Best Before and After: 5 Winning Details

Created from a concrete pipe drain that’s been stucco-ed, the chimney stands away from the exterior wall, allowing sunlight to enter the living room through a vertical window.

Large sliding doors along the back of the hut completely open up the living and dining areas to the terrific marsh views beyond.

As this dormer shows, the hut’s industrial composition allowed the Fredericks to use materials more commonly found in commercial construction--such as corrugated roofing, metal framing, and stock wood trim.

An updated version of the spiral staircases found in many of Beaufort’s antebellum homes, the wedge-shaped steps in the stair hall rest on the preceding tread, eliminating the need for supports underneath. This is also called cantilevered.

Various cabinetry sizes in Michael and Jane’s kitchen allow the couple to keep everyday dishware separate from finer china and crystal. The industrial materials tie in with the rest of the home's design.