Step Inside the Serene 2024 “Southern Living” Idea House
This Kiawah River retreat blends heritage and high performance.
Story by Lance Hanlin
Photography by Rebecca Lehde
Just a few miles down the road from Kiawah Island lies Kiawah River, a waterfront community on Johns Island, where salt marsh meets farmland and modern living bends to the rhythm of nature. Spread across 2,000 acres and 20 miles of shoreline, this one-of-a-kind neighborhood was planned with the land’s natural riches in mind, from the maritime forest and brackish ponds, to the working farm where goats, cattle, bees and wildflowers share space with rows of produce.
In 2024 Southern Living turned its attention to this remarkable stretch of Lowcountry by building its annual Idea House there. The magazine assembled a dream team of South Carolina talents, including builder Tom Dillard of Dillard-Jones Builders, designer Allison Elebash of Allison Elebash Interior Design, architect Kirsten Schoettelkotte of MHK Architecture and landscape architect Scott Parker of DesignWorks. Together they created a home that honors the land’s story while embracing its future.
For Dillard, authenticity was the guiding principle. He wanted the house to look as though it had always belonged there, not only in its gabled forms and welcoming porches but also in its materials: cedar shingles, painted lap siding and copper accents that will age gracefully. The craftsmanship nods to the past, but beneath it all hums quiet innovation.
Easy elegance
The main living space captures what life in the Lowcountry does best: connection. Oak beams stretch across the ceiling, soft linen textures catch the afternoon light, and sliding glass doors open the entire back wall to the view. The layout is open but purposeful, with distinct zones for lounging, dining and cooking that flow together naturally. Neutral tones and natural fibers keep the spotlight where
it belongs: on the water and the ever-changing marsh beyond.
Center of calm
The family room side of the home proves that serenity doesn’t mean simplicity. Every layer adds comfort: the limestone fireplace, the vintage handwoven rug, the mix of art and collected objects. Subtle blue and sandy taupes create a palette inspired by the tidal flats visible just beyond the windows. Custom shelving holds books and found treasures, giving the space a lived-in, loved feel that balances refinement with ease.
Conversation starter
The dining room embraces intimacy within an open plan. Centered by a handcrafted walnut pedestal table, the space invites long dinners and easy conversation. Scalloped slip-covered chairs and a bamboo chandelier lend coastal character without cliché. The large glass doors open completely, connecting the table to the screened porch so guests can enjoy the evening breeze with their meal.
Honest craft
The kitchen is a showcase of craftsmanship and restraint. A plaster hood arches gracefully above a professional-grade range, framed by handmade Moroccan Zellege tiles that shimmer in the morning sun. Open shelving, white oak cabinetry and unlacquered brass fixtures age gracefully over time. A hidden pantry and built-in bar add function without cluttering the view. It’s a working kitchen designed for cooks who value beauty and practicality in equal measure.
Walk this way
The hallways in this home are more than passageways, they’re experiences. A hand-painted mural wraps the walls in a canopy of greens and grays, creating the illusion of walking beneath live oaks. The subtle pattern softens the light and draws the outdoors in, linking every room with a feeling of continuity.
Stairway to serenity
The white oak staircase rises through a dramatic two-story window wall, giving each step a shifting perspective of the landscape. Its open design and sculptural iron railing create movement, while a porcelain wall installation inspired by barnacles adds an artful coastal touch. It’s both functional and poetic; a daily ascent framed by sunlight and shadow.
Porch perfect
If the Lowcountry has a signature room, it’s the screened porch, and this one gets it right. Ceiling fans hum softly over a seating area designed for year-round use. Durable wicker, performance fabrics and warm decking materials make the space both comfortable and practical. From sunrise coffee to sunset cocktails, this is where the home’s rhythm slows to match the marsh.Step inside the 2024 Southern Living Idea House at Kiawah River, a serene Lowcountry retreat blending heritage, high-performance design, screened porch living and calming interiors.
