Home: Modern Marshfront

Real estate agent Taylor Charpia knows plenty about coastal living. Born and raised in Summerville, he not only sells the Lowcountry’s finest luxury homes but also renovates and builds one or two projects each year in the area. His latest newly constructed home, a marshfront modern residence on James Island, was intended to be his personal residence with partner James Rogers. During the construction process with real estate development firm and luxury waterfront homebuilder Foster Calvin Development, however, they stumbled upon an historic Summerville home that beckoned Taylor back to his roots. He decided to finish the James Island home, including a six-figure landscaping installation planned by his father, Randy Charpia, and installed by Charleston Landscape, before listing it for sale.

“We were not planning to buy a home, as we were already settled in downtown Charleston,” says new homeowner Kate Richardson, who bought the waterfront home with her husband, David Hanley. “We came to see the home and were amazed; it was not what we were expecting. We reached out to Taylor to sell our downtown home and then bought this private estate.”

“I put a lot of thought into planning this home since it was originally going to be for my family,” Charpia says. “It was ironic that neither party was actually planning on moving.”

The homeowners appreciate the unique architecture of the island home. Three separate structures are connected by a screened porch and an elevated walkway—the main house with an open living room, kitchen and dining area, and a primary suite; a two-bedroom guest house; and a casita with a kitchenette, a bedroom, and a bathroom. The layout provides a flexible home that can expand or contract as needed to accommodate guests. “The architect designed the home’s three separate living quarters to easily convert to two,” Charpia explains.“David turned the casita into the perfect home office,” Richardson explains. “And the guest quarters have a beautiful marsh view like the main part of the house.”

Architecture Meets Nature

The homeowners also acknowledge the thought and intentional planning that went into the home’s fixed finishes. “Taylor created a modern home with so many details,” Richardson says. “He also included a lot of beautiful stone. The details are exquisite, blending with the outside environment without detracting from the views.”

The main home features soaring ceilings with exposed wooden beams and a modern gas fireplace set into a plaster surround that warms the open-concept living room, kitchen and dining area. Two large sets of glass sliders capture wooded and marsh views and lead to the home’s elevated outdoor dining and lounge spaces on an Ipe deck—a must for a waterfront home. Clerestory windows set into the wall provide additional natural light into the space.

“I’m obsessed with design,” says Richardson, who elected to handle the interior design herself. “I wanted to achieve a calm feeling and reiterate the in-out flow of the home.” She peppered the interiors with soft fabrics, organic forms, natural textures and finishes, and plenty of potted plants to underscore the surrounding exterior environment. An organically shaped coffee table in the living room, for instance, combines with teak furniture and rattan-backed counter stools at the kitchen island to bring natural textures inside the main living space. She sourced all new furnishings for the home, since her previous traditional home’s furniture was not a style match.

“We sold the historic home furnished so we could start over with contemporary furniture and accessories that matched this home’s architectural style,” she says.

Fixed finishes originally added by Charpia during construction—such as wooden ceiling beams, character-grade wide floor planks throughout the open space, and textured plaster finishes as accents—add to the nature-themed ambience. Imported marble countertops and backsplash in the kitchen are expressive with bold veining.

Richardson’s chosen color palette adds another dose of tranquility. “Soft, creamy whites, blues, and lots of live greenery pull the view inside,” she says. “Downtown living was busy and fast-paced. This home is relaxing and quiet and has changed our lifestyle.”

Consummate Marshfront Living

From the huge covered porch or the firepit that is steps down into the landscaped backyard, the homeowners can look over the marsh and see dolphins, birds, and the other wildlife that inhabit the perennial grasses and the tidal creek that forms when it’s high tide. “Coming from Toronto, Canada [their hometown], this is all new for us to see. Every day is exciting,” she says.

The surrounding landscape and hardscape include extensive plants designed and installed by the professional landscaping team, including zoysia grass, an automatic custom-made cedar gate at the driveway’s entrance, a fountain, outdoor lighting, and an irrigation system.

Richardson loves the unobstructed, long-range views from the main living area but says there are also marsh views from the primary suite and the guest quarters. While she let David handle the aesthetics of his workspace, aka the casita, she brought a similar nature-infused design ethos into the guest wing. She added special touches for guests, including a wall of built-in shelving at the top of the stairs that she curated with soft blue, white, and rattan accessories to mingle with the books.

Even though Charpia had completed construction before the homeowners first saw the home, they knew it was a perfect fit for them. “It is such a cool house,” the homeowner says. “Just totally different from what we have ever lived in before.”

“This home is the ultimate in coastal lifestyle, with privacy and serenity, on elevated land above the marsh, and perfectly located steps from the boat landing where the homeowners can be on the waterways to Kiawah Island, 

Folly Beach, or Johns Island within minutes,” Charpia says. 

To learn more about Taylor Charpia Real Estate, visit callingcharlestonhome.com.