As synonymous with New England as lobster rolls and fall-foliage tours, Shingle-style architecture—with its strong roof lines, rambling forms, wide porches and asymmetrical facades—gained a foothold on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, almost two decades ago in a project by Robert A.M. Stern. “The Shingle style was chosen for the Ocean Course Club House on Kiawah,” notes Atlanta-based architect Stan Dixon. “Since that was completed, the island has embraced this style but has made it its own by mixing in Charleston brick and tabby stucco.”
Elegant seaside-cottage style weaves through this Kiawah home, with interior design by Tammy Connor, interior architecture by Stan Dixon and exterior plans by architect Wayne Windham. “The homeowners had toured one of our previous projects and were drawn to its thoughtful layout and serene atmosphere,” says Connor, founder and creative director of Tammy Connor Interior Design. “They envisioned a home with a strong connection to the surrounding landscape and wanted to create a welcoming gathering place for family, rooted in a coastal aesthetic that felt casual yet refined.”
Connor and Dixon worked hand in hand to fulfill the wishes of the homeowners, who split their time between their primary residence and this island retreat. “Stan led the interior architecture—defining spatial flow, structural elements and architectural detailing—while our team focused on selecting the furnishings, finishes and lighting,” explains Connor.
Well-considered details like cozy nooks, window seats, bull’s-eye windows and even a Jeffersonian alcove bed recall the grandeur of historic summer beach cottages. “Collectively, we wanted this house to look as though it had been around for over a hundred years,” says Dixon. “We used classic, early 1900s shingle houses as inspiration.”
Hand-forged iron lanterns from Gregorius Pineo provide lighting in the living room, which is anchored by a custom sisal rug from Eve and Staron Studio; the mantelpiece is an antique from Olde Good Things.
The living room opens to a large deck with an infinity pool.
Janus et Cie outdoor furniture invites ocean-view lounging by the pool.
In the dining area, a light fixture through Parc Monceau hangs over a table through Nietert Antique Restorations and chairs from Garden Variety Design.
A Wolf stainless-steel hood is complemented by Waterworks’ decorative field tile plus cabinets painted in Au Contraire by C2 Paints. The bar stools are from Palecek, and the lights above the island are from Soane Britain.
In the butler’s pantry, an antique table through Parc Monceau is centered under a brass light fixture from Urban Electric Co.
The graceful staircase is painted in James White by Farrow & Ball.
The primary bedroom is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue 22, while custom club chairs are finished in a Kerry Joyce fabric, and a Rogers & Goffigon fabric wraps the ottoman.
A Hydro Systems tub is positioned next to the window, which has a shade in a Rose Tarlow fabric.
Four beds in the bunk room wear Gramercy Home bedding; the pillow fabric is Brunschwig & Fils; the stools are from Parc Monceau; and the rocking horse is through Fritz Porter.
Landscape design by Wertimer + Cline Landscape Architects surrounds this home built by Russ Cooper Associates.
The natural beauty and laid-back rhythm of the island also inspired the design. “We drew from the coastal palette just outside the windows—sun-bleached driftwood, dune grasses and the ever-changing hues of the Atlantic,” says Connor. “Every element—from the breezy linen upholstery to the hand-glazed ceramic tiles—was chosen to evoke a sense of calm and connection to nature, while still feeling polished and intentional.”
The designer shopped with the homeowners for many of the key pieces, layering antiques and artwork throughout the residence to bring warmth and character to the new construction. The large open-plan living room was divided into two distinct seating areas to allow for greater flexibility and functionality. “One area is more conversational and intimate, while the other opens toward the view and encourages relaxed lounging,” explains Connor. “This approach not only breaks up the room’s scale but also allows the space to adapt—whether it’s a quiet morning with coffee and a book, or an evening of entertaining with family and friends.”
Coastal hues fill the kitchen, where a wall of Waterworks decorative field tile complements blue cabinetry and a custom stainless-steel hood, the homeowner’s collection of aqua pottery fills shelves in the butler’s pantry, and Soane Britain pendants above the island offer a soft, sculptural presence. “We loved how their woven, basket-like shape brought artisanal detail to the space,” says Connor. “The rise-and-fall feature adds both charm and functionality, allowing the lighting to adapt to different tasks and moods throughout the day.”
A grand staircase sweeps up to the bedrooms, where a primary suite with soothing water views is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Light Blue 22 and furnished with a mix of antiques and custom pieces. A series of guest bedrooms includes a bunk room, accessed via an interior walkway, that has four beds built into the gables, each with privacy curtains and porthole windows. “We wanted the bunk room to evoke the feeling of sleeping aboard a ship—cozy, playful and a little adventurous,” says Connor. “Building the beds into the gables gave each child a sense of their own little berth, while the privacy curtains added a layer of whimsy and function. The nautical touches, like the rope tiebacks and striped textiles, helped bring that vision to life in a way that feels both imaginative and intentional.”