Tour this absolutely stunning European-inspired house overlooking Lake Keowee

European-inspired lake house exterior at dusk with stone arch entry, board-and-batten siding, and metal roof

❤️ Would you like to save this?

We'll email this article to you, so you can read it later!

By saving, we'll email this post to you for later. Unsubscribe anytime.

MHK Architects, together with The Stillwater Group, designed this beautiful European-inspired house in the Old Edwards Reserve at Lake Keowee, South Carolina. Drawn to the region’s scenic mountains, lush forests, and crystal-clear waters, the homeowners envisioned it as the perfect setting for their next chapter. Seeking a peaceful retreat to enjoy after their working years, they found an ideal place to settle and embrace lakefront living.

The homeowners wanted something different from the modern lake homes dotting the Lake Keowee shoreline. They were looking for a home with a story. The concept came together after meeting with the project team. They crafted a fictitious back story of previous inhabitants – a French vintner named “Remy” and an English Army officer, “Commander Harrison.”

DESIGN DETAILS

ARCHITECTURE MHK Architects
BUILDER The Stillwater Group

Full front elevation of European lake house at sunset with double garage, stone chimney, and metal roof

The home includes design elements reminiscent of a farm structure that would have expanded organically to meet the needs and tastes of its fictional previous owners. This storyline provided a unique structure to the design process.

Stone Arches and Old-World Character Define the Exterior

Stone turret and arched entry of European-style lake house with gravel driveway and lush landscaping

Above: The English entry arch and square tower lend an easy, European-cottage feel to the home. A gravel drive and walking paths were intentional, adding an organic sensory experience as you approach.

Gothic carved wood wall panels with antique oak high-back chairs and ornate carved console table

Above: In the foyer, a brick floor features a circular pattern that could have been an original hand-dug well later sealed off – yet another unique element that emerged during the ideation phase of this project. An antique wall screen and Gothic Revival antiques were procured by the owners during excursions to Europe.

Diamond-pattern casement windows casting geometric shadows on hardwood floors beside a stone fireplace

The Wine Cellar at the Heart of the Home

Rustic living room with vaulted ceiling, stone walls, built-in wine display, and leather seating

A focal point of the home’s design is the wine cellar, located at the heart of the house. The owner is an avid wine collector, and in every house they’ve owned, the cellar has typically been in the basement. This time, they wanted it to be easily accessible when guests wanted to see the collection.

After collecting wine for the past 30 years, they had even saved the boxes. They repurposed them in a unique way, in the coffers of the dining room ceiling. The wine room has its own climate control, and a viewing window was incorporated into the living room to showcase the owner’s amazing collection.

A Dining Room Ceiling Made from Vintage Wine Boxes

Dining area with dark coffered ceiling, tall bar-height table, wood chairs, and open kitchen view

Above: In the dining area, a unique coffered ceiling incorporates vintage wine boxes that the owners have collected during visits to France. Stonework on interior walls also evokes the concept of the home’s organic growth.

Kitchen hallway with sage green cabinetry, dark exposed beams, and view through to dining and wine room

What We Love About This Home

From its fictitious French vintner and English officer backstory to the vintage wine boxes repurposed into a coffered dining room ceiling, every detail of this European-inspired house tells a story. The seamless blend of stone, timber, and European antiques creates an atmosphere that is both romantic and unique, far removed from the typical lake house aesthetic. Whether it’s the tea nook tucked inside the tower, the centrally located wine cellar with its living room viewing window, or the woodworking touches crafted by the homeowner herself, this is a truly one-of-a-kind home.

Tell Us: What details in the design of this European-inspired lake house do you find most captivating? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other spectacular home tours that we have highlighted here on One Kindesign in the state of South Carolina: Luxury lake house on the serene shores of Lake Keowee and A beautiful cottage style lake house in South Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains.

Kitchen sink wall with sage green cabinets, granite counters, exposed wood beams, and large lake-view windows

Above: The gourmet kitchen is open to the living spaces and includes large windows to bring in natural light and plenty of fresh air. The island features a butcher-block top crafted by the homeowner.

Galley kitchen with gray-green cabinets, Wolf appliances, and wine crate shelving displaying glass jars

Butler's pantry with dark navy cabinets, herringbone brick backsplash, and open shelving with cookbooks

Above: The scullery is where the work of a true gourmet cook happens. Unseen from the living area, prep work can become a labor of love.

A Tower Tea Nook and Library

Cozy tea room with stone walls, Windsor chairs, diamond-pane window, and floor-to-ceiling bookshelf

Despite the wine cellar being a favorite feature of the home, the owners also enjoy plenty of other spaces. The design includes a tower with a tea nook and a library. There is also a 900-square-foot workshop beneath the 3-car garage, where one of the homeowners works on woodworking projects. She has built something for almost every room in the home.

The Owner’s Bedroom and Bath Evoke Old World Charm

Primary bedroom with vaulted shiplap ceiling, exposed beams, stone accent wall, and pass-through bath window

Above: A special request was made to include a step-down into the owner’s bedroom. This, along with the exposed stonework on one wall, further reinforces the idea that this room was added by “Commander Harrison” during additions to the original farm structure.

Freestanding soaking tub centered before large diamond-pane windows overlooking wooded landscape