CHARLESTON HOMES OFTEN CARRY GENERATIONS OF STORIES WITHIN THEIR walls, layered with the history of the craftsmen and families that came before the current homeowners. Newly constructed homes characterize that same Lowcountry heritage, referencing a strong sense of place that begins a new story that will weave itself into the architectural vernacular of the region.
It’s this setting that defines the legacy of Spartina Kitchens & Baths, led by founder and principal designer Melissa Koger Watson. Serving the Lowcountry for 20 years, Spartina is the creative partner that guides homeowners step-by-step through the process of both remodeled and newly designed and built kitchens and baths.
Designing a kitchen or bath can feel overwhelming for homeowners, but Watson’s goal is to remove the complication from the process. “We provide a turnkey process for custom kitchens and baths,” she says. “Our clients appreciate the one-stop shopping experience. They don’t have to manage a separate designer, hardware supplier, plumbing vendor, carpenter, painter and countertop fabricator for their jobs. As a design-build firm, we provide everything they need to plan and install a new space that is completely personalized for them. We facilitate the entire project, from the initial design and planning phase to the installation of custom cabinetry and countertops and even the final cleaning.”
As a fifth-generation Charlestonian, Watson understands the importance of designing a kitchen that serves as the heart of a Southern home. Her years of experience in residential and commercial design, coupled with an interior design degree and a hands-on creative process, are the foundation of every project. She is both a professional member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association and an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Designers, and she brings her expertise to Spartina’s vast portfolio of projects. She and her team are both the guide and the creative partner for their homeowners.
A recent project—a full renovation of a couple’s kitchen—gave the homeowners the functionality they wanted. “The wife loves cooking, and the flow of her former kitchen was not working for her,” Watson explains. “Spartina worked with them closely, moving walls and reflowing the space while choosing new finishes, flooring, tile, cabinetry, lighting and leveraging our partnership with Sub-Zero and Wolf to bring in integrated commercial appliances. There was a lot of methodical planning in reworking the entire space. When finished, we heard the best compliment possible: that while beautiful, the homeowner was particularly impressed at how the new space functions.” Watson added the finishing touches on the new kitchen, selecting custom paint colors and hardware “jewelry” that fit the space and the client’s aesthetic.
Challenging spaces are no match for the Spartina team; in fact, Watson relishes a good challenge. “I love using creativity to create a beautiful space where there was nothing before, while collaborating with a client,” she says. “I’m passionate about what I do and love seeing the end result of the investment.”
Watson pays great attention to ensuring her clients have a satisfying Spartina experience. She has deep roots in the Lowcountry, and most of her clients are her neighbors. “They put their trust in me,” she says. “It’s very humbling, and I value that relationship.”
While Spartina handles the entire project from start to finish, the company also has garnered a solid reputation for its custom cabinetry design and construction. Clients are able to dream of any kind of style or size configurations. Watson draws the designs and calls on her Midwestern woodworkers to fabricate exactly what is needed for each project. “Most of our competitors separate the design, building and installation of cabinetry into three separate functions from three companies, but we handle everything under one roof since Spartina holds a general contractor’s license,” Watson says.
Spartina’s customer approval rating is high; most of its business are repeat clients or referrals from satisfied past clients. “What also sets us apart is our vetted subcontractors, some of whom have been working with us for 14 years,” Watson says. “I can trust them to always do the right thing and provide a great work product for my clients.” While Spartina is willing to only provide custom cabinetry for a job, most of its homeowners take advantage of its design-build services. “Our clients don’t have to find their own electricians, plumbers or drywall installers and finishers—we seamlessly provide everyone needed on the jobsite and oversee each project phase. In fact, we most enjoy facilitating a full remodeling project.”
Above all, Spartina Kitchens & Baths is a stalwart in the Lowcountry, providing solid service, creative designs and reliable installation. Somehow, Watson’s father, who came up with the company name two decades ago, could foresee what the company would mean to the Charleston area in its lifetime. “My dad coined the name Spartina after the marsh grasses that grow along the coastline,” Watson explains. “They are the foundational perennial grasses that provide the structure, stabilize the shoreline for others grasses to grow and provide a rich habitat for those that live there.” *
Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and fine art.
