The Pinnacle Award in the $200,000 to $499,999 category went to Avery Construction, LLC of Duncan for “Clarkson.”  Featured in Spartanburg’s 2007 Showcase of Homes, this Chesnee gem features details of the highest of standards.  At approximately 3600 square feet, Clarkson has four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms.  All bedrooms have their own private bathroom, while the master boasts a walk- in ceramic tile shower, whirlpool tub with cascading water and a skylight.  The gourmet kitchen features a barrel ceiling, custom cabinets, granite counter tops, professional appliances and a cozy morning room with a fireplace and built in bookcases.  A large breakfast room is nestled between the two rear screened porches.  The dining room has inlaid hardwood floors with a matching designer ceiling.  The second floor bonus room was converted into a media room complete with a 102” screen, projector and surround sound.  This exceptional home with its integrated technology allows the homeowners to enjoy a comfortable Southern lifestyle.
A Merit Award went to OakTree Homes of Fort Mill for “The Bravington.”

The Pinnacle Award in the $500,000 to $749,999 category went to The S.E. Brown Company, Inc. of York for “York Gate.”  This French country cottage exudes charm with its turret and stonework while providing an old world feel.  The exterior of this four bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home is maintenance free, and it has a three-car garage, and a concrete driveway with stamped and stained bands of cobblestone.  The home features Brazilian cherry floors, twenty-four foot coffered ceilings in the great room, and an eighteen-foot island in the kitchen with white glazed cabinets and imported Brazilian granite.  The master bedroom has a corner fireplace, his and hers closets, a spa-like master bathroom and an entrance to the covered porch.  This home encompasses two important factors the homeowners targeted – use of space and attention to detail.
A Merit Award went to Beeson-Henthorn Development, LLC of Spartanburg for “Arts & Crafts in the Upstate.”

The Pinnacle Award in the $750,000 to $999,999 category went to Marvin Tisdale Builders, Inc. of Florence for “The Antebellum.”  Timmonsville is the location of this English country chateau.  Nestled between twin cedar trees on a large horse farm, this home exudes all the charm and ambience of genuine southern tradition.  With five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, it is decorated in a warm traditional style filled with rich colors and deep wood tones.  The home has many areas for retreat.  The open kitchen leads to an inviting keeping room with handcrafted built-ins and a floor to ceiling stone fireplace.  Designed by a local architect, the home is a classically-styled blend of an American chateau with an essence of European elegance.  Its stately exterior blends with a beautiful landscaped lot to give the home its stunning curb appeal.

A Merit Award went to OakTree Homes of Fort Mill for “The Ellendale.”

A Merit Award went to H2 Builders of Bluffton for “15 Middleton Gardens.”

The Pinnacle Award in the $1.5 million to $1,999,999 category went to The Berry Group, LLC of Six Mile for the “Reserve Home.”The terrain around the Upstate’s Lake Keowee provides a remarkable and spectacular setting for The Reserve residence.  Constructed on a sloping lot with moderate to steep grade at the rear, the home’s foundation base is constructed of stone and the exterior consists of cedar siding veneer and a cedar shingle roof.  Antique heart pine was used for exterior timbers and porch framing.  For lake access, a continuous set of stone slab steps were built connecting the dock with the home.  The homeowners can enjoy cool nights on the terrace with a fire pit.  Interior details consist of a combination of wood shiplap walls and drywall construction using simple traditional details.  Antique heart pine timbers, floors, ceilings, and doors are used throughout the home.  A heart pine beam grid ceiling is in the living room and kitchen.  The upstairs includes a sleeping porch with all exposed heart pine timbers and decking.  All of the interior doors were custom made by Amish craftsmen.
A Merit Award went to Harden Tuten Custom Homes of Bluffton for “Schlossberg Residence.” 

The Pinnacle Award in the $2 million to $4.99 million category went to Sovereign Homes of Irmo for “Ponte Maria.”Unique and incredible are only two words that describe this 8,000-square-foot custom Italianate style home on Lake Murray in Irmo.  The home features soaring interior spaces and substantial outdoor living. A 1,200-square-foot open lanai extends the full length of the home on the lake side and features dining, kitchen and living areas complete with fireplace.  Extensive interior and exterior custom-made architectural detailing include the maseranduba wood porch ceilings, the stone fIreplace, mahogany garage and entry doors, and interior trim unique to the house.  The kitchen was designed by renowned kitchen designer Lois Kennedy of Washington, DC, and features custom-made Premier cabinets and commercial-grade appliances.  Much of the downstairs flooring is covered in travertine, marble or tile and is heated with in-floor coils.  The great room features a 27-foot ceiling, which showcases a hand-painted mural resembling work found in the Sistine Chapel.  The remarkable design blends the home with its surroundings.  Almost every room has a lake view.  This home, complete with five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and three half bathrooms, truly is a unique home built to the highest levels of detailing, thought and design innovation.
A Merit Award went to Strimpfel Custom Homes, Inc. of Hilton Head Island for “The Tree House.”

All of the Pinnacle and Merit award winners will be showcased in the upcoming consumer publication Palmetto Home Magazine, a quality publication that serves to promote South Carolina’s homes of excellence and highlight efforts to not only build the American Dream, but to enhance communities in which those homes are built. The magazine is an excellent resource for South Carolina residents and newcomers alike to learn about products and services provided by South Carolina's home builders, including home shows and tours of homes sponsored by local home builders associations across the state.  Palmetto Home Magazine will be out in the Summer of 2008 and will be available at welcome centers, home builders association offices, stores and news stands across the state.