This past weekend, I was so happy to have been able to visit the Southern Living 2014 Idea House . . .
~ ~ located in Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton), South Carolina, while traveling with friends.
When possible, I try to make it to the Idea Houses each year.
Way back when . . . when Southern Living built several Idea Houses a year across the South . . .
~ ~ I toured all three (Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina) one year.
This home was beautifully decorated by Suzanne Kasler who designs for Ballard Designs.
The view walking up to the house . . . a true Low Country design.
Nestled in the pines of the Low Country . . .
~ ~ I have always loved metal roofs . . . taking notes for our “one day downsized home”.
When you walk into the house there is a foyer with this beautiful gallery wall.
The dining room is right off the foyer as you walk into the house . . .
~ ~ you can see the front door in the background.
The dining area was an area that the volunteers used . . . so it was hard to get a shot of it without “people”
The volunteers talking to my friend, giving her advice on places to visit and eat.
Just love the lighting over the dining room table!
The “Great Room” from above.
I was talking to my friend and we both agreed that a large table in the area of the two sofas that are up
against the large windows would be great and what a great view to have while dining.
Sitting at those sofas do not lend for views as your back is to the windows.
Hey, I was re-arranging the furniture!
Also, where the dining room is, we thought that a great grouping of 4 chairs and a table for conversation. . .
~ ~ would be great . . . chairs that swivel that is . . so you can move toward the conversations in the room!
I heart this chandelier !!!
The great room viewed from the kitchen.
Beautifully styled bookcase.
Love the versatility of the table.
Was going to crop out the “legs” . . . but must say, nice legs guys!
Now how great are these stools around the coffee table . . .
The one end of the great room where I think a large dining room table would be great . . .
~ ~ can you imagine sitting at the table and looking out to that gorgeous view?
Outdoor views from the great room . . . looking into the wonderful screen porch and view of the water.
As you can see . . . this is the kitchen . . . where there is no upper cabinetry.
They were taking advantage of the views outside . . .
Two sets of shelving flank one side of the kitchen.
For added storage, there are two sets of these pantries . . . the other is directly across the room.
Truly has lots of storage space in these pull out pantries . . . and a cabinet underneath.
Also, notice the great planked ceiling in the kitchen . . . many of the walls in the house were wood planked.
The other side of the kitchen set up for “Happy Hour”
And I leave you for now, with “Happy Hour” in mind . . .
Stay tuned for Part Two and Three . . .
Part Two will have my favorite room of this Idea House . . . a room that I want for my next house!!!
Hope you gained much inspiration today!
I am joining:
Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday
Loved the house!!
Gorgeous house…. love the “low Country” feel and views…. We had the opportunity a few years back to tour the Idea House at Habersham in Beaufort SC…. I still love everything about that house…… very “Cottage” 🙂 …. noticed “Jo-JO” (lol) on the tv screen… My fav new show on HGTV “Fixer Upper) !!!
Can’t wait to see parts two and three. I like your idea of the four chairs and the idea of the big table in front of the windows is perfect!
Shirley
Your photo are wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your trip.
I would love to visit this home. Thanks again MBCvet
My bags are packed I am ready to move in!
Gorgeous home! Agree, put a table where the sofas are. My far is the happy hour area!
What a great house. I agree with your room rearranging lol. Loved the kitchen without the upper cabinets too.
Thanks for sharing Shirley. I am trying to design a lake house from scratch in about a month and I am desperately seeking ideas. I’ve seen a few to file ~ can’t wait for the next installment.
I have to admit, I love all the large windows and the views, but the decor was a little too modern for my taste. I could definitely see a very large Christmas tree near one of those windows! I really like the porch and how the tin is also the ceiling. That would be a perfect place to take a nap on a summer rainy afternoon!
Beautiful home….I especially love the outside! Can’t wait for the rest of the tour :o)
~Des
I don’t like those 2 sofas there in front of the windows and think a table and chairs would be SO much nicer! The 2 sofas look very strange to me lined up like that. I do like the house. Are the kitchen cabinets blue? Very pretty!
We have talked about running down to HH in the fall (my favorite time at HH) and also visiting the idea house. I hope it will still be open. Just a hop skip and a jump from our former house in Port Royal Plantation. I went to the idea house near Savannah a few years ago. I would love to visit all of them! Thanks for the pictures so we can get a preview. The house looks to be relaxing and easy to care for.
Thanks for sharing.
Sheila
Just Gorgeous Shirley. Love the view.
Kris
Love the low country styling, the views and the tin roof but much of the downstairs reminds me of danish modern in the 50’s. I also wouldn’t want to have the two sofas sitting in front of that lovely window. The decorations were very spare repetative and not nearly as beautiful and interesting as your decor. Oh well…I’m older than most of the people so that danish modern look is probably very new to them.
Thank you for this tour, Shirley! I love the low country style and I’m such a fan of board and batten homes! What a fun tour!
Loved the tour, Shirley, of this gorgeous house! But I can’t imagine why they didn’t consult with you when designing the rooms. :-))) I agree with you…stunning view going to waste.
Mary Alice
LowCountry and Porch view Love Shirley! Looking forward to the rest of the tour 🙂
Shirley, what a fun tour! I love the rustic touches like the stools and wicker…and that view!!
Susan
There are so many things about this home I love…the windows for starters, the kitchen, the roof. I could go on, but like you, I was rearranging furniture too! lol
You’re lucky to have the opportunity to visit every year Shirley!
Nice home and I may have to check out those little stools at Ballards.
Wow, that’s an amazing house and those view…lovely!
Blessings,
Cindy
I think what I like the best about these rooms was I could actually envision us living there. Doesn’t always happen with show house. Thanks for sharing.
Seems like kind of weird positioning for the dining room from this vantage point, but I guess it must have made sense in person? I LOVE the great room!!! Oh, my gosh…that thing is gorgeous!!! TWO chandeliers!!! That’s where I’d spend a lot of time, I’m sure! I agree with you, though…the 2 sofas beneath the windows was way weird. If anything they should have been facing outward toward that fabulous view. They just blankly stared into the room, and the occasional tables seemed awkwardly out of place, too. Oh, well…not all of the ideas in an idea house are the best! 🙂
I’m really enchanted with the idea of no upper cabinets. I REALLY like that idea. In a house the size of this one, I suppose that’s totally doable. Not in a house the size of ours. 🙁 I would prefer to have tons of windows to maximize the natural light! That would make cooking a total joy every day! It would also FORCE me to keep the countertops perfectly styled at all times! That means NO mail just casually dropped there, no grocery sacks left there for Ramon to take downstairs for me, no dirty dishes after a dinner party left there!!! That would be tough!
GREAT, Shirley! Thanks for sharing this!!!
Lovely… So bright and airy… Love the clean lines and the light colors…
thank you for letting me go with you to this house by sharing your wonderful pictures. Just beautiful. I love that black chandelier, too.
I love how they painted the window frames in the kitchen… you can’t really see it in the magazine article, but your photos show it beautifully! Thanks for sharing, Shirley — what fun!
xo Heidi
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