"Cooking With Character" Houzz Feature

One of our absolute FAVORITE kitchens was featured again recently on the popular design idea website, Houzz!.  If you've been following Structures Building Company for a while, you've no doubt heard about or seen images of our beautiful, award winning Coastal Living Idea Home completed in 2009.  (If not, check out these blog posts!)  The home was featured in Coastal Living Magazine and this amazing kitchen has been featured (and tweeted, and pinned, and liked...) since its debut!  We love it, and greatly appreciate the attention it continues to receive.  Check out the recent Houzz feature, Cooking with Character, HERE!

 

(photo by Tria Giovan)

Reason To Celebrate!

L-R - CTHBA Board Member - Anne Svetlik, SBC Owner - Steve Kendrick,
SBC Designer - Deborah Way & CTHBA Treasurer, Andy Barber

We are excited to announce that our team just received two Pinnacle awards at the Home Builders Association of SC's annual convention! Both awards were given to us for the Coastal Living Idea Cottage. This was the first year we submitted any of our homes on a state level, so you can imagine how awesome it was to hear "Structures Building Company" announced twice during the evening of the Celebration of Excellence!

We received our first award for Green Building - Best Overall and the second award was Green Building - Most Energy Efficient. While we would say we're a "green" builder, our definition of what it means to be green is often very different than what most envision. Green building to us doesn't necessarily mean bamboo floors and dual flush toilets as the buzz word suggests, though we can install those if you'd like. Rather green building to us is actually a healthier, more sustainable and durable way to build a quality home that will withstand Charleston's hot and humid environment. Most of the things that make our homes "green" aren't visible to the eye once the sheetrock goes up, instead they're actually incorporated in design and construction methods. We love taking the time to educate our clients on the different techniques. That way they are able to understand firsthand the science behind it and then choose different construction methods that we have adopted as our standard way of truly protecting the sustainability of their high performance home.

Over six years ago, Steve actually "stumbled" into green building. His vision since 1999 has always been and will continue to be the pursuit of building each home to the highest standard of excellence. According to Webster's dictionary the definition of pinnacle is the "highest point of development and achievement possible". I think it would be a fair and true statement to say that each home we are privileged to build, we build to the highest point of development and achievement possible!

To read more about our philosophy of Building Science click here.

Annual Prism Awards

Each year, we look forward with great anticipation to the Prism Awards. The 22 year old tradition was hosted by the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association on September 24th. This year they presented awards to local home builders and agents who exceed standards in product quality, marketing, new home sales and customer service. The Structures Team aims to build a quality product, no matter the size or budget, that exceeds the expectations along with an incredible building experience that leaves the client raving and surprised that the process could be so fun!

This year, Steven Kendrick was honored with the Green Building award for our Coastal Living Idea Cottage located in I'On Village, Mount Pleasant. Along with the Green Building Award, we received the Single Family Best Product in the 500-700k category.

Too early to begin working towards the awards for 2011? The Structures Team is already preparing for the 23rd Prism Awards as we know that it doesn't come through just an entry submission, but rather a continued dedication to building on the foundation of integrity, which in turn translates into an excellent product and a satisfied client!

Curled Up at the Cottage

I often take for granted the quiet moments to sit, reflect or simply read a good book... Its one of those things I have to plan and not just assume will happen.

After the Coastal Living open house today and one more late showing from a couple from out of town, I decided that pulling out my book and plopping on the couch would be perfect for an hour... Nothing like relaxing in a beautiful space, hearing the fountain in the courtyard, and reading beside the fire, if only I didn't have to go home...

Girls Gone Wild

Leave it to Angie Hranowsky, interior designer for the 2009 Coastal Living Idea Cottage, to pack out Hot Wheels roller skating rink to rock out her 40th birthday!








Everyone came out to celebrate her life as well as accept the challenge of putting on roller skates to make it around the rink without breaking their neck! No one ended up in the emergency room, but there were plenty of ice packs handed out by the men working that night as mature women ended up on their duffs, knees and who knows what. :-) But that didn't keep them from going back out for another dose of skating, or for those who were too injured to skate, they took up sock dancing in the middle of the rink.


As I told Angie, I think some of these women literally drop their kids off at school and head to the roller skating rink on a weekly basis - some of them were waaaaaay too good for just slipping on those skates for the first time since childhood. Unlike me, my feet had not stepped foot in roller skates since I was probably 8 years old. . . I'll admit, I did play out the story I'd have to tell if I had broken a bone roller skating, would have been a memorable one to tell I'm sure. Much to my surprise but excitement, I made it out without a fall!













The fun skating party wouldn't have been complete without also enjoying one of Angie's favorite treats, an incredible birthday cake from the local downtown Charleston Sugar Bakeshop, on Cannon Street.

Glad someone thought to have a skate party in the double digits, though she DID put us all to to shame with her skating skills! :-) Happy Birthday Angie!

Coastal Living Idea Cottage - Kitchen Video Tour & More. . .

Soak in the beautiful details that Lindsey Ellis Beatty, Coastal Living Market and Style Editor,will point out that went into this beautiful design. I remember when designer, Angie Hranowsky showed us the Ann Sacks designer tile for the kitchen wall - completely steals the show!



Check out other videos below that take you room by room through the Idea Cottage and a little tour of I'On Village where it's located! (videos are highlighted in red)

Enjoy the Overview of I'On Village to see the great landscape that surrounds the Jefferson Canal Courtyards where the 2009 Coastal Living Idea Cottage was the first among 10 that will
be built in the heart of I'On Village along the Jefferson Canal.

Come tour through the Exterior and Courtyard details that set this right-sized cottage apart. Many minds have been working tirelessly to figure out how we can make it a low maintenance home that will stand the test of time. From Hardi siding, AAC block, and countless other "green" features that save on energy, efficiency and the wallet! Forget a home that's just "green" but also one that lends itself to a relaxed, simplified and comfortable lifestyle too. A private courtyard for calm evenings or lively parties - yours to decide!

The Master Bedroom is a great getaway that overlooks the Jefferson Canal as well as the private courtyard!

You won't know where to look over dinner in the Dining Room. The bottle cap artwork by Molly B. Right, draws a crowd, as well as the peaceful courtyard with the soothing sound that flows from the fountain along the stucco wall.

The Guest Suite is a hidden haven above the attached garage. Angie Hranowsky did an amazing job creating a soothing environment through the comfortable furnishings and colors that makes you want to sit down and stay for awhile.

Overlooking the Jefferson Canal Courtyard is the cozy Den. Grab the book you've been meaning to finish or curl up and watch a little T.V. in a space that can be closed off with pocket doors. Designed to be a "flex space", the den can also be turned into a 3rd bedroom option as it has direct access to a full bath. If you don't just love the novel idea of a fun sleeping nook, no worries, it can be turned into a walk-in closet, small office or wet bar.

Decorating Small Spaces? This cottage is chocked full of creative ideas in architecture and decorating details that are Caribbean/Island inspired. A beautiful mix of neutral and bold colors, vintage and modern - a new little twist to our beautiful Low Country!

If you missed an opportunity to tour through the home, please call us to schedule a private tour - we'd love the privilege of showing you around! 843.856.6901

Coastal Living Idea Cottage - October Edition is Soon To Be Out!

Monday was off to a great start, but little did I know that my quick trip to my personal PO Box would make Monday even sweeter! I reached in my box to pull out the long awaited October edition of Coastal Living magazine! I eagerly flipped through the pages to find the 2009 Idea Cottage we, (Structures Building Company) had the privilege of building was now staring me back in the face. Pages 35-55 show how the details were beautifully photographed by Tria Giovan. Tria flew down back in July and we've been holding our breath waiting to see this edition! The Coastal Living staff and local team did an amazing job from start to finish on this entire project, what a great little souvenir to say the least! This edition should hit the newsstands later this week. . . pick it up for some really fun and fresh ideas! Special thanks to Editor in Chief, Lindsey Bierman, Bill McDougald, VP, Southern Progress Homes Group, Nicole Hendrick, Idea Home Manager, and all many others from the Coastal Living team, Melissa Bigner, Freelance Writer for Coastal Living magazine, Tom and Vince Graham, Angie Hranowsky, local interior designer, Historical Concepts, Kerns Landscape Architects, Helen Geer of William Means and her incredible Sales and Marketing team and countless national and local sponsors! Hope you enjoy seeing how all your hard work has paid off!

Nothing Was Going To Rain On Our Parade (Or In This Case, Our Party)

Admiring Bottle Cap Artwork by Molly B. Right.

Chad Besenfelder, Geoff Graham and Steve Kendrick

"Over and above what we expected" is the best way to sum up the Coastal Living Idea Cottage party! After months of planning, every detail of the house was ready for its first debut- the tent arrived (and then a second tent, as it appeared that the clouds and rain would be our uninvited guest) caterer and steel drummer were ready to go, and five minutes after the start of the party, sprinkles began to fall from the sky. We all thought it would affect the attendance, but we estimate that close to 300 guests arrived to take in this beautiful home and celebrate alongside us!Peeking into the Sleeping Nook from the cozy Den
Enjoying the Festivities

Every direction you could see people all around, enjoying themselves and taking in the beautiful colors, designs and decor that local designer, Angie Hranowsky dreamed up for the Caribbean style home. Not to mention the attention to architectural detail by acclaimed, Historical Concepts and beautiful private courtyard design by Kerns Landscape Architecture.The Complete Coastal Living Idea Cottage team. (Left to right, Hutch Kerns and Tamra Graham from Kerns Landscape Architecture, Vince Graham, Nicole Hendrick, Idea Home Manager, Lindsay Bierman, Editor in Chief, Bill McDougald, VP, Southern Progress Homes Group, Melissa Bigner, Freelance Writer for Coastal Living magazine, Angie Hranowsky, Interior Designer, Deborah Way, Structures Building Company Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Steve Kendrick, Owner of Structures Building Company, Dave Hargis, Structures Building Company Project Manager, Kevin Clark, Historical Concepts, Rebecca Guertin, Historical Concepts and Dan Osborne, Historical Concepts)

We can't thank the Coastal Living magazine staff enough for making the trip to Charleston for the great celebration, Lindsay Bierman, Editor in Chief, Bill McDougald, VP, Southern Progress Homes Group, Sara Anderson, Executive Editor, Julia Rutland, Senior Editor -Food, Margaret Barnhart, Southeast Account Manager, Corinne Brown, Southeast Director -Travel/Real Estate and Nicole Hendrick, Idea Home Manager who lead so beautifully from start to finish!Lyles and Helen Geer, William Means Real Estate

Deborah Way, Structures Building Company, Tiffany Shanklin and Heidi Stroup of William Means Real Estate

Special thanks to Coastal Living magazine and William Means Real Estate for throwing an amazing party! Helen Lyles Geer, you have an incredible team that planned and took care of every detail from start to finish! We couldn't have done it without the countless hours of Drew Grossklaus, Heidi Stroup, Tiffany Shanklin and Sharon Jackson!

From start to finish, it's been an absolute success! Already the tours are under way and have been well attended for the first two weekends! Don't forget to plan a time to swing by to soak up some fresh ideas and support two amazing charities, East Cooper Habitat for Humanity and East Cooper Montessori Charter School. You may find that you just want to move right in!

Structures Building Company Team (Left to right, Amy Jenkinson, Accountant, Kristy Gorsuch, Design Manager, Steve Kendrick, Owner, Deborah Way, Sales and Marketing Coordinator, R.P. Newton, Production Manager and Dave Hargis, Project Manger)

photography by juliet elizabeth photography

Rub a Dub Dub, Three Men In A Tub

In construction there are ALWAYS different hiccups, but we like to surround ourselves with a teams of problem-solvers! Mark Riling and his amazing team, William and Eric of East Coast Plumbing and Gas, showed up bright and early with an idea and a solution to our challenge. Relentless to help us achieve a our standard of excellence along with their standard, we found 3 grown men in a tub, well, not really, that's a mental picture we can definitely do without!

High-end architect offers plans for budget conscious - The Post and Courier

High-end architect offers plans for budget conscious - The Post and Courier

Shared via AddThis

Coastal Living Idea Cottage - Den Room Video Tour

Talented designer, Angie Hranowsky brought a bold and fun idea to the den through a beautiful and cozy plum that makes you want to curl up on the couch with one of the hundreds of books found on the floor to ceiling built-ins or watch a movie on a quiet evening. While it is a den, this flex room has the option to be used as a downstairs 3rd bedroom with access to full bathroom. The den also enjoys the views of the Jefferson Canal located in the heart of I'On Village.



structures.net

Hats Off

Rendering for Coastal Living was done by Muir Stewart

Hats off to the incredible team that made the 2009 Coastal Living Idea Cottage possible. This custom home is located along the Jefferson Canal, right in the heart of I'On Village, Mount Pleasant, SC. Building a high-end custom home in 4 1/2 months is a huge feat! I know my Structures team - they're always up for a challenge. I'd be remiss if I didn't say that we couldn't have done it without our loyal team of suppliers and trades that really stepped up to the plate to bring it altogether on such a short build schedule. Thanks to everyone for such a successful project!

Kind Words From Coastal Living

“It has been nothing short of a wonderful experience to work with Structures on our 2009 Idea Cottage. This program is run on an extremely accelerated schedule and the Structures team far exceeded our expectations without compromising any aspect of the quality or design of the cottage. They were always timely, proficient in their work and so great to communicate with, all which made the building process stress-free, something that definitely keeps a smile on my face.”

Nicole Hendrick ~ Idea Home Manager for Coastal Living Magazine

What does New York City, Athens, Greece, Havana, Cuba and Mount Pleasant, South Carolina Have In Common?

Tria Giovan. . . she has an incredible reputation for her amazing photos she's taken all over the U.S. and overseas! Her work has been featured in Metropolitan Home, Mish New York, Traditional Home, Cottage Living, Tiffany & Co, Bon Appetit, Cooking Light and Coastal Living. (just to name a very few, take a look at her website to read of her accomplishments) Her work has also been exhibited in The Museum of Modern Art, The Brooklyn Museum, The Jewish Museum and The New York Public Library. We were privileged to have Tria right here in I'On Village, Mount Pleasant, SC to capture the beautiful shots of our 2009 Coastal Living Idea Cottage. Keep a lookout for the angles Tria was able to capture, inside and out in the 2009 October edition!

One Busy Week to Say the Least

The week started with Nicole Hendrick, Coastal Living Idea Home Manager, coming in from Alabama with interns, Kacy Eoff and Sarah Noel to stage the Idea Cottage for the photo shoot that is scheduled for June 29th-July 2nd. The Idea Home is the first of the 10 courtyard homes to be built in the canal project called the Jefferson Canal Courtyards.

Along with things hopping at the Idea Cottage, throughout the week we continued to wrap up some of the final details for David and Sandy Thomas on their newly renovated home on Kiawah Island. A punch out and Friday closing of our LEED certified I'On cottage located on 4 Perseverance Street for the new owner, Bruce Wofford. Along with a final walk-through with custom home clients, Van and Darlene Fischer for their new home on 8 Perseverance Street.

Exciting and a little hectic all at the same time, but completely worth it! We can't say enough great things about the newest members of the Structures Family!

Congrats to Dave Hargis

Congratulations Dave Hargis on your 4th year with Structures Building Company! You never cease to amaze us with your ability to juggle all the projects we hand to you with even keel and a sense of humor. Last year you met the challenge of overseeing and completing a Habitat house for Latoya and her two girls in one week, this year you successfully ran and completed the Coastal Living Idea Cottage in four and a half months. Does it make you wonder a little what I might hand you next year for your 5th anniversary? Here's to many more years Dave!

The Population on Perseverance Street is Growing

Just last month a closing took place on our 32 Perseverance Street home, located in I'On Village, Mount Pleasant, SC. This month, all you need to do is take a little stroll down to the end of the street to see that our LEED certified cottage on 4 Perseverance Street is now under contract! Kim Meyer, with Chuck Avera Keller Williams Realty has successfully landed both of these closings! The saying, "Three times a charm" is out as a little challenge for Kim to see if she will be the one to bring the 2009 Coastal Living Idea Cottage to the closing table. . . we shall see!

Coastal Living Idea Home is Now Officially on The Market

Now is your opportunity to buy into a simplified lifestyle on The Jefferson Canal that this beautiful cottage encourages. This custom home is built to the LEED for Homes standard which provides an energy efficient, healthier environment, and greater sustainablity for you today as well as the future. That "green" element comes coupled with our high standard for quality craftsmanship, attention to detail and a focus on the client that Structures has been known for since 1999. This cottage doubles as a haven to retreat or a home where you can open the doors for lively parties, could it be right for you?

Coastal Living idea Cottage Photo Journal

This 2009 Coastal Living Idea Cottage is changing face so quickly! The exterior details are wrapping up and the colors have gone up on the walls! Everything that's been on the plans or in our heads is finally becoming visible in this beautiful custom home!

The front master balcony that faces Jefferson Canal in the heart of I'On Village

Master Suite Balcony overlooking the soon to be private courtyard

Private courtyard looking into the main living area of the house - kitchen, family room and dining room

Guest Suite balcony over the attached garage looking into the courtyard

Foyer looking into the den

Den Built-ins

Den looking into the Sleeping Nook

Laundry Room

Master Bathroom Vanity

Hall looking into Guest Suite over the garage

Guest Suite Bedroom view looking into the bathroom and hall