New Bones, Old Style: A Luxury Home Renovation In Wild Dunes; Part 2

Bill and Joanne Lehman's home in Wild Dunes is getting a facelift; it now has all-new stucco and windows. — Bill and Joanne Lehman’s home in Wild Dunes is getting a facelift; it now has all-new stucco and windows.

Along Ocean Point Drive, a residential street in Wild Dunes Resort, you can find gorgeous family homes overlooking the Carolina coast, .driveways lined with palm trees and plenty of front porches. You’ll also find that one of those homes is currently under construction.

Bill and Joanne Lehman purchased an opulent but outdated home in the Isle of Palms neighborhood. Although they knew that their new home would need a few interior touch-ups, it came as a complete surprise when they discovered the extensive damage to the home.

According to Jeremy Willis, project manager at Low Country Contractors, the bones of the house are in good shape. However, there was significant water damage throughout the house. The stucco covering the exterior of the house also had to be replaced, and none of the windows were strong enough to protect against South Carolina’s intense coastal weather.

But the biggest issue, however, was what Low Country Contractors found within the walls of the home: termites. Jeremy Blackstock, the owner of Low Country Contractors, said that, “We work on termite-damaged homes all the time. It’s very common for the area.” Low Country Contractors works with entomologists to study and perfect methods of eradicating and repairing termite damage to ensure their clients have the highest quality service.

For several months now, Low Country Contractors has been hard at work simultaneously correcting the structural damage and creating a new, modern interior while still preserving the charm of the original design. Interior designer Katherine Brickell has been working with the Lehmans to refurbish their home within budget.

According to Blackstock, “the home hadn’t been updated since it was originally built, but the Lehmans are doing some really nice upgrades to the property. I think it’s going to be one of the most beautiful homes on the Isle of Palms once it’s complete.”

Halfway through the renovation, the Lehman’s vision is starting to come to life. Modern gold light fixtures and bright white walls and counters refresh the original layout, making it both functional and stylish. Most of the old flooring is now gone, waiting to be replaced with all-new hardwood and carpeting to match the home’s new style.

The most noticeable change, however, is the color of the home. For years, the exterior was sage green, but after Low Country Contractors noticed cracks in the stucco, the Lehmans opted to replace it. Now, the home is covered in an eye-catching bluish green stucco, matching the ocean views behind it.

“The neatest thing about it is the lot. The lot has incredible views. When you take a house like this and completely redo it, it’s going to be one of the best,” said Blackstock.