It’s a setting that both homeowners dreamed of for years. “We’ve always said that living on water would be so peaceful,” says the wife. So when a for-sale listing crossed their home search that boasted a spacious five-acre lot on the banks of the Savannah River, which loops around the northeast side of Augusta, Georgia, the couple knew they had to see it. Though the existing home was a dated eyesore, the lot itself was a massive draw for the couple and their three teenage children. “Our current home was already feeling a bit small, and we were looking for our forever home,” says the wife. “The moment we saw this land and this view, we knew it was the one.”
The couple opted to raze the existing home and, in its place, erect an architectural gem on the grassy peninsula boasting water views from nearly every room in the house. Gooj Designs designed the plans for the American Vernacular–style home, while builder Kevin Hefner of Kevin Hefner Construction helped bring it to fruition. “We love the look of natural materials and stone,” says the husband, who wanted to incorporate classic Lowcountry-inspired finishes such as pecky cypress, heart pine floors, and cedar throughout. “We didn’t want it to feel rustic but, rather, create a rustic elegance that would fit the natural river setting.” The result: a welcoming riverfront estate retreat for the family that seamlessly blends with the surrounding natural environment while taking advantage of the river views.
Knowing the interiors needed to complement the architecture, the homeowners reached out to friend and designer Brittany Cason Johnston, whose eponymous design firm is also based in Augusta. “My clients saw this home and this land as a sanctuary that they would reside on forever,” explains Johnston. “The scenery is just breathtaking. You have nature all around: the river, Spanish moss draped from the oak trees, the birds and wildlife. It truly is a place of tranquility and peace.” The natural setting inspired Johnston, who worked closely with her clients pulling together a timeless aesthetic that couples the rustic elegance of nature with comfort and livability. “The land dictated how this home would look inside and out,” explains Johnston. “They wanted a traditional design, but yet they wanted a little bit more of a modern edge to it.”…