This summer cottage for naval officers stationed in Charleston included a cistern since it was used long before the days of Mt. Pleasant Waterworks or a bridge to Charleston. When the new owners decided to use it as their permanent residence, we had to start from scratch. We worked with their daughter, a local architect, and created a charming new space and the results were astounding. The inside was gutted to expose the framing while all the original siding and trim remained or was restored. All fireplaces were restored to working order and the trim detail left intact or restored to its original state. Today, the Officer’s Retreat stands as a modern take on a true Mount Pleasant treasure.