Floor Plans: Carolina Dreamin' - 6/6/2005 - Home Remodeling Interior Decorating Design

Floor Plans: Carolina Dreamin'
 

Nimphius Home — Advanced Custom Homes
(www.advancedhomes.us)

Building in an Idyllic Location: John Nimphius, of Advanced Custom Homes, Inc., came to Hilton Head, S.C., in the late 1990s to build the home of his dreams in the setting of his dreams ― on Hilton Head Island with its breathtaking vistas of the Intracoastal Waterway and the saltwater marshes that feed into it.

Four Floors of Elegance: To take full advantage of the setting, Nimphius built a four-story, four-bedroom townhouse in Windmill Harbour, a 172-acre private community of 500 residences. The home overlooks the centerpiece of the community, a 15-acre-inland harbor. (He has since built six more and lived in two of them.)

Soaring spiral staircase of entry foyer

An elegant spiral staircase off the foyer soars between the main living area and the bedroom level, with the master suite one floor above. Owners and guests can also get between floors in a one-person elevator.

The dining room, living room and kitchen with breakfast nook are on the main living area. French doors open from the living room and breakfast area onto a full-width covered porch at the rear of the home that, not coincidentally, overlooks the harbor.

The master suite on the bedroom level includes a 486-square-foot bedroom with two French doors opening onto another rear deck that overlooks the harbor and a breakfast bar. The master bath includes a spa tub, marble shower and his-and-her vanities. A 126-square-foot walk-in closet completes the master suite. The bedroom level also includes a laundry room and a second bedroom with private bath. The hall above the foyer leads to French doors that open to a full-width deck on the front of the home.

The top floor features two more bedrooms, each with private baths, and ample attic storage space.

The garage level features two bays (with room for up to three cars) and an office that opens onto a full width patio that also overlooks the harbor.

Termites and Flooding and Winds, Oh My! Nimphius did not want to rely on the area’s traditional building materials when building his home. He did not think they were substantial enough to withstand the rigors of coastal winds, floods and termites that were endemic to the region

After researching alternative building methods, Nimphius chose Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) from Reward Wall Systems. Not only did the construction process provide the strength and termite protection he desired, it provided soundproofing and fireproofing for the seven townhouses he has built in Windmill Harbor to date — and he was able to receive a substantial insurance discount as well.

Front entrance

Harbor view from master bedroom

Marble treatment in master bath

Main living area

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Master suite bedroom level

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Fourth-floor living area

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