OR A CHICAGO COUPLE ACCUSTOMED TO LONG WINTERS AND CITY LIFE, Kiawah Island offered something transformative: a place where life slows to match the rhythm of tides and sunsets. This 6,400-square-foot retreat isn’t simply a second home; it’s a complete reimagining of how they want to live.
The collaboration between architect Wayne Windham, builder Scott Koenig and Margaret Donaldson of MDI Luxury Design resulted in a home that masterfully bridges the gap between the homeowners’ Chicago aesthetic and their desire for a more relaxed, coastal lifestyle.
MDI Luxury Design has spent over three decades creating homes that meaningfully blend modern livability with timeless sophistication and is well-known for creating polished, purposeful spaces that fit each client’s narrative. “The couple were coming from a very traditional style in their Chicago home,” explains Donaldson. “They wanted to maintain a sense of sophistication and quality, but they were ready for something that felt lighter and more relaxed. The challenge was creating spaces that weren’t contemporary in a minimalist sense but that had clean lines and a more edited aesthetic.”
The four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath residence, which includes a fully equipped gym, was designed with flexibility in mind. Private zones allow for retreat and solitude, while generous open-plan living areas encourage family and guests to gather, whether for morning coffee or evening cocktails.
Windham’s architectural approach honors the vernacular Lowcountry shingle style while interpreting it through a contemporary lens. The exterior’s clean lines and thoughtful proportions sit comfortably within the island’s coastal context, while the interior architecture creates moments of drama: soaring ceilings, graceful arches and carefully considered sight lines that draw the eye from one beautifully appointed space to the next.
The home’s relationship with its site is essential. Floor-to-ceiling windows and screened porches maximize views of centuries-old live oaks and the marshland beyond. Every major room in the house offers a connection to the outdoors, whether through expansive glass walls, carefully framed vistas or seamless transitions to outdoor living spaces.
As we enter the home, we’re met in an elegant foyer that sets the tone for everything that follows. A pair of rich mahogany and glass French entry doors flood the entry with natural light and offer glimpses of the landscape beyond. The space showcases Donaldson’s signature approach to transitional design: a large, ornate gold-framed mirror anchors a textured console table with geometric detailing and brass legs, while a modern linear chandelier overhead provides a contemporary counterpoint.
“We wanted that first moment to feel both welcoming and sophisticated,” Donaldson says. “The pale blue lamps, the patterned area rug, the brass accents: each element was chosen to create layers of interest while maintaining a sense of calm.”
A carpeted staircase with white painted balusters and a light wood handrail leads to the second floor, while to the right, a corridor provides access to the primary suite and a powder room. To the left, the entry opens to the heart of the home, an interconnected series of living spaces that flow seamlessly from one to the next.
The living room, dining room and kitchen form an open-plan layout that maintains distinct zones while encouraging connection. In the living room, a coffered ceiling with white beams adds architectural gravitas and an entire wall of black-framed windows frames the view like a living painting.
But Donaldson and her team weren’t about to let the architecture and views do all the work. Plush cream sofas face the windows, paired with a blue-patterned accent chair that injects personality without overwhelming the serene palette. The coffee table is a sculptural statement piece, with additional stools for seating underneath, and a console table with dramatic sculptural metal legs provides both function and visual interest.
The fireplace wall became a particular focus. “The marble surround was something they were really interested in,” Donaldson says. “But part of maintaining that transitional aesthetic was avoiding a traditional mantel. We went with a clean white oak cabinet with floating shelves backed with textured grasscloth.” The result is a focal point that feels both substantial and refined, with the built-ins styled to perfection with ceramics, art books and curated objects in blues, blacks and whites.
Through a graceful arched opening, the dining room continues the home’s sophisticated coastal narrative. A round table in warm gray-taupe is surrounded by white upholstered chairs with geometric-patterned backs and brass ferrules on the legs, but the room’s showstopper is something unexpected: a custom bar wrapped in rich blue-lacquered cabinetry.
“The blue bar was really a special feature,” Donaldson explains. “We wanted something that would be an anchor piece for the whole house, something bold that still felt elegant and timeless.” The deep blue cabinetry, accented with brass hardware and glass-front upper cabinets, is complemented by a white marble backsplash and countertops. An arched antiqued mirror above the bar reflects the trees outside, multiplying the light and views while adding depth to the space.
The ceiling’s painted shiplap detail adds architectural character, while a modern brass chandelier with cream pillar candles hovers above the dining table, like a floating piece of jewelry. “Once the house was built out, we realized there was additional space by the window,” Donaldson says. “We added a glass-topped table with two comfortable chairs, giving them a spot for breakfast or morning coffee.”
The kitchen is where the firm’s thoughtful approach to functionality and beauty truly shines. Two islands anchor the space: a working island at standard counter height and a second island at bar height that serves dual purposes. “The taller island visually screens the working island while providing seating for four,” Donaldson explains. “It feels a little more like furniture, which was intentional. We wanted different zones within the space.”
The two-tone cabinetry scheme of warm white Shaker-style perimeter cabinets contrasting with natural wood islands keeps the space from feeling too matchy or predictable. A sculptural plaster hood in soft cream tones commands attention over the professional-grade range. Gray quartzite countertops with elegant veining provide a sophisticated work surface that extends up the backsplash in a book-matched pattern.
The islands are styled with blue and white chinoiserie pottery visible through glass-front cabinets, while swivel barstools upholstered in a striking blue and white ikat pattern provide comfortable perches. A modern linear brass chandelier overhead ties the space to the adjacent dining area, creating visual continuity throughout the public spaces.
But perhaps the most innovative feature is a large pass-through window that slides open to the screened porch beyond. “That indoor-outdoor connection was so important,” says Donaldson. “They can pass food and drinks directly from the kitchen to guests outside. It completely changes how they entertain.”
The primary bedroom suite occupies a private wing of the home. A four-poster bed with a curved canopy that ties in with the curve of the bow window anchors the room. The bow window may be the star of the show. “This is where she really wanted her desk area,” Donaldson says. “We had a custom desk made that follows the curve of the window so she can look out at the trees. It’s just gorgeous.” The bow window features five tall, black-framed windows, each topped with crisp white shades and layered with floor-to-ceiling linen draperies. The bedroom’s tray ceiling adds architectural interest, while walls painted in warm gray-taupe limewash create an enveloping sense of tranquility.
The adjacent bathroom is equally serene, with a freestanding soaking tub positioned in an arched alcove framed by plantation shutters. Soft gray-blue Shaker-style cabinetry, three arched mirrors in a row and an integrated makeup station with an upholstered stool complete this beautiful, functional space.
Upstairs, a separate den serves as his office and TV room, accessed through a barn door that adds contemporary rustic charm. Two additional bedrooms and a gym round out the upper level.
A breezeway leads to a detached guest suite that offers privacy and independence for visiting family members. The guest suite is a family-friendly space that balances style with comfort. Painted vertical shiplap paneling in soft gray-white wraps the room beneath a vaulted ceiling, while a sculptural curved console table in sage green serves as a hospitality station. Built-in storage flanks a window, and a cozy sitting area with a wall-mounted TV ensures guests have everything they need without ever entering the main house. “We wanted it to feel like a boutique hotel,” Donaldson says. “Complete autonomy but with all the comforts of home.”
No Lowcountry home would be complete without exceptional outdoor living spaces, and the screened porch delivers in every way. Floor-to-ceiling screens with black frames maximize views while minimizing mosquitoes. The space is divided into distinct zones: a lounge area with a contemporary sectional and swivel chairs arranged around a live-edge stone coffee table, and a dining area anchored by a custom outdoor kitchen.
The outdoor kitchen features a brick base with white painted cabinetry, a professional-grade grill beneath an elegant custom hood and a backsplash that combines subway tile with marble accents. A dining table seats eight beneath a large-scale lantern pendant, while a traditional brick fireplace with an arched firebox creates ambience for cool evenings.
The architectural ceiling, with its rich wood planking accented by white painted beams, adds visual interest, and outdoor heaters ensure year-round comfort. “This is really where they live when they’re here,” Donaldson notes. “Morning coffee, afternoon reading, evening entertaining. It all happens on this porch.”
The homeowners’ involvement in the process continued even after move-in. “They got settled and brought some accessories from their Chicago home, then spent the winter collecting artwork,” Donaldson recalls. “The artwork is fabulous, all local artists. They loved having the space ready to receive artwork and then going out to find it. It made the process of making it their own so much more meaningful.”
When asked about the project’s success, Donaldson is quick to credit the collaborative relationship between all parties. “It’s always collaborative with Wayne and Scott,” she says. “We always have great communication, and project management is always so smooth. I’ve worked with them for so long on so many projects, we know how to work well together.”
That seamless collaboration, honed over years of working together on Lowcountry projects, is evident in every detail, from the way Windham’s architectural elements frame Donaldson’s interior moments to the precision of Koenig’s construction, which allows for custom details like the curved desk and lacquered blue cabinetry.
The result is a home that honors its place, serves its purpose and exceeds its owners’ dreams. It’s a sophisticated sanctuary where a Chicago family can embrace the relaxed rhythms of Lowcountry living without sacrificing an ounce of style or comfort. *
Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.
