A note from our editors: 

It’s time for one of our favorite traditions! Each year, we spend the holidays reflecting on the stories and articles you loved most. It’s the “Best of Rue” and this is one of 2019’s top stories. Enjoy!

Previously published on July 15, 2019:

As you walk into this 4000 sq. ft. home on Daniel Island, an island adjacent to the center of Charleston, NC, you’re struck by the floor to ceiling windows with majestic views of the water and marshlands. Although the outdoors draw your gaze, it is the inside of the home that captivates. One would think that this home had been built many decades ago – with its vaulted ceilings, exposed brick, and beams – but in reality, it’s a new build, a testament to the meticulous work of Jackson Built Homes, architect Phil Clarke, and interior designer Lauren Mendenhall of Amen Design Co.

When the designer was approached by her clients – both executives of a luxury boat company called Scout Boats and their three lively boys – the process of constructing the home was already mid-way through. “The homeowners wanted an interesting space but also something they wouldn’t get tired of,” Lauren said. “They didn’t want something that felt too traditional but also wanted to a good mix of old and new.” Evidence of that can be seen in the open concept living, dining and kitchen area. A transitional hood and shaker cabinets in the kitchen communicate that classic feel that the homeowners wanted, while the bold tiled backsplash by Bedrosians, as well as the double height island with gray leather stools and chairs, denote a more modern concept. “We incorporated a thoughtful mix of metals throughout the house to keep things fresh and used a few pops of blues and grays in cabinetry as a nod to the coastal setting,” the designer shared. “We see open concept a lot these days, and you can expect a lot of the same look,” said the project’s photographer Andrea Kinnear. “Lauren created a space that is functional and beautiful. The multiple counter/seating areas meant that she could select really interesting seating. At the high top island, you see these gorgeous grey leather chairs – leather in the kitchen is amazing!”

The rest of the home from the living area to the bedrooms would continue this eclectic mix of old and new. Lauren wanted to showcase the homeowners’ sense of adventure and travel by displaying their ethically sourced mounted Kudu and Gemsbok. The ikat printed area rug in the living room, as well as the batik fabrics throughout the home, bring in that global aesthetic that the designer wanted to highlight. However, the coastal location of the home was not to be ignored and was incorporated into the color scheme of its design. “We knew that it made sense for deep shades of blue to be the baseline color,” the designer explained, “feathering off into lighter tones and softer grays and punctuated by rosy terracotta and a lot of living greenery, inspired by the deep water and green marsh.”

In total, the interior design of the home took ten months and finished right before the holidays. “We installed three days before Christmas,” Lauren said, “the movers brought the Christmas tree from their previous residence to the new home – decorations and all! I received a text from them soon afterward saying they didn’t realize how much like themselves the home felt and how perfectly every detail worked together. We’re now working on our second project with them: a vacation residence in Palmetto Bluff.”