Inverness pool house completes the perfect “forever home”
“Every 12 years, we take on a major project,” joked the homeowner. It’s true. In 2001, Orren Pickell Building Group built the family’s home, returning in 2012 to collaborate with the owners on a sunroom addition. In 2024, a gracious pool house, new pool and stunning landscaping made the Inverness property even more idyllic.
“Once we were certain this would be our forever home, we decided it was time to add the pool we’d been talking about,” explained the couple, who weren’t sure they’d stay in the home now that their children were grown and living on their own.
Deciding to work with the Pickell team on the project was easy. The past two builds had gone beautifully, so the couple knew exactly how the process would play out. And they knew everything would be done right.
The teams dug into site planning and design concepts. With the selected pool site far from the bathrooms on the first floor of the main house, it was clear that the pool house would need a bathroom, changing area and showers. No one wanted wet feet running through the garden and into the home.
A small but well-equipped kitchenette keeps snacks and drinks close at hand, but the couple opted not to build an indoor seating area. “We included HVAC, but we really wanted the focus on covered seating outside—that’s where we live,” added the homeowners. The final footprint is split 50/50 between indoor and outdoor space.
Throughout the project, the Pickell team contributed ideas for details and features that would enhance livability. “They’re great at helping flesh out the design, making sure to keep what you really want and drop what isn’t important.”
For example, a storage closet accessed from the back of the pool house required the kitchenette to shrink a bit. It’s proven to be a good trade-off, keeping pool toys and equipment tucked out of sight. Another great idea, hurricane shutters that pull down from the roof over the outdoor living room, allow furniture to be safely locked away from the elements in winter.
The finished pool house is exactly the magnet for grandchildren coming to visit that the couple hoped for. “They’ve given it all a thumbs up. Their favorite part is the outdoor shower—they can just shampoo and rinse off right when they get out of the pool.” Visible from the pool and hot tub, the indoor-outdoor television is a hit, too.
The biggest surprise for visitors is that the pool house is new. “The architecture and finishes match the original house perfectly. It looks as if it’s always been here.”