85
Contemporary View on the Marsh
I
n a design that's best described as Texas contemporary-transitional, this home's design is centered
around the spectacular views of the marsh. Marc and his team had to request special permission
to build the home a couple of feet higher than the standard for the neighborhood, but the extra time
and consideration was worth it. The views are simply magnificent. Once inside, the home feels like a
breath of fresh air.
A 30-foot wall of glass, composed of Italian black metal-trimmed windows, captures the eye first in
the living room, but one quickly notices Marc's interpretation of Italian ceilings above. The beams
and purlins create a geometric detail above that's at once sophisticated and casual. The oyster shell
fireplace in the same space adds to the organic feel of the room, linking nature with the interiors
through another important detail.
It was important to the owners—who moved to Kiawah Island from Texas—to have a guest house in
the back for visitors. They also wanted a large outdoor living space complete with ample seating
and a television. To accomplish both features, given the requirements of the site, Marc designed the
outdoor space under the guest house, changing the original idea of a two-story guest house to the
final incarnation. The result is a multi-use space that satisfies the owners' need for private guest
space and desires for a beautiful outdoor room for use year-round.
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC
