"Kiawah Island Estate," by Shope Reno Wharton, Russ Cooper Associates, Inc. + Jacquelynne P. Lanham Designs, Inc.
JACQUELYNNE P. LANHAM DESIGNS INC. OEHME VAN SWEDEN & ASSOCIATES INC. RUSS COOPER ASSOCIATES INC. SHOPE RENO WHARTON 
SHINGLE-STYLE KIAWAH ISLAND ESTATE DESIGNED BY SHOPE RENO WHARTON | SCREENSHOT: KIAWAH ISLAND REAL ESTATE, KIAWAHISLAND.COM
The other day, I came across an entry about the brand new website of Atlanta-based interior designer, Jackye Lanham, on one of my favorite blogs, Things That Inspire. As I browsed through the beautiful images, a few rooms seemed very familiar. I finally remembered where I had seen the designer's elegant work: Ms. Lanham was part of the talented team of professionals who collaborated to create this stunning shingle-style estate, located on Kiawah Island, a barrier island just twenty-one miles off the coast of historic Charleston, South Carolina. The house is, coincidentally, on the market.
AERIAL VIEW OF KIAWAH ISLAND ESTATE, TUCKED INTO LUSH MARITIME FOREST | PHOTO: LIFEATKIAWAH.COM
In researching her article on this project, Architectural Digest's Therese Bissell interviewed renowned architect Bernard Wharton, of Shope Reno Wharton, to gain insight into the team's design process. The piece, entitled "Evoking the Past on Kiawah," appeared in the magazine's June 2009 issue.
Mr. Wharton and his colleagues worked closely with landscape architects Oehme, van Sweden & Associates, of Washington, DC. Together, they carefully considered the island's environment and fragile eco-system in their design and siting, while master builder, Russ Cooper, principal of the Charleston-based firm of Russ Cooper Associates, Inc., meticulously carried out the architects' vision.
Weathered red-cedar shingle and shake cover the exterior of the structure, which rests upon piers of handmade "Savannah Grey" brick. The house encompasses thirty rooms and 15,000 square feet of living space, "it is village-like in its massing -- meandering, meant to be sequentially experienced -- its scale broken down and never wholly apparent from a single vantage point (though most evident from the entrance court, which is flanked by the two wings that splay from the main volume)."
AERIAL VIEW OF TIDAL MARSHLANDS SURROUNDING KIAWAH ISLAND ESTATE DESIGNED BY SHOPE RENO WHARTON | PHOTO: LIFEATKIAWAH.COM
The estate is tucked among the "mature live oaks, leafy palmettos, and tall pines" of Kiawah Island's pristine martime forest. "Lush landscaped gardens...transition to sunwashed, ever-changing marshgrasses and a generous private boat dock at Kiawah’s westernmost tip. The extensive 11.7-acre grounds include two additional homesites."
ONE OF MANY OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING AREAS OF KIAWAH ISLAND ESTATE BY SHOPE RENO WHARTON | PHOTO: LIFEATKIAWAH.COM
More than 5,000 square feet of outdoor living and entertaining areas, including decks, "pavilions, porches, balconies and an infinity pool," maximize enjoyment of the spectacular setting and the island's semi-tropical climate.
ENTRANCE HALL AND ADJACENT FORMAL DINING ROOM DESIGNED BY JACKYE LANHAM, PRINCIPAL OF ATLANTA-BASED INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM, JACQUELYNNE P. LANHAM DESIGNS, INC. | PHOTO: LIFEATKIAWAH.COM
Ms. Lanham's graceful touch is evident in the entrance hall and the adjacent formal dining room (above). The designer worked closely with the owners in selecting antiques to accent the home's stately interior.
TIMELESS KITCHEN WITH WHITE CUSTOM CABINETRY, STONE FLOORS AND COUNTERS, DESIGNED BY JACKYE LANHAM, PRINCIPAL OF JACQUELYNNE P. LANHAM DESIGNS, INC., BASED IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA | SCREENSHOT: JACKYELANHAM.COM
Ms. Lanham's signature appears in the kitchen, as well. Notice the sea-glass collections that line the room.
The spacious kitchen features classic white cabinetry, stone floors and countertops, white subway tiles, state-of-the-art stainless steel appliances and fabulous charcoal-painted louvered doors, which open onto the sundrenched breakfast room.
SUN-FILLED BREAKFAST ROOM OF KIAWAH ISLAND ESTATE, DESIGNED BY SHOPE RENO WHARTON; INTERIOR DESIGN BY JACKYE LANHAM, PRINCIPAL OF JACQUELYNNE P. LANHAM DESIGNS, INC. OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA | PHOTO: KEN HAYDEN, ARCHITECTURALDIGEST.COMLocated directly off the kitchen, the "curved, conical-roofed breakfast room" features a comfortable seating area and an abundance of windows, which overlook the tidal marshlands. Ms. Lanham incorporated natural textures, like wicker and jute, throughout the design scheme.
MASTER BEDROOM OF KIAWAH ISLAND ESTATE BY SHOPE RENO WHARTON, INTERIOR DESIGN BY JACKYE LANHAM, PRINCIPAL OF JACQUELYNNE P. LANHAM DESIGNS, INC. | SCREENSHOT: JACKYELANHAM.COM
Architectural details abound in the master bedroom, where Ms. Lanham has successfully managed to create a sense of intimacy and calm with her use of a subtle, sea-inspired palette and considered placement of timeless furnishings.
LUXURIOUS MASTER BATH OF KIAWAH ISLAND ESTATE BY SHOPE RENO WHARTON, INTERIOR DESIGN BY JACKYE LANHAM OF JACQUELYNNE P. LANHAM DESIGNS, INC. | PHOTO: KEN HAYDEN, ARCHITECTURALDIGEST.COMThe burnished copper finish of the freestanding oval tub (part of Waterworks Clothilde Collection) adds a sophisticated, yet feminine, touch to "her" master bath.
Click the video above to view a tour of this extraordinary retreat, courtesy of Kiawah Island Real Estate.
To learn more this exceptional home and the professionals featured in this entry, please follow the links below:
- Jacquelynne P. Lanham Designs, Inc.
- Shope Reno Wharton
- Russ Cooper Associates, Inc.
- Oehme, van Sweden & Associates, Inc.
- Kiawah Island Real Estate
- 85 Blue Heron Pond Road; Kiawah Island, SC
- Read "Evoking the Past on Kiawah: The Island's Low Country Traditions Inform a Couple's Gracious Shingled Residence Among the Trees," by Therese Bissell / Photography by Ken Hayden (ArchitecturalDigest.com)
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