By Anna Grace Moore
Photos by Blair Ramsey
Enjoying 40 years of joyful union, Mark and Lisa Elliott have weathered many highs and lows in their journey together. The Preserve residents experienced one of the most heart-wrenching moments of their lives on July 9, 2022–the day lightning struck their chimney, engulfing their home in flames.
Lisa, who was recovering from overseas travel, was sitting only a few feet away from the fireplace when lightning struck, jolting her out of a dead sleep. She says no noise ever thundered through her soul the way that bolt of electricity did that day.
After it struck, Lisa went to find her quite frightened cat, Harvey, and tried to go outside to see what happened. At the time, she did not realize the second floor of her home was going up in flames. By the time she realized what happened, she only had time to grab Harvey, her phone and her purse, making it out safely.
Luckily, some neighbors who spotted chimney bricks in their backyard and having seen smoke billowing from the roof called the fire department, who were on scene in under two minutes. Four firetrucks poured hundreds of gallons of water onto the second floor, putting out the fire after several hours.
Unfortunately, the fire caused the entire house to be renovated. As Mark and Lisa tried to pick up some of the pieces in their home, several of their neighbors gathered their clothes together and washed them all. At one point, Lisa jokes that her and Mark’s clothes were divided up between four of their neighbors’ homes.
If tragedy wasn’t enough, Lisa ended up having to have emergency sinus surgery two days after the fire. Yet, helping hands were abundant. One of the Elliotts’ neighbors, Jeanne Darby, cooked for Lisa, bringing her meals to her hotel room nearly every day during her recovery. Two other neighbors, Lucinda and Dave Hauer, packed up all of Lisa’s expansive book collection and Bible study materials–ensuring they stay safe and dry–in the days following the fire.
One of the Elliotts’ biggest blessings, they say, was none other than Elliott Pike of ELM Construction, who completed the home’s renovation. After a rough start waiting for dry periods between rainstorms, ELM Construction finally completed the Elliotts’ home renovation on July 19, 2023–one year and 10 days after fire.
Working with Elliott was an answer to prayers, Lisa says. Elliott’s empathy and attention to detail helped restore Mark and Lisa’s home to its former glory and even earned him the National Association of Homebuilders’ 2023 Remodeler of the Year award.
Thanks to such a wonderful community, Mark and Lisa believe their home is now better than it was before, and they intend to repay such fellowship with open doors.
To view more of Elliott Pike’s work or inquire about a consultation, visit elmbuilds.com.
The Dining Room
The mahogany dining room table and chairs were some of the first pieces of furniture that Mark and Lisa bought as newlyweds. Amazingly, the set survived the fire. The chandelier is from Inline Lighting, and the impressionistic landscape is from High Point Furniture.
The Wet Bar
Mark’s wet bar features his own little tribute to his alma mater, Auburn University.
The Kitchen
Not only does Lisa love to cook, but she and Mark also use their newfound space to host a 20-person small group through their church, Trinity United Methodist Church, at their home every Tuesday night.
Open Spaces
Lisa requested white cabinetry and black granite to create a strong contrast and added in pops of color for a subtle aesthetic.
AllSouth Appliances
The kitchen’s appliances are from AllSouth Appliance Group. Double ovens were installed, so Lisa can cook large quantities.
The Island
During the renovation, ELM Construction enlarged the island to 3 by 5-feet, allowing Lisa more room to cook and host company. The barstools are from Pottery Barn.
Art by Grace Elliott
Mark and Lisa’s niece, Grace Elliott, painted the still-life of some lemons.
The Living Room
Lisa was sitting just a few feet away from the fireplace when lightning struck the chimney. Luckily, she was safe and got out before the second floor was engulfed in flames.
The Fireplace
The fireplace is made of Alabama limestone.
How Lightning Works
According to the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, lightning is caused when an electrical charge is built up between opposite charges in clouds. When the charge is built up enough, a huge spark is expelled at an oppositely charged object such as a building or the ground. This phenomenon, lightning, balances out the charges in the air until the electrical charges build back up again.
The Farmhouse Door
The screened-in porch door is from Mark’s family’s farm.
The Hall Bathroom
The walls and shiplap ceiling’s teal color contrast nicely with the porcelain white vanity and gold fixtures and finishes.
The Master Bedroom
The master bedroom’s pillow box windows allow for natural light to stream into the room, illuminating the traditional beauty of the room’s design.
The Miracle Chair
This chair was in the fire upstairs, and Lisa thought it was ruined. However, her brother-in-law was able to strip the chair and restore most of the wood, and Lisa found a company to reupholster it, too. It remains a beacon of hope in the Elliott home.
The Master Bathroom
ELM Construction kept the same footprint of the shower but incorporated all new tile and light fixtures to spruce up the bathroom.
Sleek Design
To maximize space, a seldom-used standing tub was removed, and floor-to-ceiling closets were added.
The Commons Area
All-Pro Fire and Water oversaw the post-fire cleanup. One of the workers asked Lisa if he could only save one item, what would it be? She told him some of the family heirloom pieces upstairs. Thinking she may only get one or two items back, she was delighted to learn that All-Pro was able to retrieve the majority of their antique furniture and artwork upstairs, and every piece came back looking better than the night of the fire.
Beauty in the Eyes of the Beholder
This artwork was created by a member of the transient community.
Framed Memorabilia
Many of Mark and Lisa’s travels are framed upstairs.
Haint Blue
One unique architectural aspect of some of the homes in The Preserve is that many porch ceilings are painted “haint blue,” which is a nod to Charleston architectural design and Gullah folklore. Legend has it that early settlers in the Charleston area believed these shades of blue and green mimicked water which was thought to not be crossable for evil spirits. Today, The Preserve is known for its coastal architectural beauty and to residents, the culture is preserves.
