Sweet Spot
Old World meets Lowcountry at the corner of golf and shoreline
Story by Paula Magrini + Photography by HouzPics
It’s a landmark intersection shared by Belfair’s famed Tom Fazio-designed golf course, the meandering Colleton River and a premium one-and-one-quarter-acre home site with 265 feet of water frontage. When Bud and Brenna Kendrick first visited their current address, they saw what appeared to be a modest resort lot with a golf cart path running through it.
“We had no idea we had just stumbled upon a well-kept secret offering some of the most dramatic marsh views in Belfair,” Bud said. The pie-shaped home site is deceiving since, at its entrance, the sweeping marsh and golf views are hidden by lush Lowcountry foliage.
[blockquote position=”right”]We had no idea we had just stumbled upon a well-kept secret offering some of the most dramatic marsh views in Belfair.”[/blockquote]
Bud and Brenna swiftly purchased the property in 2016 after avidly exploring prestigious destination communities like Vero Beach, St. Simons, Sea Island, Kiawah and others. “We were looking for a change and new way of life,” explained Brenna. The couple had resided outside Asheville for years with mountains as their backdrop and wild bears frolicking in their back yard. “Now we see dolphins,” Brenna noted with a grin.
Along with stunning views, the home site came with rough sketches of floorplans designed by regional architecture firm, Court Atkins Group. The Kendricks enlisted partner William Court and his residential team to make updates to the plans with the intention of leveraging the prized aesthetic, expansive water vistas and brilliant sunrises.
“Just about every room in this one-story design has direct access to covered outdoor living space at the rear of the home,” Court said. “It’s a sprawling layout with a designated area specifically committed to the privacy of the owners who tend to entertain often.” The Kendricks’ master suite and study comprise a wing that’s subtly and strategically secluded from the adjacent great room, guest suite and two-bedroom carriage house.
Collectively the Kendricks have three children and multiple grandchildren who are gradually discovering the joys of Lowcountry living. “They’re starting to visit more often,” said Brenna, “and fortunately this home is geared to guests, from the spacious porches and patios to the open-concept kitchen and living areas.” She recalls a recent visit when her daughter enjoyed a full night’s rest in the guest suite while her young children had a slumber party with dad in the carriage house.
While the home’s heated and covered square footage is generous, Bud pointed out, “the outdoor living features nearly double our entertaining capacity.” He admits he has a penchant for architecture and contributed to some of the floor-plan enhancements. “One of his suggestions was to add transoms to all the main windows and additional windows to the dormers throughout the great room and foyer to allow the more natural light flow all day long.”
[blockquote position=”right”]Just about every room in this one-story design has direct access to covered outdoor living space at the rear of the home.”[/blockquote]
“There’s a unique give and take happening inside this home,” Court shared. “The height of the residence allows dramatic vaulted ceilings, while the millwork brings the scale down, resulting in a more intimate experience.” A perfect example of this is the Kendricks’ kitchen and dining areas where reclaimed wood ceiling beams soften the steep angles of the ceiling.
Meanwhile outside, another juxtaposition adds refreshing curb appeal to the single-story retreat. “The design features a mixture of old-world charm and Lowcountry elements,” Court said. He’s referring to the smooth molded stucco and graceful sweep of the roofline, accented with exposed roof rafter tails that are akin to coastal South Carolina vernacular. Another unique feature of the home is its raised, landscaped rear terrace that has a coveted setback of just 30 feet from the water, as opposed to the Lowcountry standard of 60 feet.
“We have the best of both worlds, elegant ambiance with a casual, comfortable lifestyle,” concluded Brenna. “We had a house full of guests not long ago with plenty of shucking and shagging going on just steps from the waterfront.” She believes she and Bud have found their new normal in a home that embraces their lifestyle on many levels. “From each breathtaking sunrise and our first cup of coffee to a day of signature golf or entertaining neighbors, it’s a remarkably perfect fit,” she added.
Court might say the same thing about the home’s design footprint and the landmark Belfair home site. “The scale, proportion and distinctive style of the home create a memorable display of resort design in the context of a premier championship golf destination.”
The home team
Architect: Court Atkins Architects, Inc. Design: Reclamation By Design, Ltd.
Appliances: Billy Wood Appliance Blinds: Budget Blinds of the Low Country
Metal fabricator: Salt Marsh Metalworks Hardware: Bird Decorative Hardware, Inc.
