Text: Jeanne de Lathouder
Photos: Rebecca Lehde of Inspiro 8 Studios
A spectacular modern outlier perched along the shores of South Carolina’s coveted Lake Keowee, this breathtaking property wows the beholder at first glance with its majestic views. Located in an exclusive enclave called The Landing at Keowee Springs—a posh community amid The Cliffs—the undeveloped lot surprisingly did not reveal the scope of its wow power during the initial site walk.
“In the summer, the leaves fill up the potential views for an uncleared lot,” says Jeremy Driskell, the project’s lead architect and studio director at MHK Architecture in Greenville. “Our client, the owners of South Street Partners and the developers of The Cliffs communities, asked us to design a home that maximizes views and has a modern design that stands out from the rest of the homes typically built on Lake Keowee. It wasn’t until after walking down to the water’s edge, past the tall trees, that the primary views became clear—dramatic lake vistas to the Blue Ridge Mountains beyond.”
However, this specific view was not simply obtained from situating the house facing front to back but instead poised at an angle. Using site pictures and aerial photography, Driskell generated a bubble diagram to put the pieces of the puzzle together. A driveway coming down on the left side of the property to the motor court set up a perpendicular view of the water and mountains through the great room’s massive glass expanse of windows. This living space and the kitchen—the most heavily used rooms in the home—needed to have the primary views angled toward the mountains, which then set off a chain reaction for the remaining footprint of the house.
“To ensure impactful views from within, a corner accordion door system seemed to fit that piece of the puzzle,” says Driskell. “When opened, they offer a wide, unimpeded horizontal view from the corner of the fireplace to the opposing edge of the outdoor living columns. It truly is panoramic.”
The doors also incorporate the outdoor living area with the indoor living spaces, creating a seamless connection to nature. “Personally, I feel that designing on Lake Keowee is an architect’s playground,” notes Driskell, “because of the variable topography and undeveloped potential views of the blue-green waters with the mountains beyond.”
The terrace level had the same design goal—to create dynamic vistas out over the lake to the mountains. Therefore, it was natural for Driskell to position the rec room in the same format as the great room above. There is a transition from the stairs directly into the rec room, where a bar area forces the focus out past the pool to the reflections of the mountains off the lake.
“We were thrilled with the results of this project,” the architect adds. “The unassuming front facade yields a sneaky big home boasting nearly 5,000 square feet of conditioned space with a pool, spa, and three-car garage.”
The interior color scheme was carefully chosen to complement the natural surroundings, with muted tones creating a calm and tranquil atmosphere throughout the home. “The simplistic style of the interior design perfectly matches the contemporary architecture of the property,” says interior designer Meghan Thigpen, who partnered with Courtney Wier, the director of interiors at Cheatham Fletcher Scott, based in Augusta, Georgia. “It allows the outdoors and the beautiful lakefront view to take center stage. This truly is a spectacular property, designed with entertaining and relaxation in mind—and it certainly delivers on both counts.”
With unlimited creative freedom, the design team worked closely with the architect to ensure the same style was reflected throughout the interior of the property. “With the exterior design boasting a minimalist aesthetic, we sought to replicate this inside the home,” adds Thigpen. This approach enabled her team to employ techniques such as disguising the pantry door as a cabinet, which provided the kitchen with a sleek, streamlined look. Meanwhile, in the primary bathroom, they were keen to create a sense of drama while still maintaining a simplistic feel. To achieve this, they designed a custom vanity crafted from quartz that impeccably complements the concrete tub, resulting in a breathtakingly beautiful space.
“I believe that soft, neutral color palettes lend a timeless and elegant backdrop to any modern home, especially when mixed with pattern, texture, contemporary furnishings, and meaningful objects,” notes Thigpen. “Throughout the home, we used a Southern staple—linen. We love the relaxed feel it brings to the home. By using these design techniques, a contemporary space can feel cozy and warm. My passion for the style of this project lies in our overall ability to blend traditional Southern design elements with modern aesthetics.”
Additionally, the team incorporated nubby fabrics such as wool and bouclé to add texture and dimension to the design. They also integrated natural elements, including wood and stone finishes, throughout the space to further create an inviting atmosphere.
“The minute we first saw this location, we knew the house we built had to be exceptional to take full advantage of the unobstructed mountain and sunset views,” says Chris Calloway, vice president of operations at The Cliffs, who oversaw the build. “The finished product is dramatic and creates a seamless feeling of indoor/outdoor living in the trees with an unrivaled view of the lake. This home is the epitome of a dream vacation retreat.”
