Have a Seat

With an immediate family the size of two football teams (22, not including spouses!), the Keanes of Boston knew their Isle of Palms vacation home had to accommodate and withstand a very large clan. Their challenge was to fnd sturdy, weatherproof furniture that ft stylistically within the backyard oasis they envisioned. 

“We wanted furniture that would last because we didn’t want to have to replace things when we visited. And, we wanted the spaces to be comfortable,” explained matriarch Karen Keane. For this logical set of requirements, Karen approached Sharon Campbell of Backyard Retreats for her vast knowledge about outdoor furniture. “Sharon has a phenomenal service where she ofers to come to the home to see the spot being furnished,” Karen gushed. “When she visited, we clicked right away because she really listened to what I wanted, and she wasn’t trying to change everything.” 

An Isle of Tile

The opportunity to own one’s own island in this country is almost unheard of, but in the Lowcountry, among all the unique slivers of land, there are a few dramatic plots surrounded entirely by water. One such property—of of Headquarters Island—is not only beautiful for its land-scape but, after an extensive remodel, it is also a vision on the inside.

After choosing an impressive selection of tile from Palmetto Tile Distributors for their new Folly Beach home, the homeowners tasked Palmetto Tile’s manager, Jason Goldberg, with revitalizing a wide range of spaces (including four bathrooms, one powder room, one pool restroom, one kitchen, and one pool) in their second home of of Headquarters Island. Together, they chose a mixture of materials and fnishes to add visual appeal to every surface. 

Building a Great Backyard

While most of my work is done on the inside of houses, I’ve tackled a few outdoor projects over the years. And I know that a well-designed, nicely furnished patio really does add to the square footage of your home for a good chunk of the year.

One project in particular that I worked on stands out in my mind. It featured a full-on kitchen complete with a six-burner grill, stainless-steel fridge, a sink, cabinets, a separate seating area – the whole works. There was even a 1½-inch stone counter that we matched to the patio stones.

Tying the room together was a pergola that we constructed out of ipe, a gorgeous exotic wood that helped soften the look of the stone. We also installed a 20-foot-wide retractable awning over the patio area. The owners could open it up to provide shelter from the sun or light rain.