Grand Tours: Carolina Cottage Chic

Welcome to I’On Village

Instead of facing the street, the front of this house looks out onto a canal. Taking a cue from West Indies architecture, a second-story porch juts out over the first story. Drought-resistant plants like crape myrtles, boxwoods, and palms decorate the facade.

See an overview of the whole house: Watch the Video   

Downstairs Floor Plan

Instead of a foyer, the first room guests walk into in this house is the loggia, right next to the den and nap nook. A long courtyard that spans the left side of the house gives each room a view of the outdoors.

Loggia

Typically indoor elements such as draperies, an Oriental rug, and throw pillows make this outdoor space feel like a traditional entryway.

Den

Two large sliding doors separate the den from the rest of the house, and can easily become an extension of the living room, or a private space for reading or napping. A natural fiber rug and an ikat window shade add interest and texture to the room.

Take a look at all of the secrets of the cozy den: Watch the Video   

Den Built-in Bookcase

An entire wall is taken up with a built-in bookcase that provides ample storage space for books and other accessories. Storage cabinets down below are perfect for hiding games or extra pillows and blankets.

Den Details

White linen upholstered furniture pops against the all-eggplant den (Like the color? It’s Jamaican Java by Lord and Evans). Pops of bright yellow seen in the artwork accent the space.

Den Sleeping Nook

What was once a closet, this space was transformed into a chic nap nook with a built-in twin bed, swing-arm wall sconces, and sumptuous fabrics and throw pillows.

Den Bathroom

Cream-patterned wallpaper, a matching light fixture, and vanity make the den bathroom a serene, calming space.

Great Room

Putting walls between the dining room, living room, and kitchen would have completely closed off the heart of the house. Leaving the space open lets light, people, and conversation flow from one room to the next.

Family Room

Furniture and a statement-making rug create a comfortable family room in this wide, open space. Flea market and vintage finds, such as the rattan chair and coffee table, combined with newer elements, such as the upholstered sofa and throw pillows, keep the room from being too sterile or dated.

Get an in-depth look at the living room: Watch the Video   

Dining Room

It’s all about mixing in the dining room. Designer Angie Hranowsky paired sculptural wire chairs with comfortable slip-covered chairs, which scoot up to a handmade, rustic table juxtaposed with a sleek, mod sideboard. Artist Molly B. Right created the striking artwork completely out of bottle caps.

Take a closer look at the dining room’s details: Watch the Video   

Kitchen

An entire wall covered in handmade Italian tile (Nottingham Honeycomb ceramic tile in Veil by Ann Sacks), transforms the kitchen’s back wall into a textured mosaic. Open shelving allows the fabulous tile to be the center of attention in this clean kitchen. Instead, storage is found in the island, on the right side of the kitchen, and in the butler’s pantry toward the back of the room.

See the kitchen’s designer style ideas: Watch the Video   

Kitchen Cabinets

Gold hardware is mounted horizontally on cabinet doors for a sleeker look. Cabinet fronts cover the refrigerator and dishwasher, allowing the wall of tile and stainless steel range hood to take center stage.

Kitchen Island

A Cambria quartz countertop is naturally stain resistant, as well as heat resistant—a perfect surface for the modern kitchen. The quartz surface extends to the cabinet’s baseboard on each side creating a “waterfall” countertop.

Mudroom

Between the kitchen and a side entrance (see the next slide) is a convenient mudroom with hooks, cubbies, and a bulletin board for notes and reminders.

See all of the big ideas from the home’s small spaces: Watch the Video   

Side Entrance

A side entrance leads visitors right into the kitchen. The house’s exterior was created by combining rot-resistant stucco and fiber-cement planked siding, a must in coastal locales. A small picket fence is the perfect spot to conceal trash cans.

Courtyard

Two completely separate outdoor spaces are created on this patio—a small dining space, and an outdoor living room. Teak furniture with bright white cushions stands out against a grid made by planting grass between pavers. Raised plant beds on the left side of the courtyard lend a sculptural quality to planting and doubles as extra seating.

Tour the courtyard and all of the home’s exteriors: Watch the Video  

Courtyard Balconies

Juliet balconies are placed on opposite ends of the courtyard, just off the master bedroom and guest bedroom, affording both rooms patio views.

Staircase

Instead of using expensive wallpaper, a stencil was used to create the painted design on the staircase walls. The salvaged wooden newel post was found online through antiques Web site, SA1969.com.

Upstairs Floor Plan

Placed at either end of the central courtyard, the two bedroom suites have plenty of distance between them. The master bedroom opens out onto a wraparound porch with views of the canal.

Desk Nook

At the top of the staircase, a carved out nook is the perfect spot for a small desk. Two windows brighten up the space to keep it a comfortable place to work, rather than a dark hole.

Master Bedroom

It’s all about the mix in the master bedroom. Silk bed linens are dressed down with a vintage rattan headboard, and dark brown lamps provide contrast to light blue bedding.

Take a closer look into the master suite: Watch the Video  

Master Bedroom Details

A block print Indian fabric frames the room, showing up in the bed canopy, as well as in the window treatments. Two separate sets of French doors lead out onto balconies overlooking the courtyard and the canal at the front of the house.

Master Bedroom Furniture

A wavy chest of drawers is perfect for a home by the water. Grass cloth wallpaper gives the bedroom a serene feel.

Master Bath

Brass accents in the sconces, sink faucets, and cabinetry hardware add a touch of luxe in an otherwise quiet room. The look is kept casual by propping up artwork against the wall instead of hanging it.

Guest Bedroom

An Old Florida palm frond print is applied to the bed linens, the headboard, and to the window treatments, giving the airy room a cozy feel. A longer bedspread that kisses the floor minus a bed skirt adds a chic 1950s touch.

See all of the guest bedroom details: Watch the Video   

Guest Room Details

While the rest of the room’s pieces are a little more retro, a modern bedside table keeps the room from looking too stale. A vintage lamp is raised with a couple of books.

Guest Room Furniture

A flea market mirror tops a beautiful traditional dresser. Soft chocolate walls warm up the room’s light details.

Guest Bathroom

The gilded mirror in the guest bathroom was created by having mirrored glass cut to fit a frame coated in metallic paint.

Guest Shower

Iridescent horizontal subway tiles contrast nicely with the reclaimed wood vanity, and adds a soothing, watery feel.

More About I'On

Find out more about the Coastal Living Idea Cottage in I’On, South Carolina