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Written by Allison Walsh Photography by TJ Getz

Couple’s quest for privacy yields stunning Lake Keowee retreat

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ay you want to uproot your suburban New England lifestyle – and many of its trappings – and transplant it onto a steeply sloped waterfront lot in the upcountry of South Carolina. Where to start? The smart play is to hire an architect who can conquer the terrain, a builder who can execute the vision, and a designer skilled at blending old and new to pull it all together. The owners of this Cliffs at Keowee Springs charmer achieved this trifecta beautifully.

Atlanta architect Stephen Fuller had his work cut out for him in situating the home on the lot, which cants quickly down to the lip of Lake Keowee, in such a way as to maximize views of the water while also maximizing privacy. The homeowners had already bid farewell to one site when neighbors popped up on either side, and this was even after the house had been drawn up and staked on the lot, so privacy was job one.

“Steve was very astute at getting all that, getting it on the property but also putting you in a direction that you’re just going to see pretty things,” the homeowner says.

Fuller says one of the biggest challenges was the topography approaching the home from what would one day be the driveway, and where and how to place the garage. Because homes of this size often must accommodate multiple vehicles, he explains, homeowners often give up on an aesthetically pleasing garage and accept a row of doors as a necessary evil. Instead, this design elevates and turns the garage away from the approach, and uses a breezeway both to link the garage with the house and separate the drive from the steep drop waiting on the other side.

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The idea of a detached garage first gave these New England natives pause, but the end result has proven to be as functional as it is beautiful. A grand setting deserves a grand entrance – easier said than done on this steep lot. The landscape design is the work of J. Dabney Peeples, Design Associates Inc., with tweaks here and there from the homeowner, herself an avid gardener.

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“What could have been a hard, invasive structure competing with the house turned out to be a really strong arrival court, and that will only get better with age as the landscaping matures,” Fuller says.

For our New England native homeowners the idea of a detached garage took some coming around to, but the resulting breezeway has proved to be beneficial for unloading cargo or quick stops home.

Once the topography had been successfully negotiated, the team turned its attentions to the interior. The homeowners recognized the need for drama in the way of high, grand ceilings and expansive windows, but – being somewhat small of stature – didn’t want to feel dwarfed in their own home. They appreciate Fuller’s approach to balancing their request for “interesting ceilings” with a cozier feel for the actual living spaces.

The library, with its fireplace and dark wood, is a scaled-down version of the one found at the Canyon Ranch resort, a favorite getaway. The homeowner is particularly taken with architect Stephen Fuller’s play on her request for interesting ceilings, and with designer Christy Johnson’s knack for lighting fixtures.

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“You do want that breathtaking experience when you first arrive, but then for day-to-day living it should be comfortable,” Fuller says, explaining how he accomplished this with the thoughtful incorporation of millwork, paneling, chair rails and bookcases to draw the eye down. “Different perspectives occur in the same room for different purposes.”

The lady of the house tasked her designer – Christy Johnson of Fowler Interiors – with pushing her beyond her décor comfort zone, but she also issued a challenge of her own in the form of several pieces of furniture she wasn’t willing to part with, one being the family dining room table. The homeowner didn’t know how the French piece would fit into the English cottage concept she was going for in the new space; what she did know was she loved the table and it wasn’t going anywhere.

“The dining table was a wonderful, large piece of furniture that she already owned,” Johnson says. “Even though it wasn’t quite the ‘style’ of the architecture of the house, I believe that it helped the dining room to feel collected over time rather than like a furniture showroom.”

The lower level is home to two guest suites, which the homeowners’ adult children have claimed as their own, and a media room and billiard room overlooking a patio that in turn overlooks the water. Here the couple has essentially re-created their Massachusetts family room, a gesture their children appreciate. Johnson says because the furniture was good quality and offers a nice blend of leather and woven fabrics it works to lend a masculine feel to the media room.

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Designer Christy Johnson, of Fowler Interiors, mixed a variety of materials and fixtures in the kitchen. The two islands are indispensable for entertaining, and the leathered granite countertops with their forgiving finish are a favorite feature. The outdoor kitchen and fireplace are gearing up for a busy spring and summer.

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The key to making beloved pieces work within an updated design scheme, Johnson says, is mixing materials, which she did to great effect throughout the home. In the kitchen, for example, she pairs stained cabinetry with painted and distressed islands (yes, there are two), and polished nickel meets iron meets weathered brass.

“(The kitchen) would have a completely different feel if all of the metal finishes were the same and all of the cabinets were the same,” Johnson says.

The homeowners say the building process – which took nearly two years – was a positive one, thanks to the relationship they developed with Gus and Belinda Rubio of Gabriel Builders and their attentive approach to the needs of their clients.

Lucky visitors to the guest suite on the lower level are treated to a stunning view of Lake Keowee, and a re-creation of the homeowners’ Massachusetts family room. A custom-designed greenhouse gives this master gardener a special space to flex her green thumb.

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46 | athome52 Parkway Commons Way, Greer, SC 29650 | 864.879.3035 | www.GabrielBuilders.com

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HHandcrafted: it’s the attention to detail, our passion for homebuilding, a product that is an expression of the owner with every promise delivered. It’s the pride we take in knowing that every single home is designed, crafted and built with extraordinary care. It’s personal, and it extends to the relationships and trust that we build with our customers.

Most of our work is done on a design/build basis in conjunction with our network of talented architects, but we also work with clients who want to make modifications to pre-existing plans. We have been privileged to build homes for over 40 company presidents and CEO’s, and other people who, being able to choose any builder they like, chose Gabriel Builders.

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