space? . You take advantage of every square inch. . This amazing rooftop deck is off the third floor “man cave” and was not originally part of the renovation plan. This is where a really good GC earns their keep. . John suggested utilizing this space and worked with the architect to re-engineer the space to accommodate the deck and pergola. . Involved a lot of trusses and re-built brick and new sliding doors. But you get this in the end. . And then you make the backyard a whole other hidden oasis, complete with oversize grill and fire pit? . This renovation is winding the whole neighborhood. . . . . . . . Project: Bronzeville #chicago #summer #sunshine #pergola #firepit #rooftopdeck #backyard #oasis #home #builder #mycurrentdesignsituation #home #bluesky #homebuilder #blue #chicagobuilder #renovation (at Bronzeville, Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzTUSSMpxUR/?igshid=1lli2bsglmqzv

#SUMMER has finally arrived in Chicago! It’s a little late but we’ll take it. . A fantastic outdoor space should be part of any new custom home. These fabulous folks were on an oversize lot in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. . A low maintenance deck off the master bedroom is the perfect spot to grab some quiet outdoor time. Or grab some all important vitamin D. . 😎🌞😎 . . . . . . . . . Project: Berteau #chicago #chicagobuilder #home #builder #cljsquad #chicagorealestate #lincolnsquarechicago #housegoals #bhghome #sodomino #homebuilder #sunshine #deck #chicagohome #luxuryhomebuilder #ambularinteriorsaintgotnothingonme #worthit #hunkerhome #design #newhome #homebuilder (at Lincoln Square, Chicago) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzOqFDgJV_h/?igshid=1uehxl5zy5p84

Video! Settle in, these are good. 😁 . For those of you familiar with Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, space is at a PREMIUM. All the dang time. The logistics of getting crews and equipment to a job site can be pretty intricate (and a headache). 😳 . And sometimes it can be pretty dang fun. 😉 . I have watched these videos about 9 times. They are kinda mesmerizing. And super cool (it’s AC equipment, see what I did there?). 😂 . Or maybe that’s just me. But pretty homes don’t happen by accident. It takes teams of people all working together to get stuff where it needs to go. . Sometimes that means a dusty mess or a concrete pumper truck. And sometimes that means a kick-ass crane blocking the streets of Chicago and hoisting stuff up to the roof. . Either way, we’re getting it done! . . . . . . . . . . Project: #chalmers #chicago #chicagobuilder #home #hvac #cranes #buildersofig #chicagorealestate #currentdesignsituation #cljsquad #builder #customhomebuilder #renovation #remodel #historichomes #lincolnpark #apartmenttherapy #housegoals #homereno #thisoldhouse #homeimprovement #homebuilder #follynbuilders #FineHomebuilding (at Lincoln Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Byn_Qm0pXI5/?igshid=1c1gwc0nar7de

I know have posted a picture of these stairs before but there are a lot more folks here now, so sharing again 😁. . Love the amazing amount of custom detail that was poured into this whole project and nowhere is it more evident than this custom staircase. . Open risers, metal details, runs all the way from the basement to the penthouse to access the rooftop deck. . Can stairs be sexy? . 🔥🔥🔥 . . . . . . . . . . Project: #paulina #chicago #chicagobuilder #homebuilder #custom #customhomedesign #interiordesigninspo #stairsdesign #staircase #buildersofig #chicagorealestate #newhomeconstruction #cljsquad #construction #finehomebuilding (at Wrigleyville) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxA9sX_p99n/?igshid=3t3xubp61m5b

Video! Settle in, these are good. 😁 . For those of you familiar with Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, space is at a PREMIUM. All the dang time. The logistics of getting crews and equipment to a job site can be pretty intricate (and a headache). 😳 . And sometimes it can be pretty dang fun. 😉 . I have watched these videos about 9 times. They are kinda mesmerizing. And super cool (it’s AC equipment, see what I did there?). 😂 . Or maybe that’s just me. But pretty homes don’t happen by accident. It takes teams of people all working together to get stuff where it needs to go. . Sometimes that means a dusty mess or a concrete pumper truck. And sometimes that means a kick-ass crane blocking the streets of Chicago and hoisting stuff up to the roof. . Either way, we’re getting it done! . . . . . . . . . . Project: #chalmers #chicago #chicagobuilder #home #hvac #cranes #buildersofig #chicagorealestate #currentdesignsituation #cljsquad #builder #customhomebuilder #renovation #remodel #historichomes #lincolnpark #apartmenttherapy #housegoals #homereno #thisoldhouse #homeimprovement #homebuilder #follynbuilders (at Lincoln Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/Byn_Qm0pXI5/?igshid=obh281z25xeh

I know have posted a picture of these stairs before but there are a lot more folks here now, so sharing again 😁. . Love the amazing amount of custom detail that was poured into this whole project and nowhere is it more evident than this custom staircase. . Open risers, metal details, runs all the way from the basement to the penthouse to access the rooftop deck. . Can stairs be sexy? . 🔥🔥🔥 . . . . . . . . . . Project: #paulina #chicago #chicagobuilder #homebuilder #custom #customhomedesign #interiordesigninspo #stairsdesign #staircase #buildersofig #chicagorealestate #newhomeconstruction #cljsquad #construction #finehomebuilding (at Wrigleyville) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxA9sX_p99n/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1n19ups321glw

I know have posted a picture of these stairs before but there are a lot more folks here now, so sharing again 😁. . Love the amazing amount of custom detail that was poured into this whole project and nowhere is it more evident than this custom staircase. . Open risers, metal details, runs all the way from the basement to the penthouse to access the rooftop deck. . Can stairs be sexy? . 🔥🔥🔥 . . . . . . . . . . Project: #paulina #chicago #chicagobuilder #homebuilder #custom #customhomedesign #interiordesigninspo #stairsdesign #staircase #buildersofig #chicagorealestate #newhomeconstruction #cljsquad #construction #finehomebuilding (at Wrigleyville) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxA9sX_p99n/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=360l4tc9b0sm