by Lydia Somerville | Photography by Gordon Beall
When Janet and Jim Trebilcock bought a piece of land in Debordieu, South Carolina, they naturally turned to Charlotte Comer, the Dallas designer who had worked on their primary residence. “She was a great asset in choosing colors and accessories,” says Janet Trebilcock. “She introduced me to great kitchen cabinetry designers, lighting specialists, and linen sources.” In contrast to the rigorously traditional English style of their Dallas home, this vacation retreat features an easy mix of antiques and contemporary pieces, mingled with a few oddities.
Early in the process, the Trebilcocks took their design team up in a cherry picker at the building site to give them vantage points for the second and third stories of the future house. Working with architect Shane Rogers and builder Bill Singleton, Comer set about creating a structure in keeping with the area’s Lowcountry architecture. The first floor, at ground level, holds the foyer and guest rooms, while the second and third floors, with access to sea breezes, comprise the main living and entertaining spaces and the master bedroom. The loosely Southern Tidewater house features plentiful balconies adorned with a decorative railing that Comer is especially proud of. “When we traveled, we would drive around looking at railings. We found this one in Wilmington, North Carolina,” she says. “I think it really makes the house.”
Inside, another important historic design element is the back-to-back interior fireplace. Facing the breakfast room on one side and a sitting room on the other, the fireplace is the focal point for the entire main level. Throughout, Comer kept the palette monochromatic to better showcase the mix of traditional pieces juxtaposed with industrial and modern pieces. In the dining room, a metal console and a display of art glass play nicely with classic cane-back chairs and a traditional wood dining table.
Gathering spaces cater to the extended family the Trebilcocks frequently host. On the ground level, in addition to four guest rooms, is a lounge designed for young guests. Sofas upholstered in red indoor/outdoor fabric create a low-maintenance hangout, and industrial touches like the reclaimed-wood wall cabinet add a note of downtown chic. On the second level, the grown-ups have their own living room, complete with a brushed-metal fireplace surround and a concrete hearth.
In the dining room, opposite, a modern industrial console from Brendan Bass sits under a collection of art glass. A tall table with bar stools serves as a breakfast area. The large kitchen is made for entertaining and cooking for a crowd. Kitchen designer Helene Terry broke the room into a beverage zone, a food-prep zone, and a cleanup zone to minimize log jams. Notes of aqua and grass green enliven the hearth room, below. Chairs covered in Cowtan & Tout fabric flank a sofa and coffee table from Brendan Bass in Dallas.
Comer made impactful use of wood finishes on the main level, with a hardwood floor stained a greenish gray and pine-paneled ceilings inspired by the natural Lowcountry landscape. Splashes of aqua and grass green reflect the nearby ocean and marshes, both on view from the house’s balconies. “From one side of the house, you overlook the marsh, and from the other, you have an ocean vista,” says Comer, proving that ride in the cherry picker was indeed beneficial. With consideration for the site, regional history, the landscape, and her clients’ wishes, Comer helped the Trebilcocks design a house that suits their current wish list and will also offer sanctuary for their extended family for years to come.
You can find more photos of Charlotte Comer’s Lowcountry designs in our newest issue of Southern Home magazine.
