Inside a Pandemic-Era Home Designed To Get Away From It All, Together
Designed by Pearce Scott Architects, this Palmetto Bluff home balances expansive common rooms with personal space, creating a thoughtful, modern escape.
Story by Alea Wilkins
Photography by Kelli Boyd
Key Points
● The COVID-19 lockdowns inspired a trend of separated personal space within homes.
● Pearce Scott Architects enhanced privacy through sturdy doors, winding hallways and specialized rooms.
● Common spaces and passageways fill with light for an airy, open feel.
When the owners of this Palmetto Bluff property bought it in 2021, they were seeking an escape. From their home in California, they envisioned a vacation retreat for the present and eventually a full-time family hub in retirement. In the early days of the COVID-19 lockdowns, a place to retreat felt essential. But instead of returning to wide-open concepts and all-purpose rooms, their vision leaned toward separation and privacy.
“A recurring theme during COVID was to give everybody their own space to be separate without having to leave the house,” says Evan Goodwin, principal architect on the project.
The homeowners embraced this mindset, presenting an extensive wish list to the team at Pearce Scott Architects: a gym, a recreation room and an outdoor pool. On a Palmetto Bluff lot, fitting it all in was no small feat.
“Part of the problem-solving was making sure we could fit everything,” Goodwin says.
The solution took shape as a winding sequence of rooms to explore, each with a clear purpose and its own privacy door. Despite its segmented layout, the home never feels closed off.
Like an all-inclusive retreat, this residence is a hideaway in the truest sense. It offers ample room for work, play and rest without requiring shared space at every turn. Designed during a historic period of isolation, the home reflects that moment while avoiding loneliness. Instead, it gives everyone room to breathe, allowing them to be alone, together.
Do not disturb
Early on, the homeowners prioritized creating a personal retreat for every family member. In response, the Pearce Scott team designed a primary suite that functions more like a private bungalow than a traditional bedroom. Double doors shield it from the great room, creating the impression of an office or guesthouse that does not invite casual entry.
Each homeowner has a dedicated office and walk-in closet, allowing for independence without distance.
For their children, the request was simple and specific: three identical bedrooms.
“They didn’t want to play favorites,” Goodwin says. “They wanted all the rooms to be the exact same size, with the same views and the same bathrooms.”
Guests are equally well accommodated. A carriage house provides a comfortable place to stay without disrupting the rhythm of the main home. While secluded, these rooms do not suggest reclusiveness. Instead, they offer a welcome pause for peace and quiet.
Personal space
Even in the home’s gathering areas, there is room to breathe. Goodwin credits the abundance of natural light, noting that even the winding stairwell connecting the main house and carriage house never feels enclosed.
“It’s flooded with light from a series of high windows,” he says.
On the second floor, hallways open up with pairs of colonial grid windows, while, below, the dining room and kitchen overlook the backyard. Throughout the home, a palette of crisp white and soft blues enhances the brightness. The glass porch, however, stands apart. Opening directly to the great room through sliding doors, it frames views of the preserved wetland. On sunny days it fills with light, and during storms it glows from within, warmed by a brick fireplace. Like the home’s other shared spaces, it balances openness with comfort, inviting people to gather without feeling crowded.
Alone, together
Though born out of an isolated time, the home’s purpose is ultimately about connection. Under one roof, family members can enjoy a quiet dinner while a lively game night unfolds elsewhere, unnoticed. Everyone has space for solitude, but even more square footage is devoted to togetherness.
It is a retreat that avoids cabin fever and embraces possibility, answering a simple question: What if a vacation could belong entirely to you? This home makes a compelling case.
Vendor List
- Architect: Pearce Scott Architects
- Interior Designer: Leah Bailey Interiors
- Exterior Designer: Witmer-Jones-Keefer
- Builder: CS Thomas Construction
- Pool Designer: Year Round Pool Company
