--- title: "American Vernacular — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/american-vernacular-pfvwus-pf~1098978507 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1098978507.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "American Vernacular" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/2743b13a0e6182ad_1547-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "151 Sheppard St, Charleston, South Carolina 29403, United States" latitude: 32.7976 longitude: -79.9493 phone: "(843) 856-4818" website: http://www.americanvernacular.com rating: 5 review_count: 4 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 182 last_updated: 2026-09-12 --- # American Vernacular Original Houzz profile: [American Vernacular](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/american-vernacular-pfvwus-pf~1098978507) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Charleston, SC - **Serves:** Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Johns Island, Hanahan, Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, Folly Beach, N Charleston - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (4 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2016–2020), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - 10,000 Ideabook Saves Julie O'Connor is the owner of American Vernacular, Inc. and currently sits on several local architectural review boards reviewing home designs. American Vernacular is a design firm established 12 years ago, specializing in traditional design. Projects range from kitchen renovations to historic restorations to new construction. American Vernacular continually creates unique custom homes for discriminating clients throughout the Lowcountry. Using traditional architectural elements, American Vernacular designs for today's living while incorporating the needs of clients and their unique home sites. In addition to custom designs, American Vernacular is a proponent of Historic Preservation. Julie has in depth preservation experience in the Historic Districts of Nantucket, MA, Charleston, SC, Sullivan's Island, SC and Mount Pleasant, SC. This experience enables American Vernacular to provide clients with a high level of preservation knowledge and expertise. Interior detailing of a home is just as important as the exterior design and American Vernacular can provide full interior elevations and detailing. Seen in the following publications: Charleston Style & Design Summer 2009 "New Beginnings with Old World Style" Delaney Residence - pg 121 Charleston Style & Design Fall 2010 "Made to Last" Slack Residence - pg 154 Charleston Home+Design Summer 2011 "Army Wives: Wendy Davis" Private Residence - pg 92 Charleston Home+Design Winter 2012 "Dream Kitchens" Slack Residence - pg 182 ### Services Provided - Building Design - Home Remodeling - House Plans - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Floor Plans - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Historic Building Conservation - Construction Drawings - Custom Homes ### Areas Served - Charleston - North Charleston - Mount Pleasant - Johns Island - Hanahan - Isle of Palms - Sullivans Island - Folly Beach - N Charleston ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | American Vernacular | | Address | 151 Sheppard St, Charleston, South Carolina 29403, United States | | Phone | (843) 856-4818 | | Website | http://www.americanvernacular.com | | Followers on Houzz | 182 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/pages/american-vernacular-inc/254463017897352 - Blog — http://www.americanvernacular.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [American Vernacular](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/american-vernacular-pfvwus-pf~1098978507) - **Website:** http://www.americanvernacular.com - **Phone:** (843) 856-4818 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2016–2020), for Design. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 4 reviews** ### All 4 reviews **★★★★★ — sbrunge, Oct. 2014** > Julie O'Connor is wonderful to work with for architectural designs. She is cheerful and listens well to client's ideas. She is creative in her designs. We did a kitchen, dining, laundry room, and butler's pantry renovation. Julie came up with a design that used the space efficiently. The design was beautiful. We remain pleased with the renovation. We will use Julie again when we renovate our master bathroom area. **★★★★★ — carebare, Jan. 2013** > Julie is the best architect I have ever worked with. She is creative and so talented. It was because of the homes we saw in Ion that we chose her. Every single home she showed us were already the ones I had picked as my favorites. She is patient and funny. She will take the idea you already have and make it 10 times better. She doesn't try to change your mind but will steer you in the right direction to still have the look you want. When things aren't coming together she will come up with another idea to make it work. When I had a brief meltdown because of something she and I had planned on and the workers said it wasn't possible. She said " don't worry you will have it" and sure enough it was accomplished that same day. We are about to sheetrock and the house is so beautiful! There will be photos soon. **★★★★★ — William Woodcock, Sept. 2011** > THE best! Julie O'Connor listens to you and follows through with your choices. She guides you to the right decisions and has extensive knowledge of materials and construction. > > She not only designs but is a "hand holder" to the very end of your project to coordinate with the contractor and will site visit for you. > > Professional and creative is her way of doing business as evidenced by the many return clients she has worked with on multiple construction projects. **★★★★★ — jenoi2, Sept. 2011** > We would not have even begun our kitchen remodel if it weren't for Julie O'Connor's ideas and confident attitude. We wanted a change but were overwhelmed. Julie came in and was able to see the possibilities in our space that we were blind to. By replacing our 80's eat-in kitchen area with a sleek and modern island, and completely revising the floor plan, we now have a more beautiful, but also more functional space! And the kitchen is more bright and spacious than ever. She was available through the entire remodel to consult with the contractor about even the most miniscule details and engaged him in wanting to make this the best project he had ever done. I highly recommend her! ## Selected projects - [Robert Mills](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/robert-mills-pj-vj~2698154) - Location: Mount Pleasant, SC - Photos: 8 - [Downtown Charleston Single Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/downtown-charleston-single-renovation-pj-vj~1474052) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 54 - [Our Office!!!](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/our-office-pj-vj~2264267) - Location: Charleston, SC - Photos: 28 - [Sullivan's Island Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sullivan-s-island-renovation-pj-vj~1247046) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Old Village Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/old-village-renovation-pj-vj~1115573) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 17 - [Isle of Palm Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/isle-of-palm-beach-house-pj-vj~1229360) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Olde Bridge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/olde-bridge-pj-vj~2269945) - Location: Mount Pleasant, SC - Photos: 38 - [35 Krier Lane](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/35-krier-lane-pj-vj~1772499) - Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC - Photos: 46 - [Olde Village house](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/olde-village-house-pj-vj~1384311) - Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC - Photos: 43 - [Ponsbury](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ponsbury-pj-vj~1217874) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 37 - [39 Sanibel St.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/39-sanibel-st-pj-vj~1142328) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 27 - [I'On Courtyard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/i-on-courtyard-pj-vj~1102182) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 29 - [Intercoastal Getaway](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/intercoastal-getaway-pj-vj~57814) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [Olde Village cottage](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/olde-village-cottage-pj-vj~57666) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Moss Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/moss-kitchen-pj-vj~18659) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - [New Orleans Inspired](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/new-orleans-inspired-pj-vj~18662) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 - [Italian Inspiration](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/italian-inspiration-pj-vj~18661) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Charleston Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/charleston-renovation-pj-vj~18660) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 [See all 18 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/american-vernacular-pfvwus-pf~1098978507) ## Community Q&A **Q: Love the desk, please share any information you have about it.** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Sorry! That was a client piece - so I don't have info on it... **Q: Dining nook** *(in Photo Questions)* This entire project is amazing! Could you please tell me the approximate room dimensions of this nook? Thank you!!! A: Thank you! It's about 10' x 8' **Q: Carport** *(in Photo Questions)* What are the dimensions of this carport and is there storage in the back? A: The overall dimensions are 22'-8" wide x 34'-6" deep. There is a 14'-6" deep storage room at the back **Q: How deep is this screened porch? 8'? 6'? Something else?** *(in Photo Questions)* Such a cute house! A: The screened porch is 12' deep. So glad you like it! **Q: How deep is this porch? 8'? 6'? Something else?** *(in Photo Questions)* Lovely house! A: The front porch is 10' deep. Plenty of space for hanging out and enjoying the view of the park across the street! **Q: Can you tell me what are the dimensions of this pool?** *(in Photo Questions)* A PERFECT backyard! A: I'm not sure of the exact dimensions,but it is something like 12' x 30' --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-12.*