Southern Living’S 2024 Idea House Benefitting Communities In Schools, Other Local Non-Profits

Today, Southern Living debuts the cover story featuring the 2024 Idea House, located in the Kiawah River community on Johns Island, South Carolina. Open to the public for tours, the home showcases a harmonious blend of the ecological riches that surround it, from coastline to maritime forest, and historic Charleston charm. The 2024 Idea House is featured in the September 2024 issue of Southern Living, on newsstands August 23rd and online today at SouthernLiving.com.

The home is open to the public for tours from August 23 to December 22. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit three local charities: Communities In Schools of SC, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity, and the Emmanuel Nine Memorial Foundation.

The organizations are also seeking volunteers to help with house tours. Not only will volunteers be able to tour the house for free, but it’s also a great way to support K-12 students in the Lowcountry, honor the lives of the Emmanuel Nine, and aid affordable housing on the Sea Islands.

This year’s Idea House spans 4,400 square feet and includes indoor and outdoor entertaining areas designed for year-round Southern hospitality, a pool, and a cozy carriage house for guests. Adorning the walls is a custom mural by Rebecca Atwood that evokes the feeling of a tree canopy, emphasizing the natural beauty of its surroundings. The home features the work of many other local creatives like Charleston-based Andrea Cayetano-Jefferson of Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets, Stephanie Summerson Hall of Estelle Colored Glass, and celebrated painter Anne Darby Parker. The Idea House is situated in the lush Kiawah River community, home to 20 miles of shoreline and 2,000 acres of picturesque land, including a 100-acre working farm.

The 2024 Idea House was created by a talented team of experts including builder Tom Dillard of Dillard-Jones, architect Kirsten Schoettelkotte of MHK Architecture, interior designer Allison Elebash of Allison Elebash Interiors, and landscape architect Scott Parker of DesignWorks.

“From the two live oak trees that adorn the lot, to the picturesque dining room window that frames the marsh, to all of the local touches from Charleston-based artists and contributors, this home is all about its location,” Sid Evans, Editor in Chief of Southern Living said. “We couldn’t have picked a more perfect community for the house. The farm, the river views, and the wildlife that Kiawah River offers help complete the picture of Lowcountry living.”

“Each year, our Idea House sets a new standard for design, perfectly blending Southern charm with contemporary innovation,” said Deirdre Finnegan, SVP/Group Publisher. “We thank our sponsors and partners for their vital role in making this year’s home a showcase of creativity and excellence.”

A Southern Living House Plan for the 2024 Idea House is available for purchase at SouthernLivingHousePlans.com. For a video tour and more about the 2024 Idea House, check out SouthernLiving.com. Tickets for the tours are available here.