Floors throughout are random width red oak. Bricks, duplicated in Columbia to look like old ones, make up the hearth that anchors the 11-foot high great room. But taking advantage of today's ingenuity, the fireplace is gas. The kitchen's center island is covered in soapstone, a practical throwback to Victorian days. It can be easily cleaned with mineral spirits, while scratches can be sanded out.

A deep old-fashioned double sink is great for today's pots. All major appliances are by Viking from Livingood's of Okatie. These include a dual fuel Viking range and a wine cooler built into the kitchen island. Cabinets are wood, painted spruce green. A powder room is off the hall. All solid surface counter tops are by Walsh Fabrications of Hardeeville, specialists for 22 years. The dining area, bumped out like an addition, is covered by the same cypress boards, but they are run vertically with pine stain instead of paint. It's a space that beckons everyone to sit down, chat and linger awhile.

At the entry's right is the laundry room. Here the lap siding, in off white, really gives the impression of an exterior area that was added to the main building. Shelving is supported by brackets that are covered in a specially designed wooden pocket, concealing their more contemporary feature. Molding, stained brown, runs around the room above the walls finishing board. Buddy Cheek says, "One of my carpenters thought of this. As a matter of fact, the men working on the job got so involved, that many of them made suggestions, which were incorporated. And since this is a hand built house with skilled craftsman working on an hourly rate, it was not only possible but exciting to add their ideas."