28 minute read
Life & Faith
ficulty getting through the day. This faithful dog had helped raise our daughters. She had spent her whole life walking with me to pick up the girls from school, providing comfort for hurt feelings, and celebrating milestones with her own place at the table, literally. She was the epitome of love: patient, kind, loyal, and always giving. To quote my husband, she was the heart of our family for fourteen years. When our vet agreed that Luna’s struggle should come to an end, we summoned the girls and asked them to be brave.
Luna’s last night on Earth was solemnized with her own baked salmon filet and a sleepover in the den with the girls. I had a hard time getting to sleep that night and kept peeking into the den for one last memory of a mix of girl limbs with dog legs and the rhythmic breathing of deep sleep. The next day I met everyone at the vet’s office after school. I was feeling fairly stoic until I pulled into the parking lot and saw my daughter walking Luna around in the grass and my husband standing next to them wearing the Life Shirt. We all went inside together, laid hands on our precious girl, and whispered our love into her soul. When she was at peace, the Life Shirt absorbed our tears.
Again, I’m grateful to have a husband who honors family moments with an outward sign of their weight. Our children already know when their father is especially proud, exuberant, or in grief, but when he dons the cringey plaid, it signals to them that such times are worth acknowledging and the accompanying feelings worth expressing. They say that clothes make the man, but in my case, it’s the man who makes the shirt. AM Mark Ensley, Agent 2301 Bacons Bridge Rd Summerville, SC 29485 Bus: 843-871-9700 www.markensley.com
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the southern
Life at the Table
by Diana Thompson
LIFE & FAITH
The most valuable piece of furniture in my house is my kitchen table. Now, it’s not all that valuable when it comes to money, that’s for sure. Before children we had a pretty round glass table that was about the only thing that fit in our eat-in kitchen in our house in Surfside Beach. But glass tabletops and kids aren’t a great combination and I wanted to be able to fit more than four people at our table (which is good planning, because we’ve ended up being a family of five). So we searched and searched but couldn’t find one that both fit our tastes and budget. Finally we found what is now our kitchen table. It is actually two tables, less than $100 each from IKEA. We only attached four of the eight total legs and then used random wood from the garage to build a frame underneath to hold them together. Being from IKEA, it’s obviously not a fancy type of wood or glamorous design. I had great plans to paint it a pretty color, but almost a decade later it’s still the basic tan pine color it was when it came out of the box. I wanted square and it’s… almost square. It has stains and marks on it that won’t scrub out. You can see the lines put on it by pencils pressed down too hard through the paper and fork points stabbed into it thanks to the third child when he was a baby.
But its physical characteristics and monetary value are not what I see when I look at that table. When I look at that table I see the people and moments that have been around it. I see the meals shared with just the five of us. I see my baby making a mess from his high chair as he learned to feed himself. I see cookies for Santa being decorated with my friend and her kids for 6 years in a row. I see hours of homework being completed (and more recently, hours of virtual learning too!). I see my neighbor in tears telling me how her marriage of so many years was falling apart. I see 5 high school girls sitting there every Tuesday morning eating muffins and studying God’s word together for two years straight. I see college students eating ice cream and warm cookies while we duke it out in a vicious game of Catan. I see my friend from California home for the holidays sharing a warm cup of coffee with me and catching me up on her life. I see my daughter and her best friend eating chocolate chip pancakes
for breakfast after a sleepover. I see young adults from our church's small group that represent so many different states and backgrounds and military branches, all gathering for a meal and a place to connect. I see crafts created and final touches being added to dance costumes. I see grandparents sharing meals with their grandkids. I see birthdays being celebrated, losses being mourned, news being shared, and victories being applauded. I see quiet times when I’m the only one sitting at that table, and I’ve seen at least 12 people crammed around it (it comfortably seats 8), shoulder to shoulder. I see family, tears, celebrations, heartbreak, competition, learning, a million cups of coffee shared, and joy—so much joy.
I consider our kitchen table to be holy ground. Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:20 that “when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I’ll be there.” (MSG) I have no doubt that God shows up regularly at my kitchen table (and it’s not for my cooking!). Some people have been there once; some people so often that there is no way I could count. That table’s not big, it’s not fancy, and it certainly isn’t expensive. It’s completely ordinary. But it’s a sacred space in my life—a space where God moves and shows up, because He’s the one who’s brought us there.
Where are your ordinary but sacred spaces? Have you taken the time to identify them? Have you taken the time to enjoy and appreciate them? Maybe more importantly, have you taken the time to create them? We didn’t buy our kitchen table with anyone in mind but the five of us, but I also know that the hundreds of faces who have spent time there didn’t show up by accident. I can only pray that the hundreds of faces who have been gathered around it have been blessed the same way their presence there has blessed us. If you are looking for a sacred space and aren’t sure where to start, there is ALWAYS room for one more at our kitchen table. AM
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CAROLINE'S BED AND BREAKFAST
Southern hospitality & elegant charm. Located in historic Summerville. Listed #1 on Trip Advisor 5 years in a row! Extended & corporate stays welcome in the BnB or cottage.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-637-5903 / carolinesbedandbreakfast.com
THE MAGNOLIA
A blend of modern amenities, spacious private suites featuring 14 foot ceilings and original heart pine floors. Easily walk to Hutchinson Square, shops, and restaurants in the Historic District.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-212-2865 / StayInSummerville.com
FLOWERTOWN B&B
Built in 1889, the three-story Victorian house features beautiful antiques, artfully decorated rooms, a sitting parlor, gourmet breakfast, and extensive gardens and water features. Extended stays and special events are welcome.
SUMMERVILLE, SC (843) 851-1058 / flowertownbandb.com
SHORT CENTRAL COTTAGES
Located across the street from historic 'Short Central', each cottage features a full kitchen and unique Southern decor, perfect for experiencing Historic Downtown Summerville.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-212-2865 / StayInSummerville.com
LINWOOD
Hospitality, History, Horticulture. Charming, comfortable, convenient short and long term accommodations on the Victorian estate in the heart of town.
SUMMERVILLE, SC stay@linwoodinn.com
THE AZALEA BAR & GARDEN
Inspired by the signature style of Azalea Magazine, with craft cocktails by professional mixologists, specialty curated wines, a selection of local craft beers, and a menu of special Southern favorites.
SUMMERVILLE, SC theazaleabar.com
FOOD & DRINK COASTAL COFFEE ROASTERS
Your local coffee roaster, bakery and community spot. Enjoy select wines, craft beer, music, events and so much more.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-376-4559 / coastalcoffeeroasters.com
EVA'S ON MAIN
Open since 1944, Eva's On Main is located in Downtown Historic Summerville and serves a Southern comfort menu for breakfast & lunch, with brunch on Sat. & Sun. Dine-in | Takeout | Curbside Pickup
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-873-5081 / evasonmain.com
FIVE LOAVES CAFE
The cafe is known for daily specials and rotating soups, homemade condiments, & gluten free and vegan options. They have 2 locations that focus on quality, healthy, casual cuisine.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-804-9410 / fiveloavescafe.com
LEDYARD BARBQUE
Award Winning BBQ and homemade sides, indoor / outdoor seating, call ahead/ curbside pick-up. We also offer Catering, Special Event Space Rental, and BBQ /Grilling Classes
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-879-2917 / ledyardbarbque@gmail.com
SUMMERVILLE COUNTRY CLUB
Family owned and operated since 1974. Open seven days a week. 18 hole PUBLIC golf course featuring an outdoor event venue, the Candlelite Pavilion, available for rent.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-873-2210 / summervillecountryclub.com
SWEETWATER 123
Located in the heart of Summerville, Sweetwater features Brunch daily, Dinner, a local beverage selection and a retail shop curated with the most unique, local finds! Open at 10am daily. Dine, Sip, Shop Local.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-695-8488 onetwentythree.sc@gmail.com
ANTIQUES AND ARTISANS VILLAGE
A Fun Place to Shop! Home to over 150 vendors/consignors. Easy parking at 619 Old Trolley Rd., Summerville. Antiques, Vintage, Gifts, Local Artisans.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-900-5386 / antiquesandartisansvillage.com
PUBLIC WORKS ART CENTER
A family-friendly nonprofit art center with FREE ADMISSION, Public Works Art Center offers everchanging exhibitions, art classes for all ages, special events, art studios, a gift shop, and so much more.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-900-3225 / publicworksartcenter.org
EVERYTHING CHIC
Everything Chic is a Southern gift shop full of eclectic home decor, jewelry, candles, furniture, and local specialty items. Our prices are reasonable and our staff is friendly!
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-879-2099 / everythingchicetc.com
FLY MODERN APPAREL
Our promise at FLY is to deliver the best quality materials while giving you the comfort, fit, and style you desire. Each season FLY will bring you the newest trends.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-225-3661 / flymodernapparel.com
FRENCH MERCANTILE
European style home decor, gifts & antiques. Located in the beautiful Summerville historic district.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-494-3229 / frenchmercantilehome.com
KATIE MAE'S KLASSY FLEA & ANTIQUE MART
Home decor, antiques, gifts & painted furniture. We are Farmhouse Paint Retailers for the Low Country. Open 7 days a week.
SUMMERVILLE, SC facebook.com/katiemaesklassyflea 843-771-3375
LOWCOUNTRY OLIVE OIL
Established at the Summerville Farmer's Market in 2011, family-owned Lowcountry Olive Oil now carries over 65 olive oils & vinegars, and dozens of locally made gourmet foods.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-695-8327 / lowcountryoliveoil.com
OK FLORIST
OK Florist, located in the heart of historic, downtown Summerville, has been providing beautiful blooms and lasting memories to Summerville and the Lowcountry area since 1947.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-873-3681 okflorist.net / okfloristevents.com
MAGGIE ROSE
Maggie Rose, is a ladies boutique of simple elegance in the historic downtown district of Summerville, South Carolina.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-871-6745 / maggieroseboutique.com
LAURA JONES & COMPANY
A home furnishings and accessories shop. We have a constantly changing showroom featuring beautiful furniture, garden elements, and thoughtful gifts with an acquired look.
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-875-0609 / laurajonesandcompany.com
PEOPLE, PLACES, AND QUILTS SOLE SHOE COMPANY
A premiere fabric and quilting emporium, with books, patterns, beautiful displays, classes, sewing machines, and good times throughout this wonderful store of 6,000 Sqft!
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-871-8872 / ppquilts.com
Sole Shoe Co. is a modern shoe company, committed to bringing the most modern/chic/comfy/casual shoes and accessories for both men and women.
For information on being a part of the Azalea Market section, contact Agela Burnem
SUMMERVILLE, SC 843-225-9210 / soleshoeco.com
SUMMERVILLE ANTIQUE GALLERY
110 booths full of antiques and uniques.
SUMMERVILLE, SC facebook.com/SummervilleAntiqueGallery 843-873-4926
VINTAGE VIBES ON MAIN
"Enter as a Customer, Leave as a Friend"! Over 6000 sqft of vintage treasures, local artisans, fair prices and some of the friendliest smiles in Summerville!!
SUMMERVILLE, SC www.facebook.com/vintagevibesonmain/ 843-879-9529
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features
56
A TRUE CLASSIC REVIVAL
The Cuddy House: It has known many names over the course of time, but Gretchen & Brian Cuddy have made this house their own
46
GRAND OPENING
Stretching out in the spring sunshine, "The Lady in Black" marks Mother’s Day by reminding NASCAR fans just how tough a mother can be.
50
MOTHER OF ALL RACEWAYS
Red Heads Fresh cherry tomatoes ready for pickling
OPENING
Pickling fresh produce is a Southern right-ofpassage. Whether you're looking to spice up a salad, cocktail, or just eat them straight from the jar, these tangy treats should be on every Spring menu. 48
GET PICKLING
PICKLED OKRA
Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds of fresh okra 4 cloves garlic, peeled 4 (1/4-inch) thick slices of lemon 2 cups cider vinegar (5% acidity) 2 cups water 3 tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon sugar
Spices
2 tablespoons mustard seeds 1 tablespoon coriander seeds 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon fennel seeds 1 teaspoon celery seeds 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
Preparation
Place vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil to dissolve the salt and sugar, reduce heat and keep warm.
While the water is heating in step one, prepare the okra and the spices. Rinse the okra and trim the stem ends to 1/4-inch.
Place all pickling spices in a small bowl and stir to combine.
Place a lemon slice at the bottom of each jar. Add a tablespoon of the mixed pickling spices to each jar. Place a peeled garlic clove on top of the spices and lemon.
Pack the okra in the jars, alternating stem-sideup and stem-side-down to allow you to pack the okra well into the jars. The top of the okra should come between an inch to 1/2 an inch from the rim of the jar.
Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the jars, up to 1/4-inch from the rim of the jars. Run a thin knife between the okra and the jars to dislodge any obvious air bubbles.
Place lids on jars. Screw on the the lids, firmly, but not too tight.
Place packed jars back in the pot with water you used to sterilize the jars. The water should still be hot. Because you are putting back in full jars, rather than empty jars, some water will be displaced. Allow for 1 to 2 inches of water to cover the jars. Beyond that you may want to remove excess water.
Bring to a boil and process for 15 minutes. Remove to towel lined counter or to a rack (You want to avoid putting a hot jar on a cold surface, or else the jar might crack.)
As the jars cool, you should hear a popping sound as the vacuum created by the cooling air in the jars pulls the lid down and seals the jars. A properly sealed jar can last in a cool closet out of direct sun for about a year.
If any jars do not seal, store them chilled in the refrigerator. Opened jars should last one to two months in the refrigerator.
PICKLED CHERRY TOMATOES
Ingredients
½ teaspoon salt ½ cup white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) ½ cup white vinegar 2 cups water 1 quart cherry or grape tomatoes 2 cloves garlic (peeled and sliced into two long halves) 2 sprigs fresh rosemary (length should be approximately the same as the jar)
Preparation
Place vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil to dissolve the salt and sugar, reduce heat and keep warm.
Combine salt, vinegars and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove stems and wash the tomatoes. Gently prick tomato skins twice on opposite sides to prevent skin from cracking.
Pack tomatoes in hot sterilized jars (two pints or four 1-cup jelly). Add one half of garlic half way and the other clove on top. Ladle vinegar over tomatoes to ¼ inch line. Add a rosemary sprig to each jar.
If sealing jars: run a knife along the inside edge of the jars to remove ALL air bubbles. Finger tighten the lid.
Process jars in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes starting your timer as soon as you put the jars in. Leaving them longer will cause the tomatoes to pop.
If you are not sealing the jars, let cool to room temperature, put on lids and store in refrigerator. AM
by Susan Frampton
Stretching out in the spring sunshine, “The Lady in Black” marks Mother’s Day by reminding NASCAR fans just how tough a mother can be.
For many, Mother's Day is represented by springtime, sentimental cards, flowers, and gifts tied with pastel ribbons. In 2021, Americans spent $28.1 billion to show Mom they cared. But for NASCAR fans and their moms, there is an additional reason to celebrate the traditional rite of spring. Racing—specifically racing at Darlington Speedway. It is not clear how Mother's Day initially became linked to the track dubbed “The Lady in Black,” but this year the racetrack will mark the day with the return of revving engines and squealing tires. With NASCAR's 37% female fan base, it's a sure bet that there will be plenty of mothers in the crowd gathered for a memorable weekend of racing.
Darlington, SC sits at the heart of the state's agricultural belt. So it may seem surprising to find this asphalt jewel amidst the Pee Dee region, famous for its tobacco auctions and endless cotton fields. But as legend tells it, it was over a 1949 card game that Harold Brasington proposed the idea to Sherman Ramsey, whose tobacco and cotton fields outside the city limits lay fallow in the baking Southern sun. Fueled by a trip to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Brasington had a hunch that stock car racing might well be a game-changer for American automakers. So he decided it was time to go all in.
Preoccupied with the hand in play, Ramsey agreed to build a racetrack on the land, stipulating that construction must not interfere with his minnow pond in the corner of the property. He never imagined it would actually happen.
Brasington immediately set to work. Skeptics called it "Harold's Folly." They brought picnic lunches to watch the bulldozers and heavy equipment shape the landscape into NASCAR's first paved superspeedway, often with Brasington himself at the controls. The track slowly took shape—an asphalt-topped, asymmetrical, egg-shaped oval with curves made difficult by a purposeful design to miss the minnow pond. It would be the proving ground for fierce competitors vying for the honor of having their names inscribed in history.
In only a year, the call went out to the knights of NASCAR,
challenging them to run their steel horses on the 1.25-mile track. Concrete bleachers were built to accommodate an optimistic estimate of 7,000 race fans. By the time engines were started on Labor Day weekend's 1950 NASCAR Grand National Series Southern 500, more than 20,000 fans had occupied every square inch of space lining the track and infield of Darlington Raceway.
The starting lineup included a Who's Who list of the day's best drivers, including Fireball Roberts, Curtis Turner, Lee Petty, and Johnny Mantz. Though he was the slowest qualifier amongst the field of 75 drivers, when the checkered flag waved the 1950 Plymouth to victory, Mantz captured the day—taking home a whopping $10,510. It had taken him over 6 hours to drive the 400 laps at an average speed of 75.25 mph. Only 25 of the 75 starters finished.
No one remembers who first referred to Darlington's track by the feminine nickname of “The Lady in Black.” Those present for her debut gave stunned accounts of their encounter with the ribbon of blazing black asphalt. Legend quickly spread about the track among drivers, whose defiant curves sent them on a ride that left them hot, bothered, and spinning in dizzying circles at her feet. It would not be long before an apt new tagline was added to the Lady's name. Despite her Southern charm, the Lady was "Too Tough to Tame."
South Carolina native, Cale Yarborough, won The Lady's hand five times in his thirty-year career. His first glimpse of the enigmatic track came when the curious young boy climbed to the top of the fence to look out on the rumbling cars beyond. It was love at first sight, and Yarborough says he knew immediately that this was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. So, in 1957, he chose the Lady in Black to play hostess to the first race of his professional career. Little did he know, a few years later, she would send him and his car careening back over the fence in 1965's Southern 500.
It was not a smooth ride for those early drivers. NASCAR was in its infancy, having been founded in 1948, only a year before Brasington's bulldozers took to the cotton field outside the sleepy city of Darlington. The men who chose the life of a driver took on a job with no glitz and very little glamor. Instead, a never-ending cycle of putting cars together, loading them atop flatbed trucks for the drive to the track, and heading to the next race awaited them. Often, they arrived just in time to start their engines for qualifying.
Sponsorships and endorsement deals began to make the job a bit more lucrative, but many ran for the pure love of the sport. Sportswriter Angela Campbell of SpeedwayMedia.com summed up the drivers of NASCAR's formative years. She described independent owner/driver #71 Dave Marcis as "a reflection of a time when it wasn't all about fame and fortune—it was about accomplishing extraordinary things with little money, great determination, and tremendous ingenuity."
Far from the high-tech gear of today's racers, little stood between these drivers and the very real dangers of the sport. There were no 5-point safety harnesses or full-face racing helmets. At best, flame retardant suits were rudimentary, and communication was conducted via hand signals between driver and pit crew. Darlington's Labor Day time slot also added the sultry heat of Southern summer to the mix.
Yarborough remembers, "I don't know how we did it. It would get so hot you could barely breathe. Your shoes would melt and stick NO ONE REMEMBERS WHO FIRST REFERRED TO DARLINGTON'S TRACK BY THE FEMININE NICKNAME OF “THE LADY IN BLACK.” THOSE PRESENT FOR HER DEBUT GAVE STUNNED ACCOUNTS OF THEIR ENCOUNTER WITH THE RIBBON OF BLAZING BLACK ASPHALT.
Checkered Past
Johnny Mantz after winning the inaugural Southern 500 race at Darlington in 1950 to the floor." Tired of the relentless blisters that formed on his heels at weekly races at Darlington Raceway, Dave Marcis took to wearing thick-heeled wingtip shoes to combat the searing heat of the floorboards. The iconic shoes would become his trademark, finding their way into The Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum, NMPA Hall of Fame.
Despite the hazards, they raced on. As new tracks were added to the circuit, drivers crisscrossed the country. Still, the treacherous Lady in Black called like a siren, and they returned each year to woo her. The tarred Southern Lady revealed a fiery will. Immune to their charms, she required drivers to travel high up the narrow track to kiss the wall, then marked their fenders with the "Darlington Stripe," a black smudge that would come to be a badge of honor.
Nine-time Darlington winner Dale Earnhardt once described his lovehate relationship with the course. "You never forget your first love— whether it is a high school sweetheart, a faithful old hunting dog, or a fickle racetrack in South Carolina with a contrary disposition."
NASCAR saw tremendous changes through the years, and at times, The Lady in Black struggled to keep up. She was re-measured, repaved, and reconfigured to 1.366 miles, literally flipping the layout to reverse the turns. Grandstands were added, and lights offered the flexibility of night races. Despite best efforts to keep her relevant, NASCAR's decision to move the Southern 500 to California's Auto Club Speedway in 2003 was a slap in the face to the legendary Lady. It was a move that flew in the face of history and was a devastating blow to the Darlington area. As a significant financial contributor to the Pee Dee region, annually generating over $54 million in economic impact for the area, the notion of their raceway suffering the fate of other, shuttered tracks was unimaginable for the community. It was also a matter of tradition and pride for the Palmetto State.
It took a dozen years, but NASCAR got the message. The track announced a new five-year strategy to honor each era of its storied past while celebrating the future. As a result, Harold Brasington was posthumously named the recipient of the Landmark Award for Outstanding Contributions to NASCAR and inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
This year, Darlington will host Throwback Weekend with all three national series of the Camping World Truck Series on Friday, May 6th, the Xfinity Series on Saturday, May 7th, and the Cup Series on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8th. The track's highly acclaimed throwback platform will enter its eighth year and promises to provide fans with a one-of-a-kind tribute to the sport's past, present, and future. Once more, the Lady in Black's Mother's Day race experience will perfectly unite generations of race fans with their mothers for a memorable celebration weekend with action-packed racing.
It is a new day for NASCAR, and Harold Brasington's unlikely creation in the dusty soil outside Darlington has stood the test of time. The Lady in Black has proved her allegiance to him and the sport he loved. With her legendary black stripe, she reminds all that she is not to be trifled with. Call her “Too Tough to Tame.” She will stretch out in the spring sunshine and smile to herself.
Happy Mother's Day to the mother of all tracks: South Carolina's Darlington Raceway—The Lady in Black. AM
TRUE
CLASSIC
By SUSAN FRAMPTON Photos by DOTTIE & WILL RIZZO
REVIVAL
ALTHOUGH
Neurosurgeon Dr. Brian Cuddy and his wife Gretchen still consider themselves newcomers to Summerville, the home they moved into in February of 2021 has been a beloved fixture on the horizon since 1883. Holding down its corner in the very heart of the town's Historic District, the home was once known as the Henry Middleton Manigault House and later as The Manigault Sisters House. Despite balancing busy schedules and the challenges of restoring the Grand Dame of a historic home, the couple has seamlessly transitioned from their residence on Daniel Island to the pace of Summerville.
Gretchen, an artist, floral designer, and former Pediatric ICU nurse at MUSC, and Brian, who in addition to his practice, served as chief of staff for Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital, and has been the chairman of the Roper St. Francis Healthcare Board of Directors since 2015, are a welcome addition to the community. Gretchen's sunny smile and Brian's quick wit have already made the couple a favorite among their new neighbors.
Though today it has been thoroughly modernized, while making the stately white home their own, the Cuddy's have stayed true to the integrity and character of the residence. "I like old houses," says Gretchen. "My husband does too. They have so much personality." She pauses before adding, "But you know they're always a work in progress. That work has not
Porch Perfect
This page: A view from the front door; a cozy place to take in a good book. Opposite page: The living room is warm and welcoming
Neutral Wonder
The living room is filled with neutral hues and natural light
Well Lived Clockwise from top left: A potting shed doubles as a charming space for tea; the library; ready for guests; the colors in the library invite you to stay all day.
Book Club Clockwise from top left: Vintage books add warmth and color; a cozy corner, natural light brightens the staircase.
been without its challenges, which began on moving day."
The home sits on 1.7 acres, but the gates, which are original to the house, were sized for carriages rather than modern vehicles. "It had been pouring rain for three days when we moved from Daniel Island. The big moving van wouldn't fit through either of the property's narrow gates, so we had to make lots of trips with smaller trucks," Gretchen remembers. "We had to block traffic on Central Avenue to back them in, and even holding back the iron gates, the smaller trucks only cleared the gates by inches."
Gretchen's creative gifts as an artist and floral designer helped her to fully imagine the house's potential the first time she saw it. "Everything was just like builders white when we first saw it." Now, warm with natural light from the many windows, the rich colors and textures of the home are a testament to the discerning taste of its owners. The flow of one room to the next invites visitors to linger. One cannot help but note the warmth and comfortable ambiance of every space, a feeling that perfectly reflects the sense of welcome they offer their guests. "It's a great house for a party," Gretchen says of the library, study and formal living room, and dining rooms off the central hallway. Sprawling porches are retreats of creating airy, open spaces.
