At one of his most recent Oldfield custom builds, Ron Boshaw worked with owners to position their new home to capture the best views along the Okatie River, while crafting indoor spaces that complement their lifestyles.
What a difference the right home site can make. For years, Rick and Kay Adams called Great Falls, Virginia, home. The thriving Washington DC suburb was a good fit for their diverse careers (he’s an attorney, she’s a teacher) and a tight-knit neighborhood for raising their two children, Richard and Caroline. But they’ve also always had a strong connection with the South Carolina coast, dating back to their honeymoon on Kiawah Island almost four decades ago. “We’re outdoor people, with a passion for colorful sunsets, dolphins, birds and other wildlife,” Rick explained. “Lowcountry living clicks with us.”
Fast forward to 2020 and the lowcountry backdrop and coastal habitat are very much a part of the Adams’ daily routine as they settle into their sprawling new transitional lowcountry home along the shores of the Okatie River in Oldfield Plantation. “We wake to the most breathtaking sights and sounds,” Kay said. “After visiting a number of other coastal communities, we fell in love with Oldfield. Then we found our dream lot,” she adds.
The Adams’ southern slice of heaven meanders along lush marsh front and is dotted with clusters of Live Oak trees that provide an elaborate backyard canopy of twisting branches and wisps of Spanish moss. Rick and Kay chose Boshaw Residential to build their coastal haven, knowing he has a reputation for seamlessly blending floorplans with natural habitat. Ron took his skills to a new level at the Adams’ Carrier Bluff address. “Our goal is to leave nature’s footprint intact, especially when it comes to Live Oaks,” Ron shared. “These trees are steeped in legend and legacy for many South Carolinians, so we handle them with care.”
The classic clapboard-sided home features most of the living space on the first floor, including a spacious master suite and generous study, each at opposite ends of the open floorplan. “We wanted to keep the private living spaces secluded and away from the common areas where we gather and entertain,” Kay pointed out. “Both the master suite and study have direct access to rear outdoor porches.”
Rick’s study evolved with a natural interface to adjoining foyer, additional storage areas and stairway to the second level bonus room. The master bedroom suite also features a sweeping marsh views, foyer and is flanked by large walk in closets and laundry room. “These two more remote wings on either side of the great room are like symmetrical bookends, showcasing the focal point of the home, the great room,” Ron said. “We credit architect Pearce Scott with fully-capturing the spectacular backdrop through his design.”
Bright, airy and filled with abundant marsh views, the Adams’ great room encompasses a formal kitchen, large dining nook, gracious, elegant living room and a grand foyer. Tall windows and French doors abound. “The great room concept is new to me,” confessed Kay. “I’m used to a more traditional layout though I’m thrilled with this approach to our new lowcountry lifestyle,” she said. “We plan to host lots of casual gatherings with family and friends and the flow from inside to outdoor decks and porches will be lovely, especially in the spring and fall.”