Hardie^® siding elevates the exterior design of the 2024 Southern Living ‘Idea House'

The Kiawah River community is nestled on John’s Island, just outside of Charleston, South Carolina. This 20-mile stretch of virtually untouched wilderness offers a stunning vista of natural settings, from flowing water to salt marshes to maritime forests to meadows filled with colorful wildflowers.

Given the emphasis on nature, it made sense that any new home built here should reflect the character of this Lowcountry island, including its pristine vibe, small village charm and relaxing atmosphere.

This was where MHK Architecture, Allison Elebash Interiors, and custom homebuilder Dillard-Jones came together to create a South Carolina-based team that came up with Southern Living’s stunning 2024 “Idea House.”

Each year, Southern Living partners with builders, architects and designers to create custom houses that combine the Southern lifestyle with home design innovations. This year was no different. The Southern Living Idea House is on the banks of the Abbapoola Creek and is designed to blend in seamlessly with its natural surroundings.

Interior design elements are dictated by the region’s Lowcountry and its agricultural past. On the exterior, the Idea House is beautified and protected by Hardie® products.

“For the past 21 years, Hardie fiber cement siding has been our preferred choice for plank siding,” says Jessica Smith, senior vice president at Dillard-Jones, in a Southern Living article discussing the Idea House. “It offers an unbeatable combination of durability, low maintenance, aesthetic flexibility, environmental friendliness and long-term cost-effectiveness, making it a reliable and attractive option for enhancing and protecting homes.”

WATER LANDSCAPES MEET A FANTASTIC FLOORPLAN FLOW

This year’s Southern Living Idea House proves that creativity can go hand in hand with quality.

The home consists of a main house, a taller right wing and a detached carriage house, all situated among two majestic, ancient oak trees. Its overall aesthetic and ambiance are those of a functional yet enchanting farmhouse.

Yet, the build had its obstacles. “The most challenging part of this project was designing around the trees so that we could be close to them but not harm them,” says Kirsten Schoettelkotte, architect and studio director of MHK Architecture Charleston, in an interview with James Hardie.

Dillard-Jones Builders’ President Tom Dillard agreed that preserving the health of the trees meant trial-and-error designs and plenty of brainstorming. Still, “we had a great team,” he says. “We were able to pull this house off in 11 months, which is kind of unheard of for this area.”

The front and rear outdoor spaces connect easily and naturally, with no encumbrances. “The porches, the outdoor spaces around the pool, all these things collectively flow, and it's just a great place to hang out, and everybody's happy,” Dillard comments.

Inside, visitors are greeted with spacious rooms, from the downstairs living room, dining room and kitchen to the bedrooms above — almost all rooms look out on stunning views of the Abbapoola Creek and meadow wildflowers. Indoor elements match the outdoor waterscapes and marshes, aided by large windows and abundant natural light. The interior design elements use organic and natural finishes rather than glitz, providing a comforting and relaxing vibe.

“When you are living in a home in the South, it's all about social life with your friends, with your neighbors,” Dillard observes, emphasizing the importance of porches as part of that culture of community. “Having places to do that is super important, more so than any other aspect of the house.”

MORE DESIGN, MORE PROTECTION

South Carolina’s Lowcountry is one of weather extremes, from snow to intense heat to the ravages of hurricanes and other severe storms. This is one reason why the Kiawah River team decided on Hardie® fiber cement siding and trim for the Idea House — it resists the region's exposure to pests and moisture. Hardie® products are low maintenance with high durability.

Plus, thanks to its variety of styles and colors, Hardie® siding, trim and soffits look great and elevate any architectural style.

“Because we wanted our 2024 Idea House to feel like an historic farmhouse, our team opted for James Hardie’s Hardie® Plank Lap Siding, which gives the new build a sense of character and age,” Smith comments in the Southern Living article. The siding came primed and was painted on-site, contrasting the majestic beauty surrounding the home while seamlessly blending in with its environment rather than clashing with it.

An additional enhancement is their choice to use Hardie® Trim, which continues the design idea of a farmhouse’s historic feel. However, Hardie® Trim lasts, resisting peeling and cracking in all weather conditions, unlike typical wooden trim. The home’s exterior is completed with the Hardie® Soffit, which combines good looks with the valuable strength and protection against extreme outdoor conditions that Hardie® products provide.

For this year’s Southern Living Idea House Team, selecting Hardie® products to boost exterior protection while enhancing appeal was an obvious move. Dillard-Jones, for one, has used Hardie® products on most of its projects, noting the impressive 30-year non-prorated limited substrate warranty. “It's pre-primed, it's stable. All the things that we look for to make sure we have callbacks for our clients years later.”

Furthermore, according to Schoettelkotte, you can’t beat Hardie® products for the variety of colors offered featuring ColorPlus® Technology finishes, as well as a wealth of profile offerings. More choices mean greater design flexibility.

“Hardie® products are reliable and consistent,” she says. “The siding and the trim add great curb appeal. Up close, texturally, they feel thick and authentic, and they help elevate these patios and the porch experience.”

Hardie® siding in action

Interested in reading more about how Hardie^® products are specifically engineered to resist damage from moisture and rot? Check out our durability resources and learn why Hardie® siding stands up to the elements.

If you’re ready to start your re-side journey with a professional, Request a Siding Quote so we can connect you with skilled local contractors. The James Hardie Contractor Alliance™ Program connects homeowners with contractors nationwide whom you can trust are both licensed and insured.

The Idea House is currently open to the public for tours through Dec. 22, 2024. Visit Southern Living’s Idea House website to learn more and to buy tickets.