Regional Design: Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry
On the fringes of the South Carolina coast, a range of classic vernacular styles meets modern technology and updated sophistication
If there's one thing designers and builders in South Carolina's Lowcountry agree on, it's that the hot and humid weather has always been a major influence on design, no matter what the style. "Traditional South Carolina Lowcountry houses were designed to buffer the harsh, hot, humid climate," says Jane Frederick of Frederick + Frederick Architects. "To take advantage of the summer Southern breezes, the houses had tall ceilings for the heat to rise and porches on the south to shade the interior and create a place of respite from the heat."
While "Lowcountry" calls to mind double-stacked porches shaded by live oaks dripping in Spanish moss, facing side yards in downtown Charleston, those beautiful traditional homes are not the only style around. "The beauty of the Lowcountry is that it allows a number of styles to thrive authentically," says Amy Luff of Margaret Donaldson Interiors. Thus, Luff declares, "The Lowcountry is a wonderful place to call home."
While "Lowcountry" calls to mind double-stacked porches shaded by live oaks dripping in Spanish moss, facing side yards in downtown Charleston, those beautiful traditional homes are not the only style around. "The beauty of the Lowcountry is that it allows a number of styles to thrive authentically," says Amy Luff of Margaret Donaldson Interiors. Thus, Luff declares, "The Lowcountry is a wonderful place to call home."
"Something that makes a design distinctly Lowcountry is the use of piazzas or porches," says architect Chris Rose. "These take advantage of our mild seasons to enjoy the view or garden and shade the home from the sun."
One distinctive Lowcountry design move that never goes out of style is a raised first floor. "The first floors were raised off the ground to keep out the floodwaters and to allow breezes to circulate under the house," explains Frederick.
"They were one room wide to maximize the flow of air and to increase the amount of light to cut down on mold and mildew," says Frederick.
Other distinctive Lowcountry architectural styles include the Charleston- style house with the narrow end facing the street and the porch on the south, and the Beaufort-style T-shaped house: one room thick, with a porch wrapping three sides.
Other distinctive Lowcountry architectural styles include the Charleston- style house with the narrow end facing the street and the porch on the south, and the Beaufort-style T-shaped house: one room thick, with a porch wrapping three sides.
Frederick has looked to the past to inspire green design today. "Since people are now more interested in sustainable design, we are turning to the lessons learned from the vernacular traditions. A few years ago we started exploring other Southern vernacular forms, especially the dogtrot, which is two masses with an open breezeway in between," she says.
The room above occupies the breezeway of a dogtrot house. Frederick finds that "dogtrot" is one of the most popular search terms that leads potential clients to the firm's website.
The room above occupies the breezeway of a dogtrot house. Frederick finds that "dogtrot" is one of the most popular search terms that leads potential clients to the firm's website.
Lowcountry style is in the smaller details. "There are so many things that make a home distinctly Charleston, but the shutters are what does it on this home," says interior designer Alix Bragg. "The old-school style of the louvered shutters (painted Charleston green) is a staple in the Lowcountry. Of course, the palm trees and metal roof give it away too!"
See the rest of this home
See the rest of this home
Tom Krowka of Walsh Krowka and Associates makes note of another distinctive Lowcountry porch detail: "Big porches and overhangs shield windows and/or living areas from the harsh sun."
A lot of the architecture responds to sinking cool air and rising hot air. "Tall ceilings and spaces allow for air circulation and keep the warmest air farthest away from people at the floor level," says Krowka. "Many old homes had double-hung windows — the intent was to open the bottom and top partway. Cool air comes in at the bottom; warm air goes out the top."
"A misconception is that Lowcountry design is all the same," says Courtney Windham of Wayne Windham Architects. "There are many variations of Lowcountry architecture — formal, relaxed, farmhouse style, Barbados/tropical, contemporary and more."
No matter what the style, South Carolina Lowcountry design has a strong connection to the outdoors and ample outdoor living spaces, says Windham.
"Porches are getting bigger and wider to expand outdoor living. Roll-down screens and mosquito misting systems are also being incorporated to make these spaces [more] flexible/enjoyable," she says.
How to banish the bugs from your porch
How to banish the bugs from your porch
Cooter Ramsey of Allison Ramsey Architects concurs. "Even during the holidays, grillin’ and chillin’ is a common occurrence in the Lowcountry. Our outdoor spaces are a must for the quality of life we like to live in the South, so a good house in the Lowcountry has the ability to move outside at every chance."
"Sometimes we want our rooms to feel like the outside so much, we will fill in a porch to accomplish it," says Ramsey. "This is a picture of a great keeping room that is off a kitchen. The windows and ceiling are treated much like those on a converted porch."
"This also works well on the outside of the house, giving it an appearance that the house has evolved over time," explains Ramsey. "It’s a great trick to use to break down the mass of a house and to make it fit better on its site."
Architect Bill Huey looks to the past and the future when designing for the Lowcountry today. "A current trend, and hopefully the new norm, is to marry the traditional Southern details that have historically been built using wood with more modern materials. An example of this would be the use of HardieShingle, HardieBoard and HardieTrim (pictured on the house), because its life span is much longer than traditional materials when exposed to the harsh, salty air of the South Carolina Lowcountry."
Most of double-stacked porches include a distinctive detail you'll have to look up to see. "Another traditional Lowcountry detail is the haint blue ceiling, which has a rich history here and is still found on the majority of porches," says Jeff Thomas of WaterMark Coastal Homes.
"We are also seeing a trend of more contemporary twists on the traditional Lowcountry home, where clean, simple lines replace the more traditional details," says Thomas. "They still have the classic Lowcountry features of deep porches and overhangs, but they’ve been stripped to their more fundamental elements. I think most people think modern and Lowcountry don’t necessarily go together, but we are definitely starting to see otherwise."
Here is an example of a contemporary take on the Lowcountry tradition. "It still has the double porch and deep overhangs, but twists the traditional details. The arches on the second-floor porch are a reference back to the arches often found on historical homes throughout Charleston and the Lowcountry," says Thomas.
Taking a closer look inside, interior designers let us know what makes a room distinctly Lowcountry and also let us know about the latest trends. "I enjoy the interplay of traditional, often formal antiques used in casual, even beachy rooms," says interior designer Sandra Ericksen. "You often see Chippendale pieces that are whitewashed or worn and still functioning beautifully alongside slipcovered upholstery."
A misconception about design in the Lowcountry is that it is stuffy and traditional. "The Lowcountry as we know it in Charleston, South Carolina, is exciting and moving forward while respecting the past," says Luff. "We aren't afraid to throw in some midcentury pieces or a modern coffee table."
"A trend, along with the rest of the country, is the idea of repurposing, whether it is repurposing old barn wood to become a table or recovering your grandmother's wingback in a wild fabric to update the style," Luff says.
Luff describes several types of homes found in the Lowcountry. "Barefoot beach houses are found on Sullivan's Island and Folly Beach, and hark back to the glory days where life was slower. Often one-story with a large front porch, these homes are the epitome of a Lowcountry summer retreat. With simpler furnishings, relaxed finishes and maybe even a whitewashed floor, your blood pressure drops as soon as you kick your shoes off at the door."
"With the abundance of surrounding islands (Johns Island, Wadmalaw and down into the Ace Basin), the Lowcountry is equally characterized by marsh homes and country homes. These homes nestle into the surrounding live oak trees and cooperate with their surroundings in color and feel," says Luff. "The interior colors are pulled from nature with soft neutrals, greens, blues and grays. Often there are custom-made case goods from reclaimed wood. These homes tend to focus on the idea of filling the house with family and friends — comfort and a quiet sophistication."
"The coastal home is the most trend-oriented yet classic type of home. Charleston and the Lowcountry owned the idea of the coastal home before the magazines took the trend nationwide," Luff says. She includes elements of this look as "all-white living rooms, turquoise and blue, driftwood and blown glass lamps."