This streamlined Lowcountry home is set off Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant, SC.
See how the family of 6 made it a perfect fit for them.
“My husband dreamed of being on the water, and we fell in love with this lot.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullins
We’re drawn to older areas where kids can run around,” says owner Maggie Bullwinkel.
Their third child was 9 months old when they moved in.
Maggie refers to her then-infant sidekick as “my design assistant.”
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanches; Styling: Page Mullins
While the Bullwinkels had renovated and sold houses before, this one would be a keeper.
“It had great bones.
We loved the back porch and knew this could be our forever home,” Maggie says.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullin
“Family dinners are a priority,” she says.
What was previously a formal dining room, adjacent to the kitchen, became the kids' playroom.
They removed an attached garage to make way for a new mudroom/laundry area off the kitchen.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullins
“It’s basically where I live,” quips Maggie.
“I love that we really do live in each space,” Maggie says.
“We use it all.”
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullins
Brighten It Up
A monochrome kitchen keeps Maggie happy.
“It helps to have a clean look in a busy room,” she says.
Namibia marble countertops andBenjamin Moore’s Simply White (OC-117)paint make her kitchen a calming space.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullins
Plus, they allow the Hampton Faucet by Waterstone to shine as the statement piece.
Hunter bumped out the eating nook to add windows on all sides, inviting in sunlight and creek views.
“I love how the vintage-reproduction chairs are movable and sculpturally interesting from whatever angle.”
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Page Mullins
“We didn’t want to distract from the view,” she says.
Wicker chairs from CB2 add natural texture, and a fun Annie Selke rug anchors the blue tones.
Floor-to-ceiling screens and a vaulted ceiling help the porch feel cool in summer.
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: page Mullins
Adjacent to that, they created an outdoor kitchen and entertaining area.
A metal roof, green trim, and white siding tie the shed to the main house.
Stretch Family Space
“I love the playroom right off the kitchen.
It’s our cuddle area,” says Maggie.
A big barn door can be closed to contain toys and messes.
Control Clutter
Maggie believes that tidiness is key, even in the playroom.
Each child has (and uses!)
a designated toy-and-book basket, and a rotating gallery helps solve the what-to-do-with-endless-kids'-art dilemma.
Invite Some Drama
" ‘Are you sure about going this showy?’
“I love how the boldness brings you in.”
Custom cabinets add extra pantry space.
Each kid has their own space for coats and bags in the blue storage wall.
