A Collaboration in Design
At Dana Bacher Design, every project reflects Dana’s eye for detail and her love of natural materials. Based in Beaufort, South Carolina, she often incorporates wood as a key element in creating spaces that feel both inviting and refined.
“Almost every design that we do uses a wood element,” Dana says. It’s a touch she finds essential to add both beauty and a sense of natural warmth to her interiors. When paired with materials like stone, metal, or tile, wood provides a grounding, tactile quality that makes a space feel alive. And when it comes to sourcing that wood, she relies on Grothouse for unmatched quality and thoughtful engineering, ensuring that each piece is as durable as it is stunning.
For the 2025 Southern Living Showcase Home, a home that balances elegance with warmth, Dana Bacher turned to Grothouse to bring natural wood elements into the heart of the design. Each custom piece is thoughtfully designed for its specific space and brings warmth and texture while integrating seamlessly with its surroundings. This partnership allowed Dana to experiment with wood in unexpected ways and create spaces that feel intentional and full of character.
A Partnership Rooted in Craft: Paul Grothouse on Working Alongside Designer Dana Bacher
“For more than a decade, we at Grothouse have had the pleasure of partnering with Dana and watching her design journey unfold. From the early days of her career to the thriving design practice she leads today, her growth has been nothing short of inspiring.
Dana’s recent expansion into her stunning new showroom in Beaufort, SC marks an exciting milestone, anchoring her creative vision in one of the Southeast’s most vibrant and fast-growing coastal communities. And her selection as the designer of the Southern Living Showcase Home stands as a testament to her remarkable talent, passion, and dedication to her craft.
We are proud to collaborate with Dana and her team. Her signature style — filled with natural light, calm tones, organic textures, and an effortless sense of comfort — aligns beautifully with our commitment to authentic materials and timeless craftsmanship.”
The Southern Living Showcase Home
Dining Table
Edge Grain Walnut; Finished with Durata® Zero
The custom dining table serves as a true centerpiece for the home: a balance of form, function, and artistry. Its lines, intricate leg base and large presence give it a grounded, architectural quality, while a striking gold inlay detail runs through the center, adding a distinctive design moment. This Anvil™ Metal inlay, shown using the Magnum gold color, introduces a touch of modern elegance and subtly echoes the home’s other mixed-material elements. Engineered with the same thoughtful craftsmanship seen throughout Dana’s collaboration with Grothouse, the table exemplifies how a single piece can anchor a room with both purpose and beauty.
Kitchen Island and Countertop
Edge Grain Walnut with Sapwood; Finished with Durata® Zero
Kitchen islands are central to a home’s design so Dana often opts for wood accents to avoid the seams that stone slabs can create. Adding wood, especially at a countertop seating area, adds warmth and a sensory experience that softens cold, stone surfaces. With Grothouse’s Durata® Zero, countertops can handle everyday use without compromising beauty. Precision engineering and craftsmanship also allows the wood to nest seamlessly with surrounding stone, creating a design that feels deliberate, polished, and inviting.
Bathroom Countertop
Edge Grain Walnut with Sapwood; Finished with Durata® Zero
In the bathroom, Dana needed to pair a countertop with an existing stone sink. She wanted a material that felt layered and rich, not just stone-on-stone. The edge grain walnut countertop and matching backsplash, finished with Durata® Zero, provided the perfect solution. An on-trend zero sheen finish, durable enough to withstand water while maintaining its natural beauty, the piece creates a luxurious, textured focal point. The walnut warmth complements the stone without competing, achieving a layered, elevated design.
Lounge Coffee Bar Countertop
Edge Grain Walnut with Sapwood; Finished with Grothouse Original Oil™
A two-and-a-half-inch-thick end grain walnut butcher block transforms a moody wet bar into a striking design statement. Dana selected a mix of walnut and sapwood to showcase the natural character of the wood. Beyond its visual appeal, the countertop is fully functional, demonstrating that end grain butcher block can withstand the demands of a sink area.
Pastore® Waterfall Entryway Table
Wych Elm; Finished with Durata® Zero
The entryway Pastore® waterfall table offers a different kind of wood story. Wych Elm, with its natural burls and subtle variations, provides depth and movement across the surface. Dana chose this species to diversify from walnut while maintaining a warm, natural palette. The waterfall edge gives the table a seamless, sculptural feel. As a result, it becomes both a functional and striking focal point in the home’s first impression.
Collaboration and Craftsmanship
Working with Dana Bacher is about more than just creating beautiful pieces, it’s about thoughtful and inspiring collaboration. Each Grothouse element is selected and engineered to elevate the space while Dana’s design expertise ensures every detail enhances both aesthetics and functionality.
“[Grothouse is] unmatched, unparalleled, in terms of the wood that they select. It’s just amazing, and since quality is so important to us, nobody does it matter. Just the materials that get chosen and the engineering of the product is so thoughtfully done, so carefully done,” Dana explains.
Dana also enjoys working with Grothouse because she can “customize [the project] to fit any space. And so that’s been so helpful for us… that we’re able to provide this beautiful product for our client using the Grothouse material.”
The pieces from this collaboration demonstrate the power of combining visionary design with expertly crafted wood. Each selection is intentional, from the species and finish to the way it interacts with accompanying materials. The finished home feels warm, purposeful, and truly one-of-a-kind; a testament to the possibilities that emerge when craftsmanship and creativity meet.
Learn More
For a closer look at Dana’s design process and the story behind this home, experience the full tour on YouTube.
Grothouse partners with designers, builders, and homeowners to create truly one-of-a-kind wood surfaces. Contact us to learn more about our products or explore opportunities to collaborate on your next project.
