This charming screened gatehouse greets visitors to the Beischel home on remote Dewees Island
Of Earth & Sea: A striking red “coral” chandelier by Villa Tosca Design in Italy hangs above a handcrafted dining table by Landrum Tables of North Charleston. The juxtaposition is the centerpiece of the Beischel family house on Dewees Island, designed by architect Myles Trudell to be a multigenerational home that’s comfortable, casually elegant, and infused with a sense of whimsy.
Lighten Up: The second floor embraces open-plan living with a large sitting room, dining room, and kitchen all flooded with natural light. The clean lines of modern furniture in a neutral color palette are enhanced by natural woods and pops of blue.
A painting by Ann Watcher depicting a marsh scene fills a large central wall where more light streams in from the rooftop deck
In the kitchen, the glass tile backsplash complements the pale blue kitchen island topped by a glossy quartzite counter.
DINNER A DEUX—OR MORE: The dining table extends into this breakfast nook, creating a space for everyday use, while providing plenty of room for a large family gathering when connected to the main table. The floors throughout are reclaimed heart pine from a former denim factory in North Carolina.
Soak it In: The primary bedroom is a simple space, where a wall of unshaded Henselstone tilt-and-turn windows, manufactured in Germany, allows the beauty of the surroundings to decorate the room and wake the couple naturally. “We’ve been getting in tune with nature out here,” says Toni. “We can tell what time it is by the position of the moon.”
Shades do grace the windows adjoining the cozy porch space, where their children, when visiting, like to play board games.
The en-suite bath features a glorious soaking tub.
Slumber party: The bunk room sleeps eight and is playfully designed as a space for both grandkids and grown-up children to share. Each bed has a cubby built into the wall with a light and an outlet, and a wall of lockers provides a spot for each guest to store their essentials.
VIEW FROM THE TOP: The rooftop deck is shielded from the neighbors while offering a spectacular view of the island’s unspoiled beach and a great spot for wildlife watching. The couple is working on renewing the landscaping with native plants such as sweetgrass, dune sunflower, and broom sedge.
“We came for the quiet and discovered this very nice community.” —Mark Beischel, homeowner
Among the Trees: The screened porch off the dining room is Toni’s favorite spot. Here, she likes to sip her morning coffee or retreat to read a book—which she can do in any season thanks to the fireplace. Every day, the couple ventures along the boardwalk to the beach, where they enjoy collecting shells and viewing the ample wildlife that call this maritime forest home.
Architect Myles Trudell designed the multigenerational home to feel open, but with “distinctive, discreet spaces”
