As Charleston locals, we were thrilled to have Southern Living Magazine’s Idea House in our back yard this year. Farrah and I spent a lovely Friday afternoon touring the nostalgic Lowcountry farmhouse in Kiawah River. Nestled amid stately live oaks and swaying marsh grass, the house evokes a simpler time when the rhythms of life echoed those of nature. Abundant windows, expansive porches and a beautifully-landscaped terrace and garden provide an easy indoor/outdoor flow to maximize the marsh views and sea breeze.
The home’s color palette takes a cue from its rural surroundings with shades of green, blue, wheat and eggplant weaving their way throughout the interior. The overall effect has a muted quality that is calm and soothing.
Designer Allison Elebash pulled the house together using a variety of wall and ceiling treatments. Her use of wallpapers and paneling add layers of texture and visual interest to the home. Custom cabinetry and built-ins throughout also lend character.
Elebash also made interesting use of spaces like stairwells and hallways. Rather than acting solely as a pass-through, these areas serve as destinations in their own right. For instance, the area beneath a double-story staircase features a stylish game table for mah-jongg and other pastimes. Likewise, the upstairs landing functions as a casual den complete with its own sectional and built-in bar. The upstairs passageway was perhaps my favorite, set-up for morning coffee with cozy window seats. The layout of this home definitely kept us guessing as to what was around the corner.
If you haven’t yet made the trip, the Idea House will be open for visitors through December 22. Even better, it’s now decked out for the holidays, offering up even more decorating inspiration! You can purchase tickets here. If you’ve already been–we’d love to hear what you thought in the comments!
