28 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com/CharlestonWomen Charleston Women at Home In March of 2023, Kirsten Schoettelkotte, architect and chair of Kiawah River’s architectural review board, showed a unique corner lot overlooking water and shaded by historical oaks to Southern Living magazine as a potential location for the 2024 idea house. Surrounded by wildlife and waterfowl, along with a gentle breeze swaying the tall marsh grasses and Spanish moss draped over the trees, the property checked all the boxes for Southern Living’s standards. Editor-in-chief Sid Evans said those standards required “relatable and inspiring concepts that reflect as much local flavor as possible for the 15,000-plus visitors who travel from all 50 states to experience the idea house.” Evans added that because Kiawah River was on the radar as a destination for the honor for the last five or six years, natural progression dictated that this site would be a go. For the idea house to be photographed for the cover of Southern Living’s September issue, a looming deadline to complete the build was slated for May 2024. Late into the nights of April and May 2023, Schoettelkotte and her team worked ample overtime, and together, they achieved the impossible: drafting plans for the five bedroom, fiveKiawah River Lands Idea House Behind the scenes with Southern Living BY SARAH ROSE PHOTOS BY LAUREY W. GLENN
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