INSPIRING AND BEAUTIFUL SPACES AT HOME

These days, we’re spending more time at home with work and play. If you find your home space lacking, local interior design groups have tips to refresh your environment and make it more efficient.

In a home office, the first thing to do is declutter. It’s OK to let things go. Kelly Caron Designs suggests removing faux greenery and random objects that can be itemized as clutter if you have built-ins.

Every talented interior designer is able to look at an empty space and envision how it will look when the work is completed. And then she works a little magic to turn that empty space into a well-designed reality.

Hannah Fulton Toney of J. Banks Design Group on Hilton Head Island was able to work just that type of magic on a new 5,500-square-foot, second-row ocean home in Sea Pines. Some of the bones were already in place — cabinets, tiling, light fixtures, kitchen finishes, shelving — but the home was far from complete. 

LOCAL BUSINESSES WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A MIRACLE

On a picturesque lane in the upscale Windmill Harbour community on Hilton Head Island, the HGTV 2020 Dream Home has a story almost as remarkable as its sweeping vista.

The Lowcountry’s romance with the cable channel started with a few phone calls and included a brush with Hurricane Dorian in early September before concluding with accolades for “perhaps the best Dream Home yet.” 

PROTECT YOUR HOME WITH THESE FALL MAINTENANCE TIPS

WHEN TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWCOUNTRY COOL OFF A BIT IN OCTOBER, HOME MAINTENANCE BECOMES LESS OF A CHORE. TAKE SOME TIME NOW TO DO NEEDED TASKS WHILE THE WEATHER IS BEAUTIFUL. HERE’S A CHECKLIST OF FALL HOME MAINTENANCE TASKS:

HAVE YOUR ROOF INSPECTED

Make sure it’s still doing well. Maintaining your roof can prevent leaks and extend its life. 

FINDING FURNITURE TO MATCH ANY STYLE

Homeowners looking to redecorate have more options than ever: eclectic styles, eco-friendly materials, bold colors. Cookie-cutter sectionals and humdrum dining room sets are a thing of the past.

“Sustainability is top-of-mind for consumers these days,” said Kevin Gadson, general manager of FWDG. “For this reason, we love carrying CR Plastics, which crafts Adirondack chairs, stools, and tables from recycled plastic. The bright, fun colors are fade-resistant even in the Southern sun. We love keeping plastic out of the landfill and oceans.”

TRANSITIONAL STYLE MEETS LOWCOUNTRY COMFORT IN BERKELEY HALL IN BLUFFTON

When Glenn and Jane Moyer first saw the undeveloped lot straddling the Okatie River in Berkeley Hall Plantation, they knew they wanted it — to build a home there, to live there, to retire there.

That was in 2003. In the intervening years, those dreams have all come true for the Pennsylvania natives.

Ah, life in a small village: Charming architecture, lush landscapes and green spaces, and friendly neighbors who greet you with a smile.

Welcome to Palmetto Bluff!

“Palmetto Bluff is a very unique place,” homeowner Tina Yaraghi said. “I call it my personal Mayberry. My little happy place. When we go there, we go into a different state of mind. We decompress. It’s a getaway in every sense of the word.”

Many homeowners find themselves eyeing their homes, wondering if it’s time for an update.

One of the easiest ways is to redo a kitchen or bathroom, changing the color scheme, textures, materials, finishes, fixtures and hardware and adding furnishings, architectural details and smart technology. And while some trends come and go, many Lowcountry interior designers have crafted a coastal aesthetic with staying power — one that still embraces some of the design trends popping up around the country.

A NEW HOME IN COLLETON RIVER SURPASSES EXPECTATIONS

When a couple who has moved 22 times decides to relocate to Bluffton, they don’t rush in uninformed. From an apartment in Paris to a house in South Africa and many residences in the U.S., Betsy and Jim Utterback are familiar with the process of building a custom home or remodeling an existing structure.

When you look around your home, you may find yourself feeling like your furniture and decorations look a little dated or dull. Luckily, there are ways to create a fresh look without breaking the bank. Here are a few times to help give your home a whole new look for less.