Kiawah Island Art and House Tour

The Kiawah Island Art and House Tour offers visitors a rare glimpse into the art and architecture of several private homes on Kiawah Island. This year, five spectacular homes in the gated community will be open for public viewing, each with its own unique style. Each home is uniquely designed, whether on the marsh, river or ocean. One home has an extensive art collection that includes renowned worldwide artists, as well as local artists. Another home is constructed in the newly opened Ocean Park and is home to an artist with her own studio on site. The architectural styles are particularly unique this year.

Advance tickets are $55 and can be purchased at Kiawahartsetc.org., the Kiawah Freshfields real estate office, the Kiawah main gate real estate office, and the real estate office located in the Sanctuary Hotel.  Advance tickets purchased must be exchanged for a tour brochure at the Square in Freshfields Village the day of the tour. Freshfields Village is located at the corner of Betsy Kerrison and Kiawah Island Parkway. Come early and enjoy shopping and dining discounts at the Village and/or the Sanctuary on the island.

Proceeds from the event support the nonprofit organization Arts, etc., whose purpose is to support arts programs on Johns and Wadmalaw islands. The majority of fund raising for Arts, etc. is realized by the Kiawah House and Art Tour.

Arts, etc. is an organization of Kiawah women committed to supporting the arts. Our organization was founded in 2001 as Gibbes, etc,. and in the summer of 2014, we transitioned to Arts, etc., becoming an independent, charitable, 501(c)3 organization. Our purpose is to raise funds to support the arts in the greater Charleston community. Monies raised are distributed at the organization's discretion, including continuing support of the Gibbes Museum of Art and other organizations.

Featured Tour Homes:

The Preserve: The dominant characteristic inside this classic shingle-style home is craftsmanship, which starts with the thoughtful design and use of space. This carries through the exquisitely rendered details of interior architecture and finishes with the display of beautiful works from many of the Lowcountry’s finest artists. As you enter the glass-etched doors, you will see an entry table built from iron with whimsical features. Local artisan John Boyd Smith designed and built the table, as well as several fireplace screens and the magnificent stair railings. The first floor has a number of unique features, including the hammered copper sinks in the bar, food prep areas and backsplash; the screened porch with outdoor kitchen; and the large home office with a medallion of a compass inlaid on the floor. Do not miss the “serenity room,” closed off from the rest of the house. It features a waterfall and pecky cypress walls, as well as folding glass windows that overlook the hot tub. There is access to lower deck space covering the width of the home and the infinity pool. The second floor hallway is an art gallery with many interesting features. At one end, there is a pedestal with a blue heron statuette. The pedestal is actually a screw from an 18th-century apple press. The homeowners decided to name the guest rooms and in doing so designed each room thematically. The “Heron Room” has a pillow featuring a heron made from a piece of antique British tapestry. In the bathroom, note the tile design, again a heron. As you exit each of the named rooms, there is a painting that captures the theme. The “Oak Room” has oak floors unlike the walnut flooring throughout the rest of the house. There is a Benham photograph of an oak tree and a large oak paneled bed. 

Vanderhorst Plantation: The owners of this home have lived and traveled extensively throughout Europe, but primarily in Prague and London. Their collection of contemporary paintings showcases their travels. The lighting fixtures are particularly notable, with all of the glass fixtures from Prague and the ironworks from England. A lighting designer used LED directional lighting throughout, which complements the artwork and can be manipulated to provide just the right setting. There are expansive views of the ocean from decking across the rear of the house, which overlooks the 14th hole of Turtle Point. When you enter the home, there is a ceramic-based table and mirror that appear to be mussel shells, so that you immediately get the feeling that you are at the shore. The kitchen features state-of-the-art appliances from the German firm Gaggenau. A local artisan from Folly Beach designed and installed the cabinetry. Of note is that all of the cabinets and bathroom fixtures are raised off the floor, which is consistent with the European “minimalist” movement and provides easy access for cleaning.    

Ocean Front: When visitors enter this magnificent home, they are welcomed into an open-space living area with views of the Atlantic Ocean. The home features nine fireplaces, including two that grace the outdoor living spaces. One of the unique features is that there are curved walls throughout. It is a rarity if you find any space that has linear walls. The home is an eclectic mix of American, English, Turkish, Italian, French-African and Indonesian furniture, antiques and art, reflecting many cultures and styles. Particular attention was given to the selection of tribal rugs and interesting and diverse lighting fixtures. The mixture of architectural elements reflects the owners’ interest in stone, tile, wood and plaster. Every detail was studied to create a warm and casual atmosphere. The tiles are particularly beautiful and unique. Don’t miss the “Eagle’s Nest” on the fourth floor that leads to rooftop decking. There are spectacular views.

Ocean Park: This is a one-of-a-kind contemporary home located in one of the newest neighborhood additions to Kiawah. At the entrance of the home, there is a large, ceramic pot by Mark Hewitt, an English studio potter well known for his wood-fired, salt-glazed pots. As you enter the home, the stairs to the right lead to a two-bedroom guest suite with all the amenities a guest would desire. On the main floor, there is a large, open-spaced living area with beautiful views of the marsh and river. The living area incorporates the kitchen with high-gloss cabinetry designed by Morgan Creek Cabinet Company in Georgia. Note the metallic backsplash, which makes quite a statement. On the second floor, there is again an open-spaced den area, which includes a porch to create a wonderful outdoor living space. The den leads into the master bedroom suite with expansive closet and bathroom space. The floors throughout the home are made of reclaimed oak from France and are blended seamlessly. The stairs are made from antique French beams complete with wormholes. The homeowners have an extensive collection of mid-century modern art. Do not miss the artist studio equipped with everything the homeowner needs to paint. The barn doors add an interesting touch.

Rhett’s Bluff: Situated on the Kiawah River, this beautiful home is approached via a curved drive leading through a carriage house, detailed as a barn, to the parking court. Only wispy grasses and evergreens, including live oaks, cedars and pines, are featured in the yard. This house draws from English country-house antecedents, with English yorkstone accents, buttresses, shingled facades and late-Victorian light fixtures. Most rooms have views of the central garden’s flowers and fruit trees. Collections of art, oriental carpets, and painted 18th- and 19th-century European furniture are found throughout. Reclaimed oak beams add informality to this new riverfront home. Featured are works of Charleston artists Linda Fantuzzo and the late Manning Williams, including many Lowcountry landscapes. Watercolors, etchings and pencils by Alfred Hutty, a leading figure in the Charleston Renaissance, complement large pastels by Elizabeth O’Neill Verner. Another “Renaissance” artist, she is known for capturing the personalities and dignity of African-American flower ladies during the Depression. Dozens of vivid pastels by the renowned Wolf Kahn are included in the collection. Kahn is considered America’s greatest colorist and at 89 is still actively painting in New York City.