The airy abode houses the owners’ impressive art collection
Following a decade in a grand 5,500- square-foot home in Kiawah Island’s Cassique neighborhood, a couple, originally from Connecticut, realized they were living with more space than they needed. “There were rooms we never went into,” says the wife. The upkeep had become a burden, and their four children—spread across the country from Maine to Seattle—rarely visited all at once. Three years ago, the couple decided to downsize, but instead of leaving their beloved Cassique, they built a new home just around the corner that better suited their lifestyle. “We made a mistake that a lot of people do when they first retire, building a great big house and then realizing they don’t need all that space,” says the husband. Their new home, a more manageable 3,600 square feet, embraces a contemporary aesthetic and is designed for effortless, one-floor living.
The couple’s previous home was very much in keeping with the neighborhood’s signature British Arts and Crafts-style architecture, featuring cedar shingles, stucco, and intricate architectural details. This time, they opted for a more modern design, while remaining close to the spirit of the community. “Our first home had a lot of trim and detail, but we were both yearning to design something more contemporary,” explains the wife.
(Left to right) A Dale Chihuly glass sculpture and signed print in the foyer inspired the selection of this geometric “Landscape” rug from Design Within Reach. Benjamin Moore “Cloud White” painted throughout the open space creates an ideal backdrop for showcasing the homeowners’ art collection. Squid and lobster claw sculptures by a Maine glass artist are among many objets and furnishings interior designer Mikala Kuchera worked into the home. “Clients’ existing pieces often have a story or special meaning, so I enjoy finding a way to incorporate them,” she says.
They turned to the team who built their previous home, architect Wayne Windham and builder Koenig Homes. Windham skillfully balanced Cassique’s style with the couple’s desire for modernity. “We used a lot of stucco but not as many details to create cleaner lines,” he explains. A metal roof and subtle shingles in the gables segue to smooth stucco walls, blending contemporary and classic elements on the exterior. Inside, the open layout, soaring ceilings, and expansive windows create a gallery-like backdrop for the couple’s art collection, while allowing views to the egrets, herons, and mergansers that frequent the lagoon beyond. “It needed to be open, with the main bedroom on the first floor, that was key,” says the husband. “We wanted space for art, an outdoor living area near the kitchen, and a bar accessible to the great room.”
Art has always been a passion for the couple, who are longtime members of the Gibbes Museum and patrons of the Charleston Symphony. They saw the home as an opportunity to curate their collection in a space designed to highlight each piece. “We buy art impulsively—if we like something, we buy it without thinking about where it will go,” says the husband.
Their collection reflects their personal journey, with pieces by artists in Maine, where they have a summer home; a striking Chihuly glass piece, one of those spontaneous purchases made during a trip to Seattle; and works discovered during their time in the Lowcountry. They credit Anne Siegfried of The George Gallery, who helped them discover artists like Frank Phillips and Tim Hussey. They also tapped Charleston Artist Collective, where they fell for Ann Keane’s landscapes. “We love her use of color; they’re representational, but not quite abstract—just contemporary enough,” says the wife. Another prized piece displayed in the cozy den is a portrait by Jill Hooper.
To incorporate their art collection and existing furniture into the new space, the couple worked with interior designer Mikala Kuchera from Margaret Donaldson Interiors. “The home’s clean lines and natural light serve as a neutral base, almost like a gallery,” the designer explains. “We layered in warmer textures and pieces to add character and ensure the space felt inviting.”
Taking advantage of the ample natural light, the kitchen combines alder wood cabinets with Benjamin Moore “Cloud White” painted walls and upper cabinets, as well as a dramatic black Kelly Wearstler “Axis Large Linear” pendant.
Kuchera drew inspiration from the art, using its hues to create a cohesive color palette. “I pulled the colors for the accessories, the pillows, and different items to kind of pop off of the collection,” she says. For example, in the foyer, a contemporary rug from Design Within Reach mirrors the turquoise tones of the Chihuly glass sculpture.
With downsizing came the challenge of editing their furnishings. “We made the mistake of storing a lot of furniture while we built this home,” says the wife. “When we brought it out, we realized we were dealing with a completely different palette.” Kuchera helped them select new pieces and repurpose existing ones to create a cohesive, stylish interior.
The living room is anchored by a custom plaster fireplace surround that extends all the way to the high ceiling. “We had seen a long gas-lit fireplace in a hotel and always wanted to incorporate that into a modern house,” notes the wife. The sculptural piece was handmade by local plaster artisans Rebecca Harrelson and Taylor Faulkner of Faust Renovations, who worked with Kuchera to perfect the tone and texture. “We wanted to bring in a little bit of warmth in the plaster, so we tried several different rounds of samples to get it right,” says the designer of the soft charcoal hue from the bar that ties the spaces together.
The bar itself was a statement from the start. “They wanted a jewel-box effect,” notes Kuchera. “Initially, they were thinking something dramatic in black, but in the end, we opted for that softer charcoal gray.” Handmade Moroccan Zellige tile in a matching tone adds luxurious texture to the space. Two Hickory Chair swivel barstools in a soft blue pair with two stools in the adjoining kitchen, providing flexible seating options for gathering around the kitchen island or lounging by the bar.
Blue hues continue in the adjacent dining room, where Kuchera integrated the couple’s existing table with new chairs from Hickory Chair and an Old Biscayne sideboard. A dramatic Visual Comfort light fixture adds a sculptural element. “Lighting was really important to us,” says the wife. “The fixtures feel like works of art themselves.”
Overhanging gables in the rear of the home provide shelter, while a luxurious infinity pool is the perfect spot for grandkids to play. Unlike many homes on Kiawah, this one didn’t need to be raised very high to avoid the floodplain, a fact that drew the couple to the property. “We didn’t want to have to deal with lots of steps,” says the wife.
The kitchen follows suit with a soft, contemporary aesthetic. A Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort chandelier hovers above the island, while natural wood cabinets and oak flooring bring warmth. “We wanted contemporary, but we didn’t want a stark white house,” she says. From the cabinets to the ceiling elements, alder wood accents soften the edges and create a welcoming atmosphere.
While the main living area is bright and airy, a nearby den adjoining the primary bedroom offers a cozy retreat. “We wanted this space to feel like a cocoon,” notes Kuchera. She used a sage green, textured Phillip Jeffries wall covering and painted the trim, built-ins, and ceiling in Benjamin Moore “Secret Path” to create an enveloping effect. The couple’s existing Mies van der Rohe “Barcelona” chair pairs with a custom green velvet sofa, while a striking Arc Wall Lamp from Allied Maker and a sculptural glass coffee table complete the room’s refined-yet-relaxed aesthetic.
Upstairs, two guest bedrooms and a cheerful bunk room provide ample space for visiting family. The bunk room boasts colorful sconces from Schoolhouse Electric in different primary colors for a fun touch, while the adjacent bathroom features a star-patterned Sister Parish wallpaper, adding a whimsical element. This playfulness is repeated in the downstairs powder room, “which is always a great place for some whimsy!” says Kuchera. For it, she selected a bold wallpaper from Abnormals Anonymous named “Mr. Blow,” featuring puffer fish.
In every corner, there is a balance between art and comfort, contemporary design and warmth. “So many houses have a living room that feels like a museum,” says the husband. “We use this space every day; it’s where we have cocktails, read books, and just be.”
