The Greater Prize, Still Being Present. . .

Receiving the award for Best Custom Product for 2-3 million

Since our founding 10 years ago, Structures has entered Charleston’s annual Prism Awards, a ceremony that celebrates the best designs, craftsmanship, customer service and sales in the local building industry. Fortunately, we have walked out of the event with at least one award every year. Some years, frankly, I took it for granted that we should win an award, except for this year. This year was special.


The awards ceremony was held on a shoestring budget, no MC, there was a cash bar, and the feature speaker was our Charleston Trident Home Builders Association’s wonderful president, Tori Martindale of Atlantic Remodeling. Tori spoke about a year that was eerily similar to ours; one that included layoffs, paycuts, benefit cuts and a reduction in overhead that involved consolidating into a home office. The room was quiet and a few tears were shed, as she spoke about the challenges we’ve all faced this year. I also couldn’t help but notice how empty the room was. There were some new faces, but the faces of builder friends were few and far between. Many have lost their businesses or are starting over. Some likely didn’t have much to celebrate this year, it was humbling.


As I sat through the program and awards, I was again humbled as Structures did really well at this year’s event. We were recognized in a diverse group of categories;


1. The award for Affordable Housing for Latoya Palmer’s Habitat Home
2. Charleston’s Green Builder of the Year Award
3. The award for the Best Luxury Built Home for the Behren’s Residence
4. Custom Builder Customer Service Award from GuildQuality

Deborah Way receiving the award for Green Building Company

In receiving these awards, I'm humbled by the tireless determination and standard that comprises those within the Structures family and our amazing team of trades. We all share the same commitment for building “green” custom homes, regardless of size or budget. . . our high standard remains the same.


The awards mean more this year, because honestly, we're humbled and thankful to have made it through another year - a year that's strengthened each of us to the core. . .

Curled Up at the Cottage

I often take for granted the quiet moments to sit, reflect or simply read a good book... Its one of those things I have to plan and not just assume will happen.

After the Coastal Living open house today and one more late showing from a couple from out of town, I decided that pulling out my book and plopping on the couch would be a perfect for an hour... Nothing like relaxing in a beautiful space, hearing the fountain in the courtyard, and reading beside the fire, if only I didn't have to go home...

Singing in the Rain

When clients select a design/build or custom process with Structures, our job and joy is to cater to the needs and desires specific to their building process. We love taking care of all of the details and over the past 10 years of being in business, we have gained an impeccable reputation for building for the local and out-of-town clients. Our goal is to give each client a building experience where they can love and enjoy the process, and be led with their own on-staff, Design Manager, through the many details that make their home truly custom.

When Mr. and Mrs. Kemp arrived at the Charleston airport to visit their Daniel Island Park custom home, they were greeted with the downpours to our beautiful Charleston. No worries though, the rain wasn't going to rain on our parade... We simply gathered up the golf umbrellas and toured around inside their roofless home answering questions and making little changes to the plans... again, some of the benefits to the custom build process, if we're able to make something happen, we're happy to figure out a way to do it!

Throughout the next day we will enjoy catching up, (like a great family reunion) along with walking them through the custom process of picking out a handful of selections we'll need selected for the next phase of construction that will take place before they fly back down for their upcoming scheduled visit. Hoping the next visit will be just as great as this one, excluding the rain. . . :-)

Girls Gone Wild

Leave it to Angie Hranowsky, interior designer for the 2009 Coastal Living Idea Cottage, to pack out Hot Wheels roller skating rink to rock out her 40th birthday!








Everyone came out to celebrate her life as well as accept the challenge of putting on roller skates to make it around the rink without breaking their neck! No one ended up in the emergency room, but there were plenty of ice packs handed out by the men working that night as mature women ended up on their duffs, knees and who knows what. :-) But that didn't keep them from going back out for another dose of skating, or for those who were too injured to skate, they took up sock dancing in the middle of the rink.


As I told Angie, I think some of these women literally drop their kids off at school and head to the roller skating rink on a weekly basis - some of them were waaaaaay too good for just slipping on those skates for the first time since childhood. Unlike me, my feet had not stepped foot in roller skates since I was probably 8 years old. . . I'll admit, I did play out the story I'd have to tell if I had broken a bone roller skating, would have been a memorable one to tell I'm sure. Much to my surprise but excitement, I made it out without a fall!













The fun skating party wouldn't have been complete without also enjoying one of Angie's favorite treats, an incredible birthday cake from the local downtown Charleston Sugar Bakeshop, on Cannon Street.

Glad someone thought to have a skate party in the double digits, though she DID put us all to to shame with her skating skills! :-) Happy Birthday Angie!

Hats Off to Our Brothers in Ohio!

Congratulations to Payne and Payne Builders, located in Ohio! They received the prestigious NAHB Builder of the Year award at this years Custom Builder Symposium! This award does not come without a tireless attention to details, craftsmanship and an incredible effort from each member of their team!

We've been a part of the same NAHB Builder 20 Group for many years and count it a privilege to give praise where it is due - All the best to all of our extended family at Payne and Payne!

Coastal Living Idea Cottage - Kitchen Video Tour & More. . .

Soak in the beautiful details that Lindsey Ellis Beatty, Coastal Living Market and Style Editor,will point out that went into this beautiful design. I remember when designer, Angie Hranowsky showed us the Ann Sacks designer tile for the kitchen wall - completely steals the show!



Check out other videos below that take you room by room through the Idea Cottage and a little tour of I'On Village where it's located! (videos are highlighted in red)

Enjoy the Overview of I'On Village to see the great landscape that surrounds the Jefferson Canal Courtyards where the 2009 Coastal Living Idea Cottage was the first among 10 that will
be built in the heart of I'On Village along the Jefferson Canal.

Come tour through the Exterior and Courtyard details that set this right-sized cottage apart. Many minds have been working tirelessly to figure out how we can make it a low maintenance home that will stand the test of time. From Hardi siding, AAC block, and countless other "green" features that save on energy, efficiency and the wallet! Forget a home that's just "green" but also one that lends itself to a relaxed, simplified and comfortable lifestyle too. A private courtyard for calm evenings or lively parties - yours to decide!

The Master Bedroom is a great getaway that overlooks the Jefferson Canal as well as the private courtyard!

You won't know where to look over dinner in the Dining Room. The bottle cap artwork by Molly B. Right, draws a crowd, as well as the peaceful courtyard with the soothing sound that flows from the fountain along the stucco wall.

The Guest Suite is a hidden haven above the attached garage. Angie Hranowsky did an amazing job creating a soothing environment through the comfortable furnishings and colors that makes you want to sit down and stay for awhile.

Overlooking the Jefferson Canal Courtyard is the cozy Den. Grab the book you've been meaning to finish or curl up and watch a little T.V. in a space that can be closed off with pocket doors. Designed to be a "flex space", the den can also be turned into a 3rd bedroom option as it has direct access to a full bath. If you don't just love the novel idea of a fun sleeping nook, no worries, it can be turned into a walk-in closet, small office or wet bar.

Decorating Small Spaces? This cottage is chocked full of creative ideas in architecture and decorating details that are Caribbean/Island inspired. A beautiful mix of neutral and bold colors, vintage and modern - a new little twist to our beautiful Low Country!

If you missed an opportunity to tour through the home, please call us to schedule a private tour - we'd love the privilege of showing you around! 843.856.6901

The Moods of the Color Pink

They say that different colors create a different mood, Red = Excited, Blue = Calm, Orange = Daring, Gray = Bored. This past Saturday, Pink was the color that painted the streets of Daniel Island and in many cases Pink reflected many moods and feelings that were felt by all - Hope, Fear,Victory, Sadness, Courage, Love.

For the 8th year in a row, Daniel Island residents and businesses hosted the annual Susan G. Komen, Race For the Cure to show their support for those who have been personally touched or know someone dear to them who has been touched by breast cancer.

For me, the names that come to my mind as an inspiration have deeply touched me, directly or indirectly with their battle, they have left their mark on me. I have seen them run with courage, their family and friends battling beside them and they have inspired me to cherish each day I've been blessed with on this earth.

In celebration of Donna's life, many poor families in a remote village in India have been and continue to be touched by her beautiful life as a foundation was set up in honor of her name - her legacy lives on. In my dear friend Sara's life, who carried out her dream of starting her own sewing business, because of the love for sewing and the talent that her amazing mother passed along to her - her mother's legacy lives on. Sandy, a family friend and mother of four who battled and is reminded daily of this disease by the scars she carries on her body - her hope lives on.

Check out the local Post and Courier newspaper article highlighting some of the amazing lives - Proof of a miracle: Racing for a cure.