Fresh New Look

This South Carolina couple transformed an old apartment house into a family home they love.

One of my favorite things to do is drive around and look at houses. When one stands out, I always wonder how it came to be the house it is today. A drive around Greenville, South Carolina, provides a special treat. Beautiful homes, on streets lined with oak trees, tell a story of their own. One house in particular tells a tale that surprised me.

The home of Lynne and Steve Hamontree had many previous owners or, rather, renters. Located in a historic neighborhood, the original quadraplex home served as a multi-family residence with four identical apartments. A major renovation in the 1980s converted the property to a single-family residence, but by the time Lynne and Steve purchased the home, it needed another update.

Mark Maresca, an architect who lives just blocks away, had done work on other homes in the area. The couple challenged him to give the structure style, substance, and a cozy feel.

Details, Details

Mark added thoughtful touches to the exterior. For instance, the front door soars to 8 feet (a standard door measures 6 feet, 8 inches) to create an even more welcoming presence to the entry. On the second story, full-size shutters are hinged in the center, making them stylish and operational.

The wraparound porch plays a big part in the home's exterior. Added during the previous renovation, it was accessible from the front door only, making the majority of the space useless. Mark exchanged windows for French doors, allowing the living and dining rooms to flow outside. He chose a russet red color for the French doors to warm the neutral tones of the home's exterior. The color ties in with the original broken tile-style porch floor in a terra-cotta hue. Now, when entertaining or relaxing at home, Lynne and Steve open the doors to let fresh air and bright light fill their entire home.

Come Inside

Indoors, the central staircase remains, but what used to be simply functional is now a sculptural element. By enlarging the cased openings to the living and dining rooms and allowing the stairs to gradually widen at the base, Mark created a grand appearance and opened up both rooms.

Big Space, Defined Use

The Hamontrees used every inch of their home. Fabrics in warm shades reflect the couple's sense of refined style without having a look-but-don't-touch feel. In the living and dining rooms, warm ivory walls pair with rich caramel ceilings. The walls make the rooms feel larger while providing a neutral background for the couple's collection of paintings. Artwork, accessories, and fabrics introduce punches of color throughout.

Library Dining

Mark added built-in bookcases at the far end of the dining room. The adjustable shelves are painted a Tuscan red, as are the backs of the cabinets, bringing another touch of color to the room. Large wing chairs offer a cozy spot to curl up with a book.

Antique brass sconces, mounted to the bookcases, provide additional lighting and highlight artwork hung directly on the structures. The paintings, done by Lynne, are colorful reminders of family trips.

The couple uses their dining room daily. The table features a unique crackle finish. What looks to be a black lacquered table is given an aged appearance with a red undercoat. Red toile slipcovers on the chairs provide a relaxed feel to the room and can be easily removed for laundering.

This former multifamily residence now reflects one family's sense of classic style. Apartment living has never been more appealing.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Feb 2004
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