Houzz Tour: Relaxation Rules in a Rural Weekend Getaway
Straightforward materials and simple architectural forms provide a comfortable farmhouse-style escape from the city
“The first time I visited this property, it was 90-plus degrees and buggy, and I wondered what my clients were thinking when they bought it," says architect Ken Pursley of Pursley-Dixon Architecture, laughing. However, after getting to know this rural site in Chester, South Carolina, he saw what they did: a simple, bucolic setting that made a great weekend getaway from their busy lives in nearby Charlotte, North Carolina. "My clients love to ride horses, enjoy the pond, ride go-carts, host gatherings, entertain friends, host parties, host Thanksgiving, camp and relax here," he says. "We designed the house to be all about being comfortable, much like wearing a pair of blue jeans."
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a second home for a family of 5
Location: Chester, South Carolina
Size: About 3,000 square feet; 2 bedrooms (plus a bunkroom), 3 1/2 bathrooms
That's interesting: Not one inch of drywall went into this house.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: This is a second home for a family of 5
Location: Chester, South Carolina
Size: About 3,000 square feet; 2 bedrooms (plus a bunkroom), 3 1/2 bathrooms
That's interesting: Not one inch of drywall went into this house.
"These steps are more ladder-like than staircase-like, and they don't divide up the space by being a big visual block," Pursley says. He chose rope to extend the open feeling to the railings. "Wire would have been too modern for this house," he adds. "The simple feeling of the rope just felt right."
For those of you who are wondering: No, this is not exactly up to code.
For those of you who are wondering: No, this is not exactly up to code.
The furnishings continue the rustic farmhouse theme. A metal, linen and rope light fixture from South of Market illuminates a farm table, which is surrounded by industrial café chairs.
The house's footprint is relatively small, 1,000 square feet. "I designed the house around spaces the family will occupy and use, rather than around some grand entry that's meant to impress people," Pursley says.
One such space is this comfortable, light-filled reading nook, which looks out over the pond.
One such space is this comfortable, light-filled reading nook, which looks out over the pond.
On the third floor, you can see how the double-decker roof's clerestory windows let in the natural light.
This room holds six bunks. "The idea is that the second floor's two bedrooms and two bathrooms can house two couples, and all the kids can pile in the bunkroom upstairs," says Pursley. "My clients also have some African safari tents they put up near the pond for extra guests."
This room holds six bunks. "The idea is that the second floor's two bedrooms and two bathrooms can house two couples, and all the kids can pile in the bunkroom upstairs," says Pursley. "My clients also have some African safari tents they put up near the pond for extra guests."
The third-floor bathroom is big enough for a large group to share. Its straightforward functionality gives it a modern farmhouse aesthetic. Pursley achieved this look and feel throughout the house; it's easy to see why his clients love to escape to this rural retreat.
More:
10 Wonderful Farmhouses
More:
10 Wonderful Farmhouses
He and his clients have future plans to convert the grain silos into some sort of usable space someday. "They are really great structures; they are all concrete, and from the top the views extend forever," Pursley says.