Home Home Decor Ideas Modern Dogtrot Home By Southern Living Editors Updated on May 30, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg This Lowcountry retreat exemplifies the historical styling of a dogtrot floor plant. Patricia and Geordie Cole chose to reintroduce the dogtrot floor plan, originally developed centuries ago to accommodate the heat and humidity of the South, in their newly constructed South Carolina home. Characteristics of a dogtrot floor plan are a large, open breezeway that runs through the middle of a house, with two separate living areas on either side but still under one roof. This floor plan is ideal for a Lowcountry environment because it combines indoor and outdoor living with excellent weather conditions. Discover more about this charming Lowcountry family retreat. 01 of 09 Lowcountry Living Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg Modest in scale and rooted in the history of the Lowcountry, it is an architectural style that reflects the quiet lifestyle the Coles envisioned for themselves in South Carolina. It's a classic design, updated with all the provisions for modern-day living. Paint: Oyster Shell (PPG14-13) by Glidden; glidden.com. Trim paint: Snowy Egret (PWN-50); behr.com. Roof: Zinc Standing Seam in Natural VMZINC; vmzinc-us.com. 02 of 09 Entry Helen Norman Large folding doors replace the traditional front entry that opens to the central hallway. Decking and stairs: Regular E4E S4S; ipedecking.com. Floor stain: Australian Timber Oil in Natural (3400); cabotstain.com. Folding doors: Multi-panel Bi-folding Doors in Alaskan Yellow Cedar with Mahogany Stain; dynamicwindows.com. Hanging lantern: Montgomery (FCD9139CI); troy-lighting.com. 03 of 09 Exterior Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg Location is essential when building this house style. This site keeps most of the existing trees for plenty of shade during the warm summer months. Architects: Jane and Michael Frederick, Frederick + Frederick Architects, Beaufort, SC; f-farchitects.com. Landscape architect: Verdant Enterprises LLC, Walterboro, SC; verdantenterprises.com. 04 of 09 Dining Room Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg The house's central hall, modeled on a traditional dogtrot, opens to the front and back. Paint (unless otherwise noted): White Dove (OC-17); benjaminmoore.com. Flooring: heart pine from Knoxville, TN; volunteerlumber.com. Millwork and windows: custom, Alaskan Yellow Cedar with Mahogany Stain; dynamicwindows.com. Chairs: 90 Small Box Pleat Parsons Chair in Top-Sider Fabric in Natural; shopfourseasonsfurniture.com. Large painting on the wall: by West Fraser; helenafoxfineart.com. 05 of 09 Kitchen Photo: Helen Norman, Styling: Rebecca Omweg Windows in the kitchen are open to the central hallway and reflect the original dogtrot architecture. Countertops: Calacata Gold marble; distinctivegraniteandmarble.com. Island hardware: 1¼" Octagon Crystal knob (CAL-M994) by Cal Crystal; calcrystalusa.com. Range: CornuFé 110 in Black; lacornueusa.com. 06 of 09 Helpful Details Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg Patricia had the refrigerator custom paneled in chalkboard—clever and hardworking! "The second I run out of Earl Grey tea, I write it down," she says, "and there the grocery list is in my face." The cabinetry color (gray with a slight brown wash) reads differently as the light changes throughout the day, ranging from light gray to green to sky blue. Light fixtures: Edison Collection Pendant Light No. 19 in Old Bronze finish; hudsonvalleylighting.com. Refrigerator: 36" French Door Freestanding Bottom Freezer; dacor.com. Cabinetry paint: Custom blend of Fieldstone (1558) and Gray Owl (2137-60); benjaminmoore.com. Cabinetry hardware: Oval Knob in Barcelona (A1560-BARC); alnoinc.com. Sink: Shaws Original 1½ Bowl Fireclay Apron Kitchen Sink; rohlhome.com. Faucet: Pillar with Ascot Handle; sigmafaucet.com. 07 of 09 The View Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg With a wall of large windows, the kitchen's breakfast nook is an ideal bird-watching spot. The natural materials help create a serene space, but the hanging chandelier adds a touch of sophistication to the area. 08 of 09 Living Room Photo: Helen Norman, Styling: Rebecca Omweg The fireplace mantel in the central hallway is a piece of reclaimed cherry found by the builder. The painting on the mantel is by South Carolina artist Linda Rorer. Sofas: custom Weston; hickorychair.com. Artwork: by Linda Rorer; lindarorer.com. 09 of 09 Screened Porch Photo by: Helen Norman, Styling by: Rebecca Omweg The long, narrow screened porch runs the width of the home and is accessible from the formal living room, the central hallway, and the primary bedroom. Paint: Oyster Shell (PPG14-13) by Glidden; glidden.com. Trim paint: Snowy Egret (PWN-50); behr.com. Fans: The Windpointe Five Blade Series, antique finish wide oval woven bamboo blades; fanimation.com. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit