House renovation – Charleston, SC… this one’s going to be a winner!

On June 12, 2012June 5, 2012 By Barbara StroudIn HOMELeave a comment

There has been a house in our neighborhood that has been sold “as is”, it needed quite a bit of work. Recently a developer purchased it and he and his team are renovating it. It’s a cool house and we had all hoped that he wouldn’t tear it down and build a new house, however… once they started to gut the house they found issue after issue (it had to be gutted, no way around it, the house needed maintenance in the worst possible way and lets just say either there are some ginormous termites running around Charleston or there was dry rot or something, but it seems like every wood surface was eaten or rotten (yep, my professional opinion since I know so much about it… ok, so that’s what it looked like to me anyway). These people are fixing this house the right way. I think each time they start another project on this house they find more problem which results in higher costs to tear out and fix, but in the end this house is going to be a beauty! Riverland Builders also built a cottage on an empty lot on this same street and it’s lovely. Has a front porch that is so inviting, a side porch that is screened with a gas fireplace, perfect for reading the paper with your cup of coffee on nice days. The house is sweet as can be. They built a larger home in the next subdivision over where the homes are larger. Another beauty with meticulous details. I am looking so forward to seeing the end result of this house. I saw the before and it was horrible… beyond horrible. So kudos to those who work hard to save what’s there. It really is such a cool house with a fabulous porch, and will be a dream come true for some lucky family once they finish!

The horrible fence is now gone, whoa did that ever help the appearance! They’re adding on a laundry room and a porch (rumor has it)… will keep y’all posted on the progress. It’s going to be very cool! I hear they’ve added a bit more upstairs, you can see by the brick how much has been added… new roof which looks very nice… This project is being taken on by Riverland Builders – website is coming soon!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

PHOTO: Can this gorgeous home be saved? Charleston, SC Officer’s home, it’s been vacant since 1995…

On February 11, 2012December 23, 2013 By Barbara StroudIn HOME5 Comments

I truly cannot believe the homes on the navy base have been allowed to sit vacant since the base closed in 1995. They are literally falling down. When you go to this area (some of the homes are maintained, the ones that are used for the television show ARMY WIVES) you will see that there is no more beautiful place in the world. The large looming oak trees, you can FEEL the history here… the water is near, you can just imagine all the important and fancy dinners that have been part of these homes. You would think they could at least sell to an individual who could renovate and either live there or sell? There are many homes, this one is just the most heartbreaking… There was a good article in the Post & Courier back in October regarding these homes, check it out if you get a chance! (I know with a MAC you can double click on the image to enlarge… try it!). Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sullivan’s Island Home Tour, Day 1!

On August 27, 2011January 31, 2014 By Barbara StroudIn HOME1 Comment

Welcome to Sullivan’s Island, SC. How would you like to pull up to this home? (And this is the BACK entrance…)! In the upcoming weekends I’m going to be taking you on a tour of this gorgeous home, so check back often, you won’t want to miss it! The renovating and building of this house is a result of just one of the homes done by the GRAY WADE company that is owned by Michael and Alison Brewer. They did a magnificent job of keeping the home looking like it could have in it’s very best days… I didn’t see it when they bought it, but from what I’ve heard it’s the first house they bought that they couldn’t walk all the way through (floors not safe). The part of the house that was added on was done seamlessly. Its nearly impossible to tell where the original house stops and the newly added portion begins. They went to great detail to have it be that way and it shows…the outside is fabulous in itself, but it’s the inside where the magic begins!
The innovative couple who renovated and built this home have since moved to another gorgeous home in a fabulous location. Perhaps that will be a tour we can take together in the future?. Enjoy today’s photos, more tomorrow!