Sullivan’s Island Cottage custom home renovation; At St. Pierre Construction, we love the challenge of bringing historic homes back to life, and one of our latest projects—a century-plus-old beach cottage on Sullivan’s Island. This is one we’re especially proud of. Featured in Charleston Magazine’s House & Garden April 2025 Edition , this Middle Street beauty shows how our team can blend meticulous historic preservation with modern upgrades to create a home that’s both timeless and family-friendly. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how we helped Jay and Melissa Healy turn their dream into reality, while keeping the soul of this Lowcountry classic cottage intact.
A Diamond in the Rough
When we first walked through this early 1900s Sullivan’s Island cottage, we saw a home brimming with potential. Its classic barrier island architecture—think gabled roof, full front porch, heart of pine floors, and bead-board paneling—was straight out of a Lowcountry storybook. But several patchwork additions had taken their toll. A lean-to tacked onto the main structure, an upstairs apartment, and a converted cobbler’s cottage out back left the property looking a bit rough around the edges. For the Healys, a family of four with a love for historic charm, it was the perfect canvas. They wanted a home that felt like a cozy historic cottage but worked for modern family life, and we were ready to make it happen.
Teaming up with architect Beau Clowney Architects, a master of Lowcountry historic restoration, and interior designer Sarah-Hamlin Hastings of Fritz Porter Design Collection , we dove head first into the project. Our goal was clear: honor the cottage’s history while adding space and functionality for a growing family, all while navigating Sullivan’s Island’s strict building regulations.
Preserving the Past, Piece by Piece
Historic renovations are a balancing act, and this one required a surgeon’s precision. We started by stripping the main house back to its studs, carefully salvaging every original detail we could. The heart of pine floors, worn but full of character, were refinished to glow like new. Beadboard paneling, a hallmark of Lowcountry style, was preserved in nearly every room, giving the home its cozy, authentic vibe. The original porch columns and brick fireplaces—key elements for the Healys—were lovingly restored, ensuring the cottage’s history wasn’t just preserved but celebrated.
Undoing the past modifications was no small feat. The upstairs, once an apartment, was reconfigured into two charming bedrooms for the Healys’ daughters, complete with dormer windows that nod to the home’s early 1900s roots. The cobbler’s cottage, which was a separate structure, became a guest house and home office for Jay, connected to the main house by a breezeway “dogtrot” that’s as practical as it is quintessentially Southern. To make room for a rear addition, we moved the entire house forward 20 feet—a bold move that opened up space for a covered deck, pool, and separate garage, all while staying within the island’s square footage limits.
Blending Old and New with Care
The real magic of this project is how seamlessly the old and new come together. The single story addition gave the Healy’s a modern primary suite, a spacious living and dining area, and a mudroom/laundry room that’s a lifesaver for a busy growing family. To tie it to the historic cottage, we used new pine floors to transition from the original heart of pine and swapped bead-board for shiplap in the new spaces. These subtle shifts create a natural flow, so the addition feels like it’s always been part of the home.
On the exterior, we kept the addition’s scale and materials in line with the original, using authentic proportions to ensure it didn’t overshadow the historic structure. A new screened-in porch and patio, decked out with aged teak furniture and a copper lantern, add an outdoor living space that’s perfect for Sullivan’s Island’s laid-back lifestyle. Inside, the restored fireplaces, bead-board walls, and refinished floors work in harmony with modern upgrades like a gourmet kitchen with Farrow & Ball-painted cabinets and a backyard pool that’s ready for summer fun.
Why Historic Renovations Are Our Passion
Projects like this are why we love what we do. Restoring a historic home isn’t just about fixing old wood or updating plumbing—it’s about preserving a piece of Charleston’s story while making it work for today’s families. The Healy’s cottage is now a perfect blend of past and present, with every detail, from the salvaged porch columns to the thoughtfully designed addition, and tells a story of craftsmanship and care. As Melissa Healy put it, “This house is a puzzle piece, and my family just fits.” That’s the kind of legacy we strive for in every project we do.
Ready to Restore Your Charleston Gem?
Dreaming of reviving a historic Charleston home? Whether it’s a Sullivan’s Island cottage or a downtown Charleston classic, St. Pierre Construction specializes in renovations that honor the past while embracing the future. Let’s bring your vision to life—reach out today to get started!