Project Reveal: kiawah homestead
story 8
There is something special about designing a home on Kiawah Island. The natural surroundings lend themselves to interiors that feel relaxed and inviting, but for this home, we wanted to take that familiar coastal feeling a step further—creating a space that felt fresh, collected, refined, and above all, livable.
Our Kiawah Homestead project was a full-home renovation and furnishing project centered around creating a home that could beautifully support everyday family life while still feeling elevated enough for entertaining.
A Softer Approach to Coastal Design
Throughout the home, a palette of soft whites, warm natural woods, muted blues, watery blue-greens, and sandy neutrals creates a quiet connection to the Lowcountry landscape.
The living room is perhaps the best example of this approach. Crisp white architectural detailing creates a bright backdrop, while deep blue built-ins give the room weight and contrast. A natural wood mantel, woven textures, relaxed upholstery, and softly patterned fabrics keep the space from feeling too polished or precious.
The result is a room that feels distinctly coastal without relying on the expected nautical elements. Instead, the feeling comes through in the materials and colors—the kind of home where sandy feet, family gatherings, and a quiet afternoon curled up on the sofa all feel equally welcome.
Giving Classic Details a Fresh Perspective
One of our favorite parts of this renovation was finding opportunities to pair classic architectural elements with more unexpected design choices. The home had good bones already and incredible millwork when our clients took posession. It just needed to be brought to life.
In the kitchen, we completely gutted the exhausted cabinetry and granite. I always start my kitchens from a functional perspective. Getting down to the littlest details of how a family actually uses their kitchen. Do you bake, do you cook, are you entertaining, do you want people to see your kitchen, etc. All questions I’m asking. Then once I have the layout perfect I get into the beauty of it all. In this kitchen, timeless white cabinetry is contrasted by a graphic checkerboard floor, woven counter stools, warm brass lighting, and a blue-and-white patterned backsplash tucked beneath a sculptural plaster hood.
Individually, each detail has its own personality, but together they create a kitchen that feels layered rather than themed. It is bright and timeless, but it also has a sense of playfulness.
That same philosophy carries into some of the home's smaller spaces. The powder room becomes its own little moment with an all-over scenic wallcovering, sculptural sink, warm wood mirror, and polished hardware.
Designing Around the Architecture
With so much natural light throughout the home, we wanted the interiors to enhance the architecture rather than compete with it.
The dining room's soaring ceiling and tall windows called for a restrained approach to furnishings. An oversized woven chandelier draws the eye upward and emphasizes the volume of the room, while an understated round dining table, upholstered chairs, and softly patterned rug keep everything below feeling intimate and comfortable. Squarespace Images
Even the stairwell becomes a design moment. A large cascading chandelier adds softness and movement against the home's crisp white millwork, while pale artwork and a subtle blue stair runner continue the home's palette without overwhelming the space.
These quieter moments were just as important to the overall design as the statement rooms. They allow the home to unfold naturally as you move through it.
A Home Made to Be Lived In
More than anything, we wanted Kiawah Homestead to be a space that would anchor our clients. A home that felt so good to be in it brought the kids home. A place that would lend itself to life’s ups and downs from generations to come.
Beautiful interiors don't have to feel untouchable. Some of our favorite projects are those where thoughtful design and real life comfortably coexist. Performance-minded upholstery, generous seating, approachable materials, natural textures, and functional storage all help this home work for the people who live here—not simply look beautiful in photographs.
And that is ultimately what gives this project its character.
Kiawah Homestead is our interpretation of relaxed Lowcountry living: classic but not overly traditional, coastal but not themed, elevated but never fussy. It is a home built around family, comfort, and the idea that the most beautiful spaces should also be the ones you want to spend the most time in.
Interested in starting a conversation about your home? Contact us here to inquire about 2027-2028 opportunities.