Houzz Tour: Tree House Living Inspires Southern Home
Embracing nature but with comforts like a hanging hot tub, this South Carolina house lets the homeowners enjoy the best of both worlds
When a couple decided to build their full-time home on South Carolina's Kiawah Island, they were not interested in the traditional ornate detailing seen throughout the Lowcountry region. Inspired by worldwide travels, they wanted a home that was clean, simple, and Zen-like. "They loved the idea of the tree house mentality," says architect Scott Anderson of The Anderson Studio of Architecture and Design. "The placement and design of the house was totally site driven; we only had to remove two trees to build it here."
Perched above a marsh in a grove of live oaks, the home's design mixes Asian, modern, local and rustic elements. "The look we were going for overall was a design that's strong because of its simplicity, a tree house/camp aesthetic with a calming Japanese influence," Anderson says. The result is a tree house–like building that embraces nature and makes the most of the beautiful views and the site.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina (about 25 miles from Charleston)
Size: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Who lives here: A couple with 2 grown children who love to visit and 3 dogs
That's interesting: The island hosts populations of sea turtles, deer, bobcats, gray foxes, raccoons, river otters and osprey.
Perched above a marsh in a grove of live oaks, the home's design mixes Asian, modern, local and rustic elements. "The look we were going for overall was a design that's strong because of its simplicity, a tree house/camp aesthetic with a calming Japanese influence," Anderson says. The result is a tree house–like building that embraces nature and makes the most of the beautiful views and the site.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina (about 25 miles from Charleston)
Size: 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms
Who lives here: A couple with 2 grown children who love to visit and 3 dogs
That's interesting: The island hosts populations of sea turtles, deer, bobcats, gray foxes, raccoons, river otters and osprey.
A hot tub hangs over the pool, which in turn hangs over the path to the marsh. "When you're in the pool, the sight line of the water is at the top of the marsh grass," describes Anderson.
"The bridge connecting the sleeping and living structures allows cool ocean breezes to pass from the marsh to the front yard," says Anderson. "Decks and stairs to the pool and terrace visually connect inside and out." The enclosed part is the dining room; the area overhead is a connecting balcony that has views over the marshes out to Folly Beach and the Atlantic.
A grid of tabby pavers (concrete with oyster shells mixed in) in sod keeps clean edges within the immediate landscape around the house.
A grid of tabby pavers (concrete with oyster shells mixed in) in sod keeps clean edges within the immediate landscape around the house.
An al fresco dining area under the bridge enjoys the marsh breezes. The ceiling is southern yellow pine coated with a marine varnish. The flooring is tabby, which is very common in the Lowcountry and is an example of using a vernacular material in a modern form.
"The landscape is the art in this home," says Anderson. Soaring ceilings, cedar beams and extensive glass make strong connections between the house and its setting. Lights are built into the beams, keeping the aesthetic streamlined and simplified.
The great room feels like some sort of natural habitat; besides the great views, a live-edge side table, root-ball bases on the coffee table, plants, natural finishes and plenty of open space connect the space to its surroundings even more. Here you can see how hugging as many trees as possible in the site planning can pay off — not only are the live oaks beautiful to admire, but they provide a shade canopy that cuts down on energy costs during the long, hot summer months.
Off the great room is the bridge, which contains the dining room. To the left is the entry to the master suite.
Floors: walnut
Floors: walnut
Horizontal lines create a tight rhythm at the opening to the more intimate master bedroom space. The pocket doors allow the owners to keep their quarters open to the bridge and the rest of the home when the mood strikes.
The glass shower has a Caribbean feel and a strong connection to the outdoors. The glass knobs on the vanity tie into all the large windows.
Counter: Carrara statuary marble
Counter: Carrara statuary marble
The architecture connects to the outdoors in as many ways as possible. These stairs connect the hot tub to the master bedroom above and the pool level below.
Anderson designed the deck around the tree you see beyond the stairs.
The exterior materials stand up to the saltwater air. They include a Galvalume metal roof, cedar clapboard siding with a semitransparent stain and Ipe railings.
Anderson designed the deck around the tree you see beyond the stairs.
The exterior materials stand up to the saltwater air. They include a Galvalume metal roof, cedar clapboard siding with a semitransparent stain and Ipe railings.
This is the view from the more public street side, which is quite closed in contrast to all the glass and other perforations on the marsh side. Once you enter through the door, the entire house opens up into the glass-filled great room. Likewise, the tabby paver path leads out to the pool area that opens to the marsh.
The home is elevated because of storm surges, and this facade is a nod to the gabled roofline and overhang, commonly seen in Lowcountry architecture.
More:
5 Fantastic Homes With a Tree House Feel
Outdoor Design: Save That Tree!
The home is elevated because of storm surges, and this facade is a nod to the gabled roofline and overhang, commonly seen in Lowcountry architecture.
More:
5 Fantastic Homes With a Tree House Feel
Outdoor Design: Save That Tree!