Story by Micaela Arnett / November 28, 2024
The Interior Design Society announces its newest chapter here in Charleston. IDS is dedicated to serving the residential interior design industry and supporting partners. The organization focuses on education, networking, professional development, and elevating the profession of residential interior design while advocating for a strong design community.
“We want it to be an open, welcoming place,” IDS Charleston chapter co-founder Amy Milani of Sherwin-Williams says.
To celebrate this new design network, Interior designer Allison Elebash of Allison Elebash Interior Design and textile designer and artist Rebecca Atwood of Rebecca Atwood Designs spoke on a panel about their involvement with the Southern Living Idea House at Kiawah River.
The marshlands and seasonal shifts in Charleston’s flora inspired the home’s color palette. From aubergine tones of spartina grass to earthy neutrals, the palette sought to mirror the natural environment while creating warmth in the new build. Allison’s design made spaces versatile for different lifestyles, offering flexibility for children, adults, and guests.
Rebecca’s designs reflect the chromatic neutrality of Cape Cod’s offseason—subtle, quiet colors deeply influenced by nature. This aesthetic language remains central to her textile and wallpaper designs, even as Charleston inspires new directions.
By blending Rebecca’s textile artistry with Allison’s interior design expertise, the home captures the essence of the Carolina coast—not just in blues and greens but in earthy tones and layered textures.
The project exemplified the collaborative spirit of Charleston’s design industry and the intentions of the Interior Design Society, where competition is a secondary consideration to mutual support and shared success.
