Published: May 01. 2010 2:00AM

By Kim Hassold
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jim Rubright says he and wife Mary settled on Lake Keowee as a location for a weekend family retreat based on recommendations from friends, but it was the thought of long night-time family boat rides and the quality of the developments going up on the lake that sealed the deal.

“We picked the Reserve because of the overall quality of the development and the amenities, the natural country feeling of the residential areas, dedicated natural areas and the strength of the developer.”

The end result is a charming home that looks as if it has always been there. Working with architect Ken Summerour and builder Ken Berry, says Jim, was “a pleasure,” a sentiment returned by Berry who says the very simple and clean design of the home is the perfect backdrop for Mary's style.

The lady of the house wanted the interior to have a modern open feeling complemented by great materials such as the 1940's art deco furnishings and heart pine floors from a friend's warehouse in Graniteville.

Weekends these days find the Rubrights, along with sons Mac and Bill as well as older children Jami and Nate and – whenever possible – Mary’s siblings, enjoying the place they always knew it could be – a weekend retreat with family time together and not a TV or computer in sight.