From House to Home December 2005/January 2006
by Amanda Daniels.
Photography by Jonathan Harper

After happily vacationing at Hilton Head Island for 30 years, choosing the quaint town for retirement was a quick, easy choice for Henry and Vicki Fox. The couple purchased an older home on one acre that faces Port Royal Sound, but it was very "ramshackle, seventies, and cockeyed." Henry laughs, "You had to walk up a hill to get to certain rooms in the home, and after a restless night, the bedroom furniture would have slipped around on the crooked wooden floor and would be gathered around the bed!" They finally got he courage to just rip it down and start over.

They commissioned architect Michael Ruegamer from Group 3, and Rick Leach from Paragon Construction to help them craft their island dream home. The result was a 6,000-square-foot French country home with 5 bedrooms, 8 baths, and an elevator. The garage has a two-bedroom, two-bath suite with sitting room, which their 5 small grandkids enjoy when they visit. The exterior, the pool and patio area, and many interior features are Tennessee Stone by Savannah Hardscapes.

Rich hardwood floors with a distinctive luster come from an old cotton mill in which the machines were lubricated with whale oil. The oil spilled repeatedly over the years and soaked into the wood, giving it the sophisticated glaze it has today. Walking into the foyer, guests immediately notice the floors before looking up to the giant space with deep red walls and a massive chandelier. A giant circular staircase caused some careful room planning and creative use of materials. Some areas required rubber molding, which necessitated an artful faux finish, and the resulting trim work as a whole is quite remarkable.


One characteristic of the first floor is the extensive use of transom windows, which give a classic, friendly look. Main windows go up eight feet, and then the transoms another two feet. With the gorgeous view, it is necessary to have an abundance of glass. The great room opens to the kitchen area with a substantial granite topped island, and six-burner Viking gas stove. A stout stone fireplace has a seating area and is located near the pantry. Offering a soothing view of the ocean, the kitchen leads into the dining room, which truly has the priceless view. The French country style really flourishes in the dining room, although an oriental rug is used there, like in many rooms of the house. The dining room has an adjoining porch for open air dining.

With a sewing room, audio video library, mudroom, and office, the Fox family loves their specialty rooms. "Ironically, the mud room is very charming," states Henry. Utilizing heavy faux finish and distressed Habersham furniture, it has a country charm that forces guests to smile. With a shower and a door that goes to a path leading to the beach, this part of "Camp Granddad" allows the kids and the cocker spaniels to keep their sand and mud out of the main house. A dark, natural toned pool in the backyard further enhances the stunning oceanscape.

The two guest bedrooms on the first floor are quaint and unique with one looking past the garden to the ocean, and the other has a view out front of the Savannah-style garden. One decor inspiration features a collection of tablecloths the Fox family picked up in Salzburg three years ago. The blues and reds woven throughout are stunning, especially the red, which is used all over the home to tie everything together.

The master suite is stately and sophisticated with a large distinctive bed, dark colors, and natural light to keep things open yet deeply classic. The beautiful space looks out to the backyard and ocean, and an adjoining porch is a great place to read undisturbed or bask in the sun. Loaded up with potted plants and facing the ocean, it's a charming escape, just like their cozy home, and the warm, friendly island itself. The Fox family is right at home in a house built for enjoying their family, the good life, and, more importantly, island bliss.

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