Driftwood Residence

This house represents a modern farmhouse expression, elevated to meet both practical and stylistic demands of its environment. From a builder’s standpoint, the project demonstrates clarity of structure and detailing, where simplicity of form is complemented by careful attention to proportion and material execution.

Full Project Overview

The raised foundation, clad in horizontal board panels, immediately reflects a functional response to floodplain considerations.

The siding is a mix of crisp horizontal lap with a smooth painted finish, paired with black trimmed windows for contrast. From a construction standpoint, the tall, narrow windows demand exact framing tolerances; any deviations are magnified by their vertical emphasis. The metal roofing offers durability while fitting the farmhouse language.

Inside, the home’s design celebrates exposed structure. Reclaimed wood ceiling beams add character but also present challenges during installation—ensuring they are level, adequately supported, and visually consistent is a builder’s task that requires experience. The kitchen showcases a blend of natural wood cabinetry and crisp white quartz surfaces, creating a harmonious intersection of rustic and modern styles.
The living room centers around a tall fireplace wall, clad in oversized tiles with a substantial wood mantle. Installing large-format tile requires extremely flat substrates and precise leveling; it’s a detail where craftsmanship is immediately visible.

This house relies on precision and restraint. Its success depends on the quality of framing, the flatness of planes, and the crispness of finishes. Modern farmhouse design exposes structure and materials, leaving little room for shortcuts: misaligned beams, uneven siding, or sloppy tile work would quickly undermine the architectural intent.

Location

Awendaw, SC

Partners and Collaborators 

Architecture by Our Town Plans/Interiors by Whitney Rietz Designs

Anderson Windows and Doors/Southern Lumber and Millwork/Ferguson Enterprises/Sherwin-Williams/James Hardie Siding