Historic Restoration
Historic, But Not Always Right
Perched in downtown Beaufort with sweeping views of the Beaufort River, this 1930s home had undeniable charm, but its layout had always been out of sync with the site. The front door faced west, even though the drive and main access were on the east. The home lacked a central hall, the rooms were tightly compartmentalized, and a 1950s addition, with a massive fireplace, cut off views of the celebrated gardens designed by landscape architect Robert Marvin.
Even the porch bore the marks of past attempts to “fix” things: someone had carved a staircase awkwardly into it in an effort to redirect entry.
-
Contractor
Beekman WebbLocation
BeaufortPhotography
Atlantic Archives
Making the Case for Change
Because the home was listed as a contributing resource in the Historic District, we needed to make a compelling case to the Historic Review Board: that the original layout was fundamentally flawed from the beginning. Drawing on local architectural precedent, we demonstrated that this was likely a misapplied floor plan, an old house, yes, but not necessarily a well-designed one. Old, we argued, isn’t always right.
Our solution restored clarity and connection. We established a proper side-entry center hall that linked to the original side door, keeping it intact but now making it functional. This allowed us to remove the inappropriate staircase cut into the piazza and reestablish the architectural rhythm of the façade.
Reconnecting Inside and Out
The oversized fireplace that once blocked garden views was removed, replaced by generous windows that celebrate the beauty of the outdoor space. A new screened porch with its own fireplace now extends the home into the landscape, creating a seamless flow between house and garden, just as Marvin’s original vision intended.
A Cohesive Whole, at Last
What was once a disjointed home with a confusing circulation is now a gracious residence that fits its site, honors its landscape, and tells a more coherent architectural story. Through careful rethinking, not just renovation, we brought this 1930s house into harmony with both its surroundings and its own potential.