For Mike and Judy Miller, no trip is complete without stopping at a local gallery. Married for forty-four years and bound by a love that began in the second grade, the couple has curated an impressive collection of artwork from around the globe. So, naturally, during a visit to the Lowcountry—and while contemplating a second home beneath the veil of Spanish moss—they found themselves wandering into a Charleston gallery.
We told the owner we were considering buying a place on Kiawah Island,” Mike recalls. The gallery owner’s response was immediate and unequivocal. “Before you do,” she advised, “make sure to visit Kiawah River first.”
Neither Mike nor Judy had ever heard of the Johns Island enclave, but with that suggestion, their path to a new Lowcountry chapter was set.
“You drive into the neighborhood, and it feels like stepping back in time—beautiful pastures, sprawling farmland, an old cemetery, and fields of wildflowers. It was just breathtaking,” Judy recalls.
As if the scene weren’t captivating enough, one of the available homesites was draped in mature live oaks, their limbs twisting artfully beneath the Southern sky. For Judy, a painter, the possibilities were endless. Inspiration seemed to bloom at every turn—the ancient trees, the twenty miles of nature trails winding alongside the river, the agrihood’s charming vegetable stand, and, just a short distance from the property, a nearby eagle’s nest where they could witness the majestic birds returning each season. At that moment, the Millers knew they had found more than just a home; they had discovered a living canvas.
With art always at the heart of their vision, the couple entrusted Clarke Design Group to create a home that seamlessly blended abundant natural light with ample wall space for their curated collection.
“That’s exactly how it turned out,” Mike says. “It’s a tree house filled with art.” Eleven panels of floor-to-ceiling windows and doors frame the open-concept living room and kitchen, unfolding effortlessly onto a sprawling deck—an invitation to the serene beauty beyond. “Most of our time is spent on that deck,” Mike says.
Inside, the view is equally captivating. Judy was able to get just the right museum-quality look to display her collection of original art throughout the four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath home.
For Judy, however, the true pièce de résistance was completing her home studio. When she’s not gliding along the sun-dappled paths on her pink beach cruiser—its wicker basket brimming with fresh provisions from the farm stand, a scene that feels plucked straight from a movie—she escapes to that idyllic sanctuary. There, surrounded by light and tranquility, she transforms her Lowcountry experiences into art, capturing on paper the essence of crabbing off Kiawah River’s dock or strolling to the Goatery for fresh cheese.
The grandparents of five, with two on the way, say that Judy’s art studio has been one of the biggest selling points for their grandkids. “Our youngest is under two, and I have never seen a child that young have the attention span to paint that long.” Now that Mike and Judy are retired, their Lowcountry home provides the freedom of endless afternoons to sit and enjoy the pleasure of their tiny artists’ company.
Not that it’s all indoor time when the family comes to visit. The Millers say its world-class amenities set Kiawah River apart from other developments they considered.
“The Spring House—you won’t find an amenity any nicer anywhere,” Mike says. “With its pools on the river, it’s phenomenal.” The 9,000-square-foot swim and fitness center offers a junior Olympic–sized family pool, an adult pool, and a full-service kitchen with a shaded bar for poolside dining. In addition, it’s home to a health and fitness space, an outdoor fireplace with lounge seating, and a lower deck overlooking the Kiawah River.
“We love the food and just sitting in the sun by the pool,” Judy says.
The Dunlin, Auberge Resorts Collection hotel’s opening has been a delightful addition. “Our daughter was married at an Auberge property in Napa, and their amenities are unparalleled. We love meeting visitors there or gathering with neighbors for dinner,” Mike says.
Another pleasant surprise has been the community itself—the connections they’ve made as they contemplate a permanent move to Kiawah River from their Columbia home.
“It’s hard to even leave this place,” Mike admits. “Judy knows every artist and every gallery in Charleston. When she’s at Kiawah River, she never wants to be anywhere else.” And why would she? As Judy says, “It’s a treasure.”
Find your Kiawah River home at KiawahRiver.com
