Build Our 2024 Idea House: Sea Island Farmhouse

For the 2024 Idea House on Kiawah River, we tapped local Charleston-based architect Kirsten Schoettelkotte of MHK Architecture. Inspired by the coastal marsh landscape, the Sea Island Farmhouse (SL-2108) embraces an architectural style of farmsteads traditionally found in the lowcountry regions. The design approach is simple, yet elegant to embrace the natural beauty of the home's surroundings and emphasizes an easy indoor-outdoor flow. “To me it was immediately about the trees,” says Schoettelkotte of those that anchor the property. “We wanted it to feel like you were in a tree house, to sort of encourage you to go out and down and walk around and engage with [the outdoors].”

The Inspiration

Of the 4,379 square feet of heated and cooled spaces, every room (except for the scullery) has windows, most of which are floor-to-ceiling, to let natural light flood the interiors and capture the views. Outside, an additional 1,079 square feet of covered living spaces ensure there’s always a spot to enjoy the fresh air. Sliding doors along the dining room wall open for a seamless connection to the expansive back porch, while the A-frame screened outdoor living room, complete with a fireplace, makes year-round outdoor living possible no matter the weather or pesky bugs.

The facade was thoughtfully designed for the Lowcountry with a raised foundation that subtly elevates the home to protect it, plus a mix of brick, lap siding, and a cedar shake roof to ensure plenty of textural interest on the exterior. Inside, the floor plan was crafted with an avid entertainer in mind. “It has a very functional plan, it’s not a huge house, but it packs a lot of punch into it,” says the 2024 Idea House builder, Tom Dillard of Dillard-Jones. “I think there’s something for everybody.” The historic-inspired main structure includes four bedrooms and 4.5 baths, while a separate carriage house, constructed to look like it was added on later as needs grew, above the two car garage offers additional living quarters with a bedroom, full bath, kitchenette, and powder room.

The Main Floor 

Immediately after stepping through the front door, you’re greeted by the heart of the home—a welcoming kitchen, living room, dining room, and view straight out the back of the home thanks to a wall of windows and sliding doors. The interconnected spaces anchor the main floor with the primary bedroom suite separated by a lengthy hallway to the right and hardworking areas, including the laundry, scullery, friends’ entrance with a wet bar, and outdoor living room as well as the garage and carriage house access, to the left side.

“We really focus on how people are going to live in a space on a day-to-day basis. We don't ever want to have any spaces that are not usable,” says Allison Alebash, the 2024 Idea House interior designer. “We want every space to have functionality, but also feel like it is cohesive.” With ample high and low storage, a large range alcove, and built-in appliances the highly-functional kitchen and adjacent scullery is a dream for those who love to cook and host—especially with the easy accessed to the dining room and porches for serving.

The Second Floor

To accentuate the tree house-feel, the stairwell is outfitted with two-story windows as you move between the floors. At the top of the landing, a cozy family room den with a built-in wet bar offers the perfect spot for a little R&R from the hustle and bustle of the open-concept downstairs gathering spaces. Upstairs, a pass-through vestibule also offers a quiet space with two window seats and built-in cabinetry primed for a coffee bar setup.

The second floor bedrooms are spacious and each have their own private bathrooms and ample closet space. Each room also offers the flexibility to be converted into a different space to fit your needs like a home office, yoga studio, or gym—as does the separate carriage house suite. Plus, there’s room for an second washer and dryer unit for convenience in both spaces.

The Details 

Plan Designer: Kirsten Schoettelkotte of MHK Design

Name: Sea Island Farmhouse

Plan: SL-2108

Size: 4,379 square feet heated and cooled + 1,079 square feet covered outdoor living

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 5 full, 2 half