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Playing By the Rules

Fall, 2021


Spring Island has a set of architectural standards that homes the size of what we are building must follow. This means that some of the work answering the question “what type of home do we want to build?” is already done for us. When we closed on the property, we were given a 100+ page set of guidelines in which certain height restrictions, roof pitches, siding materials, setbacks from the road are established.

Upon learning of these “rules” and realizing that we were going to have to “draw within the lines,” I had mixed reactions. At first I pushed back, thinking, “I want to build exactly what I WANT”. No one is going to restrict what I envisioned here. But as we have progressed down the path, I am grateful for certain boundaries which effectively translate into a direction that helps us create a home that is respectful of its low-country location, sits well within a community and maximizes the inherent beauties of the land. After all, those are objectives we also share, and why not learn from other’s experiences?

So once my initial indignant reaction subsided, I’ve come to appreciate the wealth of information and help within the 100 pages of guidelines. Since I really didn’t even know what a rafter tail was until we started the project I must admit it’s been super handy to have a sketches and definitions right at my fingertips.

So Tell Me About Spring Island …

I hear this so often and it is still difficult to answer. A few obvious facts: Spring Island is nestled geographically between the towns of Charleston and Beaufort, South Carolina to the north, and Savannah, Georgia to the south. So plenty of “city” opportunities are easily accessible. It sits on the Port Royal Sound – the deepest natural harbor in the Southeast and is bordered by the tidal creeks of the Chechessee and the Callawassie rivers. Spring Island is roughly 3,000 acres (small!) with about 400 homesites. Here’s a great overview of Spring Island’s history.

A huge appeal of Spring for me is the blend of physical and intellectual activities offered. To keep my aging body moving there is a super cool golf course on the island — Old Tabby Links — said to be one of Arnold Palmer’s finest designs. Yes, I plan on playing this course relentlessly; stay tuned for updates. Tennis, croquet, pickleball, horseback riding, hiking, birding, fishing … the list goes on.

Then, to keep the brain pumping there is an equally impressive list to choose from. A brand new Art Barn offers classes, lectures and studio opportunities for everything from painting through photography. The Club brings in live theatrical and musical performances regularly. The Trust hosts nationally recognized scholars on a bevy to topics. Residents are encouraged to “Be Humble. Be Teachable.” Music to my ears.

All of this is set on island whose residents share a collective mission to preserve the natural surroundings so that they can be continually enjoyed. (The word “continually” used to be mean “by future generations”.) One third of the island is set aside as a natural preserve. The magnificent live oaks are surrounded by endless floral and fauna. I know next to nothing about birds, wildlife and sea creatures but I do know they are wondrous and that I am lucky to get a chance to learn from them and about them. A 6+ acre community farm grows over 30,000 plants in the summer with residents encouraged to engage in the upkeep as well as the fruits of it all. A true “farm to table” experience right in our backyards. I have a feeling that my midwest-Chicago-suburban bubble is about to be popped!