Lowcountry Local Products
Lowcountry style, but with a unique twist, is an idea we have gotten pretty familiar with here at Frederick + Frederick. We believe that houses should be integrated into their place, they should belong. One way to achieve this goal is to use building materials that are native or made here in the Lowcountry. The house often features tabby (a concrete aggregate made with oyster shell), handmade brick, and native wood species. There are a number of products being made here in the Lowcountry evoke the vibe.
Lowcountry Originals is based in Bluffton, SC. Their handmade light fixtures reflect the natural materials and patterns of the area.
Savannah Surfaces has developed a paver product that we have been using a lot and it looks great! It is a porcelain paver that is patterned to mimic the look of tabby. Tabby is so quintessential “Lowcountry” but its not great underfoot. The porcelain “Old World Tabby” brings the desired look to a material that is better suited for pavers and pool decks.
This custom iron stair railing was designed by Michael Frederick. It’s meant to be evocative of the colors and shapes of the marsh grass that surrounds our islands.
Ahern’s Anvil fabricated this hammered iron stair rail (above) for a custom touch at a Hilton Head Island project.
Charleston Architectural Glass creates gorgeous custom glass- we have used their antiqued mirrors in interior transoms where privacy is desired. The effect is a subtle reflection of the room and the light without being too highly reflective.
Vetrostone is a countertop material that is manufactured in Yemassee, SC. They use recycled glass and shell mixed in quartz to create a uniquely coastal material.
OTB Frogmore
Our latest project on the boards is for a young, active family moving to Frogmore, SC. The piazza, screen porch and courtyard double the living space. The kids all have a fun loft space above their bedrooms; perfect as a reading/study nook or a hide-and-seek spot.
On the Boards- Camp St Mary
Our clients purchased an acre and a half on the Okatie River, the property is on a high bluff- a gorgeous view. There is an existing house on the property, a single story, brick house built in the 1970’s. Initially, we designed a renovation of the existing house. After analysis of the amount of work required, and the fact that they were structural concerns due to a very large live oak tree that was really close to the house, we’ve decided that a new house is the best course of action. Here are the preliminary design sketches.
On the Boards
The latest new house on the boards is on deep water on the Coosaw River. The clients wanted a “Mediterranean Ranch.” Here’s what we’ve come up with
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.
Late Fall construction update
Brays Island- Hutto Cabin
Construction has begun on the cabin on Brays Island, look back to this post to see the preliminary design of this house.
Elevation detail and a section through the Great Room of the house:
The Camellia, in Islands of Beaufort
This is our Camellia plan (see more here), that has been customized for clients in Islands of Beaufort.
Here are some recent interior elevations of the kitchen and pantry.
Cane Island
Trim and tile installation continue at Cane Island
Spring Island
The contractors are almost finished on this Spring Island renovation. We also helped with the interiors on this house. We added some new pieces while keeping many of the existing. There is a whole new furniture plan that focuses on how the clients used the space.
Renovated Kitchen
On the Boards- September 2021
This month we are showing several smaller projects that we’ve been working on over the last few months.
Berkeley Hall
These clients are adding a great outdoor living space and pool to their Bluffton, SC house.
Okatie, SC
A new design for a fish camp on the Chechessee River in Okatie, SC
Cat Island
Beautiful outdoor spaces that are perfect for entertaining on Cat Island, SC
Lady’s Island, SC
A new garage/carriage house for a young family on Lady’s Island.
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!