Swimming Pools
Swimming pools add a special touch to one’s outdoor living spaces. Here are a few that we have completed over the past years.
This pool was part of a whole house remodel in Long Cove on Hilton Head Island. 
Another Long Cove pool with a zero edge overlooking the marsh. This raised pool deck allows for seamless indoor/outdoor living.
This St. Simon’s Island pool was raised not only for a great flow between the inside and the pool deck but to also create needed privacy on the corner lot. The water from the spa spills into the pool creating a bit of drama.
The dogtrot opens directly to the pool and out to the river.
This deep blue pool is the focal point of the house with the great room, primary suite and screened porch wrapping the pool deck
Porches
Every evening, Michael and I enjoy sitting out on the porch, while watching the sunset and listening to the tree frogs serenade us. With fall’s cooler weather we are reaching peak porch season. There are many factors to consider to create the best experience for outdoor living.
The best location for a porch is the south façade. This protects the interior from the hot summer sun and provides a cozy spot for winter days. Likewise, do not put porches on the north, unless it is a small covered entrance for a door. Large porches on the north side of the house tend to be dark, dank and uninviting.
Most porches need to accommodate both an eating area and a comfy sitting area. Ten feet deep is a good starting point for the porch. Fourteen to sixteen feet is more gracious. Allow for at least three feet around all sides of a dining table to give maneuvering room for chairs.
Unless you are ocean front with a constant breeze, most people want to have a screened porch. Retractable screen are extremely popular because they can be rolled up when not in use and not block the view. Fenetex offers a dual insect and hurricane screen for the ultimate protection. Ceiling fans will help beat the heat and keep the bugs at bay. The ceiling fan should be U.L. rated for Wet Locations for safety and longevity of the fan.
Here in the lowcountry, many porches are raised to be out of the flood plain. If the house does not need raising, porches that are 30” or less from the adjacent grade, deck or terrace do not need a railing. This is ideal because the view remains open.
Adding an exterior fireplace to the porch to extends porch season to a year-round activity.
Finally, outfit the porch for leisurely visiting and entertaining with lowcountry favorites such as swinging day beds, joggling boards and Pawley island hammocks.
Long Cove Club Renovation
BIG changes at this Long Cove Club house on Hilton Head Island! Slide to see the before and after transformation.
The front exterior was refreshed by raising the existing porch roof, replacing the existing columns with new columns, all new windows, a new front door with sidelights, cable rail on the stair rail and new landscaping.
The new stair rail, by Sean Ahern of Ahern’s Anvil is so much more elegant than the existing. And who wants the HVAC return to be the first thing you see when entering the house? Not us- relocating it definitely elevates the space.
The kitchen is much brighter and more open than before, with a huge island and beautiful cabinetry.
The old pine media center just screamed 1990’s. Here the shelving and fireplace are updated for the 21st Century. Large lift and slide doors bring lots of light in and connect the interior living to the exterior.
This is where this family is going to be spending all their time! Hilton Head Living at its finest!
New outdoor living area with roll down insect screens, new brick fireplace, new roof terrace with insane views over the marshes of Broad Creek, accessed by a new spiral stair. The pool was redone, an outdoor shower added. Replacing the existing rail with cable rail really makes a huge difference!
The team and the clients are HAPPY! Thanks to Esposito Construction and to our FAB clients! What a fun project this was!
Sometimes people think that building a new house is the only way to achieve their dream home, but we are here to tell you, that sometimes a renovation is the way to go. It can be less expensive and more sustainable to rework an existing house. This Long Cove Club renovation is proof. Check out this major renovation on Fripp Island for another example of a transformative renovation.
Thermally Modified Decking
When we first proposed using thermally treated decking for a project in Long Cove Club, we were drawn to the beauty of the wood. After the heating process, ash is rendered a gorgeous brown that looks exotic and expensive. There are many other advantages to using this product besides the aesthetics.
The product is very durable, water resistant and environmentally friendly. The heating process removes the sap and resin in the wood, which prevents mold and bacteria growth. There are no toxic chemicals applied. After the thermal modification process, the moisture content of the timber is very low, which limits the moisture absorption. The boards won't warp, bend or swell, even without a protective coat. Thermally modified timber is a great choice for exterior applications, especially in the hot and humid South.
