With oceanfront property scarce on Kiawah Island, buyers can’t be choosers. In 2019, a near-retirement couple from the North bought a dark, dreary, 7,845-square-foot Mediterranean-style home on a prime piece of oceanfront land. While the location was exactly what they had been dreaming of, the home’s aesthetic was another matter entirely.
“Oceanfront property on Kiawah Island is nearly impossible to come by. We knew we had to take what we could get,” one of the homeowners explains. The couple’s original vision was to make a few cosmetic updates, such as new paint and flooring, and call it a day. However, after spending their first night at the home, they quickly realized that the task ahead would be far more extensive than they had anticipated.
Built in 2007, the home was dim, outdated and filled with ornate Tuscan-style elements, such as dark wood cabinetry, heavy ceiling beams and terra-cotta floor tiles—details that might work well in an Italian villa but were completely out of place by the beach. It felt gloomy and uninviting to the homeowners, especially compared to the bright, airy coastal home they had envisioned. The dark wood and heavy millwork weighed down the space, making it feel closed off rather than open and expansive. “The first morning I woke up in the house, I said to my husband, ‘This is terrible,’” the homeowner recalls. “We knew it had to change.”
Realizing that cosmetic changes would not suffice, the homeowners needed advice and reached out to their Realtor, who suggested they connect with Rob Hutzler of Kingswood Custom Homes, a highly regarded bespoke builder and renovator with a reputation for high-end, sophisticated projects. With a home base on Kiawah Island, Kingswood Custom Homes has made a name for itself in the Carolinas through its commitment to quality craftsmanship, sustainability and unique design. Hutzler, a managing partner of the firm, leads the Kiawah Island office and was the ideal person to tackle such an ambitious renovation.
Once they’d found their builder, friends and neighbors in the area provided the couple with a list of recommended interior designers, including Margaret Donaldson of MDI Luxury Design. After looking at her portfolio, the homeowners knew right away Donaldson was the right fit. “Together, Rob and Margaret pushed us to make sure we involved an architect right away,” the homeowner says. “We brought in Marc Camens, and how he envisioned the space was just amazing.”
What began as a plan for minor updates soon turned into a full-scale, whole-home renovation. The Kingswood Custom Homes team gutted the house down to the studs, removing walls, reworking the layout, and even changing the staircases and access points. Even though the process took place during the worst of the pandemic, the design and construction process was collaborative, with Hutzler, Donaldson and Camens all encouraging the homeowners to make bold decisions to maximize the home’s potential.
“I think one of the most important things Rob and Margaret brought to the table was that they were candid with us in a constructive way,” the homeowner explains. “They pushed us to think about what we really wanted for the future, and in the end, we’re so glad they did.” For example, the homeowners considered bringing furniture from their existing residence in Boston. Donaldson explained that traditional furniture that works up North doesn’t necessarily blend or function well with the Lowcountry lifestyle. “Margaret strongly encouraged us to start from scratch, and it was absolutely the right thing to do,” the homeowner adds.
Due to COVID considerations, the couple was able to visit the site just three times, but they were pleased with how Hutzler and his team worked seamlessly with the architect’s and designer’s teams behind the scenes and how their builder kept on top of potential supply chain issues.
Over the course of a year, the Kingswood team transformed the entire home from a moody Mediterranean villa to a bright, light-filled coastal home that embraced its beach views. Every room was redesigned and reconstructed, from flooring to ceilings, and no detail was overlooked. The new design incorporated a contemporary Lowcountry aesthetic, blending natural materials, light-filled spaces and elegant finishes.
One of the most significant changes occurred in the entryway, where large windows were added to open the view. Where there was a single narrow arched door, the entry now has a wide glass door with dual sidelights. The foyer, formerly dark and closed off, now offers a seamless flow into the rest of the home, allowing the breathtaking ocean views to be seen from the moment you walk through the front door. The grand circular staircase was also reworked, with wider steps and its original ornate railings replaced by a more contemporary, streamlined design that complements the home’s fresh, modern aesthetic. An overlook that once looked out from a hallway was closed off, and Kingswood Custom Homes’ expert craftspeople installed intricate, custom floor-to-ceiling millwork to create a clean, elegant transition between the spaces.
The entry leads directly into a new dining room and great room, both of which received complete makeovers. Before the renovation, the great room felt like a dark, cavernous space with an ocean of terra-cotta tile, a dark wood coffered ceiling, peach Italian plaster walls and dark wood trim. Today, the room is the home’s centerpiece, with a grand painted coffered ceiling, white board-and-batten walls and a stunning contemporary white stone fireplace. French doors open onto the outdoor living area, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. Whether entertaining guests or relaxing with family, this inviting room now offers the perfect setting for quiet nights and lively gatherings.
The dining room originally had peach plaster walls and two sets of French doors leading outside. Four traditional Tuscan stone pillars separated the dining room from the living room and kitchen, making it feel cramped and disconnected. The new dining room has a bank of floor-to-ceiling windows, which replaced the French doors and allow light to flood the room, textured wallpaper and an intricate white millwork ceiling. Subtle contemporary pillars now define the transition between rooms.
The original kitchen had a massive wall of dark wood cabinets, a bulky island with elaborate, heavy details, more terra-cotta tiles, and a small arched doorway. The Kingswood team transformed this dated space into the light, bright heart of the home by completely reconfiguring the layout, including new entryways. “We hadn’t seen a kitchen like the old one in years,” Hutzler recalls. “It was completely closed off. It was more of a working kitchen than a gathering space. It had all the high-end Tuscan elements, but nobody wanted to spend time in there because it felt dark and disconnected.”
For the homeowners, the kitchen was one of the most essential spaces in the house. One of the them is an avid baker and wanted a functional and inviting kitchen where family and friends could gather while meals were being prepared. The new kitchen features multiple entry points and three large working islands, including one with seating for five, perfect for casual family meals. White board-and-batten walls and custom white cabinets that resemble free-standing furniture create a light, airy feeling. To keep the kitchen tidy, a dedicated scullery off the kitchen offers additional storage and space for small appliances.
Adjacent to the kitchen, the breakfast nook with two comfortable swivel chairs became a favorite spot for the couple to enjoy their morning coffee. This cozy room features a beverage station and a small television for watching the news or enjoying a quiet moment when it’s just the two of them.
The team replaced the sea of terra-cotta tile flooring throughout the home with 10-inch-wide plank French white oak floors, giving the entire house a light and open feel. The homeowner requested that every space feel distinctive, so Camens designed subtle but unique ceiling treatments that give each room personality.
On the second floor, the team created a living area that serves as a private place for guests to relax or for larger family gatherings on game day. This space had previously been a game room with a pool table and bar, but it was reimagined as a more casual hangout space that takes full advantage of the stunning ocean views. This floor now also features guest rooms and a bedroom for the couple’s son.
A set of stained glass doors in shades of blue and crystal separates the second floor living area from the third floor, serving as a foyer to the primary suite. “The stained glass doors were a choice the homeowners made, and they really became an art piece,” Hutzler explains. “Before, it was wide open with no separation. Now they can close these doors when they have guests, and it gives them privacy without sacrificing style.”
The entire third floor is dedicated to the primary suite, designed to be a luxurious and serene retreat. The suite includes a spacious bedroom, an elegant bathroom and a massive walk-in closet that is almost a room unto itself. The design is a perfect blend of comfort and sophistication, with custom details throughout expertly executed by the Kingswood team. “This floor was designed to feel like a sanctuary,” Hutzler says. “It’s completely separate from the rest of the house, which gives the homeowners the privacy and quiet they want.”
Although the interior renovation is complete, the homeowners are already planning their next phase of renovations with Hutzler, which will focus on the exterior of the home and the pool area. “We enjoyed working with the clients, and we’re glad to be going back,” Hutzler says. “The goal is to make sure the home feels just as beautiful and inviting on the outside as it does on the inside.”
After a year of design and construction, the clients have a home that suits their style and lifestyle perfectly. The transformation from a dark, Tuscan-inspired house to a bright, airy and modern coastal home is nothing short of remarkable.
For this couple, the dream of living in a beautiful oceanfront home on Kiawah Island is now a reality that reflects their style, their needs and their next chapter in life. “We really enjoyed working with Rob, Marc and Margaret,” the homeowner says. “They were fantastic to work with, and Rob made the whole process so much easier, especially during the challenges of COVID. We couldn’t be happier with the result.” *
Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.
