Dynamic Duo

Inspired by the residential architecture of Barbados, where abundant windows and doors open to capture ocean breezes, this 4,500-square-foot, spec-built beauty in Charleston, S.C., features a floor plan that wraps around an open-air piazza.

Nearly every room in this Daniel Island residence has direct outdoor access, including the heart of the home — its centrally located kitchen. This space can be transformed from a cozy everyday gathering spot for the family to a roomy staging area for large-scale parties simply by opening a pair of oversize French doors that link it to covered space in the courtyard.

"Throw open the doors to the piazza, and instantly you go from having a space that is 20 feet wide and 18 feet long to one that's over 40 feet long," builder Kevin Kalman says.

The kitchen includes a two-tier island equally suited for use as a sit-down snack bar or a serving buffet. Oversize, commercial-grade appliances, including a 48-inch refrigerator, a 48-inch cooktop, a warming drawer and dual ovens, complement the kitchen's generous counter space and custom cabinetry.

A butler's pantry adjoining the kitchen functions as a secondary meal preparation area if additional work space is needed. It features the same mix of dark wood cabinetry and stainless steel finishes that give the main kitchen its West Indies flavor. The butler's pantry contains a full complement of commercial-grade appliances, including a 36-inch refrigerator, a warming drawer, an undercounter wine cooler and an ice-maker.

"The butler's pantry really makes it easy for multiple people to use the kitchen at the same time," Kalman says. "It is really an ideal spot for caterers' use during a party." It also has direct access to the home's rear hallway and parking area — a much-appreciated convenience for those loading and unloading supplies.

The home, which Kalman Construction built as a 2003 showcase home, was completed in November 2002 and sold in the spring of 2003.

Style of home | Traditional with Barbados influences

Location | Charleston, S.C.

Total square footage | 4,500

Estimated market value | $1.75 million

Builder/interior design | Kalman Construction Corp., Charleston

Architect | Schmitt Sampson Walker Architects, Charleston

Home Magazine showcase home

Major Products Used | Appliances: KitchenAid | Cabinetry: KraftMaid | Countertops: DuPont Zodiaq | Tile: Walker Zanger | Doors: Masonite | Sinks/faucets: American Standard, Porcher | Light fixtures: Progress | Door hardware: Baldwin | Paints/stains: Benjamin Moore | Windows: Jeld-Wen (Pozzi)