How the pandemic has changed the shape of coastal custom homes and respective owners’ lifestyles..

The home feature we’ve all come to know as the Lowcountry “great room” had evolved into a comfy, carefree centerpiece of versatile living space until recently. For many families it’s now overcrowded with remote workstations, virtual learning pods and workout screens, the result of quarantined living during the past year. With its new role as “command central,” the once-beloved family gathering spot has been replaced by new novel home spaces. Some of these might surprise you, however not if you consider the goal. Family members are seeking to escape to alternate spaces to relax, unwind and pursue passions and pastimes.

Custom Builder Ron Boshaw says requests for special home amenities are definitely on the rise. “Not only are there more families relocating to the Southeast from congested urban areas, but there are also more owners who are looking for resortcaliber features in their new homes,” he pointed out. Boshaw has accommodated their wishes with elegant, screened porches featuring fireplaces, sleek swimming pools with elevated hot tubs, outdoor gazebos and cabanas, illuminated multi-level terraces, fully-equipped outdoor kitchens and even an authentic Italian pizza oven.

Stephanie Santos, husband Scott Songer and their three daughters moved from Washington, DC, to a waterfront Moss Creek home build by Boshaw Residential just months ago. The transition has been smooth thanks to a flexible open floor plan complete with plenty of indoor-outdoor living options, resort-style pool and cascading hot tub plus “the private dock makes this property feel like a self-contained mini-destination,” Boshaw said.

Santos agrees that the extended indoor space and outdoor amenities have been welcome relocation perks, especially after a year of quarantining. “Our girls can find their own spaces for studies, time with friends or simply taking a break from routines,” explained Stephanie. She mentioned that originally the rear elevation of their waterfront home included a screened-in porch. However, she and Scott decided to enclose it with screened windows so the family would have even more year-round space for spreading out.

“The timing of our move was really perfect since our new home is loaded with recreational options for our three busy athletic girls,” Stephanie added. “They can spend time in the pool or launch their kayaks off the dock for a sunset paddle.” Quarantined or not, the Songer-Santos family is looking forward to long summer days immersed in the Lowcountry.

Meanwhile Oldfield homeowners Mike and Betsy Hills barely noticed the pandemic once they moved into their home. After unpacking and decorating, Mike Hills got busy with his custom pizza oven, a Mugnaini (Model 100) imported from Naples. “We asked Ron Boshaw to incorporate it on our screened porch and he and his team constructed a large sturdy base to support the heavy woodburning clay oven,” Hills said.

“The pizza oven actually adds unexpected ambience to the great room, with the rolling flames glowing across from the sliding doors,” Boshaw noted. “Plus it’s a nice diversion from the kitchen crowd or traditional grilling in the backyard.”

Hill says he delivered homemade pizza to one of his neighbors on Super Bowl Sunday. He also shared his signature pizza with Oldfield’s fitness trainer and security director. With the pandemic in place, the Hills’ meeting and greeting access might have been limited. “We’ve definitely made new friends thanks to the pizza oven,” Hills admitted. Among his most popular toppings are prosciutto, arugula and shaved parmesan or caramelized onions and roasted red peppers.

Boshaw said the Hills thought carefully about unique amenities their family would enjoy during the holidays, special occasions and even in case of future quarantined living. They added a refrigerated wine wall to the kitchen pantry where the inventory seems endless. They also added a bunk room upstairs so their daughters and future grandkids can get away to their own spaces to pursue hobbies or pastimes.

“Lately I’ve even had a number of clients ask me to upgrade their existing indoor-outdoor amenities,” Boshaw said. He and team breathed new life into a well-established Okatie retreat by adding a stateof-the-art pool and hot tub with a sweeping pool deck, modern pool house, stone firepit and spacious furnished pergola. “We suspect the trend to leverage lowcountry luxury in the comfort of your home will continue along with the postpandemic migration to our coastal corner of the world.”