With a lot overlooking a tidal creek as well as the private community’s Tom Watson-designed golf course, the couple wanted the focus to be on the outdoors. “It’s such a beautiful setting,” says the mother. “We watch folks fly-fishing, wildlife in the marsh, and golfers on the greens. It’s all so very relaxing.”
For one busy young family in search of a serene escape from downtown, the view from Cassique near Kiawah Island was the main attraction.
Neutral Territory: In the living room, a neutral yet textured sandy palette, including grasscloth-covered walls and upholstered linen sofa and chairs, allows the expansive marsh view to take center stage. The Frank Phillips painting over the mantel, found at George Gallery, as well as some commissioned works, provide splashes of subtle color. Bamboo and brass accents add dimension.
“I understood why the homeowners didn’t want any striking colors. It is so peaceful looking out onto the marsh, you don’t want anything inside distracting from that serenity.” —Charlotte Lucas, interior designer
WARM & INVITING: Brass accents—the faucet, pendant lighting, and custom trim around the hood—continue in the kitchen. “It complements the soft sage-green cabinetry and warms up the space,” says interior designer Charlotte Lucas. She chose quartzite for the countertops and backsplash for its hue and durability and walnut to top the island for additional warmth and interest.
An outdoor living room, complete with fireplace (left), is a cozy entertaining spot, especially on cool winter nights.
NATURALLY ELEGANT: Henselstone three-tilt transom windows from Germany give definition to the airy breakfast room, which is outfitted with organic furnishings, including a travertine pedestal table from a Palm Beach antiques shop and vintage Brighton rattan armchairs.
FINE DINING: Custom-engineered antique corner cabinets from Alexandra AD anchor the open-plan dining room that’s further defined by an Oushack rug. Illuminating the scene are antique pendant lanterns, also from Alexandra AD. “We didn’t want a lot of canned light, so we used as much accent lighting and as many fixtures as possible, blending older with newer pieces,” notes Lucas.
SUBTLE CUES: Upstairs, colors progress throughout the bedrooms. The soft monochromatic nursery features a Donghia wallpaper dotted with taupe stars.
In the third bedroom, an antique chair, bought at an auction and upholstered in a Schumacher fabric, sits on a rug from Stark Carpet.
The guest bedroom’s steely grey-blue grasscloth-covered walls allude to the creek at night. A headboard covered in a Christopher Farr indigo-striped linen, duvet by Leontine Linens, and 19th-century nightstand from Parc Monceau Antiques in Atlanta complete the space.
Brass in the bath pops against soft gray walls painted in Farrow & Ball’s “Slipper Satin.”
SERENE SCENE: The master suite is a haven of serenity—from the freestanding soaking tub with views of the trees to a quaint and comfortable screened porch, perfect for lounging with coffee. Custom pillows brighten the space, including two wrapped in a brightly colored Clarence House fabric and lumbar varieties in Lucas’s own line, House of Harris. Vintage-inspired pieces, such as the Henredon “Arianna” bench in Mokum fabric, create a feeling of timelessness
“We were starting from scratch with the furnishings but didn’t want the house to feel brand-new,” says Lucas. “We used antiques and vintage-style pieces to bring character throughout the house.”
How one family’s summer retreat keeps the natural surroundings front and center
