At Home With John Dolan of Seawah Furniture | Design

Interior designer John Dolan doesn’t believe in following rules. His approach to interiors is rooted in instinct and evolution. “I try things and give them a chance in the space, then I edit. It’s quite against the grain,” he says. That confident, collected style plays out across every corner of his Johns Island home, where signature pieces from Seawah Furniture | Design anchor the layered look.

Photography by Ruta Smith

Entryway

John’s home opens with a statement collection of momentos tucked beside the front door. A thoughtfully curated gallery wall draws the eye in, hinting at the home’s design and expressive personality. Horses, a motif close to John’s heart, make the first of many subtle appearances, a nod to his upbringing in North Carolina and lifelong love of riding. One of his favorite pieces is a framed feature from a past article in Charleston Home + Design, which emphasizes his passion for design. It all sits upon a custom console sourced from Seawah Furniture | Design’s Johns Island showroom.

Living Room

He emphasizes the power of oversized artwork and strategic furniture placement to create dimension without clutter. “My biggest thing is creating points of interest,” he says. That philosophy culminates in the living room, his favorite place in the home. This space blends mixed materials with moments of contrast to achieve maximum impact. Furs, boucle, cowhide, rattan, and chunky woven textures create warmth and depth. Sourced from Seawah Furniture | Design, he chose an indoor-outdoor sofa upholstered in performance fabric, paired with swivel chairs and a marble end table, all to offer style without sacrificing comfort.

Dining Room

Compact but compelling, the dining area holds its own. A vintage card table serves as the centerpiece, playing double duty for meals and entertaining. Paired with unfussy chairs and a well-stocked bar, the space feels approachable yet refined. “It’s a small space, but it feels grand like a dining room should,” he says. No major reconfiguration was needed here, thanks to John’s ability to play with scale. The layout works seamlessly for hosting, inviting conversation with ease.

Guest Bedroom

In the guest bedroom, John leaned into a spa-inspired feel, ensuring a sense of Lowcountry escapism was incorporated into the design. The selections for this space are more subdued than the rest of the home, yet still part of the same eclectic coastal narrative of Seawah Furniture | Design. As a frequent host, he wanted the space to feel elevated, like a boutique resort; calming, cohesive, and comfortable. The color palette of soft neutral tones and soothing textures creates a serene atmosphere for resting and relaxing after a fun day in Charleston.

For more information, call Seawah Furniture | Design at (843) 203-5390 or visit seawahdesign.com.