Interior designer Renée Killian-Dawon has built the reputation of Studio Killian-Dawson on historically-rich and authentically classical renovations worldwide.
In their feature project, they renovated a 19th-century Anglican stone church in South Carolina into a history-inspired family home that includes Walnut Studiolo leather drawer pulls, and share design tips for sourcing authentic modern craftsmanship in historic remodels.
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Featured Project:Transforming a Stone Church into a Family Home in South Carolina
Transforming a 19th-century Gothic Revival stone church with 14-foot ceilings into a comfortable family home is no small task!
But, as Killian-Dawson said to World of Interiors, "No-one would want to create a space like this if they didn't have a sense of romance, a respect for craftsmanship, and a depth of understanding of what it takes to make something special."
The designers brought in antiques, crafts, family heirlooms, restorers, gilders, and textiles from around the world to this South Carolina project to realize the family's goal of a commanding, crisp space.
With so few walls, the furnishings and interiors define the space. In an interview with World of Interiors, Killian-Dawson said, "People often don't realise that you can use soft furnishings in an architectural way."
Killian-Dawson chose Walnut Studiolo's leather handles for the kitchen remodel, to contrast with the period green color. They said, "We’ve used your leather handles on a couple of projects now and they’re great. They work in many different types of environments from historic to contemporary and are easy on the hands - and if you bump into them nothing gets bruised - as hard wearing as they are good looking!"
Design Tips: Using Authentic Craftsmanship to Respect History
What's attractive about historic reproductions and antiques is their authenticity. That's a quality that true craftsmanship has in spades, no matter when it's made.
A part of authenticity, in both craft and historic renovations, means both acknowledging and respecting their imperfections in favor of their genuine story.
As Killian-Dawson said to World of Interiors, "I don't think our job is to create perfection; it is to abandon perfection. These pieces ... give a sense of intimacy and practicality to the room."
About Studio Killian-Dawson
With offices in London and the American East Coast, and supported by a studio in Hampshire, Renée and Robert Killian-Dawson of Studio Killian-Dawson place the client at the heart of the process, working in collaboration to design spaces that reflect individual choices and lifestyles. The results are evidenced in richly layered interiors that enhance the broader landscape. They are accredited byThe Society of British and International Interior Design.
In addition to design service, the studio sources antiques and fine art, and offers a small range of bespoke furnishings and related objects that can be manufactured to order or tailored to suit individual client requirements. They have worked across all manner of projects, including the sensitive reconstruction of historic homes and creating the narrative for modern builds, establishing a growing reputation for interior design and bespoke commissions.
Learn more about Studio Killian-Dawson on their website,https://studiokilliandawson.com/.
More Reading
Read more about designer Renée Killian-Dawson in her interviews and features:
- Church on the Beach in South Carolina. Wall Street Journal, 06 May 2013.
- Tall Order. World of Interiors, 30 May 2023.
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