I bet the historical society would have an idea of what kind of homes were done way back. It would depend how far back you want for inspiration. People lived in the low country for many years ;)
FWIW - I love the low country style and hope to retire to NC in the future. We almost moved to NC a few years ago and were buying a fabulous low country style house. It was so much more affordable than where we live (NY) and the style was different than what we have up here, which was refreshing in itself.

Do you have an idea what you want to kitchen to look like? No upper cabinets/open shelves? Light or medium wood? Painted?

I would look at architect websites that build beach houses - I would start with Dungan Nequette - a favorite of mine, not knowing your style. Lots of kitchen inspiration here too.

You could try looking at Kiawah houses for sale online at Kiawahisland.com . There are a number of fairly new homes for sale which may have kitchens more similar to what you are looking for. You can see additional Kiawah homes, as well as historic homes for sale in downtown Charleston, at pamharrington.com. Hope that helps and that you enjoy your new home!

I don't know how 'authentic' this kitchen is, but it was featured in Veranda 2008. It's a remodel, in a low country, South Carolina home. Maybe it will give you some ideas :)
{{!gwi}}From Kitchen plans

You might want to look at Southern Living at a library-- lots of kitchen images, including focusing on beach houses and the low country, over time.

ROTFL!! Makes more sense, really. I thought you were talking about Belgian/Dutch. Historical. 'Cause the modern ones don't look much different than any others. ;)

I love the designs of Frederick and Frederick in Beaufort, South Carolina!
Not sure if this kitchen qualify as Low Country stye. But it is beautiful.

[traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by charleston architect Frederick + Frederick Architects

[traditional kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by charleston architect Frederick + Frederick Architects

[traditional exterior design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-exterior-home-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_736~s_2107) by charleston architect Frederick + Frederick Architects

More Low Country style from Houzz.
The horizontal interior panels feel very low country to me.

[traditional laundry room design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-laundry-room-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_753~s_2107) by charleston interior designer Alix J. Bragg

Oh.... I love all those pix posted already!
LL - that kitchen is stunning, but I'd go for a ceramic or whiter marble bs.... The wood cabs seem dressed up but rustic somehow, which is a great balance. I'd also want more elbow room around the cooktop. I guess if you keep the lowers and open up over the cooktop with shelves, it would be closer to perfect ;)

francoise - wow! I'll take them both....

legallin, you'll see many white/light kitchens around here.

Check out Sam Furr architects (new window) or Christopher Rose Architects (new window) for some inspiration.

I concur with francoise47 that you should check out Alix Bragg's old house on Houzz, beautiful home (I actually went to middle/high school with her many moons ago).

There is also a kitchen in the new Renovation Style this month that is either on Kiawah or Seabrook and there was one a while back out on Sullivan's that had white perimeter cabs and a light aqua blue island with marble that was to die for (it was in Kitchen and Bath Ideas, I think). I wish that I could remember the builder's name. I'll try to look it up for you.

ROTFL!! Makes more sense, really. I thought you were talking about Belgian/Dutch. Historical. 'Cause the modern ones don't look much different than any others. ;)

dutch

Right with plllog there. I too thought the conversation was about Pays-Bas. I will have to take some time and see what "low country" means in Southern US contexts.

It's double-dutch to me right now. ;-)

Dianalo- Isn't that wood beautiful? It's English Yew Wood and the style of the kitchen is designed to go with the home owner's West Indies decor. Here's the link, with a few more pictures :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to picture

LOL! Dutch referred to a picture which I guess didn't like being here. My apologies.

I started out wanting wood cabinets, and had something like those English Yew ones in mind, but nothing looked like what I pictured when I went to showrooms. I am guessing it would have not only broken our budget, but smashed it into smithereens, lol.... I guess I know about it if we ever move and there is a next time....
I can only imagine how gorgeous it could be made with some personalizing our way....

Thank you! Thank you so much! Such great ideas for "starters." So much to think about. I'm still trying to figure out what direction we are going in -- probably light, airy, casual. I'll post more info/pics/floorplans etc., after we close (around Thanksgiving) and can actually spend a little time in the house!

Interesting, but when I was looking at the kitchens on the Kiawah Island MLS and Hilton Heal MLS, for the most part I found that I liked the kitchens I have seen here on GW better than even those in many of the multi-million dollar homes!

mindstorm, "Lowcountry" means just that, we're lowwww. The cities and towns along the coasts of SC and GA are near or below sea level. If it's high tide and there is a spit of a shower, we usually flood.

I can definitely see a horizontal, tongue-and-groove paneled look on the walls of a low-country house. I have a magazine pic I've saved since maybe 2005 of a low country kitchen and this is what it has. High ceilings and white cabinets.... just beautiful!

Congratulation on your home in Hilton Head. It is my favorite place in the world. My parents live there and we try to visit 3-4 times a year. I don't have any advice on your kitchen style but I can help you with some other things. I actually shopped for some of my items for our kitchen reno. in Hilton Head.

Billy Wood Appliances - they have all the brands and a great showroom.

Hagemeyer-great lighting store. They will give you a discount off the price on the ticket.

Stone Works-my favorite tile store. They have all the "names" and many slabs of granite in their showroom along with cabinet door fronts. This was so great because I could really get an idea of what my tile would look like!

Traditions-this is a furniture/accessory store that I got some of my lighting from. I will probably get some furniture as time goes on as well. They are wonderful and will come to your home and help you if you need it.

Yes, I bought some of my things in South Carolina and had them shipped to TN.

Good luck on your new adventure! So happy for you!

How exciting! I love low country-style homes! We live in the South, and it is so interesting to me that when I hear "low country" I immediately picture a lovely, 1.5 story house with very tall ceilings and a porch wrapping around the front and perhaps even an elevated foundation, and others from different parts of the country may think it means something else entirely. I will try to look for kitchen pictures for you...even though we aren't located in the low country, many homes around us have been built in that style.

Well, I understand that Belgian Modern is all the rage right now.... ;-)