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Shem Creek Chic

Photography Olivia PendletonPhotos 16Issue NOVEMBER 2019
Ship-shape: How do you feather your soon-to-be empty nest? One couple embraces their kid-free future by transforming a Boatyard home on Shem Creek into an oasis for waterfront entertaining.Sitting Pretty: Just steps from Shem Creek, the McElveens found the ideal location, but not the perfect property. So the couple embarked upon a complete renovation, stripping away ‘90s embellishments, such as ornate columns and a two-story foyer, to create a modern yet timeless architectural style.The whole family, including pups Murphy and Sugar, in the gazeboPerky Pastels: A custom-designed French blue credenza punctuates the McElveens’ expansive entryway. Two vintage chairs from Charleston’s Indigo Market and a Judith Vivell charcoal drawing, “Whopping Cranes in Reeds II,” finish off the vignette.Calming hues repeat in the main sitting room, where tangerine linen curtains in a Rebecca Atwood print flutter through the breeze wafting in from Shem Creek.Serene Scene: An antique heirloom demi lune table displays a lamp from Elizabeth Stewart Design; its green hues mimic the lush view. A Mark Sikes caned chair from One Kings Lane sits on a Stark sisal rug, providing a hint of masculinity to the soft palette.A simple walnut, tulip-based breakfast table, watched over by a coco-bead chandelier from Palecek, offers idyllic views of the creek and the Ravenel Bridge.Style & Simplicity: A minimalist kitchen is accented by mid-century modern stools from Design Within Reach, while the usual cooking accoutrements can be found in the butler’s pantry, right off the kitchen.Painted with Sherwin Williams’s brilliant “Rainstorm” and illuminated by the Urban Electric “Jackson” light fixture, the cabinetry by Spartina Kitchens is furnished with custom brass fittings.Beachy Boudoirs: The master bedroom is filled with colors inspired by the scenery outside.Anne Darby Parker paintings of Shem Creek from the Charleston Artist Collective complete the circle of reflections from outside in.The McElveens’ youngest daughter’s bedroom boasts eye-catching fabrics, from the custom-made bench in the Galbraith & Paul “Seville Tile” print in the master to the linen headboard with matching blue Quadrille bed skirt.A Pop of Color: The daughters share this remodeled bathroom, which was redesigned to afford a much larger shower space, complete with a bench and finished in subway tile from Melcer Tile. Custom cabinetry from Spartina Cabinets is offset by the Benjamin Moore “Simply White” wall color and illuminated by a vanity light in polished nickel from Carolina Lanterns.Timeless Teak: Family and friends can relax on the gazebo’s custom Teak Hut sectional, brightened by Bastideaux Artisan Textiles’ “Napili” pillows in “lagoon linen” and “Vertex Linen” outdoor pillows from Ryan Studio.Closer to the home, teak lounge chairs from Kingsley Bate’s St. Tropez collection are sheltered by a white canvas Tucci umbrella.A weathered teak trestle dining table with concrete top and teak and mesh chairs, all from Restoration Hardware, promise to survive the elements while providing the perfect perch for soaking up vistas or enjoying cocktails and dinner with friends.

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Shem Creek Chic - How one couple transformed an ornate ’90s house into a modern waterfront oasis
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