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This casual, French-inspired residence, crafted largely from reclaimed materials, lends a European air to Colleton River.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROB KAUFMAN
Situated under its own forest canopy, the rustic residence at 76 Oak Tree in Colleton River Plantation blends French country-inspired design with the majestic natural surroundings of the Lowcountry. Constructed for Barbara and Patrick Sommers by architectural firm Court/Atkins and built by Pat and Ron Strimpfel of Bluffton based Reclamation by Design, the lakeside property was conceived using a meticulous design theme that aimed to preserve as much of the surroundings as possible. That meant using reclaimed materials and maintaining the property’s five live oak trees; in the end, only a small amount of strategic pruning was required to accommodate the 8,000-squarefoot living space.
The house is built in part from reclaimed wormy heart pine. The outdoor living space and sidewalks are made from a creative blend of brick, bluestone and crushed stone. The beam trusses and siding were rescued from Ruby Mill, N.C., and a feature lintel that sits above the billiard room’s custom-built mahogany door was reclaimed from a 100-year-old building on Bay Street in Savannah.
Outside, the home boasts a bocce ball court, swimming pool and spa, as well as a potting shed and formal gardens for Barbara, a gardening enthusiast. The elegant interior furnishings are by Beverley Hall, and they’re complemented by unique iron work by Bluffton artisan Rhonda Fantozzi. There’s also a dry sink from Barbara’s grandmother’s house, restored as a lavatory with a custom handcrafted copper bowl made by Ron Strimpfel.
But for all its reclaimed aspects, the home also includes plenty of modern features, including a geothermal system, sustainable IPE decking at the spa and a Control4 Smart Home Automation System. The combination makes for a quiet retreat that feels like a part of nature from its foundations up.
Alison Crawshaw
The interior furnishings are complemented by unique iron work by Bluffton
artisan Rhonda Fantozzi and a dry sink from Barbara’s grandmother’s house.
