Chateau in the Carolinas

Upon approach of the home, guests feel whisked away to the French countryside.

Classic checkerboard floors set a charming tone in the dining room, while layers of accessories—pulled from homeowner Pamela Harrington’s own collection—achieve the depth and warmth of authentic French chateaus.

Regal antiques greet guests in the petite foyer. Designer Will Huff credits contractor Steve Brenner for masterfully retrofitting all of the home’s antique doors.

In the nook off the home office, a French panetiere (breadbox) hangs above an antique sideboard.

The garden’s four seasons statues were purchased in the South of France.

Barn door cabinetry adds Provençal charm to the kitchen as does an antique mantel repurposed for the cooktop’s vent. Harrington purchased the light fixtures at a French flea market.

An antique armoire in the great room conceals a television. The custom chaise offers Harrington a cozy spot to catch up on her favorite shows, but it can just as easily double as a love seat when entertaining guests. Notable antiques include the French mantel and chairs from Harrington’s previous home, which Huff had re-covered in Rayure Nantes by Clarence House.

A combination of checks and floral prints in a lighter color scheme creates a soft and soothing master suite. As a heartfelt nod to Harrington’s previous designer, Huff assembled a collection of creamware, a signature of Dan Carithers. Pastoral paintings and antique urns echo the home’s collected aesthetic.

A charming side entry leads to the home’s private spaces such as the master suite and home office.

In the master bath, a pair of 17th-century Rococo consoles were transformed into vanities with glass vessel sinks.

“Pam’s not afraid of anything design-wise, and she uses every ounce of this house, and that’s what it was designed for—no wasted space.” —Will Huff

The guest bedroom’s custom headboard features a linen textile by Lisa Fine.

Circular stone columns make a statement on the loggia. Heaters were mounted on the ceiling to ensure the space can be enjoyed during winter.

Poolside loungers are from Frontgate.

The pool’s antique fountain adds another well-appointed layer to the home’s overall aesthetic.

It’d be easy to mistake Pamela Harrington’s home as a sun-dappled chateau tucked into France’s rolling countryside. But its stateside, Lowcountry setting in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, specifically makes it all the more intriguing. 

Authentic French details, from stone floors to antique doors—coupled with expansive views of South Carolina’s famed salt marshes through steel windows—offer a juxtaposition of sorts; a contrast that captures the best of Harrington’s worlds.

While Kiawah Island is home base for her family and business (she founded her successful real estate firm, Pam Harrington Exclusives, in 1978), France speaks to Harrington’s sense of adventure. Her love affair with the country’s Provençal charms began decades ago on a trip with her husband Monte. She’s since returned to France yearly, each time bringing back home an antique memento (or three). 

“Pam loves to find the diamond in the rough,” says her go-to designer Will Huff of Huff-Dewberry, Inc. “She’s always on the hunt and it’s not unusual for me to get a call from Pam while I’m out hiking on the weekend to ask my opinion on a chair she’s fallen in love with at a Parisian market.”

The call Huff received from Harrington about three years ago though wasn’t about any one antique in particular, but rather all of her antiques. After Monte’s passing, Harrington wished to downsize and called upon Huff’s expertise once again.  

“It took several visits to Pam’s old home to take a full inventory of her [art and antiques] collection and it was fun to hear the story behind each piece; whether she got it when she was with her husband or friends, or she had previously worked with Dan Carithers, so they purchased many antiques together as well,” recalls Huff. 

With this home boasting a smaller footprint, space planning was paramount to incorporate as many pieces as possible, chiefly those that held sentimental value. A beloved three-panel 1780s tapestry, for example, graces the dining room and when one antique armoire couldn’t fit into the new home’s layout, the doors were utilized as access to an attic storage space. 

Many of the home’s doors—front, master bedroom, wine room, among others—are stately antique pieces that further enhance the idea that the home’s been plucked straight from the green hills of Bordeaux. Toiles, checks and other fabrics throughout the home further speak to the French design vernacular. 

Fittingly, the exterior boasts equal appeal. “We wanted the home to feel approachable and not too formal,” says Huff. To that end, in lieu of centrally located grand front doors, guests make their way through the front garden, being greeted by classical statues and then stepping through an archway onto a petite side-entry porch decorated with an antique console, mirror and porcelains. “You feel like you’re in this cozy little nook,” explains Huff. “It wasn’t designed to ‘wow’ you as much as it was to make you feel comfortable. Entering the home through the gardens makes you feel like you’re discovering the home; there’s something magical and very charming to it.”

INTERIOR DESIGN Will Huff and Heather Dewberry, Huff-Dewberry, Inc., (404) 355-7600; huffdewberry.com BUILDER Steve Brenner, Solaris, (843) 768-9363; solarisinc.com