This Family Put a 26-Foot Rock Climbing Wall in Their Living Room
This custom house has fort beds, a dance stage and other fun features that create a dream home for kids and adults
Gwendolyn Purdom
October 1, 2019
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and homes with a story. Former editor at Preservation mag and Culturess.com.
Lover of architecture, history, dogs, the Chicago Cubs, crowded bookshelves, and... More
Custom home builders are used to getting all sorts of strange requests from clients. But when Kristen and Michael Overcash asked Joe Welch to build a 26-foot climbing wall for them and their four kids right in the living room of their new home, Welch knew he was in for something special. “I pretty much build whatever people want, but this was certainly the most unique,” he says.
Welch worked with the couple and a structural engineer to figure out the specifics of the wall’s support structure, panels and corresponding overhead belay tethers. The finished climbing wall can hold up to six climbers — the entire Overcash family — making for one seriously fun, calorie-burning focal point.
Welch worked with the couple and a structural engineer to figure out the specifics of the wall’s support structure, panels and corresponding overhead belay tethers. The finished climbing wall can hold up to six climbers — the entire Overcash family — making for one seriously fun, calorie-burning focal point.
Photos by Margaret Wright Photography
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Kristen and Michael Overcash, their four children — Seven, 12, Ala, 9, Gideon, 7, and Cyprus, 4 — and their Siberian husky
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Size: 5,000 square feet (465 square meters); four bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
General contractor: Joe Welch of Welch Custom Homes
Architect: Phil Clarke of Clarke Design Group
A Wall Fit for a Family of Climbers
Kristen and Michael met on a rock climbing trip, so it’s only fitting that their four children learn to love ropes and carabiners as well. The couple used Houzz photos to gather design ideas for the climbing wall, as well as for the rest of the home, and shared those with Welch.
The climbing wall, they knew, would have to be the focal point. It “was never going to be something that can be hidden or go away, so we tried to feature it,” Welch says.
Watch now: See on Houzz TV how this home came together
House at a Glance
Who lives here: Kristen and Michael Overcash, their four children — Seven, 12, Ala, 9, Gideon, 7, and Cyprus, 4 — and their Siberian husky
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Size: 5,000 square feet (465 square meters); four bedrooms, 4½ bathrooms
General contractor: Joe Welch of Welch Custom Homes
Architect: Phil Clarke of Clarke Design Group
A Wall Fit for a Family of Climbers
Kristen and Michael met on a rock climbing trip, so it’s only fitting that their four children learn to love ropes and carabiners as well. The couple used Houzz photos to gather design ideas for the climbing wall, as well as for the rest of the home, and shared those with Welch.
The climbing wall, they knew, would have to be the focal point. It “was never going to be something that can be hidden or go away, so we tried to feature it,” Welch says.
Watch now: See on Houzz TV how this home came together
The panels and footholds are made of the same types of materials used in climbing gyms. But to safely install the wall in a home instead of a commercial space, Welch had to add some stability features. He and his team reinforced both the wall and the roof with 20- to 25-foot columns made of laminated veneer lumber (LVL), and sheathed the wall in plywood, which was then anchored into the wall’s support beams. The belay system is hooked into LVL rafter beams in the roof to support the climbers’ weight.
Here, the entire Overcash family gets in some climbing time.
Here, the entire Overcash family gets in some climbing time.
Kristen says the kids will occasionally climb up, tie themselves off and do homework suspended in the air.
A climbing wall was always a dream feature for the Overcashes, but they pinpoint a medical scare when their son, Gideon, shown here, was born as a turning point that inspired the overall whimsical spirit of the house’s design. A large tumor on his neck required a special medical procedure at birth and kept him in the hospital for much of the first year of his life. The family consulted doctors and specialists, but attempts to treat the condition seemed to only make it worse. Removing the tumor would have meant that Gideon wouldn’t have been able to speak, eat or swallow.
When the mass miraculously shrank on its own, the Overcashes say, they found a new outlook on life. Creating a home that would enable the family members to make the most of their time together became even more important. “I think Gideon having so many medical problems really did inspire us to focus on fun areas of the home,” Kristen says. “We knew we wanted to make this a fun place for our kids. We really wanted to cherish that time with our kids, because our perspective had changed.”
Outside, the adventurous elements continue with a large backyard play structure with enough features to accommodate all four kids. An outdoor spiral staircase on the second level leads to an observation deck, where the family — including hobbyist astronomer Michael — can stargaze together.
See more climbing wall inspiration photos
A climbing wall was always a dream feature for the Overcashes, but they pinpoint a medical scare when their son, Gideon, shown here, was born as a turning point that inspired the overall whimsical spirit of the house’s design. A large tumor on his neck required a special medical procedure at birth and kept him in the hospital for much of the first year of his life. The family consulted doctors and specialists, but attempts to treat the condition seemed to only make it worse. Removing the tumor would have meant that Gideon wouldn’t have been able to speak, eat or swallow.
When the mass miraculously shrank on its own, the Overcashes say, they found a new outlook on life. Creating a home that would enable the family members to make the most of their time together became even more important. “I think Gideon having so many medical problems really did inspire us to focus on fun areas of the home,” Kristen says. “We knew we wanted to make this a fun place for our kids. We really wanted to cherish that time with our kids, because our perspective had changed.”
Outside, the adventurous elements continue with a large backyard play structure with enough features to accommodate all four kids. An outdoor spiral staircase on the second level leads to an observation deck, where the family — including hobbyist astronomer Michael — can stargaze together.
See more climbing wall inspiration photos
A Loft Bed Without a Ladder
In Gideon’s bedroom, Kristen and Michael toyed with a few options for him to access his lofted bed, including a ladder and a fire pole. Ultimately, they created a climbing wall that leads to the loft and a secret hideout room beside it. The climbing wall is the only way into and out of the bed, which is anchored to a reinforced ceiling rafter by all-thread rods.
Bracing Blue wall paint: Sherwin-Williams
In Gideon’s bedroom, Kristen and Michael toyed with a few options for him to access his lofted bed, including a ladder and a fire pole. Ultimately, they created a climbing wall that leads to the loft and a secret hideout room beside it. The climbing wall is the only way into and out of the bed, which is anchored to a reinforced ceiling rafter by all-thread rods.
Bracing Blue wall paint: Sherwin-Williams
Below the loft, planetary wall decor and a bunk bed with a slide round out the playful details.
Built-In Fort Bunks
All three daughters share a bedroom, which means the layout needs to give each girl her own space. Kristen studied inspiration photos on Houzz and worked with Welch to make sure the built-in bed wall was just right. They chose two full beds for the bottom bunks with twin beds above them. Between them, a staircase leads to a lookout fort.
Tame Teal wall paint: Sherwin-Williams
All three daughters share a bedroom, which means the layout needs to give each girl her own space. Kristen studied inspiration photos on Houzz and worked with Welch to make sure the built-in bed wall was just right. They chose two full beds for the bottom bunks with twin beds above them. Between them, a staircase leads to a lookout fort.
Tame Teal wall paint: Sherwin-Williams
Kristen consulted the girls during the room’s planning phase, because they wouldn’t be able to alter the largely built-in features once they were installed, but didn’t get any pushback. “They pretty much liked every idea we threw at them,” she says.
The three also share a large adjacent closet and a bathroom with three sinks, a shower and a spacious jetted tub.
Watch now: See the living room’s climbing wall in action
The three also share a large adjacent closet and a bathroom with three sinks, a shower and a spacious jetted tub.
Watch now: See the living room’s climbing wall in action
Setting the Stage for Fun
Other kid-friendly features throughout the house include a playroom equipped with a stage and disco lights for impromptu talent shows or dance parties. Tape lights hidden in the living room beams can make the house glow various colors, such as red or green during the holidays or orange when the Overcashes’ favorite college football team, the Clemson Tigers, is playing.
Other kid-friendly features throughout the house include a playroom equipped with a stage and disco lights for impromptu talent shows or dance parties. Tape lights hidden in the living room beams can make the house glow various colors, such as red or green during the holidays or orange when the Overcashes’ favorite college football team, the Clemson Tigers, is playing.
Open Space and a Special Staircase
To balance the home’s many quirky features and the chaos of four young children, the couple wanted to emphasize the house’s contemporary design and bright, uncluttered spaces. Uninterrupted sightlines and open spaces were a must.
“It’s just very freeing to have a lot of open space where the kids can run and you can just be,” Kristen says. “There’s no clutter, and we don’t have a lot of furniture sitting on the floors or against the walls. And that was kind of our vision.”
Alluravision electric fireplace: Napoleon
To balance the home’s many quirky features and the chaos of four young children, the couple wanted to emphasize the house’s contemporary design and bright, uncluttered spaces. Uninterrupted sightlines and open spaces were a must.
“It’s just very freeing to have a lot of open space where the kids can run and you can just be,” Kristen says. “There’s no clutter, and we don’t have a lot of furniture sitting on the floors or against the walls. And that was kind of our vision.”
Alluravision electric fireplace: Napoleon
Upstairs, a similar desire for openness drove the creation of a guard wall made up of glass panels and support posts; the design was inspired by a photo the homeowners found on Houzz.
The large white sectional, Kristen says, was a bold choice in a house with four kids, but its naturally stain-resistant fabric helps keep it bright and clean. Plus, the cushion and pillow covers can be removed and tossed in the washing machine.
Oil painting: International Image & Canvas
The large white sectional, Kristen says, was a bold choice in a house with four kids, but its naturally stain-resistant fabric helps keep it bright and clean. Plus, the cushion and pillow covers can be removed and tossed in the washing machine.
Oil painting: International Image & Canvas
In the family room, minimalist choices, like the glossy white entertainment center, keep things feeling sleek and contemporary.
Entertainment center: Manhattan Comfort; Cosmopolitan rug: Yolo Interiors
Entertainment center: Manhattan Comfort; Cosmopolitan rug: Yolo Interiors
Few areas of the home deviate from the black-and-white palette, but in a guest bedroom, a mix of blues, grays and greens contributes to the calming atmosphere of the home.
“Storm Turquoise” wall art: Modern Crowd
“Storm Turquoise” wall art: Modern Crowd
The dark stained hardwood floors throughout the house make the bright white elements all the more striking.
Metal world map print: Canvas Quest
Watch now: See the Houzz TV video about this unique South Carolina home and all its playful features
Metal world map print: Canvas Quest
Watch now: See the Houzz TV video about this unique South Carolina home and all its playful features
Room for Entertaining
As if the 26-foot climbing wall and playroom’s dance floor weren’t enough to make guests want to flock to the Overcash house, a sprawling kitchen and dining space with room for kids and grown-ups alike can accommodate frequent entertaining.
“We have kids over all the time, which was also our vision,” Kristen says. “We wanted to have the doors always open and for people to feel welcome.”
As if the 26-foot climbing wall and playroom’s dance floor weren’t enough to make guests want to flock to the Overcash house, a sprawling kitchen and dining space with room for kids and grown-ups alike can accommodate frequent entertaining.
“We have kids over all the time, which was also our vision,” Kristen says. “We wanted to have the doors always open and for people to feel welcome.”
The couple wanted one wall in the kitchen without upper cabinets to keep things light and airy.
A storage wall includes a paneled refrigerator, ovens and storage. To the right is a walk-in pantry, which includes a back wall that opens into a secret storage room. More custom lighting, glowing pink here, adds personality.
The countertops are Viscon White granite.
The countertops are Viscon White granite.
A Perfect Fit
Now that they’ve checked off their dream-home wish list, the Overcashes say, they’re looking forward to making the most of their custom house in the short years that they’ll have their family under one roof. “You only live once,” Kristen says.
Watch now: See the full video about this whimsical home on Houzz TV
More on Houzz
See more episodes of Houzz TV
Get home design ideas
Find a custom builder near you
Now that they’ve checked off their dream-home wish list, the Overcashes say, they’re looking forward to making the most of their custom house in the short years that they’ll have their family under one roof. “You only live once,” Kristen says.
Watch now: See the full video about this whimsical home on Houzz TV
More on Houzz
See more episodes of Houzz TV
Get home design ideas
Find a custom builder near you
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Heartwarming story and I love this home idea!
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