7 min readon Kiawah Island, where lowcountry marshlands stretch toward the Atlantic and the air seems to carry a permanent hint of salt, a thoughtful ground-up build stands proud, imagined with one goal in mind: to belong completely to its surroundings. For Houston-based designer Marie Flanigan and her team, including designers Kristin Fitzgerald and Kristin Carter, the sweeping landscape became the starting point for every decision to come.
“Designing this home began with a singular challenge: how to connect it meaningfully to its extraordinary setting,” Flanigan says of the newly built 9,933-square-foot residence, a six-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bath retreat created in collaboration with architect Jeffrey Dungan and Grossman Building Group. With expansive views of the marsh and ocean beyond, the landscape became the guiding force behind every decision, and the team carefully shaped the interiors so that daily life naturally orients toward the horizon. “We wanted the home to feel tied to its surroundings, allowing it to feel like a natural extension of the landscape.”
Dungan’s architecture set the tone for a space deeply grounded in its location, with a reverence for the coastal vernacular and a thoughtful appreciation for scale and balance. Rather than rely solely on a sense of grandeur, Dungan’s nuanced approach emphasized rhythm and proportion, allowing for moments of intimacy followed by a sense of openness. “Jeff has a remarkable ability to choreograph compression and expansion throughout a home,” Flanigan says. “The smaller scale spaces feel deeply connected to the human experience, creating moments that are welcoming, comfortable, and quietly refined.”
The interiors themselves leaned into that same philosophy, pairing tactile, natural materials—wood paneling, plaster, stone—with thoughtfully layered textiles and approachable furniture silhouettes throughout. “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.”
That sense of intrinsict warms comes through especially beautifully in the kitchen, where Flanigan and team introduced subtle English influences to further the dialogue between functionality and timeless elegance. After exploring numerous finish options, they ultimately landed on a soft gray-taupe cabinetry palette and a burl wood island, which was designed to read like a freestanding worktable. “The final choice feels classic and timeless,” Fitzgerald says. “The burl wood island became a defining feature of the room.”
While the bones and finishes are a prime example of what happens when architecture and design speak the same language, the team’s true source of pride comes from how well the interiors represent their clients. In the bedroom, an antique tapestry discovered in Houston was transformed into the headboard, its colors subtly influencing the palette throughout the entire home. In the dining room, a commissioned painting depicts the Scottish countryside where the couple married—a tribute echoed even at the front door, where the home’s name, inspired by that same town, is engraved into 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.”
FAST FACTS
Designers: Marie Flanigan, Kristin Fitzgerald, and Kristin Carter of Marie Flanigan Interiors
Architect: Jeffrey Dungan
Builder: Grossman Building Group
Stylist: Jessica Brinkert Holtam
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina
The Space: A 6-bedroom, 7-and-a-half-bathroom new build home across 9,933 square feet
DINING ROOM
A vaulted ceiling is clad in reclaimed timber for a sense of patina.
Generously sized and featuring a double-height ceiling, the home’s dining room is grand in scale but approachable in use. “The homeowners specifically wanted a multi-use space that was mainly a dining space to entertain their children and grandchildren, coupled with library shelving to display sentimental pieces and a couch for extra lounge space,” explains Flanigan.
FAMILY ROOM
Ample seating means plenty of room for children and grandchildren.
With an open layout that promotes conversation and plentiful seating, the home's great room is the family hub, playing host to children and grandchildren when they come to visit. The palette was kept intentionally serene, while the limed timber details echo the home’s natural surroundings. “The goal was to create a cozy and intimate place for the family to entertain and unwind,” adds Flanigan.
Nearby, an inky navy wet bar offers a spot to mix drinks, incorporating many of the same heirloom materials (wood timbers, antique mirrors, and metal mesh) seen throughout the rest of the home.
KITCHEN
A central work table is the ideal spot for prepping and serving.
A balanced amalgamation of British and American design, the kitchen is a master class in bringing patina and authenticity to a new build. Beautiful timber beams combine with aged iron finishes and an antique mirror range backsplash for a room that’s as storied as it is functional. “Although this was a new construction project, the kitchen was one of the most thoughtfully considered spaces in the home,” says Fitzgerald. “We revisited the layout several times, refining it until it perfectly supported the client’s daily routines and functional needs.”
POWDER ROOM
An atmospheric mural makes the most of a snug space.
“The House of Hackney wallcovering was chosen to pay homage to the beautiful Scottish landscape that’s so dear to the homeowners,” explains Flanigan. Nearby, natural materials like wood and granite were used to feel like an extension of the wallcovering’s wooded landscape.
PATIO
A dedicated niche helps cooking al fresco mirror the indoor experience.
An expansive covered patio—replete with an outdoor kitchen and spot to dine—unites three parts of the home, including the dining room, great room, and an office. “So much of this home’s function revolves around the ability to move seamlessly from inside to outside,” adds Flanigan.
POOL HOUSE
An intimate hideaway mimics the feel of resort living.
Designed by Dungan, the backyard pool house takes inspiration from Moorish and Indo-Islamic architecture and is meant to feel like an extension of the home’s natural surroundings. “This backyard is made for long, lazy days in the sun,” says Flanigan.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
An antique tapestry set the scene for this serene retreat.
Inspired by the antique textile that became the room’s headboard, Flanigan and team leaned into an earth neutral palette for the primary suite, anchored by rich hits of charcoal and blue. “The textile was actually in a moodboard made for the client,” explains Flanigan. “After it was approved, our design team searched all over to find the exact tapestry. Oddly enough, it ended up being from Carol Piper Rugs located in Houston.” Cleverly disguised jib doors on either side of the bed lead to the bathroom.
OFFICE
This refined workspace boasts the best marsh view in the house.
Located just off the primary suite behind a set of antique doors, the wood-clad home office offers a private (and sophisticated) spot to clock into work or decompress with television. Out the window, the backyard pool and lowcountry marshland extend to the horizon.
PRIMARY BATH
An antique mirror behind the tub bounces light around the room.
With an emphasis on symmetry and craftsmanship, the primary bathroom acts as an exhale at the end of a long day. A tub and shower anchor the middle of the layout, while his and hers vanities flank either side.
CLOSET
A natural wood island acts as a landing zone for accessories, jewelry, and more.
“The beautiful blue paint color, Morning at Sea [by Sherwin-Williams], seemed appropriate for a home that’s so close to the Atlantic Ocean, creating a jewel box moment that’s accented by natural light,” says Flanigan.
BUNK ROOM
Each bunk boasts built-in shelving at the head and foot of the bed.
Neighboring the upstairs lounge, this charming bunk room was designed to give the grandchildren in the family a fun place to sleep all under one roof. Custom café curtains lend each bed a bit of privacy when it’s time for lights out.
UPSTAIR LOUNGE
Wood-clad ceilings nod to the timber details on the first floor.
Sunny and snug, this second-floor space is geared towards casual hangouts and restorative alone time, offering quick access to several bedrooms, as well as the bunk room. “We repurposed and recovered a lot of the homeowners' furniture, including the chairs and couch, with new fabrics,” says Flanigan of the cozy space.
BEDROOM
Moody blue color-drenched walls create a cocooning effect.
Located within the carriage house, this guest-focused space relies on a tranquil palette and smart storage to make guests feel relaxed and welcome. A Phillip Jeffries wallcovering brings added texture to the integrated wardrobe.
POOL BATHROOM
Tile-clad walls protect from post-dip drips.
Hidden behind the seating area in the pool house lies this jewel box bathroom and shower, covered in midnight blue tiles from Pratt & Larson.
MUDROOM
A peek of wallpaper adds an unexpected bit of charm.
Located off the back entrance, the mudroom is one of the hardest-working spots in the home, complete with wall-to-wall custom millwork that focuses on functionality. “The storage in the space was specifically planned for concealed usage, including the washer/dryer, general storage, cleaning supply storage, and more,” says Flanigan.
About the Designer
Marie Flanigan is the founder of Marie Flanigan Interiors, based in Houston, Texas. Alongside her team, Marie is known for creating timeless, luxury interiors that blend beauty, comfort, and intention. With a background as a classically trained architect, Marie brings a unique understanding of structure and form to every project, allowing the team to seamlessly integrate interiors with architecture, ensuring each space feels cohesive, refined, and deeply personal.
