Climate Refugees
As natives of Winnipeg, Canada, Teri and Gordon Gaudet have always dreamed of being in a warmer place and coming from one of the coldest inhabited places on earth, it isn’t hard to find higher temps.
“We moved to Minneapolis for a better climate,” Gordon said, “and got it.”
When the Gaudets started thinking about life after work, they had just two requirements: They wanted to be south of snow and north of alligators. With those parameters in mind, they began looking for a place to go.
“I sat down one day and searched ‘mountain lakes,’” Teri said.
That search led Teri and Gordon to a place they’d never been but would soon call home.
Above: During inception, owners and architect Mitch Lehde crafted a fictitious back story of previous inhabitants – a French vintner named “Remy” and an English Army officer, “Commander Harrison.” The home includes design elements of what could have been a farm structure that would have expanded organically to the needs and tastes of these fictional, previous owners. This storyline provided a unique structure to the design process.
The English entry arch and square tower lend an easy European cottage dynamic to the home. A gravel drive and walking paths were intentional, adding an organic sensory experience as you approach.
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 evoke the concept of the home’s organic growth.
” It Was a one-Day Search”
After seeing an ad for The Reserve at Lake Keowee, the Gaudets made the trip south. They were living in Pennsylvania at the time.
Teri and Gordon were looking at properties when they ran into Brandon Eich, Founder and CEO of The Stillwater Group. The Gaudets’ realtor introduced them, and that meeting sealed the deal. In a single day, the Gaudets decided on their lot, an architect and a builder.
Teri and Gordon had previously lived on a lake in New Jersey and really enjoyed the lifestyle. Everything appealed to them about Lake Keowee. The mountains, the forests, and the clear water made the location perfect.
The heart of this unique home is a centrally-located wine room. With its own climate control, a viewing window was incorporated into the living room in order to showcase the owner’s amazing collection.
Designing a Timeless Home
After purchasing the lot in 2018, the Gaudets’ first order of business was adding a dock. Then they began working on their future home’s design.
Mitch Lehde of MHK Architecture worked with Teri and Gordon on their plans.
“We hit it off with Mitch extremely well,” Teri said, “and the design process was fun and collaborative.”
The Gaudets 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 one three-hour meeting and a couple of follow-up discussions.
“Mitch put everything we wanted into the house and brought our vision to life.”
A special request was made to include a step-down into the master bedroom. This, with the exposed stonework on one wall, further reinforces the concept that this room would have been added by “Commander Harrison” during additions to an original farm structure.
A Tough Time to Build
Groundbreaking for the Gaudets’ home was in 2021, in the middle of a massive challenge for construction supply chains and soaring prices. On top of those issues, a rainy summer delayed construction once grading was finished.
While there was not much that could be done about the weather, Teri and Gordon said The Stillwater Group tackled the challenges over which they did have control.
“Matthew {Bostick, VP of Purchasing at The Stillwater Group} did a great job of trying to keep our costs down as much as he could,” Gordon explained.
When other issues came up, Teri and Gordon said the team supporting them, led by Project Manager Ashton Eich, always rose to the occasion.
“Between Brandon, Ashton, and Matthew, I don’t think we ever felt as though the problems couldn’t be solved,” Teri explained.
A focal point of the home’s design is the wine cellar, which is in the center of the house. Gordon is an avid wine collector, and at every house they’ve owned, the cellar was typically in the basement. This time the Gaudets wanted it to be easily accessible when guests wanted to see the collection.
Teri built it herself. “Brandon helped me figure out the supporting beam structure inside the cellar, and I ran with it from there.
“Gordon has collected wine for 30 years, and we’ve saved the boxes. We finally used them in a unique way in the coffers of the dining room ceiling—a feature we really love,” Teri said.
In the foyer, a brick floor includes a circular pattern that could have been an original hand-dug well that was later sealed off – yet another unique element that emerged during the ideation phase. An antique wall screen and Gothic Revival antiques were procured by the owners during excursions to Europe.
“They Made it a Reality”
The wine cellar is a feature of the home, but the Gaudets enjoy plenty of other spaces. The design includes a tower with a tea nook and a library.
“I love that spot,” Teri said.
There is also a 900-square-foot workshop under the 3-car garage where Teri takes on woodworking projects. She has built something for almost every room in the home.
Working closely with Ashton also left an impression on the Gaudets.
“He was the best,” Teri said. “He was so easy to work with, a super communicator, and very accommodating.”
Through it all, the weather and the supply chain issues, the Gaudets said The Stillwater Group made it happen.
And while Teri and Gordon gained a new home, they also found a community that embraced them.
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.
The gourmet kitchen is open to the living spaces, and includes large windows to bring in light and fresh air. The island incorporates a butcher block top that was crafted by the homeowner.
