Stono River Residence published in Luxe Magazine

Inspired by mid-century architecture, this modern residence located in Charleston, South Carolina captures Stono River views with transparency and clean detailing. Forever thankful for our clients who trusted us and the collaboration with these pros:

Landscape Architect: Steve Dudash

Interiors: Allison Elebash

Builder: Cline Homes

Photography: Julia Lynn

Styling: Kate Malpeli

Author: Stephanie Hunt

Excerpt from Luxe Interiors + Design Southeast Nov/Dec 2022 by Stephanie Hunt:

“The sun slipping beneath the horizon of Charleston’s Stono River affords a view unlike any other. The languid humidity, lingering nearly the whole year here, filters light like a kaleidoscope, tossing color to and fro. Frame this scene in the arms of majestic, moss-draped oaks, and it’s enough to take your breath away.

Such were the natural gifts of a picturesque Charleston property, where one couple hoped to capture these Lowcountry dreamscapes from every angle. Although the pair had adored a steel-and-glass addition at their previous, more traditional home, the Stono River site afforded the opportunity to indulge their midcentury preferences from the ground up. A respected real estate developer in the area, the husband already had collaborated with architects Rush and Judy Dixon on several commercial projects in the past, which made teaming up for a new residence a no-brainer. “This house is all about the view and connection to the water,” reveals Judy, adding that a benefit of embracing a modernist discipline is its inherent minimalism. “From our first meeting, these clients were clear they didn’t want something grand, fussy or ostentatious; rather, a home that would be organic, eclectic and clean,” she continues. “They understand the power of simplicity.”

Joining the project from the outset, landscape architect, Steve Dudash had the fortune of consulting heavily on the home’s siting, even directing a 180-degree flip in orientation to best capture the sunset views. To further leverage the river vistas and blur boundaries between inside and out, the Dixons devised a transparent, open living space. Bound by glass on two sides, it’s bookended by the primary suite as well as a two-story tower hosting additional bedrooms and a den. “The main living area easily absorbs all comings and goings when everyone is busy at home, but it still feels intimate when it’s just the two of them,” Judy says. “It was essential that every room, every space, feel comfortable on a personal scale, and with a connection to nature.” In the public spaces, cypress ceilings, soffits and a louvered overhang that filters strong afternoon sunlight all speak to local natural materials. Such details underscore the tireless efforts of buider Jay Godefroy and his team, including design coordinator Alexandra Frick. “Jay was exceptionally patient and thorough,” reveals Rush, who ensured a nod to classic Charleston vernacular by way of a white stucco facade.

Serenity comes not only from the breathtaking location, but from the simplicity of the interiors, where designer Allison Elebash capitalized on the Dixons’ modernist hallmarks. She anchored the main living area, for example, using a curved sofa with 1970s notes. “Solving the seating configuration in such a large horizontal space was tricky,” admits Elebash, adding that its embracing shape and golden mohair upholstery smartly combine form and function: lush to the touch, but durable enough to stand up to daily life. “I loved the practicality of these clients,” continues Elebash. In every part of the house, “they wanted to avoid anything extraneous; everything is purposeful.”

A custom walnut dining table bridges the area between this gathering space and the kitchen, where a calming palette of earth tones and sky blues is expressed through a dark gray island countertop and azure leather stools - all streamlined, per the clients’ request, so as not to compete with the views. But Elebash pushed back against the husband’s “no maintenance, no upkeep” pragmatism when it came to the kitchen backsplash. “I insisted we go with real marble,” recounts the designer, who specified a book-matched slab of Calacatta Namibia because “nothing beats the drama of natural stone.”

Situating the pool deck to capture the same sight lines as the house, however, required no cajoling. “Everyone agreed on the size, shape and location of the infinity pool, which would be surrounded by a bluestone patio,” Rush recounts. “The owners’ bedroom wraps around it, so again, there’s a connection from their personal space as well as the living room.” Keeping the pool and patio on the same elevation as the house likewise guaranteed the outdoor areas - updated by Dudash with fresh plantings of beautyberry, African iris, Foster holly and more - would be a seamless extension of the interior.

From this vantage point, the homeowners can fully soak up their fulfilled vision: a modern homage to Charleston’s ancient landscape that marries old and new, indoors and out, natural and man-made, with peace and practicality. After all, as the storied river and old oaks know, simplicity is best when nature’s beauty is so abundant.”

Houzz: Creating Separation in an Open Floor Plan

Our clients are avid travelers and collectors, cherishing found and curated objects so we had a some fun designing a custom display built-in that also serves an entry screen. Pictured here is the final solution building by Alka Construction in the Fulton Neighborhood in Mount Pleasant, SC.

Houzz recently included this custom solution in their article "15 Ways to Create Separation in an Open Floor Plan." Click HERE for a link to the article.

"Designing for Life"

“The great thing about getting older is living life.” Jon Hamm

Admittedly, the term “Designing for Life” is quite aspirational in terms of residential architecture because it assumes we know every current and future client need at a single moment in time. Rather, we use the term as a way to approach the design of a home while looking ahead to certain or likely scenarios in an effort to provide an inspiring environment to age in place.

Before we put pen to paper we, of course, spend time listening closely to our clients’ goals for their new or renovated home - how they want it to feel and look, budget and metrics such as number of bedrooms and bathrooms, etc. After capturing these programmatic pieces, we push the conversation to help clients think about bigger and perhaps, different aspects. One such conversation we are having more and more is designing and planning to age in place, or at the risk of using another aspirational term, “future proof”. This concept is certainly not new; and while waning mobility may not be a super fun thing to think about, careful design and intentional planning go a long way in adding value, ease and enjoyment in a living space.

Zero step transition from living room to outside courtyard.

To hone our perspective and approach, we recently completed the National Association of Home Builders’ Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist educational series. A welcomed aspect was the varied professional backgrounds represented in the group: product representatives, occupational therapists, builders and designers from all parts of the country offered laser focused reports from each industry. Many of the strategies have been exercised for decades and considered good practice without being labeled as “Aging In Place” and some new strategies were shared such as product offerings - all worth a little air time to keep it front of mind. Some highlights include:

• SLIDING SCALE: There is not one size fits all when it comes to designing to age in place. There are varied needs including clients with out urgent needs, clients with progressive conditions and clients with traumatic needs (short term injury or long term disability). Within each of those categories exists a different comfort level / interest in incorporating design elements. Each situation, client and budget yields a custom solution.

• VISITABILITY: Think not only about the clients’ needs, but their aging parents or friends with disabilities. If a home has even a few steps, visits from some family or acquaintances would prove difficult, cumbersome or impossible. Think about offering welcoming and safe spaces for everyone.

• OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS: For those clients who have progressing or traumatic needs, listen closely to what the healthcare providers are recommending. Often in the group discussions, those of us non-medical folks went over the top in accommodations in contrast to the OT’s approach which was usually simple and exacting to the specific challenge but sought to keep the client as active and independent as possible.

• ADAPTABILITY: Blocking - just do it. Add wood blocking at targeted locations within walls in bathrooms for future grab bars and shower seats. Other examples of adaptable design include stacking closets for future elevator, base cabinets that can be removed to accommodate a wheelchair, structural support in ceiling for future lift, size powder rooms for future showers, etc.

• BUILDING BLOCKS: Zero step entry into the home, correctly sized halls and doors, living and bedroom on ground floor, curbless or “beach entry” into shower, elevator or stacking closets for future elevator for multi-story homes, lever hardware in lieu of knobs, think about mounting heights of outlets and switches.

Beach entry into shower

Our goal as architects is to synthesize the practical and required components into inspired design that meets or exceeds our clients’ goals. Seamlessly incorporating these and other aging in place strategies into the overarching architecture direction is our ultimate plan. This is not to say that every design of ours checks every accessibility or aging-in-place box, rather we introduce the discussion and allow the client to drive the decision making. We can therefore create a built environment that allows our clients to safely enjoy their days in the place they most want to be.

“The great thing about getting older is living life.” Jon Hamm