Located on a beautiful barrier island just south of historic Charleston, South Carolina, Kiawah Island is home to five championship golf courses, world class tennis, ten miles of pristine beach and The Sanctuary, a luxurious resort hotel.

It was the natural beauty of the island with its river, lagoons and marshlands, as well as its privacy, which attracted this couple to create a secluded family retreat for vacations and memorable get-togethers.

Assisted by Pamela Hughes, owner and president of Hughes Design Associates, this generously proportioned home was individualized to suit this family’s needs and desires.

The family wanted a beach home, comfortable and unpretentious, but they required a soft elegance as well.

Special attention was given to creating a lively mix of antiques with clean-lined contemporary furniture, adding surprise and interest throughout.

Enhancing the sense of place, artists and artworks were chosen from the rich cultural heritage of Charleston. West Fraser, a renowned local artist, created many of the paintings, and historical maps of the area were located and hung in hallways and staircases. Pottery, hand-hewn wooden bowls and forged ironwork add to the textural, informal elegance of these exceptional and extraordinary living spaces.