Houston-based designer Marie Flanigan has created a 9,933-square-foot new build on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, that harmonizes with its marshland and ocean surroundings. The six-bedroom residence, completed in collaboration with architect Jeffrey Dungan and builder Grossman Building Group, emphasizes natural materials and personal touches. The design aims to connect daily life to the horizon while reflecting the clients' story.
On Kiawah Island, where lowcountry marshlands meet the Atlantic, a new home stands as a thoughtful integration of architecture and nature. Designed by Marie Flanigan Interiors, with team members Kristin Fitzgerald and Kristin Carter, the 9,933-square-foot, six-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bathroom residence was built from the ground up by Grossman Building Group under architect Jeffrey Dungan. The project began with the challenge of linking the home to its setting, using the sweeping landscape as the foundation for every decision.
"Designing this home began with a singular challenge: how to connect it meaningfully to its extraordinary setting," Flanigan says. The architecture employs rhythm and proportion, creating intimate spaces alongside openness. Interiors feature tactile materials like wood paneling, plaster, and stone, paired with layered textiles and approachable furniture. "There is something incredibly grounding about using authentic, organic elements that connect a home to its surroundings," Flanigan explains. "They give a home a soul."
The kitchen highlights British influences with soft gray-taupe cabinetry and a burl wood island resembling a freestanding worktable. Personal elements include an antique tapestry from Houston transformed into the primary bedroom headboard, influencing the color palette, and a commissioned painting of the Scottish countryside where the clients married, echoed in the home's name engraved on brass thresholds.
"What we love most about this home is how deeply personal it feels," says Fitzgerald. "Beyond the beautiful scale and the intimacy of the spaces, the true magic lies in how the clients’ story is thoughtfully woven throughout the design."
Key spaces like the dining room with its vaulted, reclaimed timber ceiling serve as multi-use areas for family gatherings. The family room offers serene seating amid limed timber details, while an outdoor patio and pool house extend indoor living to the landscape, promoting seamless indoor-outdoor flow.