Belican Builds

Mid Century Slat Wall

Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Before

After

The Story

Whoever built this house thought it was a good idea to plant a porch pillar right between the dining room and living room. Structurally necessary, but visually, an eyesore.

The client had always loved slat walls, and this was the perfect opportunity. Rather than hiding the pillar, we made it the centerpiece.

Each slat was sanded down to a final 240 grit, smooth enough to take stain evenly and feel finished to the touch. We sampled several stains before landing on Gunstock, a warm brown with just enough red undertone to complement the room’s existing palette. The final coat, a clear satin polyurethane, gives off a subtle reflectivity in low light that makes the wall feel alive in the evening.

Bluestone Patio

Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Before

After

The Story

This project was all about defining and connecting spaces.

The backyard had untapped potential, but getting from the back door to the garage meant crossing patchy grass — and on rainy days, that meant dragging mud into the house. There was no real place to sit outside, no reason to linger.

Natural bluestone was the answer. Beautiful and functional in equal measure, it created a hardscape that works as both a living space and a practical path between structures. The stone is laid to carry water away from both buildings, where it used to pool during heavy rains.

About

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve called Charleston home since 2001, when I moved here from St. Louis to attend the College of Charleston. Over the years I built a career managing teams at Apple, where I spent twelve years learning everything I could about leading people, delivering great customer experiences, and facing hard conversations head on. I went on to work as a project manager and requirements analyst at Booz Allen Hamilton, serving as a liaison between the Department of Veterans Affairs and teams of software developers. All the while I’ve spent the better part of two decades playing mandolin in a local bluegrass band called Green Levels, which has grown into a thriving small business playing weddings, corporate events, and private parties throughout the region.

How We Work

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

We value craft over shortcuts, function over appearance, honest conversation over comfortable silence, and your home over our schedule.

While speed, aesthetics, a smooth sales process, and getting to the next job all have their place, the first thing in each of those pairs is what drives every decision we make.

Spaces that work are the measure of progress. A beautiful room that doesn’t function is a missed opportunity. We design and build around how you actually live.