Plan Your Trip To The Southern Living Idea House Now

This year, we built our dream home in a coastal community near Charleston, South Carolina.

Kiawah River Idea House exterior scenics
Photo:

Robbie Caponetto

For more than 35 years, Southern Living has partnered with builders, architects, and designers to produce custom houses that simultaneously celebrate the Southern lifestyle and the latest innovations in home design. This year, we are delighted to announce our Idea House is under construction in Kiawah River, a coastal community just 20 miles from historic Charleston, South Carolina. 

With thoughtful consideration for the natural landscape and an appreciation for the Lowcountry lifestyle, this year’s Idea House is designed to reference the simple beauty of the farmhouses that have historically informed the architectural vernacular of the region. Carefully positioned between two sprawling live oaks, our main house and adjacent carriage house make the most of their site on the banks of Abbapoola Creek, with views from nearly every space in the house (including the powder room!) and a floor plan that emphasizes an easygoing flow between indoors and out. Even the smallest details have been selected with the Charleston community in mind. In addition to including handcrafted products from area farm vendors, the team is also curating a collection of local art, like the sweetgrass baskets of 6th-generation artist Andrea Cayetano-Jefferson. Together, these elements celebrate Lowcountry traditions, honor the neighborhood’s agrarian roots, and welcome the future in a mindful way.  

Tour Our Idea House

The Idea House will be open to the public for tours from August 23 through December 22, Thursday through Sunday. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 pm. It will be closed for tours on Thanksgiving Day.

Meet The Team

To make the vision for this year’s Idea House a reality, we’ve assembled a talented team with a unique understanding of the Lowcountry, as they’re all based in the Charleston area: the developers Kiawah River, builder Dillard-Jones, architect MHK Architecture, interior designer Allison Elebash, and landscape architect DesignWorks

2024 Idea House National Sponsors

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