On the Boards November
Fripp Island, SC
Coffin Point, St. Helena
This house is a dogtrot, with two bedrooms in the main house and another over the garage (one of the elevations shows an optional one-story garage, but the clients preferred the two-story option)
Colleton River
This house was put on hold last spring and is now back on the boards. It has undergone some revisions to meet the owner’s requirements.
On the Boards in July
Brays Island
Here’s a house on Brays Island that we designed years ago. The new owners are adding on to the main house and also building a new guest house.
Palmetto Bluff House
This house is on a beautiful, wooded lot in Palmetto Bluff. The guest house is already built, we designed the main house and garage to complement the existing building and to take advantage of the marsh views over the May River.
Fripp Island
A fun renovation project on Fripp Island, perfect for family vacations, all year long!
Lady’s Island
This project is an outdoor living improvement. We have gotten lots of calls lately about improving outdoor living spaces. Adding pools, decks, porches, fireplaces/ firepits, outdoor seating, kitchen and dining is super popular right now!
2021 Kitchen and Bath Trends
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the online home design platform Houzz, recently released independent reports on design trends for kitchens and bathrooms. The AIA’s research is gathered from a panel of 500 AIA architects who specialized in residential design. Houzz’s research is from their community of homeowners who have recently completed a renovation project.
Unsurprisingly, with more people staying at home due to the pandemic, there are new trends reflecting how we are adapting. Due to the desire the carve our personal space the request for an open concept floor plan by opening the kitchen up to other living spaces decreased significantly; the AIA reported an eleven percent decrease and Houzz a ten percent decrease.
As people limited their trips to the grocery store, pantries increased in size. The AIA and Houzz reported growth of 10% and 13% respectively. The AIA reported that pantries are not only bigger but they are now a work hub with an additional dishwasher, refrigerator and other small appliances. Pictured above is what our clients call their “Costco Room” in their under construction house- plenty of space for all the toilet paper.
Opening the kitchen to an outdoor living space continued to grow in popularity with outdoor kitchens the leading trend reported by the AIA.
According to the Houzz survey for style trends, the most popular style for kitchens is transitional, with modern and contemporary styles in a close second. Farmhouse style peaked in 2019 and continues to decline popularity.
The AIA found that the top three trends in bathroom design include larger curb-less showers, universal design for aging in place, and shower stalls without a separate tub in the bathroom. Houzz reported that only 10% of renovators include a separate bathtub.
Houzz renovators cited an old and outdated space as their primary reason for the project. Therefore 89% of the homeowners change the style of the bathroom. The desire for clean lines resulted in modern as the number one style for bathroom remodels with contemporary in a close second. Traditional and farmhouse are not as desirable.
Whole house remodels and additions grew by 27% in 2020 and kitchen and bath remodeling projects grew by 20% according to the AIA. Due to this increase, firm project backlogs are currently five to six months.
Though not cited in the research by Houzz or AIA, outdoor showers are very popular among our clients. I imagine this is a geographic trend, and that an outdoor shower is not requested often in a cold or snowy location. Here in the Lowcountry, the climate and the proximity to the beach make this trend popular and practical.
March Construction
Cane Island
The house on Cane Island is looking great. The house is dried in and work continues on exterior trim, roof installation and rough ins for HVAC and plumbing.
Brays Island Renovation
St Helena Island Dogtrot Cottage
The owners have moved in to this lovely little house. The dogtrot is outdoor living space which separates the kitchen/living areas from the bedroom.
Fripp Island
This Fripp Island House is very nearly complete, which just punch list items remaining, as well as landscaping. Until the plants are installed, the frog will have to hang on the deck. 😉
Many of the projects that we have shown recently in our under construction posts are nearing completion, but not to worry; We have exciting projects on the boards and beginning construction!
Early Spring on the boards
Fripp Island
As we finish up one beachfront house on Fripp Island, we begin another. This house will have the public areas (kitchen, great room, outdoor dining) and primary bedroom on the second floor and the guest bedrooms on the first floor. The views over the beach and ocean are spectacular from the upper floor, so we may as well flip the house in order to have the best view from the areas where the family will spend the most time.
Harbor Island
Here’s another “upside down” house. This one is on Harbor Island and has views of both the ocean and of St. Helena Sound. This is a relatively small house that makes efficient use of space. The T shaped plan allows for great views from every room, ample outdoor living areas, and refreshing cross ventilation when the weather’s good for open windows.
Brays Island Cabin
The latest drawings from our cabin on Brays Island. When Brays Island was developed, the lots were divided so that they are all one-acre circular lots, resulting in privacy and screening from neighboring houses for its residents.
Brays Island Addition
Here’s another project at Brays Island. We designed this house about 20 years ago and new owner has some modifications to make. One the main house, they are building a small addition to house their book collection. They are also building a two story guest house.
January Construction
Fripp Island
This Fripp Island house is almost finished. We love happy clients, and these clients are really happy! Here’s what Cindy (the homeowner) said:
My husband found Frederick and Frederick and they are a perfect fit for “build avoidant” me. They worked tirelessly with us on the front end in the planning phase to alleviate surprises and last minute costly change orders. They listened diligently to our wants and needs and got our hopes and dreams on paper. The materials used in our home are the newest and most efficient as well as storm resistant. We have the latest and greatest in our home. Best of all, they manage the construction itself. There is someone in our corner who understands the process, the materials, the applications and they work for us. Michael Frederick is on-site every week to make sure the build process is happening according to our specifications, no shortcuts are taken and in general that things are being done correctly. Michael reviews all of our builder’s invoices prior to us paying them. Michael is on top of everything and works diligently to make sure we are happy. Guess what? We are happy. Actually we are beyond happy with how things are working out for us. We love our new home and can’t wait to move in in February.
So anyone out there who is looking for a top notch, full service architecture firm, check out Frederick and Frederick in Beaufort, SC. Tell them Cindy & Steve sent you.
Groundbreaking at Long Cove
Steve and Julie had a glass of champagne and threw out a golden shovelful of dirt to mark the beginning of construction on their Long Cove Club house. Steve owns Coastal Signature Homes and is the builder on our big Brays Island renovation. Its fun to have a colleague as a client!
Brays Island Renovation
December Construction Update
December Construction Progress
Fripp Island
The beach front house on Fripp Island is going up! Second floor walls and ceiling are being framed and the sheathing is being installed. Remember when this house was on the boards (click link to see the preliminary design)? We made some changes from that original design, which is very typical of how we work; always morphing the design to fit the clients needs, wants, and budget.
St. Simons Island
The house on St. Simons Island is getting pretty close to completion and is looking fantastic! Benjie visits the site once a month, since it is farther from our office than most of our projects that we visit weekly. The fireplace photo is from last month, there has been more progress, but the photo from last month was better. How gorgeous is that bookmatched quartzite stone??
St. Helena Island Renovation
A major renovation is under way on St. Helena's Island, see this project on the boards here.
Got to love a good dog on the job site!
On the Boards - Beach Front
We just presented this beach front house to the clients and they love it! This is the ocean side with multiple terraces and porches. The top deck will have endless views - probably almost to England!
Fripp Island Renovation
Our clients needed major renovations at their Fripp Island home, but because their house is below flood elevation, the scope of work is limited to less than 50% of the value of the house (read more about the 50% rule on our blog, here) So, up it goes! Wolfe house movers raised the house so it is safely above flood elevation and ready for renovations.
Check out the video, shot and edited by Benjie Morillo.
Below are our drawings of the house, post-renovation. We will keep you posted as this project progresses!
