Houzz Tour: Easygoing Vacation Home on Kiawah Island
Tossing overly styled and fussy for laid back and family friendly, a designer bucks the trend in an affluent South Carolina community
This vacation house is an extension of the easygoing vibe that defines South Carolina's Kiawah Island. Although most people associate Kiawah with gated communities, exclusive golf resorts and amenities afforded only to the most affluent residents of South Carolina, interior designer Margaret Donaldson's clients wanted to set their home apart from the rest by prioritizing livability and functionality.
"More than anything, my clients really wanted the furnishings, materials and fabrics in the house to withstand beach living and constant entertaining," she says. "They didn't want to worry so much about cleanups after a night of entertaining friends. They wanted a flexible, low-maintenance interior that was designed with elegant, family-style entertaining in mind."
Houzz at a Glance
Who vacations here: A couple and their 4 girls
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Size: 5,000 square feet
That's interesting: Amy McKinney, a designer who worked on the project with Donaldson, babysat for the clients when their girls were younger.
"More than anything, my clients really wanted the furnishings, materials and fabrics in the house to withstand beach living and constant entertaining," she says. "They didn't want to worry so much about cleanups after a night of entertaining friends. They wanted a flexible, low-maintenance interior that was designed with elegant, family-style entertaining in mind."
Houzz at a Glance
Who vacations here: A couple and their 4 girls
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Size: 5,000 square feet
That's interesting: Amy McKinney, a designer who worked on the project with Donaldson, babysat for the clients when their girls were younger.
A TV nook built into the mantel hides cords and cables from view.
A curved sectional customized to fit the media room maximizes seating options. Sunbrella fabric makes it easy to clean up after movie nights complete with pizza, soda and ice cream.
"When the family vacations here, they're really living, using and maximizing all the rooms of the house. Every single room is an extension and reflection of the family's needs," says Donaldson.
"When the family vacations here, they're really living, using and maximizing all the rooms of the house. Every single room is an extension and reflection of the family's needs," says Donaldson.
The designer enjoyed enhancing the functionality and livability of the house. "The relaxed feel of the island is expressed throughout the home, yet the space is still sophisticated and elegant," she says.
Bamboo shades, earth-tone throw pillows and a Manuel Canovas–upholstered banquette reinforce the organic coastal look.
"I love that this house is traditional while being clean and not overly accessorized or ornamental," says Donaldson.
Banquette fabric: Calypso in Havane, Manuel Canovas; throw pillows: custom by Ryan Studio
"I love that this house is traditional while being clean and not overly accessorized or ornamental," says Donaldson.
Banquette fabric: Calypso in Havane, Manuel Canovas; throw pillows: custom by Ryan Studio
An offset dining table opposite a pair of spool chairs and ottomans keeps the view to the water open, while a fossil shell statement piece on the console roots the space in coastal style.
"Tone on tones of gray and blue keep the room calm and sophisticated enough for a casual summer meal or a Thanksgiving dinner," Donaldson says.
Chairs, ottomans: Pierce, Stanford Furniture in Cowtan & Tout F3416/08 fabric; cane dining chairs: Parlor Square Arm Chair in Coastal Grey, Palacek, with cushions in Zimmer Rohde fabric
"Tone on tones of gray and blue keep the room calm and sophisticated enough for a casual summer meal or a Thanksgiving dinner," Donaldson says.
Chairs, ottomans: Pierce, Stanford Furniture in Cowtan & Tout F3416/08 fabric; cane dining chairs: Parlor Square Arm Chair in Coastal Grey, Palacek, with cushions in Zimmer Rohde fabric
On holidays, the trestle table comes to the center of the room; two 24-inch leaves and extra cane chairs make room for more. Palm fronds take the place of fussy floral bouquets.
The designer turned to local craftspeople for the custom bed frame and bedside tables. The Charles Stewart chair is swathed in a punchy green fabric. Gourd-shaped Robert Abbey table lamps and ocean-hued draperies add pattern and interest to this girls' room.
Soft blue and apricot hues are the chosen accents in this otherwise neutral and warm guest room. A local craftsperson made the headboard of reclaimed wood.
A pop-up piece conceals a TV at the foot of the Somerset Bay bed.
Console: Bausman; table lamps: Ben, Barbara Cosgrove
Console: Bausman; table lamps: Ben, Barbara Cosgrove
When in use, the TV can also swivel to face the direction of the skirted swivel chairs.
A small pool outside overlooks a salt marsh, where kayakers, canoers and paddleboarders can observe a variety of bird species and fish native to Kiawah Island.
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The bar stools' zebra upholstery matches the throw pillows on the sofa.