Home and Garden

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. 

ARRIERO REALTY NOW OPEN 

Jacob and Debbie Arriero recently opened Arriero Realty in Bluffton. The Arrieros have more than 45 combined years of real estate experience and Debbie Arriero is a certified military relocation professional. The office is at 198 Okatie Village Drive, Suite 103-344. 

GET ORGANIZED IN THE NEW YEAR

Organization has become big business — just ask best-selling author and Japanese organiza-tion guru Marie Kondo. Sure, her folding methods open up space in your drawers, and pondering whether each item you own brings you joy does make it easier to decide whether to toss something, but sometimes those methods don’t work for everyone. It might be time to call in a professional.

SUN CITY TO PHASE OUT FLOOR PLANS FOR NEW 2020 DESIGNS

Sun City Hilton Head has begun construction on a new model home park that will open in early 2020. The developer’s plan is to phase out the current floor plans and introduce 10 all-new designs.

HILTON HEAD COUPLE CREATES A BEAUTIFUL GARDEN FOR THE COMMUNITY 

Fred and Donna Manske have some camellias in the garden at their Hilton Head Island home, but their true camellia craze can be found at the Camellia Garden at the Coastal Discovery Museum.

The couple created this free garden in 2009; today, it is home to 131 exotic and historic plants in a multitude of colors, sizes, origins, blooming duration and fragrances that bloom from Halloween to St. Patrick’s Day.

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.” 

LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOWS FOR GREAT DECORATING IDEAS

With its year-round natural beauty, the Lowcountry offers abundant choices for holiday decorating — endless colors, fragrances, textures and other elements that can be used to welcome the season. 

Inspiration for making and decorating garlands, wreaths, Christmas trees, planters, mailboxes, mantels and front doors is everywhere — in your yard and the nearby woods as well as at local nurseries. 

WEICHERT REALTORS OPENS NEW LOCATION, ADDS FOUR

Weichert Realtors Coastal Properties recently cut the ribbon to its new office in Old Town Bluffton, at 1250 May River Road. Hilton Head Island/Bluffton Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bill Miles, Bluffton Mayor Lisa Sulka, agents, clients and staff gathered to celebrate the grand opening. 

Weichert Realtors Coastal Properties also welcomes Kathryn Hickey, Darlene Johnson, Kim McElman and Evie Schoepf as real estate professionals. 

AREA GROWERS HELP RESIDENTS EAT LOCAL

Thanks to the nationwide focus on health and wellness, many Lowcountry residents want to know where their food comes from and want to support the local economy by supporting nearby family farms. Eating locally can both reduce your carbon footprint and ensure that your fruits and vegetables are as fresh and tasty as possible. 

Luckily, there are several farms producing fresh food right here in the Lowcountry. Here are just a few: