This Ribaut Island home's "perfect" architecture boasts a time-honored and appealing design.

Hilton Head Monthly (April 2002)
By Jodie Randisi

"It all started with a villa in South Beach," Carol McCarl stated. "Jim came to Hilton Head with his father in 1972, for the golf, of course." Thirty years later, Jim and Carol are experiencing and enjoying the opposite end of Hilton Head in their Ribaut Island home. Some residences and lifestyles are worth waiting for; theirs is one of those.

Integrating the trusted counsel of professionals with the finest standards, and after many months of careful planning, the McCarls were able to stay organized to the end of their home-building experience. Jim and Carol's contentment may well be connected to their striking traditional home, which offers plenty of peace and comfort through its well-established surroundings. The Greek revival style home, officially completed in September of 2001, has the look and feel of an old Louisiana plantation home, if not a bona-fide "Tara" address.

Visitors might assume this home has existed for centuries. However, this house has a history only in the sense that it's properly proportioned and technically perfect architecture has a time-honored and appealing design. The McCarls are looking forward to making new memories with friends and family in their 8,000-square-foot home-away-from-home, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "Friends spent the weekend here, and I lost them," Carol said. "It's a big house, but I found them outside, lost in paradise, enjoying the peaceful environment on the dock."

A stunning view of the Intracoastal Waterway was a big lure. The McCarls considered oceanfront, but couldn't resist the appeal for waterfront living found in this property. When barges or tugboats go by, Skull Creek can be mistaken for oceanic waves. At certain times throughout the day, the water's edge appears to be SeaWorld with hungry dolphin families finding nautical nourishment.

The McCarls' dream home began with a picture from a magazine, which they took with them as they interviewed several architects. They discovered Rick Clanton of Group 3, with whom they felt a certain architectural chemistry. "Rick had the total concept in mind. He even came to live with us in our home in Pittsburgh," Carol stated. "For three days, Rick became part of our family."

Rather than having weeks of discussion, Rick says that whenever possible he prefers to learn the preferences, personalities and lifestyles of homeowners firsthand. "Some people want their second home to be different. Other people love what they have. I spent time with the McCarls in their home so we could incorporate what they already loved. It ended up being the ambiance of a traditional plantation home where they could comfortably enjoy their collection of fine art and antiques." There was one overall specific goal – the McCarl home would be a user-friendly, low-maintenance home, both interior- and exterior-wise.

Like Rick Clanton, Doug Church successfully contributed to that goal with input for a dramatic landscape that coordinated man-made and natural exterior elements while reflecting and respecting the McCarls' personal style. Church was an integral member of the design team. While taking into consideration the views and existing vegetation, Church designed the total package including the entry, driveway, walks, fountain, pool/spa, site lighting, sculpture placement, new plants and irrigation.

Also following in Clanton's footsteps, Rick Leach, President of Paragon Construction, carefully pursued each and every detail of the home. Carol and Jim were elated when Leach acquired and restored old flooring from a cotton gin. The floors came pre-soaked with oil, which brought about the rich pumpkin color the McCarls love. "The building process runs extremely well when all involved are so enthusiastic and true visionaries," Leach admitted.

Marion Leventon, the interior designer who worked with the McCarls over the past 15 years, scrutinized most (if not all) aspects of the home. Leventon's expertise was relied upon heavily as the McCarls couldn't possibly attend all the various meetings.

"Marion was vital. I couldn't imagine building this or any home without her," Carol said. Leventon connected the McCarls with an artist, Mark DiVittorio, who had experience with wall murals, which is how they chose to display and incorporate their love of folk art. DiVittorio created a multi-paneled, hand-painted mural for their dining room depicting various aspects of their life. "He asked us what we liked, and then it showed up somewhere in the mural," Carol pointed out. Leventon was also helpful in finding Chris Tyner, a furniture/cabinet maker who was commissioned to create two matching corner cupboards and a king-sized bed, each one an exquisite antique reproduction.

Bringing a little bit of home with them, the McCarls proudly display a remarkably large painting by Robert Griffing depicting Native Americans at Four Duquesne, or The Point, as it is known in Pittsburgh. Other favorite pieces include works by N.C Wyeth, Wyland, McMichael, Helen Rundell, Barbara Ernst Prey, John Audobon, Walter Palmer and Ray Ellis, some of which were collected with the help of Jack Morris at Morris and Whiteside Galleries and Faith and Charlie McCracken at Time and Again. After acquiring a John Stobart piece, the McCarls became friends with the renowned artist.

There's nothing amiss in this home. From the motorized foyer chandelier to heated towels in the guest bedroom and radiant heat in bathroom floors; from wallpaper-coordinated, hand-painted sinks in powder rooms to the stratified drying area off the laundry room, the attention to detail is exceptional, which was the plan from the beginning.

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