Charleston Style & Design Summer 2023

Long Lasting Beauty and Durability with Premium Metal Roofing and Fiber Cement Siding by G&S

Long Lasting Beauty and Durability with Premium Metal Roofing and Fiber Cement Siding by G&S

Long Lasting Beauty and Durability with Premium Metal Roofing and Fiber Cement Siding by G&S

gsmetalroofing.com

gsmetalroofing.com

gsmetalroofing.com

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Holger

Private Residence - Daniel Island

Photo by Leigh Webber

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Katie Charlotte

Photo by Tripp Smith

Photo by Tripp Smith

“Blessed Light”, Oil on Linen, 38" x 50"

Blue Crabs, Oil on Linen, 38" x 50"

Photo by Tripp Smith

Photography

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Throughout the Charleston area, the Custom Home division of our real estate company is changing the game on design-build. We’ve assembled, and manage for you, an elite team of architects, builders, interior designers, and landscapers with deep experience and expertise. Together, we take your ideas, needs, and style and bring your vision to life, delivering a home that is personalized to you. And if you don’t have one, we can find you the perfect homesite. Our streamlined process means you are in your home faster, with less stress, and more for your money.

Are you ready?

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Coastal Real Estate Photography

We create the most exceptional concrete elements in the world

125 Pitt Street

Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

843-388-5431

www.katemilesdesign.com

@katemilesdesign

Fine Furnishings, Gifts, Accessories, Full Service Interior Design

Bridging the outside world to the intimate life of home

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Matthias Lupri

Matthias Lupri

Matthias Lupri

Michel Calvet

BEST OF THE SEASON + YEAR ROUND RESORT

44a Spring Street Charleston, SC 29403

IG @harperhartfordboutique www.harperandhartford.com

64b Boat House Street

Bluffton, SC 29910

IG: simonestyle@palmettobluff

Model: Celeste Green @a.celestial.body | Photographer: Mira Adwell Photography @miraadwell_photo | HMU/Stylist: Lisa Jean Walsh @whowhatoui

2023 Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list. Opinions provided by SHOOK® Research, LLC and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due-diligence meetings that measure best practices, client retention, industry experience, credentials, compliance records, firm nominations, assets under management and Firm-generated revenue (investment performance is not a criterion). SHOOK’s rankings do not reflect any client experience, endorse any advisor, indicate future performance and are available for client evaluation only. Compensation was not received from any Advisors for the study. Details available at www.SHOOKresearch.com.

Banking products are provided by Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

The Bull Symbol and Merrill are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation.

the marks

Photo by Ellis Creek Photography

Photos by Jonathan Boncek

Robert LeFevre, Artist

M.P. DEMETRE JEWELERS

Photos by Holger Obenaus

SIPA Powered Paddle Boards

RADINN Jetboards

KAASpeed Scooters

Alex Fleuren Owner, Lead Designer

Photos by Patrick Brickman

Featuring Dr. Matthew Baker

SERVICES PROVIDED

Breast Surgery • Facial Surgery

Body Surgery • Injectables

Dr. Baker’s guiding principles of anatomical restoration and aesthetic rejuvenation have allowed him to reveal the underlying natural beauty of each patient with a customized, patient-specific surgical strategy.

“I truly enjoy the process of getting to know my patient’s goals and desires, and then creating an individualized operative plan with them. It has always been a privilege and an honor to participate in the patient’s journey and to restore a sense of confidence in my patients.”

THE H/K /B WAY A UNIQUE PATIENT EXPERIENCE

The H/K/B Way is a collaborative effort between all of our physicians and staff. Together, we are committed to providing our patients with state-of-the-art procedures, best-in-class surgical technology, and the most advanced methods for ensuring not just optimal results, but also optimal recovery periods. The mission of H/K/B? To provide the best possible experience of cosmetic surgery to each of our patients, whether they’re seeking a tummy tuck, a facelift, a breast augmentation, or simply an injectable filler.

PHOTOS BY: ZEKE RUELAS

An elevated look for modern living

Photos by Marcela Diaz

photography by: Newport653

Big Sky South Carolina 16" x 20" Oil on Canvas

Photo by Aleece Sophia

At Koniver Aesthetics we believe that great health and great skin work in tandem and our goal is to bring out your best both inside and out.

This philosophy underlies everything we do at Koniver Aesthetics. Whether you are a client at our Charleston, SC, med spa, joining us for a virtual consultation, or perusing our online boutique— we are committed to delivering world-class skincare advice, innovative treatments, and clinically proven products hand-picked by our team of top clinical providers and aestheticians.

Book a consultation today to start your own journey to great skin.

Now we have two locations to serve you! Come visit us at our new downtown location at The Jasper, conveniently located within the Ashley Artisan Suites, 110, 121, and 123.

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photos by Dickson Dunlap

Jenan McClain

Poetic Painter

Photo by Holger Obenaus

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL Design IS OUR LANGUAGE

Photo by Holger Obenaus CHARLESTON MT. PLEASANT SUMTER

Photo by Sean Reagan Photography

Released II Sally Accetta

Rose Linda Bates

Step of Faith Rachel DuBose King

Swallowtail Delight Yvonne L. Rousseau

Sunflower Bee Cathy Therrell

Twice the Happiness Carla Hood

Audubon Garden Belle Anderson

Winter Trees Julia Gallagher

Flying Dragon Larry Alexis

Sheila Roush

Edisto on the Marsh Side Renee Bruce Colors in the Wind Judy Jacobs

Blue Crush Felicia Neil

Tuesday Market Jo Gilpatrick

Photos by Holger Obenaus

RICHARD FERGUSON FINE ART

“Summer Day on the Marsh” Venetian Plaster on Wood Panel

“Thinking About Summer on the Pond” Venetian Plaster on Wood Panel

Photo by Holger Obenaus

REID is a locally run real estate and

I was lucky enough to find the most amazing realtor who helped me find my dream home in I’ON. Trust me, she’s a one in a million find! Not only does she do real estate, but she also specializes in home design and staging to help you sell your house. And if you’re not in love with your current home, she can help you redesign it so it becomes your forever home. Sarah Marion is Charleston’s very own “love it or list it” professional. She genuinely cares about her clients and goes above and beyond to make their dreams a reality. So, if you’re ready to love where you live or find your next amazing new home, reach out to Sarah.

interior design group.

First we open the door to the right place to call home.

Then we help you bring your style to life through design.

—Debbie, Mount Pleasant, SC

Rick Reinert

Sculpture Garden Gallery

Daud Akhriev (OPA Master) D.E. McDermott

Ralph Grady James

Nancy Franke

PHOTO BY RYERSON DESMOND

MIRACLE WORKER

Stephanie McChesney offers a noninvasive alternative to cosmetic surgery

Stephanie has 30+ years of experience as a leading Medi-clinical Esthetician. Skin by Stephanie provides a personal trainer approach to clinical skin care and anti-aging. She is the alternative to cosmetic surgeries.

The Shops at Shelmore Village 728 S. Shelmore Blvd. Suite 100 | Mt Pleasant SC

• highly individualized program of clinical skincare products and aesthetic treatments

• skin improvement at the cellular level

• customized to your skin’s changing needs

• personalized home regimen of Science Ceuticals

• personalized skincare education

864-314-2417 |  www.skinbystephanie.com | Call today to begin your journey to beautiful skin with Stephanie McChesney.

Photo by Holger Obenaus

149 N SHELMORE BLVD | MOUNT PLEASANT, SC | PRICE REDUCED – $500K+ | $3,250,000

One of the most private estate lots in Ion (.69 acre). Gracious, Barbados style plantation home with 5 bedrooms 4.5 bathrooms. Detached garage with guest quarters over the garage. The serene, park like ground on 3 sides. The one bedroom carriage house has a full kitchen, living room with Murphy bed, and porch that overlooks the meditation garden. Home was built using ICF construction which makes it energy efficient, quiet, and able to withstand 250 MPH winds. The deep bluestone porches, tree fort, and patio overlooking the lush backyard makes this home a nature lovers paradise. Main house is a little over 5200 sq ft, full apartment above the garage adds 625 sq ft.

Photo by Holger Obenaus

It is a pleasure to offer a review of Emily G. Johnston Family Law Firm which guided me successfully through a difficult divorce. Through the whole arduous process, Emily helped me focus on the true issues at play, and Sara most kindly helped me gather paperwork for her careful organization. When the rubber meets the road, Emily is a consummate legal professional and a dauntless advocate. Though I certainly don’t recommend divorce to anyone, I can wholeheartedly recommend EGJ Family Law.” — Recent Testimonial

316

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on the cover

Novella Homes

PHOTOGRAPH BY HOLGER OBENAUS

FEATURES

296

Buon Appetito

Sorelle celebrates the best of two worlds

316

No Boundaries

A new Daniel Island home blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living

332 Carefully Curated Shelter Custom-Built Living creates a unique sanctuary for a nature-loving family

348 Arts

Top artists and galleries

202 Seeing You Through From Start

The

152

Design Trends

Fabulous finds

230

A Heart for Custom

Imagination is the limit with custom-designed concrete elements from Hartstone

236

Landscape Art

When J.R. and Holly Kramer look at a landscape, they see more than just the trees and plants that create it

242 Through His Eyes

Mital Patel introduces an intimate view of the creatures of Africa

248

Old and New Growth

Encore Lumber’s expansion into newer products offers more variety and flexibility

254

Fine Art Thrives in the Coastal Lowcountry

An ever-popular Pawleys

Island gallery passes the torch to a new member

260

Above and Beyond

Stono Construction offers old-school integrity and availability in a modern market

DESIGN

266

In the Quiet Hours

Artist Jeanne O’Neal finds flow while capturing tranquil Lowcountry scenes

272 Seewee Roots

A local Realtor marries real estate with home décor

278

Hospitality on Wheels

Whether for business or recreation, this RV business keeps you on the road

284

Island Energy

On quiet Deewees Island, the Huyler House Gallery is the heartbeat of the community

290

A Deeper Meaning

Emily Whiting communicates with the viewer through detail and symbolism

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Vibe this issue is full of it In fact, you will see the word “vibe” used sporadically in our articles. And it makes sense, as each article we produce always has its own vibe.

Our Homes section highlights two distinct houses with their own vibe. Our cover story of Novella Homes features a new build on scenic Beresford Creek. The traditional coastal farmhouse incorporates an East Coast/West Coast blend for this family’s dream custom home. For Shelter Custom-Built Living’s client, their dream home has more of a minimalistic vibe with organic materials,

abundant natural light and large-format windows to frame the incredible views.

We also had the opportunity to visit the new Sorelle restaurant in the heart of Downtown Charleston. It offers a modern spin on classic southern Italian cuisine made with Lowcountry ingredients. And the vibe Italian charm meets European elegance. From the mercato—stocked with specialty products for your kitchen, as well as light fare for a casual meal—to the main dining room with its hand-painted wall murals, mohair velvet chairs, leather banquettes and marble slabs from ancient Italian quarries, you definitely feel the vibe!

From our Lifestyle section, you will get to know Veronica Beard Clothing, Carolina Rides (always a fun time), Shine Medical Spa, Magnolia Med Spa, Rhodes Boutique, Rhodes Home & Gift and Realtors Sarah Ellen Lacke, Suzie Smith, Jacqueline Lisa Dinsmore and Laurie Loparo, as well as Long & Foster Real Estate.

In our Design section, you’ll be introduced to artists Jeanne O’Neal, Emily Whiting, Mital Patel and art galleries Floyd Fine Arts and Huyler House Gallery. Learn about local businesses Stono Construction, Hartstone Tile, Best Preowned RV’s of South Carolina, Encore Reclaimed Lumber & Millwork, Remark Landscape Architecture and See Wee Homes.

Enjoy the summer and take advantage of all Charleston offers!

—Quentin Senise Publisher

PUBLISHER

Quentin Senise EDITOR

Debra Kronowitz

COPY EDITOR

Jessica Manley

ART DIRECTOR

Lili Picou

PRODUCTION EDITOR

Kellie Frissell

PHOTOGRAPHER

Holger Obenaus

ADVERTISING SALES

Quentin Senise

CONTRIBUTORS

Christina Andrews

Helen Gregory

Robin Howard

Christiana Lilly

Liesel Schmidt

Wendy Swat Snyder

Dana W. Todd

Ellen Uribe

PRESIDENT

Quentin Senise

ADVERTISING SALES

publisher7@bellsouth.net 843.754.1211

Address:

Charleston Style & Design P.O. Box 20098 Charleston, SC 29413

Charleston Style & Design reserves the right to refuse advertisements for any reason. Acceptance of advertising does not mean or imply the services or product is endorsed or recommended by Charleston Style & Design. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Charleston Style & Design, LLC. Manuscripts, artwork, photographs, inquiries and submitted materials are welcome. Visit us online at charlestonstyleanddesign.com

Meghan Baskin Photo

Meghan Baskin Photo

Meghan Baskin Photo

NOW TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU!

CHARLESTON STYLE & DESIGN

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CONTACT US

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MAIL

Charleston Style & Design P.O. Box 20098 Charleston, SC 29413

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DISTINCTIVE GIFTS | BRIDAL REGISTRY · INVITATIONS · STATIONERY | FINE TABLEWARE | UNIQUE HOME ACCESSORIES EVERYTHING FOR THE BRIDE EXCEPT THE DRESS

“Jackie and Matt are an all-star team in every way. Their deep relationships in the area helped us successfully navigate some complex challenges and their professionalism is top notch.”

Matt: 843.452.4050

Jackie: 843.327.4557

mattandjackie@carolinaone.com

www.mattandjackiescarafile.com

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Charlotte did an amazing job for us! We were new to the area and she walked us through each phase of the buying process with ease. Our three children also used Charlotte to buy their homes, so we knew we were getting someone who knew the area, knew the real estate market and would help us get the best home to suit our needs.

We highly recommend Charlotte Lemon to anyone trying to buy a home, especially in this difficult market.

Mount Pleasant resident

D

DESIGN TRENDS

FABULOUS FINDS

DEGUISE INTERIORS

The Robbie pendant is made from rattan. Intricate details and your choice of accent stone make this piece truly special.

843.971.1491

deguiseinteriors.com

FLOYD FINE ARTS

The limited-edition bronze sculpture Green Heron by Sandy Scott measures 11" x 13" x 10".

843.979.0149

floydfinearts.com

BACKYARD RETREATS

The Monaco armless rocker features a rustproof aluminum frame with handwoven weaves. Seats are designed to provide comfort without cushions. The collection also offers chaises lounges, and dining, balcony and bar chairs.

843.856.0049

backyardretreatssc.com

ENCORE RECLAIMED LUMBER & MILLWORK

Charred boards are a traditional, environmentally friendly Japanese technique to preserve lumber. The boards are charred with fire then brushed and oiled. Perfect for walls and ceilings.

843.974.5895

encorelumber.com

The KAASpeed electric scooters are designed for coastal lifestyles. Head to the beach, go shopping or visit friends. KAASpeed is moped rated with the battery range to turn every day into an adventure.

844.378.6653

carolinarides.com

TERRA DESIGNS

Bring the outdoors in with this enchanting 1920s-inspired wallpaper from Schumacher. This botanical scene is an ode to Japanese motifs recolored in vibrant greens. Also available as fabric.

843.856.3991

terradesignsinteriors.com

EMBLER’S JEWELERS

This 18K white gold, sapphire and diamond ring is a perfect blend of vintage and modern.  843.216.7349

emblersjewelers.com

TERRA DESIGNS

This artisanally crafted, freestanding vanity is a fresh take on vintage Southern rattan. Made of peeled rattan handwoven into an allover crisscross pattern. Perfect for an upscale coastal bathroom. Comes in multiple sizes. 843.856.3991

terradesignsinteriors.com

CAROLINA RIDES

SOUTHERN SHADES DESIGN

Add soft touches, elevate your style or show your personality with a headboard. Choose from an array of shapes and sizes.

843.553.2834

southernshadesdesign.com

CAROLINA RIDES

Self-inflating, lightweight and designed to travel, SipaBoards are equipped with a SipaDrive jet motor to help you go further, tackle currents and return safely.

844.378.6653

carolinarides.com

GWYNN’S OF MOUNT PLEASANT

This treasury of gorgeous imagery blooms in resplendent color. Be it a single delicate bud in a simple, clear vase or an explosion of colorful blossoms, a brilliant bouquet accents an atmosphere and brightens the mood like nothing else.

843.884.9518 gwynns.com

COASTAL COPPER

The Oxford raw copper lantern with matte black steel wall bracket is available in gas or electric application. Choose the size and finish.

843.696.7560

coastalcopper.com

GWYNN’S OF MOUNT PLEASANT

Take your charcuterie board to the next level with the Claude Dozorme knife set. All knives are made by hand at the original location in Thiers, the French stronghold for steelworks.  843.884.9518

gwynns.com

IOLA MDRN

The Beat light by Tom Dixon Studio emits an atmospheric, ambient quality of light. Made from brass, with its inherent longevity, each piece bears the hallmarks of the craftsman who created it.  843.225.5460 iolamodern.com

EMBLER’S JEWELERS

This wide byzantine ring in 18K yellow gold with diamonds pairs perfectly with anything.  843.216.7349

emblersjewelers.com

BACKYARD RETREATS

Perfect for the small balconies in Charleston, this round counter table is made from recycled polymer. Also available in dining and bar heights. 843.856.0049

backyardretreatssc.com

DESIGN ON TAP

This modern four-light chandelier features 90-degree angles in a polished nickel finish with clear crystal cube accents. White silk rectangular shades on each light soften the look as they reinforce its square, hard-corner theme.

843.329.0661

creggercompany.com

EMBLER’S JEWELERS

This 14K white gold ring features an eclectic color range of blue topaz and diamonds.

843.216.7349

emblersjewelers.com

JORDAN LASH CHARLESTON

The modern 4Flex by Albini is designed with movement and comfort in mind, allowing the shirt to withstand wrinkling. Highly flexible and breathable and with a natural touch, 4Flex guarantees full freedom of movement, maximum comfort and style.

843.804.6710

jordanlash.com

IOLA MDRN

Created in the 1950s by Mathieu Matégot, the Tropique chair captures the timeless glamour and exotic luxury of outdoor living on the Côte d’Azur in the mid-20th century.

843.225.5460

iolamodern.com

Harvested from the French Alps region, authentic French oak floors are available in multiple prefinished options.

843.974.5895

encorelumber.com

IOLA MDRN

The Bestlite table lamp is a coveted design worldwide with strong references to Bauhaus. Winston Churchill personally chose the lamp for his desk in Whitehall, and history records that he took the lamp with him on his trips around the world.

843.225.5460

iolamodern.com

SOUTHERN STRING SUPPLY

This Jean-Pierre Lupot cello from Eastman Strings has a discreetly embedded pickup and output jack. Perfect for the advanced acoustic musician who wants the versatility of an electric instrument as well.

843.276.9239

southernstringsupply.com

TROPICAL TAPESTRY

Limited-edition print on recycled paper is hand crumpled, aged and antiqued for a vintage patina. Artist Helli Luck paints in oils for a contemporary, impressionist feel for these French wall panels.

615.300.3092

tropicaltapestry.com

ENCORE RECLAIMED LUMBER & MILLWORK

SOUTHEASTERN GALLERIES

Neoclassical bergère chair in a black lacquer finish with leopard-printed velvet from Lillian August by Sherrill Furniture.

843.556.4663 southeasterngalleries.com

DEGUISE INTERIORS

Made from rattan, the Victoria chandelier adds sophisticated whimsy to your space. Also available as a single, double or quadruple tier.

843.971.1491

deguiseinteriors.com

REINERT FINE ART AND SCULPTURE GARDEN GALLERY

Laura Teste’s Inner Muse carries an ideal inward expression. She holds only the air. The viewer projects their own narrative in calling their inner muse. The bronze sculpture measures 92" x 26" x 26".

843.694.2445

reinertfineart.com

CLEOD GLASSWORKS

A take on the beloved Lance rocks glass, the Colored Lance features bold color, smooth ridges and a thumbprint indentation for maximum comfort.

843.789.4031

cleodglassworks.com

IOLA MDRN

The multi-lite pendant’s  individually rotating shades can be transformed into multiple combinations. The light can be directed upward or downward, or it can exude an asymmetrical, artistic light.

843.225.5460 iolamodern.com

ZINNIA

The Oyster Collection adds sophisticated seaside vibes to special occasions. This mango-wood bowl makes the ideal gift or home accent.

843.388.9433 shopzinnia.com

PALM CASUAL

This teak deep-seat swivel rocker is built to last. Available in more than 350 different Sunbrella fabric options.

843.881.0041

palmcasual.com

RESPOKE

Respoke antique piano stool upholstered with a Gucci silk scarf. Respoke repurposes iconic designer silk scarves into one-of-a-kind products.

888.343.5520 respoke.com

ZINN RUGS

An antique Uçhisar rug, hand-knotted in Turkey, is ready to brighten any space in your home. Measures 3'1" x 4'5".

843.834.2425

zinnruggallery.com

M.P. DEMETRE JEWELERS

Marco Bicego’s 18K yellow-gold bracelet with white mother-of-pearl is inspired by the delicate shape of the Lunaria flower. The Lunaria bracelet is hand-hammered and hand-engraved by Italian artisans.

843.722.2073

demetrejewelers.com

SEE WEE HOMES

Whether your style is farmhouse, rustic or modern, these pillows are a great addition. Premium polycotton pillow inserts are allergen-free. 843.608.7610 seeweehomes.com

RHODES BOUTIQUE

The Hannah ceramic wave lamp has a Lucite base and gold details, giving this textured lamp a modern edge.

843.225.5244

rhodesboutique.com

M. DUMAS & SONS

The Runwell desk clock from Shinola is perfect for the home or office. The clock rests in an included oak stand. 843.723.8603 mdumasandsons.com

ZINN RUGS

A rare antique Sivas rug from Turkey in hand-knotted, vegetable-dyed wool. Measures 3'7" x 5'7". 843.834.2425 zinnruggallery.com

SOUTHEASTERN GALLERIES

Amari ebony rectangular cocktail table with polished brass stretcher and ferrules by Theodore Alexander. 843.556.4663 southeasterngalleries.com

REINERT FINE ART AND SCULPTURE GARDEN GALLERY

Sculptor Lorri Acott’s new Ode to Childhood is in bronze with patina. Measures 32.5" x 21" x 9.5". 843.694.2445 reinertfineart.com

SOUTHERN STRING SUPPLY

An enchantingly rich sound is brought to life in this Galiano violin.

843.276.9239

southernstringsupply.com

M.P. DEMETRE JEWELERS

Inspired by the frozen waters of Lake Suwa, the Grand Seiko Omiwatari has a dual spring barrel that delivers a battery reserve of 72 hours.

843.722.2073

demetrejewelers.com

ORIGINAL CHARLESTON BEDSWING

Original Charleston Bedswing offers the ideal cozy retreat for a porch or living area—a place to relax and enjoy the comfort of your home.

843.323.7004

originalcharlestonbedswing.com

RESPOKE

The Respoke antique ottoman is upholstered with a Gucci silk scarf. Respoke repurposes iconic designer silk scarves into one-ofa-kind products.

888.343.5520

respoke.com

MARIS DEHART

The Maris Muse is Maris DeHart’s signature scented candle, with notes of suede leather and rich cedar. Made locally in Charleston. 843.974.5712

marisdehart.com

SOUTHEASTERN GALLERIES

The round pedestal center/ dining table by Theodore Alexander features a gray limestone finish painted with a lighter finish fretwork detail. 843.556.4663 southeasterngalleries.com

DESIGN ON TAP

The Triomphe pendant is a modern take on a classic style. Created by hand, the intersecting arches come together at a central point, making this chandelier perfect for the dining room, kitchen, foyer or great room. 843.329.0661

creggercompany.com

HARBOR CLASSIC

Charming just about anywhere you place it, the Freeport Harbor Adirondack chair embodies timeless American design. Rich in warmth, texture and ultimate all-weather durability, it’s the perfect spot for autumn evenings spent around the fire. 843.564.7517

harborclassic.com

L&M CARPETS

Raw, natural wool is blended with soft, fine New Zealand wool to create a heavy, thick and dense flat weave construction. Available in 15 colorways as shaded plain carpets, or the colored yarn can be used in L&M’s patterned flat weaves. 201.951.0980

lmcustomcarpets.com

M.P. DEMETRE JEWELERS

Fana sapphire and diamond cluster drop earrings come in 14K white gold, yellow gold and rose gold, and can be customized. 843.722.2073

demetrejewelers.com

TROPICAL TAPESTRY

Printed on recycled paper in France from Charleston artist Helli Luck’s oil painting. Hand-crumpled, antiqued and glazed for a vintage feel. Measures 3' x 4'. 615.300.3092

tropicaltapestry.com

HARBOR CLASSIC

The Montauk Harbor outdoor chaise features clean lines and a streamlined silhouette, creating a visually striking appearance while the lightweight aluminum frame in a stunning onyx finish lends highimpact style. Cloud-like Sunbrella cushions are included.

843.564.7517

harborclassic.com

CLEOD GLASSWORKS

The Hamdi prism vase features delicate color and ethereal texture for your favorite seasonal arrangements.

843.789.4031

cleodglassworks.com

M.P. DEMETRE JEWELERS

LAGOS’ Smart Caviar is the first fine jewelry bracelet designed for your Apple watch. Now available in stainless steel with 18K rose gold and diamonds, it’s the perfect accessory.

843.722.2073

demetrejewelers.com

ELLIOTT BROTHERS WOODWORKS

Antique beams are authentic old-growth timbers salvaged from warehouses, barns and industrial structures from the southeastern United States. Choose from reclaimed and “pecky” cypress. The beams are kiln-dried or fumigated. Available unfinished or finished to specifications.

206.949.1447

ebwoodworks.com

THE JOGGLE FACTORY

The Joggle Factory uses traditional craftsmanship and sustainable, eco-friendly practices to create an authentic and classically styled joggling board for both indoor and outdoor entertaining areas.

843.200.2073

thejogglefactory.com

WOMEN DESIGNING FOR WOMEN

Veronica Beard opens a new clothing store on King Street

by DANA W. TODD

Veronica miele beard and veronica swanson beard have more in common that just their names—they are cofounders and codesigners of Veronica Beard, a New York City-based clothing brand for women that opened its flagship store on Madison Avenue in 2010. This spring, they opened their 25th retail store in Charleston on King Street, the pair’s first foray into South Carolina, which joins established stores in 13 U.S. states, and internationally in Toronto, London and Seoul.

“My experience working with Suzie was the best! Suzie took care of all of my needs quickly and with a lot of care. She has many resources in the community and helped me take care of every aspect of the buying and selling process from cleaning to repairs. Suzie goes above and beyond to provide the best experience possible. I would highly recommend Suzie Smith & Assoc.”

Photo by Cristina Young

— Nikki C

“First we became family—we married brothers—and then dear friends,” says Veronica Swanson Beard (VSB). “We’re both product junkies. We often found ourselves in the corner at family gatherings talking about what we loved, needed and what was missing from the market. Eventually, we had the idea of perfecting a single product—the dickey jacket—and building a uniform for women.”

The dickey jacket is the brand’s signature product, introduced in 2010 with just seven styles, each named after a woman in their lives. Shoppers today can choose a jacket from a range of fabrics and style options and then pair it with a similarly wide variety of zip-in dickeys to change the look. After 13 years in business, the dickey jacket continues to be a bestseller.

“Men have their suits. It’s easy for them to get dressed and get out the door. The dickey jacket is our shortcut to instant polish, giving instant confidence to take on the day,” says Veronica Miele Beard (VMB). “We wanted to create the same ease for women. It’s about what works for you morning to midnight, all the layers of your layered life.”

The dickey jacket is the ultimate in versatility, allowing women to experience the ease of a modern uniform that doesn’t look like a uniform. Women love how it’s a quick way to layer for a pulled-together look that is still distinctively styled through mixand-match dickeys. “We have a unique point of view because we are our customer,” says VSB. “We know what it’s like to be

“Rhapsody in Pink” 24x30

“Sunset Cruise” 30x40 “The

30x40

“March Siesta” 30x40

women whose lives and days are full. We design through that lens—the belief that the dream wardrobe has to work for real life.”

While there are plenty of dickeys and jackets to choose from in the new Charleston store, Veronica Beard also carries styles curated especially for the Lowcountry market, including the brand’s full ready-to-wear collection, outerwear, dresses, jeans, tops, skirts, shoes and accessories.

“Timeless pieces and dresses are really speaking to our Charleston customers,” says VSB.

“The women in Charleston are so chic,” agrees VMB. “There’s an ease and sophistication that’s distinct to Charleston that we love.”

Renzo pants, Tucker dresses and Kuna linen pants are just a few of the other bestsellers of the brand that can be purchased online. The Veronicas’ shared passion for wearable clothes is reflected in the brand’s contemporary collections of classic, versatile pieces that are, in their own words, “for the women who make it happen.”

Walking into the 1,469-square-foot Charleston store is a design experience. Decorated in partnership with resident interior designer Carolina de Neufville, shoppers experience a welcoming and bold space with vintage furniture finds, textural grasscloth wallcoverings and leopard print drapery. Ticking stripe fabrics on throw pillows and fitting room stools nod to the ever-present Southern vibe. The brand’s unmistakably vibrant, feminine style of clothing is echoed in the physical location’s design ethos.

Both Veronicas say: “There’s no city quite like Charleston. It’s so charming, so welcoming. We couldn’t be more excited to offer the Charleston customer a wardrobe for all aspects of her busy life to make her feel confident and like she can take on the world every single day.” *

VERONICA BEARD

332 KING ST., SUITE D CHARLESTON, SC 29401 888.686.9558 VERONICABEARD.COM

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and art.

ELECTRIFIED FUN

Carolina Rides provides the ultimate pleasure trip with electric vehicles optimized for cruising island and downtown streets or navigating the waterways

by DANA W. TODD

Afew things can bum out a paddleboarder First, it takes too much time and energy to pump-inflate a board. Then, there is a question of whether the board is inflated to the correct pounds-per-square-inch (psi) so it will float properly for the entire trip. And nothing is more aggravating than the tide turning and thwarting efforts to return to home base.

Paddleboarders can now say goodbye to these challenges. Carolina Rides, known for its eco-friendly electric vehicles designed for having fun, has introduced SipaBoards to the Lowcountry. These powered stand-up paddleboards open up the market for even more people to enjoy one of the latest popular watersports.

Photo by Holger Obenaus

“SipaBoards are self-inflating; no pumping is required,” says Jason Bullock of Carolina Rides. “A small motor that can be remotely controlled from the paddle inflates the board to the perfect psi—no guessing needed. That same multispeed motor can be turned on mid-trip to drive you forward if the tide or wind turns against you or if you just want to take a break from paddling and enjoy the ride. The motor’s battery is even small enough to travel on commercial flights so the SipaBoard can go with you on vacation.”

Three different board designs, LED lighting on the bottom of the boards for underwater effect at dusk, and a smartphone app for tracking the ride and controlling the board are features that make SipaBoards a standout for the paddleboarding crowd. SipaBoards provide exercise for the body and soul while allowing exploration of the rivers and creeks in the Charleston area. Paddleboarders can try them out at Charleston SUP Safaris on Folly Beach or by checking the dealer locator on the company’s website.

The fun doesn’t stop with paddleboards; after all, Carolina Rides is known for electrifying fun in all kinds of ways. The company sells four popular electric vehicles for traveling around

Photo by Holger Obenaus

town or on nearby waters. On the water, the Radinn Jetboard takes cruisers who want a faster travel speed, up to 35 mph, in a unique combination of surfboardmeets-Jet-Ski while operating quietly enough not to disturb the surrounding natural environment and wildlife. The Jetboard has a smartphone app that lets riders share ride details.

There are three electric options for cruising the streets: the Moke low-speed vehicle, the KAASpeed scooter and the Ellwee cart. The choice depends on where you want to go and what you want to do.

Carolina Rides’ most popular ecofriendly vehicle is the Moke, a retro British military throwback with modern features, which is street legal where the

posted speed limit is 35 mph or less. It’s quite an upgrade from a golf cart with its four forward-facing seats, seatbelts and customization options, like 12 paint colors, 10 Bimini-top choices, Bluetooth stereo system and much more. Stand out and support your favorite team in a red or orange Moke, or play it cool and casual in a white or baby blue version.

Also on land is the KAASpeed electric fat-tire scooter, which is self-balancing and lasts 40 miles traveling up to 26 mph. “It’s ideal for cruising downtown and the islands since it is actually an electric moped and is approved for use on roads with posted speed limits up to 55 mph,” says Bullock. “It’s the only electric vehicle you can take to the beach from Mount Pleasant.” Optional cargo racks can hold fishing rods, golf bags, gun rack, surfboard or cooler, making the KAASpeed versatile enough for hunting excursions, golfing or day trips to the beach. Plus, it is easily mounted on the back of a vehicle to take along on vacation.

The Ellwee electric cart for individual riders is Swedish-designed and Lowcountry-tested. It’s an ecofriendly option for the golf course at a manageable speed of up to 12 mph. Four models, including an accessible design, suit any type of rider.

Consumers can buy any of these electric vehicles from Carolina Rides or from one of its dealers in South Carolina or Georgia. “We are still looking for more dealers in both states, so customers can expect more opportunities to see the inventory in person,” Bullock says. “No matter the vehicle of choice, we are the source for electrified fun throughout the Southeast.” *

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and art.

CAROLINA RIDES

59B NEW ORLEANS ROAD

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC 29928

844.378.6653

CAROLINARIDES.COM

IT

TAKES TWO

Rhodes Boutique and Rhodes Home & Gift add style and panache to your life and home

by CHRISTINA ANDREWS / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Rhodes boutique and rhodes home & gift are the realization of years of experience in retail by entrepreneur and business owner Caroline Rhodes. A long-time resident of the Charleston area, Rhodes moved to the city in 1982 and met her husband, Malcolm. After completing her degree in accounting and marketing from the University of South Carolina, her career was full to the brim working in the financial sector, first at a local accounting firm, then at South Carolina National Bank and First Union (both now Wells Fargo) and, later, in retail and real estate sales. Through the 1990s, as her husband was laying the foundation for his pediatric practice, Rhodes was holding down the fort at home, raising their two daughters.

from

left: Neely DuBrose, receiving manager, and Frannie Lee, store manager, at Rhodes Home & Gift

In 2000, Malcolm had a notion to open a fly-fishing shop, as fishing was a favorite hobby. But balancing a pediatric practice and a retail shop was no small task and soon Rhodes swooped in to assist in the operation, finding in the process that she really enjoyed running a retail business and had a knack for it. The business grew quickly and became one of the most popular shops for Lowcountry anglers.

Over the years, Rhodes expanded that store’s offerings through a separate shop, Embroidery Boutique, which focused on gifts, apparel, home goods and books, as well as offering custom monogramming and embroidery services. Rhodes enjoyed the routine of finding new products and trying them out in the store, discovering in the process that she had real talent as a retail buyer. As the gift and embroidery end of the business expanded and took on a life of its own, Rhodes began envisioning a new outlet for her business savvy, one that included her love of apparel, accessories, baby items, children’s books, fine linens, gift items and home goods. In 2017, with her much expanded offerings, Rhodes changed the name to Rhodes Boutique.

Situated in the South Windermere Center in the West Ashley area, Rhodes Boutique is a favorite spot for locals, and over time also became known to seasonal vacationers and visitors. Rhodes and her eldest daughter, McNair Rhodes Somheil, put their respective talents together and grew what had been a monogram and gift shop into a full-scale clothing and lifestyle boutique. Together, they curated an array of women’s apparel

lines with complementing accessories, a substantial offering of wedding-appropriate gifts (plus an online gift registry), distinctive home décor items and essentials, as well as seasonal, holiday and life-event gifts. And for all appropriate items in their shop, they continued to offer tasteful, custom embroidery services.

Over the next couple of years, both the clothing side of the business and the home goods and gift products grew exponentially, with the store rapidly running out of space. Rather than downsizing one part of the business, Rhodes saw fit to secure another storefront just four doors down. This new space afforded them the opportunity to expand both the home goods and gifts, while giving the boutique some much needed room to grow its offerings. This second location allowed a better shopping experience for customers focused on building their wardrobes.

The new creation: Rhodes Home & Gift.

Somheil worked on designing the new store, and in the process created a much-improved retail setting. More of each product line is displayed, and the new space allows for creative and lavish tabletop presentations, decorative vignettes and areas where couples can work on their wedding registry selections. The spacious, home-like ambience of this new store allows guests to fully engage with the shop’s bounty of distinctive and artistic offerings, creating an exceptionally enjoyable shopping experience. And at the new store, customers continue to enjoy the custom embroidery services and complimentary gift wrapping. What sets the stores apart from the competition is their

connection to the community. Rhodes and her staff know their customers, both on a personal level and by understanding what is important to them. They have learned which fashions are appealing and fit their customers’ lifestyles. And the staff goes above and beyond to find that unique item that will enhance the lives of their customers.

Both the Rhodes Boutique and the Home & Gift store offer higher-end product lines of exceptional quality. Houseware selections resonate with the ambience of the Lowcountry; many items feature traditional motifs, hand-painted keepsake-quality design and an emphasis on entertaining Charleston-style. Putting together an aesthetically pleasing home that lends itself to entertaining family and friends is of utmost importance to customers, and Rhodes delivers.

Among Rhodes Home & Gift offerings are all manner of tabletop elements, including cutlery, china, stemware, linens, serving pieces, decorative detailing items and wallpaper from Schumacher. Gifting items include crystal and fine glassware from Simon Pearce, Barski, Blue Pheasant and Badash and an assortment of decorative and practical kitchenware and tabletop items, as well as luxury bedding.

And as Rhodes Home & Gift is finding its stride, Rhodes Boutique blossoms, carrying trendy casualwear such as jeans and leggings, shorts, dresses and skirts, and a variety of fun and colorful tops and sweaters. Especially useful is Rhodes’ collection of “resort wear,” which includes practical, easy-to-pack ensembles that are comfortable and colorful, items that will make you feel right at home, wherever you go. Other notable items include a variety of gifts and accessories for men—Brackish bow ties, cufflinks and cummerbunds.

Whenever you need a can’t-miss gift for an important occasion or are looking to add panache to a space, Rhodes Boutique and Rhodes Home & Gift have what you are looking for. *

Christina Andrews is a freelance writer from the Napa Valley who specializes in personal and business bios, food and wine, visual arts, music, hospitality, the event industry, community interest stories, obituaries and political satire.

» RHODES BOUTIQUE

92 FOLLY ROAD BLVD. CHARLESTON, SC 29407 843.225.5244

RHODESBOUTIQUE.COM

RHODES HOME & GIFT

84 FOLLY ROAD BLVD. CHARLESTON, SC 29407 843.789.3180

BUILDING A VISION FOR YOUR CHARLESTON HOME

Sarah Ellen Lacke is pragmatic, practical and all about people

by CHRISTINA ANDREWS / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Sarah ellen lacke of the exchange co offers her lifelong experience in real estate to clients in their quest for a home. Her good nature, down-to-earth personality and high energy make her not only a great mother but the perfect real estate agent for families and for those who desire a more practical and forthright approach to the home-buying experience.

Sarah Ellen Lacke and family

Knowing Lacke’s background allows one a glimpse into the sources of her real estate expertise and invaluable insight. Lacke grew up with a mother in real estate and was surrounded by the workings of the profession from an early age. She is no stranger to the ups and downs of the selling and buying process. Born in Midland, Texas, Lacke moved numerous times throughout her childhood, following her father’s career in financial services, which took the family to Savannah, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; and Columbia, South Carolina, ultimately landing them in Charlotte, North Carolina. Lacke attributes this experience to her understanding of real estate and being able to relate to her clients’ experiences and their priorities when relocating.

was all-in as an agent and has since worked for Carolina One, Berkshire Hathaway and Smith Spencer, and has now found her place among a great team of agents at The Exchange Co. Lacke has been one of the top-producing Realtors in the Charleston area, specializing in waterfront properties and the communities of James Island, Johns Island, West Ashley, Mount Pleasant and Folly Beach. Over the years, as Lacke worked her way into a full-time real estate career, she has held reciprocal licenses in both North and South Carolina, which is an advantage for clients moving between states.

Lacke describes herself as a go-getter who is focused on providing an exceptional buying and selling experience for her clients. She is an avid student who stays abreast of the latest in the real estate market, has an in-depth knowledge of all things technical related to the properties she represents, and has multiple referral resources, ranging from attorneys, lenders and insurance agents to contractors, decorators and home organization professionals, just to name a few. Most importantly, Lacke has keen negotiating skills. You can count on her to get you the best price, whether you’re a seller or a buyer.

Clients love Lacke’s energetic personality, responsiveness and honesty, as well as her competitive spirit. To the buyer’s advantage, Lacke has a natural talent for interior design and an eye for the potential in a property. Add to that her expert skills in communication. These traits allow Lacke to expertly paint the picture that a buyer needs to envision themselves thriving in the space they will call home.

In 2000, Lacke graduated from Charlotte Country Day School, then went on to attend Clemson University, not quite knowing what the future would hold. Two years later, she transferred to UNC Chapel Hill, where she graduated with a bachelor’s in communications with a focus in media and production. As is often the case, a degree program may be followed by an altogether different career, though typically many skills are transferable. Such was the case for Lacke, who upon graduation secured a North Carolina real estate license, then branched out into a second field in financial services.

Lacke had always dreamed of moving to Charleston, with its lively social scene and charming demeanor, and in 2010 was able to do so after meeting her now husband, Evan. The two were married in 2013 and are the proud parents of daughter Emmons (8) and sons Jennings (6) and baby Cannon (6 months), as well as fur babies Flynn, a great Dane, and Ellie, their golden doodle. Lacke and her family live on Johns Island, where they enjoy the rural ambience but are in close proximity to all the amenities that Johns Island and Charleston have to offer

Lacke says it was her move to Charleston, and truly being out on her own, that helped her gain the focus and discipline needed to become a full-time real estate agent. By 2013, she

Conversely, when selling a property, Lacke finds pragmatic ways to prep the listing for the market, primarily through decluttering, organizing and neutralizing. This practical approach to staging saves her clients money but, more importantly, gives potential buyers a blank canvas on which to overlay their own visions. Lacke feels that the little things matter in preparing a listing and make all of the difference toward achieving a quick and successful sale. She wants her listings to evoke a sense of excitement for buyers as they envision their lives in the house.

Lacke makes a point of getting to know her clients and developing a rapport that will result in a lasting relationship. She understands that her clients have busy lives, made all the more complex by an impending move, and she strives to make both the buying and selling processes as seamless as possible. Lacke’s goal is to become a long-term, trusted advisor to her clients, their friends and their families. Developing these relationships and improving her clients’ quality of life is all part of building a strong community, which is Lacke’s top priority. *

Lacke says it was her move to Charleston, and truly being out on her own, that helped her gain the focus and discipline needed to become a full-time real estate agent.

Christina Andrews is a freelance writer from the Napa Valley who specializes in personal and business bios, food and wine, visual arts, music, hospitality, the event industry, community interest stories, obituaries and political satire.

DARE TO DREAM

An encounter with destiny brought brothers Georges and Daniel Daou to Paso Robles, California

by HELEN GREGORY

Brothers georges and daniel daou , co-owners of DAOU Family Estates, have personally redefined the terms of where great American wines can come from. “Imagine the impossible, and that’s where you’ll find us,” explains Georges Daou. The Daou brothers realized the potential of Paso Robles with one of the most noble varieties of all— Cabernet Sauvignon—and have inspired legions of wine lovers along the way.

The Daou brothers have an unconventional story. Born in Beirut, the brothers grew up in a vibrant family that enjoyed weekends away in their grandparents’ olive groves. In 1973, their world was turned upside down. A missile struck the sidewalk in front of the Daou family home, leaving Georges, then 12, in a coma for two days, and 8-year-old Daniel with paralysis. As the war escalated in Lebanon, the Daou family relocated to southern France to recover and rebuild. The brothers speak openly about their “trauma bond” as a lifelong force that made them both inseparable and fearless. They went on to study engineering in California and invested their family’s last savings in their first extraordinary venture: DAOU Systems. Through all the hard work, Daniel pursued winemaking studies, hoping someday to make the style of wines he grew up with in Europe. Finally, in 1997, the brothers sold their tech company, opening the door to pursue a new calling in wine.

Located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco just off the coastal highways, Paso Robles wine country is a land of oak trees, winding hillside roads and vines. First established as an official wine region in 1983, Paso Robles developed an early reputation for Rhône varietals like Syrah and

left: Daniel and Georges Daou

Georges Daou

Young Georges and Daniel Daou

TASTINGS

DAOU ESTATE SOUL OF A LION 2020

($150)

DAOU DISCOVERY ROSÉ 2021

($24)

GRENACHE-BASED. PALE FLAMINGO-APRICOT HUE. A FRAGRANT, FLORAL NOSE WITH JUICY NOTES OF SLICED PEACHES, HIBISCUS AND ORANGE ZEST. CLEAN AND REFRESHING WITH A BRIGHT FINISH.

DAOU BODYGUARD CHARDONNAY 2021 ($40)

Grenache. The Daou brothers arrived in 2007 with a vision to make world-class Cabernet Sauvignon. They purchased Hoffman Ranch, a once historic wine estate that had fallen on hard times. Daniel refers to this period of his life as an encounter with destiny. Unloved for years, the dormant site in the heart of the Adelaida District lies at some of the highest elevations in Paso and would emerge as DAOU Mountain, a breathtaking 210-acre estate with exceptional conditions for winegrowing. The argile-calcaire soils (a combination of limestone and clay with gravel that is long-associated with quality wines in Bordeaux and Tuscany), cooler climate and beneficial exposures fulfilled Daniel’s exacting set of criteria to produce refined Cabernet Sauvignon. He had found what he was always looking for: a climate and soils that combine the best of Pauillac in Bordeaux and Oakville in Napa, a reflection of the brothers’ profound ties to Europe and California.

The Daou brothers have an enterprising spirit that is often lacking in the wine establishment. Engineers by training, Daniel manages viticulture and winemaking, while Georges (affectionately known as “GoGo” to family) drives business and strategy with a brilliant flair for hospitality. Daniel’s rigorous standards account for the quality profile of the

10TH-ANNIVERSARY RELEASE: 81% CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 13% CABERNET FRANC, 6% PETIT VERDOT. DEEP RUBY COLOR WITH COMPLEX AROMAS OF BLACKBERRY, CASSIS AND GRAPHITE. VELVETY TANNINS END IN A LONG FINISH.

100% CHARDONNAY. GOLDEN COLORED WITH RIPE FRUIT, VANILLA OAK NOTES AND AN ALL-AROUND RICH AND CREAMY MOUTHFEEL.

Snake River Farms Wagyu Hanger

Tender, full of flavor, and found on our menu of fine steaks

Photo by Holger Obenaus

wines, and many techniques are his own invention, custom designed to extract minerality, acidity and the full expression of the fruit in DAOU wines. These include “dropping” an astonishing 80% of fruit during the growing season to concentrate the berries and achieve vine balance, and groundbreaking methods to extract off-the-charts phenolics (the naturally rich components of the grape that enhance taste, density and color). Wine critics have responded to the quality of the wines with top scores, and in keeping with DAOU’s vision, Cabernet Sauvignon has become the most planted variety in Paso Robles. And while many in the wine industry are struggling to connect with consumers, DAOU Family Estates is a beloved and growing brand in the United States and abroad.

The DAOU portfolio includes four collections: Estate wines, sourced exclusively from vineyards on DAOU Mountain; Reserve wines, which include other top vineyards in Paso Robles; Discovery wines that intentionally over-deliver on qualityto-value from the best Paso AVAs; and Journey, an artistic exploration of distinct varieties and styles. For a pinnacle of DAOU winemaking, this year ’s

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Estate Soul of a Lion 2020, named in honor of the brothers’ late father, Joseph, is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon with Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Daniel has long referred to Soul of a Lion as the raison d’être for growing Cabernet Sauvignon in the Adelaida District. Soul of a Lion delivers notes of black cherry, leather and dark chocolate underscored by a silky and voluptuous palate, a wine that reviewers describe as an “iron fist in a velvet glove,” ready to drink now or cellar for years to come. And while Bordeaux varieties are a well-known signature, Daniel follows his heart and makes wines that are a sheer pleasure to drink at every price point. Made in the Provençal tradition, DAOU Discovery Rosé is a delicious homage to the family’s upbringing in the South of France, while Bodyguard Chardonnay celebrates the creamy, rich tones of quintessential California Chardonnay.

Visitors to DAOU Mountain often speak of the joie de vivre they experience. The tasting room sits high above the vines, overflowing on all sides with fresh lavender and hospitality. The estate cat, Bell, will cozy up to you on arrival, and the brothers’ motto, “Life Is Beautiful,” is embedded in a scrolling art display set against the hills. The appeal is irresistible, and everyone lingers over the wines and the views. The brothers also found their way to DAOU Mountain to realize their dreams, and as Georges sums it up, the Paso experience embodies their wine philosophy: “Everyone who leaves here feels like family. There is nothing more important than human connection.” *

Helen Gregory is the founder and president of Gregory + Vine. She has worked in strategic brand management and communications for beverage industry leaders such as Moët Hennessy USA, Rémy Cointreau and STOLI, and has led award-winning hospitality, beverage and lifestyle campaigns for prestige clients from the European Union to Argentina, Australia, Chile, Israel, South Africa and across the United States.

SEEING YOU THROUGH FROM START TO FINISH

Suzie Smith & Associates provides a capable, winning team

by CHRISTINA ANDREWS / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Charleston realtor suzie smith ’ s motto is , “Whatever makes you happy, we’ll make it happen!” Positivity and optimism are the cornerstones of Smith’s approach to real estate sales. Her company, Suzie Smith & Associates, is there to facilitate on your behalf—from helping find the right property to shoring up the financial resources needed to negotiating the best price.

left to

right: Suzie Smith, Mackie Moore, Melissa Stuckey

Raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Smith has a love for the ocean and beach living. She also has a passion for business, having majored in business, management and marketing at the University of South Carolina. These studies prepared her well for the work to follow, which was primarily in customer-focused fields. Smith did everything from hospitality to working in sales for American Airlines to becoming vice president of customer service for Computer Associates, Inc. Providing superior customer service has been a motif throughout her career, which carried through to what would be her calling in real estate.

Influential to Smith and an important role model, was her aunt, Charlotte Dixon, a tenacious Realtor who would go on to become a builder. This connection sparked Smith’s interest in real estate and led to an enthusiasm for houses. In 2005, after working in Washington, D.C., for a number of years, Smith decided to return to her home state (Charleston, in particular), and at the age of 45, she dove headfirst into a new career in real estate. Smith was fortunate to find a mentor in Betty Gales, who acted as her coach for months, during which time, she introduced Smith to the Mike Ferry Organization. Through coaching, Smith was able to further hone her skills and expand her knowledge in this new field.

Smith is adept at helping people in a wide range of scenarios, whether upsizing, downsizing or looking to flip a property for investment purposes.

Eighteen years later, Smith is at the top of her game, leading and mentoring her own team of real estate professionals, namely Mackie Krawcheck Moore, Tyler Fitts and her indispensable office assistant, Melissa Stuckey. Smith currently lives in Mount Pleasant and specializes in properties in that region, with special interest in properties on the islands and beach areas. Smith is adept at buying and selling properties anywhere, always bringing herself up to speed with statistics and research on any given property and region. Customers can feel confident in her fact-based selling and buying skills, regardless of the regions they are exploring or from where they are moving. Smith is adept at helping people in a wide range of scenarios, whether upsizing, downsizing or looking to flip a property for investment purposes. Her clientele is primarily referral-based and a mix of locals and those moving to Charleston from outside the region.

Team member and sales associate Moore and Smith have been fast friends since their 20s, having met while working at a popular restaurant in Downtown Charleston. This long friendship and

Moore’s deep Charleston roots make them the perfect team. Moore’s family has been in the Charleston area for generations, and her parents’ businesses are cornerstones of the community. Moore’s mother owned one of the region’s most popular bridal shops, while her father owned Krawcheck’s Clothing Store on King Street, an institution in Charleston that was started by Moore’s grandfather at the tender age of 13. Moore’s family of entrepreneurs, artists and historians have influenced all she does. Also of note, Moore grew up in Downtown Charleston in a home built in 1720.

Throughout her childhood, Moore watched her father restore their home, returning it to its former glory. Moore knows Charleston proper as well as anyone and is knowledgeable about its history and architecture, and the nature of buying and restoring historic homes. Moore specializes in the region’s popular beach communities, Sullivan’s Island, in particular. In addition to real estate pursuits, she is deeply involved in Thrive Charleston, a charity that provides guidance and support for victims of domestic abuse.

New to the team and offering a fresh, local perspective is Fitts, a native of Mount Pleasant. He is one of the region’s most popular bartenders, having tended bar at the Red Drum Gastropub for nearly a decade. Fitts perfected the “gift of gab” while rubbing elbows with every manner of person that entered the establishment—from dishwashers to CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies. Everyone knows Fitts and Fitts knows everyone, a good trait for someone in real estate. In fact, Fitts became good friends with Smith through his work at the Red Drum, which was one of her favorite spots for entertaining clients. His many connections to the region make him especially knowledgeable about the area. Besides all the other surrounding Charleston areas that the team works in, Fitts feels there is considerable potential in Hanahan, West Ashley, Johns Island, Park Circle and Awendaw. As Fitts embarks on his new career in real estate, he hopes to help younger families with children.

Office administrator Stuckey is also a graduate of the University of South Carolina. With a degree in marketing, she brings her education, business savvy and over a decade of real estate experience to the team. Though Stuckey has a real estate license, she prefers providing behind-the-scenes support for this winning sales team.

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer looking to relocate to the Charleston area, moving from within the region or searching for the perfect investment property, Suzie Smith & Associates is well equipped to see you through from start to finish. *

Christina Andrews is a freelance writer from the Napa Valley who specializes in personal and business bios, food and wine, visual arts, music, hospitality, the event industry, community interest stories, obituaries and political satire.

SUZIE

SMITH & ASSOCIATES

843.475.0511

SUZIESMITH.INFO

Photo by Holger Obenaus

INNER BEAUTY, OUTER GLOW

Shine Medical Spa offers customized cosmetic and aesthetic procedures

by ELLEN URIBE

Shine medical spa by plastic surgery of the carolinas is just about a year old, but this state-of-the-art, fully equipped medical spa—staffed by experienced aesthetic providers who employ the most current technologies and techniques—is being noticed in a big way.

Conveniently located in the Cigar Factory in Downtown Charleston, Shine Medical Spa is bringing Plastic Surgery of the Carolinas’ high standards of patient care and aesthetic outcomes to the peninsula.

Owned and operated by board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Craig Rowin, the philosophy at Shine is to first listen to each patient’s concerns and goals, then design a customized treatment plan to reach or even exceed those goals. The clinical team at Shine consists of Liz Freer, Zach Childress and Amber Lang, each of whom brings their unique skills and perspectives to the patient.

“The medical spa complements my practice as a whole, both the surgical and the nonsurgical side,” notes Dr. Rowin. “It gives my patients full access to all techniques and cosmetic procedures. For example, for facial rejuvenation, there are certainly those for whom surgery is not indicated or who may not want to undergo a surgical procedure, and there are also patients who cannot achieve their aesthetic goals with nonsurgical procedures alone. And, of course, there can be quite a bit of crossover. The approaches are complementary and together allow us to meet the patient wherever he or she may be.”

Shine Medical Spa is the second spa location for Dr. Rowin’s practice, which also consists of Plastic Surgery of the Carolinas’ main office in Mount Pleasant.

Dr. Rowin also emphasizes the importance experience plays in his profession. “Good care and great outcomes ultimately come down to experience. You have to continuously add new tools to your toolbox, and you have to know how technologies and techniques interact with each other. I think experience is the biggest part of that,” he states.

Aside from earning his living, Dr. Rowin’s practice brings him

a great sense of personal satisfaction. “It’s wonderful when the procedures are over and the healing is complete,” he says. “People look and feel so good. They are practically skipping when they come back to the office. I see that in the medical spa patients as well.”

Dr. Rowin takes note of the artistic elements associated with plastic surgery, saying, “There is definitely an artistic element to it, although I associate it most closely with architecture because although an artistic sensibility is certainly important, it is equally important to create and then implement a specific design or plan.”

Born and raised in Connecticut, Dr. Rowin set his sights on a career in plastic surgery while in medical school at the University of Connecticut. He then completed six years as a plastic surgery resident at the University of Massachusetts. “After an extra year of fellowship at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital (formerly known as Miami Children’s Hospital) in craniofacial and pediatric plastic surgery I came right to Mount Pleasant,” he says. “I was looking for a location that was beautiful, warm and coastal. The Charleston area fits that description perfectly.”

The practice, which was started under the renowned and widely respected Dr. Ram Kalus and later acquired by Dr. Rowin, recently purchased a wide spectrum of new equipment and simultaneously added several new members to its team. “It’s no secret that the Charleston area is growing, and by providing excellent care to our patients, I believe we enjoy a good reputation and have been able to grow along with it,” Dr. Rowin says. Dr. Kalus, who still maintains a strong surgical presence within the practice, splits his time between Israel and South Carolina.

Dr. Craig Rowin

Dr. Rowin’s practice now employs 15 people between the two locations, including a physician’s assistant and several registered nurses and aestheticians. Dr. Rowin performs most of his surgeries at Mount Pleasant’s Roper Hospital, and, not surprisingly, most of his time is spent consulting with, operating on and following up with surgical patients.

Shine Medical Spa offers some of the most sought-after treatments in the industry, including well-known injectables such as Botox, Dysport, Kybella, Restylane, Juvederm and Sculptra. Also offered are chemical peels, PRP for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration, laser hair removal, sclerotherapy, and energy-based skin treatments including CO2 laser, IPL (intense pulsed light) therapy, Clear and Brilliant, and skin tightening and rejuvenation via powerful micro-needling/radiofrequency therapies such as the Morpheus 8. Also offered are a host of medical-grade, highend skincare products.

Most of Dr. Rowin’s and Shine’s clientele come from the Charleston area; patients also travel from as far away as Columbia, Myrtle Beach and the Beaufort/Bluffton areas of the state. “Charleston is always growing. Do good work and treat people well, and you don’t have to go too far afield to keep busy,” says Dr. Rowin, who lives nearby with his wife and two young children.

“I have a somewhat old-fashioned approach to how I run my practice and how I treat my patients,” he continues. “And that starts before a new patient even comes to the office or spa. There are no phone trees. If you call us, a friendly and competent real live person picks up the phone and helps you immediately. When a patient walks in the door, he or she is greeted by name, and during the consultation each patient is given as much time as is needed. No consultation is ever hurried or cut short. I probably get as many compliments on my staff as I do for my work, and I think that level of attention to detail and commitment to treating each person with respect is immediately noticed and appreciated by our patients. It’s a team effort for sure. I’m very grateful to be surrounded by such an outstanding team.” *

Ellen Uribe is an award-winning journalist and a communications expert. She is a sought-after speaker, participating as a moderator and panelist at numerous industry events, conferences and broadcast outlets. She has contributed to Vanity Fair, Palm Beach Life, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Women’s Wear Daily and Time Magazine

THE NEXT CHAPTER

by DANA W. TODD / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Long & foster real estate has a 55-year history on the East Coast of connecting homebuyers and sellers from 200 locations, including 17 coastal offices in eight states and Washington, D.C. Its newest offices—in Summerville and West Ashley—bring an allinclusive real estate experience to the Lowcountry market.

Lonnie Plaster

Photo by Holger Obenaus

“With its healthy economy, vibrant culture and mild weather, Charleston always makes the list of the top places to live, own a second home or retire, so it was a natural opportunity for Long & Foster to grow in this thriving real estate market,” says Lonnie Plaster, senior vice president and regional manager for South Carolina at Long & Foster Real Estate. “People get excited about the opportunity to live in a destination city.”

Southern Coast Real Estate, welcoming 50 additional agents into the Long & Foster fold. “We are growing organically, relying on Long & Foster’s reputation to attract both agents and consumers,” says Plaster. “Even though we were not previously in South Carolina, many people already knew our name. It was a natural opportunity for our company to come here since we already have offices as far south as Raleigh and the coastal town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.”

While the firm connects buyers and sellers at all price points of residential real estate, it does have a luxury component as a member of Forbes Global Properties, a luxury real estate program. “Although we do not focus exclusively on high-end real estate, the luxury market just seems to happen for us,” Plaster says. As a founding member of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World and its luxury division, Luxury Portfolio International, the company has plenty of luxury industry expertise to help homebuyers find the perfect property for their lifestyle and needs. “Charleston offers a wide range of luxury properties—from historic mansions along Rainbow Row to stunning beach homes on Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island, with spectacular pools and views of the Atlantic Ocean. The area’s high-end properties are some of the most sought-after in the country,” Plaster says.

Long & Foster uses its presence in other coastal cities where it operates to connect high-end buyers up and down the East Coast. “Our agents know the markets where they do business, so their clients always appreciate being referred to a fellow Long & Foster agent. In the short time we’ve been in Charleston, we’ve already received many referrals from Long & Foster agents in our northern states, as well as from other firms in our global networks,” Plaster says.

Many of us have lost count of the number of times Charleston has been named the nation’s number one city to visit. With more and more of these visitors wanting to become Lowcountry residents, Long & Foster is ready to serve homebuyers and sellers with a full menu of real estate services. *

Long & Foster is known for its roster of services that help homebuyers and sellers navigate the beginning stages of the process all the way through to home inspections, mortgages, settlement and insurance procurement. Its all-encompassing services remove the complications and stress from buyers and sellers so they can enjoy the experience of their new real estate adventure. This integrated sales process is a competitive differentiator for Long & Foster in the busy real estate marketplace and is attractive to people who want an easier process for buying, selling, renting or investing in residential real estate. As a member of Berkshire Hathaway’s affiliate HomeServices of America network, Long & Foster offers even more connections for buyers and sellers to global real estate agents.

Long & Foster enters the Lowcountry market with about 60 real estate agents to serve its clients. Once it announced its expansion into Charleston, 10 local agents contacted the company to begin working within its established real estate sales framework. At the same time, the company acquired

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and art.

» LONG & FOSTER REAL ESTATE

112 W. DOTY AVE., SUITE C SUMMERVILLE, SC 29483 843.502.7971

LONGANDFOSTER.COM

1525 ASHLEY RIVER ROAD, SUITE A CHARLESTON, SC 29407 854.444.3232

“With its healthy economy, vibrant culture and mild weather, Charleston always makes the list of the top places to live, own a second home or retire, so it was a natural opportunity for Long & Foster to grow in this thriving real estate market.”

A POWERHOUSE IN THE LOWCOUNTRY

Jacqueline Dinsmore’s personalized, first-class and service-driven style wins the sale

by CHRISTINA ANDREWS / photography by MELISSA GRIFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Jacqueline lisa dinsmore of carolina one real estate is a force to be reckoned with. Her intelligent, value-added approach to real estate sales has resulted in hundreds of transactions and referrals, as well as repeat and multigenerational deals with clients.

A resident of Charleston for more than seven years, Dinsmore is dialed in to all the region has to offer and is familiar with the assets and charms of each community. She describes the region as rich in industry and thriving

Jacqueline Dinsmore

businesses, with a strong backbone of culture, history and social vitality. The community she knows and loves is home to highly rated hospitals and medical care, excellent public schools and nationally recognized institutions of higher education. Add to that the intrinsic beauty of the Lowcountry, an enticing array of restaurants and shopping, and the abundance of recreational activities and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better place to put down roots, in Dinsmore’s opinion. Therein you have many of the reasons that she herself moved to the region.

Dinsmore is a Northeast native who grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and subsequently moved to Madison, New Jersey, with her husband and young family; all of them now reside on Daniel Island. Dinsmore is a graduate of Susquehanna University, where she studied communications and public relations. Prior to moving south, she created, grew and sold a large executive recruiting firm. Although Dinsmore’s work as a Realtor began at the time she joined Carolina One, she had begun investing in real estate at the young age of 24, buying and selling properties personally. Dinsmore’s business education, experience in executive recruitment and years of real estate investments make her uniquely qualified to help clients find quality properties that will multiply in value over time.

and well-informed opinion on location, condition and price. My customers deserve nothing less.” Due to Charleston’s recent and rapid expansion, Dinsmore describes the local real estate situation as being an inventory-deficit market. This can make it challenging for clients to find just the right property, but Dinsmore is a master networker, always keeping her ear to the ground to locate offmarket opportunities. She is not afraid to knock on doors to help her clients find the perfect property. You can take the girl out of New Jersey, but you can’t take the New Jersey out of this girl. Customers are grateful for her tenacity!

In addition to newcomers to the area, Dinsmore’s clients are often those looking to stay within the region or even a specific community. Some are empty nesters looking for a more manageable space, which is perhaps close to their favorite recreational activities, and for these clients, Dinsmore can seamlessly handle both sides of the sale to ensure an easy transition from one property to the next. Conversely, those with growing families may be looking to stay in their beloved neighborhood but need a more accommodating space. Dinsmore is there to meet the challenge. She is quickly growing in popularity as the go-to multigenerational Realtor, helping both parents and children.

Dinsmore offers a concierge level of service to her clients, which includes a wealth of value-added opportunities such as a topdrawer network of regional tradespeople to guarantee her clients’ homes will be standouts in the competitive Charleston market and able to garner top dollar. She is there for busy clients, overseeing and supervising needed repairs, upgrades and staging to ensure everything is done at a first-class level.

Dinsmore specializes in top-tier homes in the areas of Daniel Island, Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, Charleston and Sullivan’s Island. She represents custom homes, new construction and land deals and is adept at helping clients find primary homes, vacation or secondary homes and investment properties. Dinsmore’s clients appreciate her smart, value-added approach, her fearless advocacy and her frank and on-the-mark assessments. This exceptional skill set has put her at the pinnacle of the region’s real estate market.

Dinsmore’s straightforward approach to educating potential clients from outside the area is a key ingredient to her success. She is a cheerleader for the burgeoning corporate development in the region. Charleston and its surrounding communities are known for their pro-business governments, a skilled workforce and their deep-water port, all of which are attracting major players in automotive, manufacturing, distilling, aeronautics and industries supportive of Boeing, one of the region’s largest employers. The Charleston County Economic Development office offers a glimpse at the industries that have or are in the process of moving their operations to the tri-county area. Dinsmore is at the ready to help people joining these growing corporations, providing expert guidance on where to live based on proximity to their workplace, their family situations, personal and aesthetic preferences, and expectations regarding quality and price.

Dinsmore’s typical client is savvy, astute financially and seeks an agent who will provide an intelligent, well-documented assessment of the properties that meet their goals, both in terms of lifestyle and financial investment. Dinsmore speaks their language, saying: “I’m going to give all of my customers a frank

“Charleston and surrounding areas are vibrant, cosmopolitan and surrounded by natural beauty and every amenity. Wherever you settle, you’re never more than 15 minutes from a beach, great food, theater and art, and recreational activities. It’s a great place to live for everyone—from couples to families to retirees,” Dinsmore says. Her infectious enthusiasm for Charleston is one of the many reasons she is among the top 1% in real estate sales in the region. *

Christina Andrews is a freelance writer from the Napa Valley who specializes in personal and business bios, food and wine, visual arts, music, hospitality, the event industry, community interest stories, obituaries and political satire.

Dinsmore’s clients appreciate her smart, value-added approach, her fearless advocacy and her frank and onthe-mark assessments.

Dr. Craig Rowin Dr. Ram Kalus

FINDING WELL-BEING

The new Magnolia Med Spa is making its mark on Charleston

by ELLEN URIBE /

photography

by HOLGER OBENAUS

Health care providers share a dedication to promoting health and wellness in their clientele and part of that is how they look and feel.

From the get-go, Thomas Cordeiro and his family of health care providers set their sights on opening a business that would promote well-being within the Charleston community. The result is the newly opened Magnolia Med Spa, an oasis in the midst of a thriving city, which is located

in a historic building dating back to 1740. The 1,400-squarefoot, posh spa is located on Broad Street with plenty of parking nearby The building is the Clark Mills Studio, which has been declared a National Historic Landmark; it is also a block and a half away from where Cordeiro and his life partner, Kim Bateman, live.

Cordeiro, who is a pharmacist, also works alongside Bateman, who is Magnolia’s chief operating officer and an enthusiastic, driving force in the business. “Kim was the point person when we were putting this all together,” says Cordeiro. “She was the one who kept everything moving along.”

The opening of the medical spa was a dream come true for the entire Cordeiro clan, who all relocated from the Northeast.

“We are a family of health care providers,” says Cordeiro. “So we asked ourselves, ‘How can we do something in the city of Charleston that we could all do together and, at the same time, make a contribution to the community?’”

Cordeiro’s son, Christopher, who is a hospitalist physician, and his daughter-in-law, Lily Fong, a pediatrician, are the doctors on staff. Cordeiro’s daughters—Catherine Cordeiro and Ashley Talford—are both nurses. Another daughter-in-law, Lauren HuntCordeiro, is an aesthetician in the practice.

The sole nonfamily member in the business is nurse practitioner Jessica Antonelli, who has become an “adopted” family member. And, according to Cordeiro, she’s an integral part of the business.

“We decided to pursue this journey of aesthetics,” Cordeiro says. “We are dedicated to making people healthy and part of that is how they look and how they feel. The reaction so far has been very, very positive. Our clients love the vibe and our staff.”

Since opening its doors in late April, Magnolia Med Spa has been warmly received.

“We are thrilled to be here, and we have been doing well since our launch party,” Cordeiro adds.

Facial services include Botox, Dysport, dermal fillers and Kybella; microblading and dermaplaning are also offered. For spa services, Hydrafacials and facials, along with full facial waxing are offered.

Magnolia also offers a host of rejuvenating services, such as IV therapies, including Quench, which contains vitamin C, B vitamins, and a mineral blend of magnesium, copper and zinc. The treatment rehydrates, detoxifies, reduces inflammation, improves circulation, replenishes essential vitamins and fights fatigue.

For those who might have overindulged the night before, Magnolia has the remedy—a special service called the Reboot. In addition to all the benefits of the Quench, this treatment can also ease nausea detoxification. Vitamin B12 shots are also available.

The spa is also about having fun, and that is reflected on Magnolia’s Instagram page with posts such as: “Life is short, buy the lips.”

On the first appointment, Cordeiro says the patient’s full medical history is taken, and the spa follows all the rules of a medical practice. “This is not your typical day spa,” he says. “We do very technical work.”

As a first order of business, a new patient is greeted and taken to an exam room. “The consultation is detailed and completely individualized. Sometimes the patient knows what they want, but often we will make a recommendation based on our experience and expertise,” notes Cordeiro.

Since opening, Magnolia Med Spa’s business has grown organically—one consultation at a time.

“When our patients complete a treatment or procedure and they tell us how satisfied they are with the results and how it made them feel, it makes the staff feel great as well,” Cordeiro

says. “We ask for feedback, not just about the results but also about how they were treated.”

“The goal for every patient is to provide them with an experience that they will want to repeat,” says Bateman. And what could be better? Magnolia Med Spa not only keeps the patients coming back, but it allows the medically trained and tight-knit Cordeiro clan to keep it all in the family. *

Ellen Uribe is an award-winning journalist and a communications expert. She is a sought-after speaker, participating as a moderator and panelist at numerous industry events, conferences and broadcast outlets. She has contributed to Vanity Fair, Palm Beach Life, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Women’s Wear Daily and Time Magazine.

Bliss Designs by Jen Elkins

Photo by Holger Obenaus

7 YEAR WINNER

LISTENING TO YOUR NEEDS

Laurie Loparo makes home buying a positive and stress-free experience

by CHRISTINA ANDREWS / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Laurie loparo is all about making the home - buying experience an enjoyable process and that starts with careful listening. Loparo wants her buyers to lead the conversation while she thoughtfully absorbs all they convey. As she listens, Loparo is assessing her clients’ needs, their timeline for the purchase and move-in, their priorities, their budget and, most certainly, their taste.

Laurie Loparo

Photo by Holger Obenaus

And as she gathers the details, she is weighing the listings she anticipates will be appropriate against those in which her clients have expressed an interest. Open communication and continuing conversation about the properties being explored is key to Loparo’s success in helping clients find just the right new home and community.

Loparo considers that, for most people, a home purchase only occurs at a few junctures in their lifetime and at the front end of that process clients often don’t know what they do and don’t want until they see it. She also knows this is likely the largest purchase they may ever make, and the enormity of that requires careful consideration.

knowledge, and this is where Loparo excels. Her professional knowledge, years of experience and continuous training factor into successful outcomes for her many customers.

An Ohio transplant, Loparo made her way to the area via a job transfer in 2001. She studied social work at Ohio State University, and her education and experience in social services have served her well, with her counseling expertise translating seamlessly into real estate sales. The Lowcountry turned out to be the perfect place for Loparo’s family to put down roots. They love the beaches and parks, recreational activities, the great schools, as well as the region’s social scene. Loparo is especially connected to her church and numerous local charities. It is her pleasure to give her time and share her financial good fortune with the SPCA and the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as with local food pantries and schools. One of Loparo’s favorite pastimes is serving as a docent at Middleton Place, one of the Charleston area’s most important historic landmarks, which is now a museum and gardens.

Loparo also brings to the table numerous advanced real estate credentials, having completed studies related to best current practices for assisting both buyers and sellers. A special service Loparo offers to sellers is an extensive marketing plan. Also of note is her certification as a Military Relocation Professional. Loparo loves working with military families and has a personal connection to their needs and challenges, having helped her son’s family relocate on several occasions during his career in the Air Force.

As a full-time, licensed Realtor since 2004, Loparo achieved success as a “Rising Star” her first year in business. She has gone on to win awards every year since, either as part of a Top Producing Team or as an individual recipient of the coveted “Realtor of Distinction,” having earned this honor each year since 2012.

“Clients need to have seen enough properties to feel confident they have found the ‘right one,’ because a house is more than four walls. There is much to consider—the neighborhood, the location and many other factors—all of which play into whether a particular listing is the home for the years to come,” she says.

Because the Charleston tri-county area is large and has a diversity of lifestyles, Loparo feels it’s important to carefully assess a client’s priorities, then guide them toward those areas that will best meet their needs and expectations.

Having lived in the tri-county area for over 20 years, through its growth and its ups and downs, Loparo’s familiarity with the region affords her that inside knowledge that can help narrow down the home search, making the process less frustrating and ensuring clients connect with the most appealing and appropriate listings. Loparo recognizes that every client has unique needs, and she focuses on areas and properties she knows will hit the mark in satisfying them.

Finding the right home is just the first step in the process of purchasing a home. The details of getting to closing are equally important and often challenging, requiring finesse in finding the right financial products for each client. From contract to negotiations, loan options, inspections, repairs and closing attorneys, all of these crucial steps require expertise and

“My clients trust me with their friends and family, so I cannot disappoint them. I refer to them as ‘My People,’ and I treat them accordingly. My job is to ensure they end up in the home of their dreams and that they enjoy all Charleston has to offer as much as I do,” Loparo says. *

Christina Andrews is a freelance writer from the Napa Valley who specializes in personal and business bios, food and wine, visual arts, music, hospitality, the event industry, community interest stories, obituaries and political satire. CAROLINA

Loparo also brings to the table numerous advanced real estate credentials, having completed studies related to best current practices for assisting both buyers and sellers.

Jennifer Patterson

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Photo by Leigh Webber

A HEART FOR CUSTOM

Imagination is the limit with custom-designed concrete elements from Hartstone

by DANA W. TODD / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

When building a dream home , no homeowner wants to cut corners, and it’s not necessary with Hartstone. Specializing in custom concrete elements for both interior and exterior applications, Hartstone manufactures handmade concrete tiles in a variety of colors and can accommodate virtually any shape and size needed. Homeowners have carte blanche with the designs they can create with the company’s architectural elements.

Photo by Holger Obenaus

Popular in hardscapes, such as driveways, pool decking, walkway pavers, column caps, pool coping, loggias and custom firepits, concrete tiles from Hartstone are made to exactly fit a homeowner ’s—or their architect’s or builder’s—specifications. Interior applications include countertops, fireplace surrounds and mantels, stairs and balusters. “While we already offer a great assortment of standard sizes, patterns and colors, we have the ability to make what most others are not capable of making,” says Natalie Wilson, the Hartstone sales representative for South Carolina. “We offer this because we see the difference it makes in the end result of a project. When all of the material needed coordinates, it creates a truly cohesive project. This definitely shows.”

What makes it all possible is Hartstone’s unique manufacturing center—a cave 100 feet underneath Louisville, Kentucky, that is a former limestone mine. “The underground facility provides an environment with a constant temperature of 55 to 60 degrees and a high humidity level, which are perfect conditions for manufacturing concrete,” says Hartstone co-owner JT Hart. “Our proprietary blend of high-quality cement, limestone, sand and aggregate is slow cured underground so it is very hard, dense and durable.”

The company thrives on customization, and a hands-on design process with a Hartstone representative makes it easy for homeowners. Although the company carries a variety of

standard colors and sizes, it can also manufacture custom sizes to a homeowner’s specifications. With an on-site mold maker, the company can handle most requests, even for extra-thick elements that other companies are not able to produce or radial architectural features that are hard for others to replicate. “I tell homeowners to go big and bold and add their own personal touches to their houses,” Hartstone co-owner Steve Kamin says. “They can achieve a totally different look from their neighbor through customization.”

Hartstone is used in both high-end residential and commercial applications, such as the 2021 Southeastern Designer Showhouse in Atlanta, where the entire exterior of the house is clad in Hartstone’s product. “We have fooled masons and architects who think our concrete elements are travertine or limestone,” says Kamin. “Because our products are made so well, they look like natural stone.”

Charleston homeowners who live on the coast are especially fond of the lighter shades of the tile, such as ‘Ultra White’ or ‘Ice White,’ as they have an inherently beachy vibe and are cool underfoot, according to Kamin. A shadier spot may be the perfect place to try out the ‘Lowcountry Green,’ ‘Caffe’ or ‘Charcoal’ colors.

Hartstone is prized for its ability to create a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living. Using tile for the interior’s main living areas and flowing it to the outdoor patio and pool

deck beyond provides aesthetic congruence and an expansive view of all the entertaining spaces a home has to offer. “In one home, for example, we installed 9-inch-by-36-inch planks both inside and outside for a flawless look you can see in just one view,” Kamin says.

Once installed and sealed by a professional contractor, Hartstone’s concrete products are easy to maintain, using a broom for routine cleaning or bleach, dishwashing soap and warm water for tougher stains. The tile is fully vetted with appropriate industry testing for strength, water absorption, solar reflectivity and freeze-thaw effects; all results are available on the company’s website. For homeowners who need recommendations on an appropriate installer, Hartstone has references in the Charleston area to share.

“You design your Michelangelo, and we will make it happen,” Kamin says. “We can complete your dream.” *

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and art.

Photo by Holger Obenaus

LANDSCAPE ART

When J.R. and Holly Kramer look at a landscape, they see more than just the trees and plants that create it

by LIESEL SCHMIDT / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

“The outdoor environment is our palette , and we get to paint broad strokes through the designs we create,” says J.R. Kramer, who owns Remark Landscape Architecture with his wife, Holly. In addition to their commercial and residential landscape design projects, the couple has collaborated on mixed-media sculpture and installation art and had the distinction of showing their work at Piccolo Spoleto in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Photo Credit: Bailey Baker

“We form an elevated aesthetic ecology on a site through the consideration of innovative drainage solutions and responsible uses of native plants, enhancing the form and function of a landscape,” Kramer explains. “Every project is a bespoke design that caters to the client, much like a commissioned painting. No two are identical, just as all our clients are different and each landscape is different.”

Sixteen years ago, when the couple used their combined talents and expertise to launch Remark Landscape Architecture, the world looked different in so many ways—including the level of technology and types of materials available. But theirs was a desire to build something innovative, and that spirit of innovation, along with collaboration and stewardship, has been part of their core values since Remark's beginning. “We apply those values to the environment and to our relationships with our clients,” says Kramer “We approach every project with intention and excellence and aim to provide everyone with the highest-quality design services, regardless of budget.”

Holly Kramer, a Georgia native who moved to Charleston in 1999, holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia and began her professional career at a landscape architectural firm in Charleston. It was there that she dug her fingers into master planning and construction observation, as well as site and planting design, and her skills at

project management put her on the fast track.

Like his wife, Ohio native J.R. Kramer received his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at the University of Georgia—a degree he pursued after being stationed in Charleston during his time with the U.S. Air Force. It was the gardens he saw in Charleston that led him to landscape architecture, and after his time at university, he moved back to Charleston, where he worked for various firms that provided him with a great deal of experience in diverse environments and varied focuses. Over the course of his years with these firms, Kramer gained proficiency in site planning, master planning, native planting design, construction documents and construction observation.

Together, the Kramers have a collaborative strength, dedication to sustainability and desire to exceed expectation that gives their company an edge. They also have a distinct perspective that distinguishes them from other firms. “Our unique style and skill for extrapolating the needs of the native landscape and creating cohesive designs while also incorporating the Lowcountry’s rich Charleston Garden heritage sets us apart,” J.R. Kramer says. “We also listen really closely to clients and provide unique designs that bring the client’s wishes to life. We respect and take note of the architecture of the home, the site, and even the home’s interior and merge our designs with those elements. Our clients experience the highest level of customer service, a thoughtful

approach to design and our core values in action: innovation, collaboration and stewardship—not only of the land but of their design dollars. We are involved through the whole project, from site analysis to construction, and we’re accessible at every stage for questions and concerns.”

Over the past 16 years, Remark has grown into a regionalbased design firm with nine employees and has put its mark on private gardens, commercial projects, public parks and institutional projects throughout South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas. And while they have a reputation for excellence in their projects, the Remark team is hardly resting on their laurels—figuratively or otherwise. “We continue striving to be the best landscape architecture firm in the region through constant improvement in our design skills and how we operate as a business,” Kramer says. “We look to grow and expand our studio, team, influence and services in the Southeast. Landscape architecture has drastically changed since graduating in 1999, but we stay on top of things by hiring the best talent, with even more knowledge about current technology than Holly and I have, and by continuing our education, honing our skills and always evaluating our work for ways we can improve. We’re always looking for how we can do better, in our processes, our designs and our stewardship.”

Remark’s work can be seen in a number of award-winning

residential and commercial projects throughout the region. They recently completed a design for a premier home in Ocean Park on Kiawah Island that they consider to be one of the firm’s top projects to date. They have also completed projects for several uniquely modern homes on Daniel Island that add to the community’s architectural diversity. Current projects include an entire city block in Rock Hill and numerous residential projects in historic Charleston, Old Village in Mount Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Captain’s Island on Daniel Island, Bray’s Island, Kiawah Island and Palmetto Bluff. *

Liesel Schmidt lives in Navarre, Florida, and works as a freelance writer for local and regional magazines. She is also a web content writer and book editor. Follow her on Twitter at @laswrites or download her novels, Coming Home to You, The Secret of Us and Life Without You, at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

REMARK LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

1859 SUMMERVILLE AVE., SUITE 550

CHARLESTON, SC 29405

843.952.7817

REMARKSTUDIOLLC.COM

With one of the best views in Charleston, come join us for happy hour Monday - Friday from 4-7pm. Select Spirits, Beer & Wine specials perfect for an afternoon on Shem Creek.

THROUGH HIS EYES

F

by DANA W. TODD

Photo by Holger Obenaus

(Located between Copper Penny and Southern Belles)

moment is right to capture a moody landscape or the movement of the wildlife he is tracking.

His most recent collection, Majestic Creatures, catalogues his East African trip last summer across three vast land masses in Kenya known for wildlife sightings: Lumo Community Wildlife Conservancy; Maasai Mara, which is highly ranked for wildlife viewing and where Patel photographed many lions; and Amboseli National Park, famous for its 1,500 free-ranging elephants and

views of Mount Kilimanjaro across the border in Tanzania. The result is a series of nine limited-edition framed fine art prints of giraffes, elephants, lions, cheetahs, wildebeests and zebras in their natural habitats, going about their daily routines. Patel stayed in Kenya for two weeks, with full days that began before sunrise and ended after sunset, bouncing across the SerengetiMara ecosystem and watching and waiting for the perfect photo opportunity.

“You begin to understand the animals’ daily cycles, such as how the elephants emerge each morning in their large herd of extended family members to search for food and water. The cycles continue day in and day out, and you get a sense of being with them and understanding them,” Patel says. “One of the most satisfying feelings on earth is seeing wildlife in its natural habitat.” The trek of one family of elephants is expressed in the photo Pilgrimage, part of the Majestic Creatures collection.

Although Patel previously traveled to Africa several times, his intention for this latest expedition was to create a new collection of artwork showcasing distinguishing moments of animals in motion that he experienced during his immersion in the wilderness. While especially focused on photographing elephants, he tracked daily migrations of many of the animals in their quest for food, water and social interaction. Many of his photos show the unique patterns and markings on animals, such as cheetahs and giraffes. Other photographs capture animals in seemingly peaceful repose, surveying their territories, such as the photo Royal Gaze, of a lion gazing into the morning magic of Maasai Mara. Capturing the shots was anything but restful. “Dust filled every crack and crevice of the open Land Cruiser, including camera equipment and clothing,” Patel says. “The days were long and hot but the mornings and evenings

cold. I spent many hours in awe simply watching a herd of hundreds of elephants as they fed and crossed a dry lake bed. Getting that perfect shot often required waiting in the same position for hours, but it was all worth it.”

Patel spends hours researching and scouting potential shoot locations, looking for inspiration and discovering when and where to go to capture photos that are different from what’s been photographed by other artists. By the time this article is published, he will have photographed locations on six of the world’s seven continents, with the most recently completed trek having taken place earlier this year to Antarctica, where he photographed penguins, whales and icebergs. Always mixing wildlife and landscape photography, Patel has plans in the near future to travel to Northern Canada and Svalbard to photograph polar bears and to Alaska to digitally capture grizzly bears in action. With only Australia left to conquer, he has established a dream lineup of expeditions for the next couple of years.

“During these trips, I don’t follow any specific rules during my creative process,” he explains. “I experiment with the technical aspects of the camera and put my own spin on the material in order to help others see nature through my eyes. I’m inspired by the captivating and striking elements of photography, combining techniques from portraits, architecture and even sports to create dynamic and engaging shots. My photography captures earth in its raw form, reminding people of the need to preserve nature in its beauty.”

Traveling is second nature to Patel, who grew up in a family of travelers and adventurers. He has experienced freezing mountain temperatures, active volcanoes and hot desert landscapes. These experiences inform other collections, including his fine art photography captured in the Desert, Mountains, Seascape & Waterfalls, Abstract and Architecture series. Over the years, he has received international attention for his wildlife and nature photography, and it’s his “spin” on the subject matter that makes them truly fine art.

“In my life, I’ve experienced the vastness of nature while taking photos of the freezing temperatures of Banff National Park or volcanic lava flows. Through my photos of these places, I hope to share a bit of the amazing experiences with my viewers. I hope my audience will come away with a slightly different view of the world and an appreciation for simple beauty that many overlook,” Patel says. “It’s our duty to maintain Earth so these majestic animals can continue to roam this planet.”

Patel’s newest Majestic Creatures collection is on display at the Christopher Martin Gallery, with locations in Houston and Dallas, and Aspen and Vail, Colorado. *

Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and art.

MITAL PATEL FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY

214.491.8095

MITALPATELPHOTO.COM

OLD AND NEW GROWTH

Encore Lumber’s expansion into newer products offers more variety and flexibility

by ELLEN URIBE / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

More and more reclaimed wood is taking center stage in renovations and new construction in the ever-growing Charleston environs. It’s also part of the narrative on the HGTV channel and with decorators, contractors and architects alike.

Bryant Dyess, the founder and owner of Encore Reclaimed Lumber & Millwork in North Charleston, has made a name for his business, which started as a hobby while he was in Alabama law enforcement and now has surpassed expectations.

Creek Marsh” 36"x48", oil on canvas, 45"x57" framed

Recently, Encore Lumber added newer wood materials to its product line, such as white oak, cypress and new pine. Moving forward, Dyess would like to open a second location.

“Our overall goal is to expand regarding the newer materials and grow the business. We want to become the go-to company for middle- and higher-end customers, as well as residential and commercial builders,” he says.

Encore’s business manager, Julie Gibbes, says the new wood product additions allow the company to reach more people with more beautiful options. “We want to continue offering our customers the variety they love—both old and new,” she says.

The new wood offerings are meant to complement the existing line of reclaimed wood products.

“What we specialize in is reclaimed wood from a time period that no longer exists,” says Dyess. “Primarily, the wood comes from the Northeast and Midwest because the wood preserves better. We seek out big, old-growth timbers—pre-1900. Up until the late 1800s, trees were harvested based on maturity. The best trees were used, and the young ones were left to grow where they would gain character and strength. This wood is going to have value and attributes you can’t buy anywhere. There is so much color and texture, and the wood has real beauty and character.”

With an encyclopedic knowledge of all things wood and a dedication to leaving every customer 100% satisfied, Dyess sees

the use of reclaimed lumber as a creative way to protect and own a rich and tangible piece of time while preserving history.

“This company started mainly as what I could do myself,” says Dyess, who opened the business in 2012 as a small, rented booth at an antiques store in Opelika, Alabama, where he was displaying pieces of the furniture he created. His now wife, Georgia, encouraged him to quit law enforcement and grow Encore Lumber. So they moved to South Carolina and the real journey began.

“At first I was doing wall boards and pieces of furniture, but about three years down the road, I acquired the mill, which allowed us to do flooring to take our products to the next level,” recalls Dyess.

The mill is located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, which is about an hour drive from the storefront in North Charleston. He makes the trip to the mill daily, while Gibbes, who is Dyess’ sister-in-law, primarily spends her time interfacing with clients.

“We complete all processing at our mill,” Dyess says. “This gives Encore the opportunity to re-mill existing lumber from renovations to teardowns and create a unique floor, wall boards or custom pieces. Our mill offers re-saw, kiln drying, edging, planing and profile services.” Encore’s website includes pricing and features photos of the company’s projects.

“A lot of people think using reclaimed wood is totally unobtainable, but we cater to all kinds of customers, and it’s

Kenneth Wiland Architect

Georgetown

not so,” says Dyess. “Encore offers a large selection of finished and unfinished products, from unique flooring and wall boards to stunning ceiling beams and material for our customers’ DIY projects. Our new products complement our reclaimed line of products, and we definitely think it’s best to keep all our products reasonably priced. We want our business to be a staple of Charleston without going out of the small business realm.”

Dyess also says that Encore Lumber can eliminate the need for additional parties because it maintains full quality control of its projects, from manufacturing to install and finish. “We are very hands-on, and we believe wholeheartedly in customer satisfaction,” he says. “If you call us, we will pick up the phone.”

Salvaging old beams, boards, decking and joists from pre-1900 structures and re-milling the wood can yield results that can’t be duplicated with new lumber. Encore Lumber offers 23 varieties of reclaimed flooring materials, 32 wall and ceiling reclaimed choices, and six varieties of reclaimed beam materials, in addition to the newer wood offerings. “The company specializes in oak, cypress, pine and wormy chestnut, which have great character and beauty,” notes Dyess.

“When I started in the business, I saw for myself the difference between the newer trees and the older trees. It’s not a business that you can be educated on through books. There are no rules regarding this industry, because technically any piece of wood is reclaimed wood,” he adds.

Encore’s customers look to Dyess and Gibbes for guidance, and they deliver. “A lot of our customers come to us with their ideas, and if we don’t agree with them, it’s because our product doesn’t allow for it,” Dyess explains. “So, they look to us to guide them, and most of the time we find a happy middle ground. We have a lot of products, and our new wood additions only enhance our offerings.” Clearly, Dyess loves what he does, so much so that he can make this claim to tout the use of older reclaimed woods: “Wood is like a fine wine, it gets better with time.” *

Ellen Uribe is an award-winning journalist and a communications expert. She is a sought-after speaker, participating as a moderator and panelist at numerous industry events, conferences and broadcast outlets. She has contributed to Vanity Fair, Palm Beach Life, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Women’s Wear Daily and Time Magazine

Photo by Holger Obenaus

FINE ART THRIVES IN THE COASTAL LOWCOUNTRY

An ever-popular Pawleys Island gallery passes the torch to a new owner

by CHRISTINA ANDREWS

Vivacious , stylish and remarkably talented , kaitee floyd is now one of the youngest gallery owners on the Hammock Coast with her newly minted gallery, Floyd Fine Arts. Though young in years, Floyd put in more than seven seasons as director at the Cheryl Newby Gallery before purchasing and transitioning the business to her name.

Evolving from gallery director to owner was a natural process for Floyd.

Already in place were well-established relationships with the 20-plus artists the

Ellen Negley, Georgetown Docks , watercolor on paper, 22" x 30"

gallery represents, plus Floyd, as director, had learned the ropes of running all aspects of the business from her highly successful predecessor. When the time came to retire, Cheryl Newby was thrilled to pass the torch to Floyd, trusting her implicitly. And Floyd has carried on as Newby envisioned, maintaining the high standards in art procurement for which the gallery is renowned.

Floyd is a native of the coastal Lowcountry, having grown up in Murrells Inlet. Throughout her childhood, Floyd watched her entrepreneurial father run his own company, Starwood Landscaping, and from those observations determined she “wanted to be the boss.” In early adulthood, Floyd’s interests ran to business and art, so when the time came for college, the interdisciplinary studies program at nearby Coastal Carolina University was a perfect fit. Floyd was able to major in arts management while also taking hands-on art courses. Her passion for art and business melded into what would end up being her life’s calling.

Shortly following graduation in 2013, Floyd began knocking on the doors of every art gallery in the region, looking for work. Though there were no employment opportunities at the time, Floyd made an enthusiastic connection with Cheryl Newby. Newby had just made a hire but was unsure how it would transpire and asked Floyd to connect again in a month. As luck would have it, the gallery assistant position became available, and the rest is history!

Floyd quickly established that she was capable of managing all aspects of the gallery, allowing a reprieve for Newby, who after 37 years was happy to relinquish some of her responsibilities. Shortly thereafter, Floyd took over as gallery director. Once 2021 rolled in, Newby felt the time was right to retire, and she had decided that either Floyd should purchase the business or she would permanently close its doors. As luck would have it, the timing was right for both Floyd and Newby, and thus began the transition in ownership.

Today, Floyd Fine Arts proudly continues to represent Newby’s varied roster of talent while bringing worthy new artists into the fold. The gallery’s offerings range from sculpture and ceramics to paintings, pastels and limited-edition prints. Paintings represent the largest share of Floyd’s collection and vary in terms of medium, such as watercolor, oil, acrylic and tempera.

Remarkable in its diversity are the styles represented in the gallery, from landscape and nature to classical still life to genre art, minimalist and abstract pieces. The connection between all is their accessibility. Especially popular are the still lifes of Ellen Buselli, traditional landscapes of Paula Holtzclaw, and the evocative cypress swamp and fish paintings of Mike Williams. Lisa Gleim’s award-winning pastels feature subjects of wildlife, birds, landscapes and boats, and are especially colorful and full of light.

top: Kaitee Floyd bottom: Gwen Marcus, Beachcomber , bronze, 11.5" x 7.5" x 6.75"

PHOT OGRAPH BY SCOTT SMALLIN

The gallery also enjoys beautiful ceramic pieces by Elizabeth Borowsky and Glenda Taylor. Borowsky’s clean, white porcelain engenders a coastal feel in its intricate abstractness, while Glenda Taylor’s functional pieces include loving representations of nautical life, namely turtles, octopuses and the like. Her works gently pay homage to art nouveau.

Also of note are the gallery’s six prominent sculptors, some of whom have permanent installations at Brookgreen Gardens, which contains the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the United States. Works in the gallery range from classical figurative to wildlife and coastal birds to bronze and plaster bas relief and low relief. Sculptures are available in a diversity of patinas, some of which are uniquely colorful. Popular sculptor Sandy Scott, whose authentic and powerful animal bronzes are a regular feature at the gallery, will be spotlighted in a special exhibit this coming October

In addition to the gallery’s ever-changing offerings by its foundational artists, Floyd weaves in special exhibits, often collaborating with outside entities such as Brookgreen Gardens and the AWA (American Women Artists). Those who regularly visit the gallery look forward to Floyd’s themed quarterly exhibitions and occasional pop-up shows.

The Floyd Fine Arts gallery is especially inviting. Works are displayed spaciously for maximum effect, with contemplation seating sprinkled throughout the three rooms. Guests can relax on the gallery’s shady front porch, looking out onto a beautiful pond, and the gallery is child-friendly. For those who venture regularly to the coastal Lowcountry to vacation, Floyd Fine Arts is a popular stop. Floyd notes that guests often plan trips around visiting the gallery, especially when they have a hankering to add a new piece to their collection. *

Christina Andrews is a freelance writer from the Napa Valley who specializes in personal and business bios, food and wine, visual arts, music, hospitality, the event industry, community interest stories, obituaries and political satire.

FLOYD FINE ARTS

11096 OCEAN HIGHWAY

PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC 29585 843.979.0149

FLOYDFINEARTS.COM

Mike Williams, Twist , acrylic and ink on canvas, 48" x 60"

ABOVE AND BEYOND

Stono Construction offers old-school integrity and availability in a modern market

by ROBIN HOWARD / photography by KEEN EYE MARKETING

Stono construction is a boutique builder that takes on just a handful of projects per year, ranging from custom homes to extensive home additions and historic renovations. In a booming market where they could get away with doing less, co-owners John Goodwin and Dan Logan are determined to keep their business customer-focused and their homes of the highest quality. For this team, integrity, trust and clear communication are points of pride, and they are values that run deep because they’re anchored in a lifetime of friendship.

“Dan and I have known each other since we were kids,” Goodwin says. “After school, Dan got a business degree and got into residential real estate investing. I got into construction management and worked for a Fortune 500 construction company in several different roles, including the director of construction.” When the timing was right, Goodwin and Logan decided to combine their complementary skill sets and work together

Today, Logan runs the back office, and Goodwin oversees estimating and building projects. “We’re both experts in our fields,” Logan says. “We have decades of experience and excellent connections with vendors and contractors. We’re a small company by design—we’re in control of everything and always available for our clients.”

One of their most recent projects is a 2,500-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath Lowcountry cottage on a scenic 4-acre parcel on the Wadmalaw River. While the cozy home, designed by Allison Ramsey Architects, has plenty of living space, it also has over 2,000 square feet of porches and decks. The owners—who have a home in Tennessee— wanted a place where the whole family, including children and grandchildren, could gather. The project came with the typical challenges of building in the Lowcountry, including working with out-of-town clients, building in a coastal flood zone, and installing utilities and septic systems around protected live oaks.

This cottage has an open living room, kitchen, pantry, laundry room, powder room, guest bedroom and bathroom, and the owner ’s bedroom and bath on the first floor, and two guest rooms and baths upstairs, one of which serves as a bunk room for the grandkids. The high-quality details and craftsmanship inside and outside the home are remarkable, from the grand

“We’re fortunate to be teamed with quality craftsmen that can make our clients’ dreams and visions a reality.”

by Katharine W. Flanders

sapele mahogany entry door to the precise shiplap and vaulted cypress ceilings. “There are a lot of complicated woodworking details in this house that required a special eye and skill set,” Goodwin says. “We’re fortunate to be teamed with quality craftsmen that can make our clients’ dreams and visions a reality. Architectural plans don’t always have every single detail on them, so we listen to what our clients want and give them plenty of options if they don’t know what they want or what’s possible.”

Goodwin and Logan attribute much of their past client satisfaction to their practice of having an in-depth first call with clients. “Before we’re even hired, we want to ensure the whole team is a good fit from the start. Construction isn’t a black-andwhite process, and plans don’t always translate exactly. There are a lot of moving parts once you start bringing plans to life, so it’s important to have a good relationship with everyone involved,” Goodwin says.

If the partnerships and project are in sync, the team guides clients through the selection process timeline so they can work independently or with an interior designer to choose finishes and other details. For this home, the clients worked with interior

designer Teeny Morrison of Teeny Morrison Design to add cozy, elegant and functional touches. “We had such a great team, and the homeowners were fantastic,” Logan says. “There’s so much demand, and the labor market is tough right now, so construction can be stressful. We’re different because we truly respect our clients and our trade partners. We’re always available, we know the local artisans and craftsmen and have long-term relationships, and we trust the people we work with. That’s important.” *

Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.

IN THE QUIET HOURS

Artist Jeanne O’Neal finds flow while capturing tranquil Lowcountry scenes

by ROBIN HOWARD

As an educator , jeanne o ’ neal always dabbled in art , ceramics and watercolors. Then, eight years ago, O’Neal had surgery on her vocal cords, which meant she couldn’t talk for two weeks. Her mom took her two daughters for a few days, so the artist had time to enjoy the incredible nature around her home in Debordieu, South Carolina. She took her watercolors along and, in the deep quiet, began painting oyster shells.

Realizing how much she missed being in the zone as an artist, O’Neal found the courage to unbox a set of oil paints that had been sitting on

her art table for more than a year. After her first try with oil paints, she knew she’d found her medium. All these years later, she’s still hooked. “Oil paints are in my blood now. I eat, sleep and breathe painting,” she says.

Today, O’Neal is an accomplished artist with gallery representation all over the Lowcountry. Her nature scenes are popular with locals, visitors and people who want commissions of a scene that captures a special memory. Recently, she painted a rice field for a couple, which had been the backdrop for their vows. But most of the time, she paints local scenes that capture her heart.

Though she’s a Charleston native, her family moved around the country, following her father’s job in the Navy. She moved back as soon as possible, graduating from Clemson and eventually settling in Georgetown with her husband. “I’m totally inspired by the Lowcountry. The birds, the trees, the water, the Spanish moss are just in me,” she says. “Whatever I’m doing, I’m always studying the colors and shadows of the marsh and clouds. It’s what I think about all day long.”

As a mother of two teenage daughters, O’Neal no longer teaches, so she has more time to devote to her art. On a typical day, she gets up early and paints in her pajamas, then creates content for social media and answers emails. She tends to stay up

late in the summertime, painting into the night. “I live the crazy art life during summer,” she says.

The artist easily switches between a plein air practice and instudio work. While some plein air artists find flow in sketches and color studies, O’Neal is more spontaneous. While re-creating plein air paintings in the studio, O’Neal tries to remember the feeling of the sun, the wind, the birds chirping and even the mosquito bites. “I skip sketching and go right to painting,” she says. “I can remember what it feels like; when it’s done, I hope other people can too.”

Oil painters typically have several canvases in the works at once, and O’Neal is no exception. “I have a lot of different canvases of different sizes on hand. Then I’ll have a day where I just paint a bunch with a first layer of transparent red oxide, which enhances other colors without dulling or overpowering them,” she explains. Sometimes she’ll use red oxide to sketch the outline of lights and darks, then create a horizon line and begin to work from photos or vivid memories.

“My favorite part of painting is getting lost in the flow,” she says. “It’s just so much fun, and you can’t make a mistake with oils. You can always paint on top of it, so you don’t have to be afraid to try something new.”

O’Neal’s paintings range from postcard size to large 48-by-60-

Protected Beauty

, oil on panel, 8" x 10"

inch canvases, and often she’ll create a series of the same painting in different sizes.

While the artist enjoys taking classes and attending workshops to deepen her practice, this year she’s focused on incorporating everything she’s learned into her work.

O’Neal’s paintings are available in Georgetown at Art Harbor Gallery and Georgetown Art Gallery, on Pawleys Island at Gray Man Gallery, and in Mount Pleasant at Perspective Gallery. Commissions are available. *

Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.

JEANNE O’NEAL

91 BLUE HERON ROAD

GEORGETOWN, SC 29440

864.421.3504

JEANNEONEAL.FASO.COM

top: Floating

By , oil on canvas, 20" x 20"

bottom: Jeanne O'Neal

SEEWEE ROOTS

A local Realtor marries

real estate with home décor

by CHRISTIANA LILLY / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Lisa G rant is known as a finder of thin G s : a personalized birthday gift, items to create the perfect tablescape for a home staging or a unique piece of décor that elicits conversation. A real estate agent, she took her eye for treasures and opened See Wee Homes, a two-in-one boutique that draws people in with her collection of home décor and helps them learn about her real estate services.

Photo by Holger Obenaus

“I’ve always loved to shop,” Grant explains. “I realized I was staging a lot of houses for my clients and instead of just me trying to find items, I started to collect items. I thought, you know what? I might as well have a home décor store.”

Grant named the store after Seewee Road, her childhood home in Awendaw, South Carolina, a rural community outside of Charleston. She remembers walking barefoot along her neighborhood’s dirt roads, snacking on pickled eggs and making runs to the candy store with three quarters in her pocket. She could have put her own name on the storefront, but she wanted to pay tribute to her humble roots instead.

It was her upbringing that also dictates her desire to focus on locally made and fair-trade items at See Wee Homes. That means the candles, pottery, towels, bookends and other treasures are either made locally or sourced from international makers who are provided fair wages and working conditions. She purchases items at shows in Atlanta and also connects with Charleston artists who create limited runs of items like wooden maps of the Holy City.

“My grandmother made a lot of our clothing. All of our toys were also homemade toys that she made, so I understand the value of making something,” Grant explains. “I just want to make sure I’m giving back to the people that actually put in the hard work to make the product.”

Grant first entered the world of real estate in 2016 through a large franchise company, then ventured out on her own. She moved to Washington, D.C., then returned during the pandemic and expanded her business to include the boutique. Today, the home décor arm of her business brings in about one-third of the revenue—having an online store with even more products and the ability to reach customers around the country certainly helps, too.

The best way to shop Grant’s home décor is in person, but you can browse featured products online. The store carries everything you need to make a home cozy: books for growth and self-reflection, elegant linens, unique lighting, planters, art, and unique bar and kitchen wares. Right now, some of the most popular items are her customizable linen zip code throw pillows.

“It’s definitely helped the real estate business,” she says. “Having a storefront building, people just walk by, they walk into other stores nearby or they’re driving by and see it.”

On the real estate side of the business, Grant is an active member of the National Association of Realtors and intentional in her values, such as social responsibility, integrity and world-class customer service. In the Charleston area, having a bornand-raised agent can be a big help in terms of strong, long-term relationships with other agents and tradespeople, knowing how an area has changed and is likely to change, and how to find hidden gems that others may overlook.

You can browse Charleston-area homes for sale on Grant’s site or take advantage of her seller knowledge base. Sellers can expect a customized marketing plan with a reach of 10,000-plus homebuyers in the first week, professional photography and videography, and a comparative market analysis that will help you decide on a selling price

One of Grant’s attributes is her openness and transparency. Sometimes the circumstances of selling a home are difficult, such as divorce or after the death of a loved one, and Grant knows that some real estate situations are bittersweet. “We’re here to make the bitter a little less so,” she says.

But looking to the future, she wants to emulate multi-hyphenate Joanna Gaines and create her own home design and real estate empire Grant envisions the addition of a cooking area in her office, expanding the home décor shelves and being able to handle more large furniture requests for customers. For now, she’s focused on filming a pilot episode of a show that will chronicle her adventures in flipping foreclosed homes with her business partner.

“It’s ‘Flip or Flop’ meets ‘Housewives,’” she says, laughing. “We’re definitely trying to expand; we’re trying to build that empire of all things home and real estate.” *

Christiana Lilly is a freelance journalist in Pompano Beach, Florida. See more of her work spanning the arts, community news and social justice at christianalilly.com.

HOSPITALITY ON WHEELS

Whether for business or recreation, this RV business keeps you on the road

by CHRISTIANA LILLY / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Wood floors , a fireplace , workstation —these aren’t elements of a home design project but an RV. At Best Preowned RV’s of South Carolina, located in Awendaw, whatever can be done to a house can be done to these apartments on wheels.

“We’ve completely gutted motorhomes and turned them into yoga studios. I’ve built several vans for the van life kids that are roaming right now,” says Josh Sisson, who is a business partner at the firm.

His partner in crime is Kris Barron. The two have been friends since they were in their early teens. Barron grew up with parents who sold RVs, and he opened the doors to Best Preowned RV’s of South Carolina in 2005. Sisson joined the team in 2016 and the two have been business partners since 2020.

Since the beginning, there have been lots of changes in the industry RVs are no longer relegated to retirees who finally have the time to explore America by road. Twenty-five million Americans go RVing every year, and the RV Industry Association reports that the fastest-growing camping community is among Gen Z and millennials. The pandemic years saw a massive uptick in RV travel, and about 30% of those first-time RV campers say they plan to continue the lifestyle even though other options are available again.

RVs aren’t just for retired nomads and vacationers anymore either—a whopping 47% of RV campers say they’d like to live in an RV full time. And, with more people working remotely, younger and younger buyers are coming to Best Preowned RV’s of South Carolina to purchase their own mobile home.

“This used to be a 60-year-old-and-above business because they saved their whole life,” Sisson explains. “Now, we’ve got 21-year-old kids coming in here and buying motor homes who

are influencers or working on websites and traveling all over the States.”

RVs come in all sizes, from tour bus-size vehicles that can sleep up to 10 people to motorhomes not much larger than a cargo van that are comfortable for one or two adults. Since the camping heyday of the 1970s and ’80s, towable camper sales have grown year over year and remain one of the most popular types of RVs. Whatever your needs, Best Preowned RV’s can help.

While some RVs are compact, minimal and streamlined, others are remarkably spacious and have pop-outs, luxuries and high-end touches. Regardless, the team at Best Preowned RV’s are experts in making RVs of any size functional and comfortable.

The changing landscape of RV ownership, along with the available sizes, is giving small-business owners new options as well. Work-from-home employees are transforming RVs into home offices, and retail stores are turning to RVs to provide the flexibility to bring their services directly to customers. For example, retailers can bring their wares to flea markets. Others are purchasing RVs to rent out to visitors, much like Airbnb, or to serve as VIP spaces during outdoor events.

Of course, the design must consider that the space is significantly smaller than a typical house, as well as the fact that everything needs to be able to handle being on the move. Sisson explains that when designing the interior of an RV, the weight of objects, the ability to be space efficient and fold-away furniture are important. For one customer with a cat, Sisson designed a cat door that leads into the storage compartment for the litter box. And in the case of the yoga studio, bunk beds and workstations were incorporated into the retail space for the owners to be able to not only sell goods at yoga meetups but also to get work done between practices.

Best Preowned RV’s doesn’t just customize and sell RVs, it performs routine maintenance, minor interior and exterior upgrades, and “glow-ups,” so your ride stays fresh and reliable.

It’s not just the sales, design and maintenance services that set Best Preowned RV’s of South Carolina apart from the big-box brands. It’s also customer service. There’s a sense of Southern hospitality at the store, where guests are greeted by Jax the Australian shepherd, reggae music is most likely playing over the speakers and every employee turns wrenches. Education for customers is key to the business. And even after

a project is complete, customers know they can always call with questions or for help if needed.

“I’ve spent countless hours with people, and months later, they come back and buy,” Sisson says. “They’re spreading good news about our place and about how they’re treated.” *

Christiana Lilly is a freelance journalist in Pompano Beach, Florida. See more of her work spanning the arts, community news and social justice at christianalilly.com.

BEST

PREOWNED RV’S OF SOUTH CAROLINA

6475 N. HIGHWAY 17

AWENDAW, SC 29429

843.478.4919

BESTPREOWNEDRVSOFSC.COM

Photo by Holger Obenaus

ISLAND ENERGY

On quiet Dewees Island, the Huyler House Gallery is the heartbeat of the community

by CHRISTIANA LILLY / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Unspoiled beaches sprinkled with seashells , wispy grasses swaying with the wind in the marshland, graceful egrets flying overhead—Dewees Island is just a 20-minute ferry ride from Charleston but a million miles from the bustle of city life.

The private barrier island is known for its remoteness—there are only 150 lots available on the island—but there’s a hidden energy that pervades this majestic community. Part of it is the heartbeat of Dewees, the Huyler House Gallery within the community center. The great room walls are always filled with rotating collections of artwork.

“While Dewees may best be known for its commitment to environmental sustainability and helping nature thrive, Dewees owners are a dedicated and passionate group of artists, patrons and lifelong learners who have made art, in all its forms, a natural part of their lives,” says Anne Anderson, the chairperson of the gallery.

Anderson explains that when developers were looking to make a mark on Dewees, it was important to balance nature and people, as well as encourage the arts. From this mission, the community center was born. Residents and their guests flock to the center,

which has been a mainstay on the island since 1997. Here, they’re invigorated by everything from performing arts to fashion, pottery, jewelry and paintings. The center plays host to food and wine festivals, book club evenings, weddings, happy hours and guest speakers from the Dewees Island Conservancy for environmental talks.

The most recent exhibits at the Huyler House Gallery speak to the diversity of visual art that can be found in the gallery. Adam Cohen from Raleigh, North Carolina, paints human figures from the inside out, revealing their spirit. Digging for Dinner and The Cello Player are examples of this technique. Jim Darlington of Sullivan’s Island shows exquisite oils. Visitors to the gallery were teased prior to opening night with his painting Woman With Straw Hat. Anderson explains that the piece showcases his interest in the Lowcountry, both “faces and places,” by highlighting modern women with a nod to South Carolina’s sweetgrass artistry. While exhibits rotate in and out to make way for new experiences, a jewel in the gallery’s permanent collection is a hand-carved replica of the 65-ton brigantine Neptune by Tom Boozer. The real ship launched from Dewees Island in 1771, and the master carver was commissioned to re-create a model of

Adam Cohen, The Cello Player (After Eakins) , acrylic on canvas, 36" x 48"

Avery Oil Paintings Relief Prints Commissions Notecards

Kelly

the legendary vessel. It took more than 700 hours of work, and long-leaf pine— the same wood used on the ship—had to be sourced from the defunct, 1800s-era Kendall Mill, but finally the Neptune was resurrected. It’s proudly on display at the gallery, exemplifying the island’s history while utilizing the sailors’ practice of being resourceful with the materials they had.

“Boozer rescued boards and pieces of string and all kinds of things to make this an authentic model replica,” Anderson explains. Another commission for the gallery is an original batik by Mary Edna Fraser. This is no small feat, as the renowned artist has her batiks at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Mimicking aerial views of the Lowcountry, her silks read like environmental maps. Fraser’s recent work is acrylic on canvas; Energy is a dynamic coastal landscape donated to the gallery by an owner in honor of the island Fraser finds “enchanting.”

Anderson was captured by the allure of Dewees, too. After a career in real estate and medicine, she and her husband, Jim, were called to the island after receiving a flier at their home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Standing on the deck of the ferry as they cruised closer to Dewees, they knew this was where they would relocate. The couple purchased a lot in 1997, built their forever home, and she has been involved with the arts council since, including serving as chairperson for the arts council on more than one occasion.

Although not a professional artist, Anderson has always had a love for the arts and enjoys playing with watercolors. Over the years, she has been a champion for the Huyler House Gallery and Lowcountry artists.

“We fell in love with the area and the beauty of the water,” she recalls. “Our story is not unique, though. Dewees Island draws people into it.” *

Christiana Lilly is a freelance journalist in Pompano Beach, Florida. See more of her work spanning the arts, community news and social justice at christianalilly.com.

HUYLER HOUSE GALLERY

246 OLD HOUSE LANE

DEWEES ISLAND, SC 29451

70 4.641.1405

DEWEESISLANDSC.COM

A DEEPER MEANING

Emily Whiting communicates with the viewer through detail and symbolism

by ROBIN HOWARD / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

Artist emily whiting chokes up when she talks about Jasper Francis Cropsey’s painting The Spirit of War.

Painted in the late 1800s, it’s a detailed, moody work depicting war’s fear and hopelessness. That she saw it more than three decades ago doesn’t matter; Whiting is so moved by allegorical art—works in which details and symbolism reveal hidden meanings—that she’s bent her life around it.

When Whiting was 15, her parents bought her an easel, and she started teaching herself to paint. Then, on a family trip to England and Wales, she discovered a love for ruined castles, a theme that runs through her work today. As she continued her autodidactic art education, she fell in love with the symbology of the old masters. For example, oysters might mean love, dogs suggest faithfulness and burning candles symbolize time.

Discouraged by her parents from pursuing art as a career, Whiting studied architectural design at Clemson but never entered the field. “I realized halfway through I couldn’t be an architect because nobody was going to want me to design castles,” she says.

The more she learned about art, the more she recognized a growing inner frustration that modern and contemporary art was overtaking the art world’s attention while the allegorical paintings of the Victorians were falling out of favor. “I was in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., when I noticed there were benches in front of the old masters,” she says. “But in the modern art wings, there are no benches because people just walk through. There’s nothing for them to engage with. People get touchy when I say I don’t like modern art, but it just doesn’t speak to me. It’s like a conversation where I have to do all the talking.”

An artist at loose ends, Whiting took a job at the Salvador Dalí Museum in Florida, where she had an epiphany about her art ennui. “Dalí was unique because he put so much meaning and imagery into his work,” she says. “It reinforced there could be so much more, but I felt left out of the art world because I couldn’t find anyone who thought like me.” Though she continued to dabble in art, Whiting married, had two children and started a homestead with her family. She also became a caretaker to her mother, and as she puts it, “life happened.”

However, when her children were grown, and her mother passed, Whiting had the time and freedom to reignite her passion for painting. “I have no more distractions,” she says. When she’s not taking care of her homestead in Adams Run, South Carolina, which includes gardens, fruit trees, bees, goats, chickens and turkeys, she’s painting. And she’s driven. “I’m trying to pursue something before it’s lost to time,” she says. “Art isn’t just about pretty pictures; it’s meant to be communication. It used to be there were all these symbols that communicate what the artist was trying to say.”

Whiting intentionally works slowly; she only finishes a couple of paintings a month and may have up to two dozen going at a time. She’ll paint a stage, starting with the furthest background, set it aside to dry for a week to cure, then move on to another work in progress, working forward to build the layers until she reaches the smallest details. She doesn’t work with sketches—everything is in her mind. She’s still inspired by architecture, especially crumbling ruins. “The vegetation shows the passage of time, and it makes me wonder, ‘What happened here? What did I miss?’” she says. One of her recent paintings, The Eye, is a large rendering of the artist’s eye staring at the viewer. “It’s meant to make people uncomfortable. It’s direct communication,” Whiting explains.

In another, Beauty in Life and Death, she’s captured a scene from Botany Bay. “I saw this really interesting dead tree on the beach,” she says. “It was all twisted and gnarly, and I thought, ‘This is probably more interesting in death than in life.’ Now it’s moving; it’s writhing. I wanted to show contrast, so I painted a small white egret. Death is looming over the scene, but here is life small and subtle.”

The artist’s work is available through her website and the Stono Gallery in Charleston, and commissions are available. *

Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.

EMILYWHITINGFINEART.COM

Eye of the Artist, a Self-Portrait , oil on canvas, 24" x 36"

BUON APPETITO

Sorelle celebrates the best of two worlds

by WENDY SWAT SNYDER / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

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A stunning curved bar of meticulously crafted Arabescato Corchia marble and Apparatus pendants overhead set the scene in Sorelle’s lively social hub.

A sense of excitement pervades the glamorous, multilevel property: Ladies & Gentlemen pendants cascade through the foyer above while high-impact geometric tile provides a surprise for the eye below.

n the city that hosts a world - class arts festival like Spoleto Festival USA, it makes sense that a dining destination such as Sorelle would find a home. Charleston’s old-world charm won the heart of Gian Carlo Menotti, founder of the original Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, clinching his search for an American counterpart. Historic architecture, lush walled gardens, plus a wealth of theaters, churches and other performing spaces offered a setting similar to that of its Italian sister city. The same qualities captured the imagination of the eatery’s founders. Now, with Sorelle, Charleston offers a unique gathering place inspired by Italy’s all-day cafés, abundant markets and rich culinary traditions—an Italian classic with a contemporary Southern spin.

Sorelle is a collaboration between Beemok Hospitality Collection (BHC), founded by businessman Ben Navarro, and the acclaimed MINA Group, led by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina. Charleston-based BHC boasts a growing portfolio of hospitality and entertainment experiences that include The Charleston Place, Charleston Grill, The Riviera Theater and Credit One Stadium. MINA Group operates over two dozen dining establishments nationwide. The joint venture parlayed each entity’s individual expertise into an ambitious project that transformed three 18th-century properties into a thriving, one-of-a-kind dining destination and the Holy City itself.

Sorelle’s address, 88–90 Broad St., anchors Court House Square and is a stone’s throw from the intersection of Broad and Meeting streets, over which Charleston’s iconic Four Corners of Law—Federal Courthouse, St. Michael’s Church, City Hall and County Courthouse—presides. Steeped in history, this footprint was the center of life in the old city—protected by a moat and fortified by a wall. The building itself is neoclassical in design and went through a variety of iterations over the past couple hundred years, including residences, banks, a drugstore and tavern. In the late 1800s to early 1900s, the property was the site of a Hebrew school run by two sisters, which inspired the name Sorelle, “sisters” in Italian.

A custom hand-painted mural by MJ Atelier creates magic in the main dining room. Custom furniture by Brooklyn-based designer Mark Jupiter throughout.

Chef’s mise en place for the Zeppole from the Caviale menu: The components of the traditional French caviar service are presented in a sweet and savory Italian pastry and wrapped in prosciutto di San Daniele.

What does it look like at the intersection of philanthropy and hospitality? That’s part of the conversation that drove the process Navarro engaged in with BHC president Casey Lavin, who became Navarro’s first hire after the company’s founding in 2021.

“I thought the world of Ben’s values—he’s a family man, a philanthropist, an amazing businessman. And the Navarro family is Italian, with really comforting traditions that foster moments when everyone can come together. He’s been dreaming about creating a classic Italian restaurant for 30 years,” says Lavin, whose passion for hospitality stems from holidays spent at his grandmother’s elbow, learning to re-create family traditions like eggs Benedict. Hooked, he became a prep cook at age 14; a decade later, he joined the team that opened The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island.

“We talked over the years about giving back to the community—how can we enrich lives, provide a healing antidote to a busy world that craves meaningful connection?” Lavin says. “What if we started a hospitality company with four distinct paths—hotels, restaurants, entertainment, wellness— and do so with this purpose-driven mindset to enable people to come together, to celebrate in a meaningful way, and at the same time build a team that’s very involved and cared for.”

To ensure that lives are truly enriched, a lot more intentionality can be expected of BHC. As the company grows, the team plans to dovetail complementary venues to provide a seamless experience for both guests and the local community.

“One of the things that makes us unique is that we offer an urban resort,” says Lavin. “The guest can come to stay at one of our properties and get access to The Charleston Place spa, priority access to shows at The Riviera, a complimentary shuttle to Sorelle, or we’ll ferry you over to Credit One Stadium. When you’re a guest at The Charleston Place, you’re a guest at all our properties. We can make it easy for people to get around—they don’t have to rely on their own transportation.”

Currently, guests can get a lift to wherever they wish to go within the area. In the works for the future, Lavin says BHC is planning a shuttle to some of Charleston’s other restaurants and venues to provide more options in a hospitality-centric city.

Lavin and the BHC group work closely with the MINA Group culinary team led by Sorelle chef/partner Adam Sobel and executive chef Nick Dugan. Sobel’s partnership with MINA began when he was tapped to serve as executive chef at Bourbon Steak in Washington, D.C. Earlier credentials include helping with the development and opening of the James Beard Award-winning restaurant Bradley Ogden at Caesars Palace.

A Culinary Institute of America (CIA) graduate, Dugan was tapped while there to lead the institution’s first American Culinary Federation competition team. “It was an opportunity to be completely immersed in the craft,” says Dugan. “We were a team of five, led by a certified Master Chef. The training gives you the discipline and focus to perform in a highly intense atmosphere—we toured all over the country to compete.”

After graduating, Dugan had the opportunity to go to Washington, D.C., to train under Mina and Sobel at Bourbon Steak. Before joining the Sorelle team, he rose through the ranks, helming kitchens such as the iconic MICHAEL MINA restaurant in the Bellagio and Bardot Brasserie in Aria, both in Las Vegas.

Branzino ‘Cacciatore’—A showstopping presentation of the entire fish, classically prepared and finished with a splash of Bona Furtuna olive oil from a Sorelle partner’s farm in Corleone, Italy.

The Agnello e Peperonata, marinated Border Springs lamb chops, are grilled over hickory wood and glazed in a red wine agrodolce, bringing sweetness, acidity and salt, then bathed in a traditional stew of bell peppers stuffed with housemade merguez sausage.

Dugan reflects on the time in 2020 when he met Navarro for the first time, saying: “Ben was in Las Vegas and approached Michael and me. He wanted us to cook for him and his Credit One guests. This one little interaction created an opportunity for me I’m so excited to be a part of.”

Every step of the way, intentionality played a key role in the assembly of the Sorelle build-out team. When choosing a firm to lead the design initiative, BHC found that New York-based Meyer Davis shared the company’s standards and sensibilities. Founded by Will Meyer and Gray Davis, the design boutique is a winner of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant Design and has an international reputation for its innovative approach to restaurant, hotel, residential and workplace experiences.

“Beemok reached out to us, and when I heard the plans for Sorelle, it sounded like a very special project,” says Meyer. “A week later I was in Charleston looking at the property. The building, the architecture is spectacular—huge windows flooding the space with light. The location is amazing. Projects like this don’t come along very often.”

meal either seated or on the go. Craft cocktails pair with a convivial vibe at Sorelle’s social hub—a stunning, U-shaped bar covered with Arabescato Corchia marble. An adjacent wine room for small, intimate parties features cabinets displaying a rare collection of Italian spirits and regional wines. One flight up, an exhibition counter and wood-fired oven offers seating and a show for folks dining on artisanal pizza.

The sun-drenched main dining room exudes European elegance with hand-painted wall murals by MJ Atelier, original moldings and trim beautifully restored, jewel-toned mohair velvet chairs and camel channel-tufted leather banquettes, and two working fireplaces.

Famous for its purity, durability and beauty, Italian marble was the stone of choice for surfaces throughout Sorelle—from the bar to the bathrooms and beyond. Tons of marble slabs from ancient Italian quarries were imported to the Lowcountry and crafted by North Charleston-based Palmetto Surfacing Incorporated. The company has a long-standing reputation for quality surfacing in the region, working often through referrals and industry partners. A highly trained staff, massive fabricating plant and key resources in the United States and abroad helped the company secure the Sorelle project.

“Sorelle was a signature job for us,” says Palmetto Surfacing president Kim Clark. “We spent two years planning and in discussion before we ordered a single stone.”

“Ben was on-site. The project was very owner-driven,” notes Geralyn Holley, Palmetto Surfacing commercial sales manager. “We sourced the best of the best. Ben wanted what he wanted— some of the finest materials I’ve ever seen.”

Clark points to the company’s investment in a high-tech imaging system that eliminates some of the challenges of working with a heavy, fragile product such as marble.

“When we were in the raw, gutted space, it felt so special,” notes lead designer Lizelle Foose.

“We let the building speak to us,” adds Meyer. “We were so excited and proud to be working in Charleston. There’s such a high bar for food and beverage—we wanted to make this a place you have to go to when you visit the city.”

Trademark Meyer Davis tenets—sophistication and preservation—produced compelling interiors, contrasting historic elements with modern and Italian with Charleston. The drama starts in the entryway, where guests are greeted with soaring ceilings strung with Ladies & Gentlemen blown glass pendants. Underfoot, stunning geometric Arabescato Corchia and signature deep green-colored marble tile surround a custom brass inlay of Sorelle’s logo. Meyer says that strong statement informs the point of view throughout the property. A sense of excitement pervades the multilevel property, with a surprise for the eye at every turn.

“It’s a community of spaces, each with its own strong personality,” says Meyer. “The rooms are having a conversation with each other.”

The first floor offers a charming mercato stocked with specialty products for the home kitchen as well as light fare for a casual

“Ours is the only one in the region,” notes Clark. “We take pictures of the slabs and, using Slabsmith technology, create a laser template of the area we’re going to be fabricating, then send it to the client for approval. It helps the client visualize the finished product before we import it into software and send it to a water jet that cuts the stone exactly to the approved specifications.”

Among the high-precision challenges of the Sorelle project were the large degree of stone wraparounds—the curved corners in the bar area that required radius work done in increments of stone.

The evening of our visit, my guest and I were fortunate enough to secure the guidance of Alisa Padilla—pronounced “our best server ” by a manager we engaged in a friendly chat.

Ensconced in a luxurious banquette, with sky-high views of the Federal Courthouse, we started our adventure with the Zeppole from the Caviale menu section: a dollop of Petrossian Imperial Daurenki caviar set in a sweet and savory pastry and wrapped in a delightfully funky prosciutto di San Daniele.

Our next palate teaser was the Crudo di Tonno. Yellowfin tuna sourced from Crosby’s Seafood presented with Sungold tomatoes and a splash of Calabrian chili oil. Chef Dugan gives the dish a contrasting crunch with a pasta fritto—a “‘fun play” composed of repurposed pasta trimmings that are rolled through a pasta thinner and deep fried.

One of our favorites was the Zucchini Parmigiana—a cozy ramekin of nostalgia starring summer squash from GrowFood

A signature dish, the perfectly cooked bonein pork chop was imagined during the restaurant’s conceptualization to make an impact.

right: Limone—this dreamy confection showcases a vanilla-citrus cream, sweet white chocolate and the umami of a Sorrento lemon conserva all in one bite.

Rice pudding meets an Italian classic, the Tiramisu di Riso is Chef Dugan’s Southern take on tiramisu— the best of two beloved desserts.

The rich flavor profile of the prized mozzarella produced from Italian water buffalo milk is showcased beautifully atop al dente asparagus and semolina croutons, with a finish of herbaceous green garlic dragoncello and sweet balsamico.

right: From Sorelle’s centerpiece bar to its numerous exhibition kitchens, Italian marble finished with a special sealer reigns throughout the restaurant. Palmetto Surfacing imported, crafted and installed multiple varieties for the project.

The Sorelle mercato glows with brass, glass and marble—the perfect setting for a casual morning or midday bite, with individual and community seating. Gourmet products for the home cook are also offered in the quaint market.

right: Artisan breads, cured meats and cheeses are made and sliced to order in Sorelle’s wood-fired oven room with a chic antipasti bar.

Custom wine cases in ebonized oak with restoration glass panels wrap the intimate wine room where private dinners unfold.

Carolina sliced paper thin, layered with a creamy fonduta and tomato sauce, and beautifully presented with a swirl of pistachio pesto. It’s Dugan’s unique take on the classic deep-fried eggplant dish.

We refreshed our palates with the Rucola e Finocchio, a salad of just a few ingredients but huge depth of flavor from King Tide Farms arugula, shaved fennel and fresh strawberries—high impact notes of pepper, sweet and licorice that we loved.

We also loved the Berkshire Sausage Luganega, one of Chef’s favorites too. A northern Italian dish of slender sausage blended with parsley and spicy provolone that is piped into a snail shell shape and seared on the planca, then served with a broccoli rabe giardiniera.

We sampled several pasta dishes: Fazzoletti, or handkerchief pasta, a summer season dish loaded with fresh basil that endeared with its novel shape and toothsome texture. The Radiatori recalled an Italian Sunday dinner—pasta in a hearty, meaty red sauce presented with a big serving of familial hospitality. This dish featured a braised suckling pig ragu showered with Pecorino Romano and crunchy pork cracklings.

Our entrées were from the land and the sea: Branzino—an Italian import and the kitchen’s only seafood not locally sourced— presented whole, classically prepared cacciatore style and finished with a splash of Bona Furtuna olive oil from a Sorelle partner’s farm in Corleone, Italy.

A signature dish, the perfectly cooked bone-in pork chop was imagined during the restaurant’s conceptualization, Chef says, to make an impact. Brined for 10 hours, the pork is then grilled over hickory wood and basted with sweet and sour agrodolce—a great

representation of Italian flavors and, with a garnish of toasted pecans, those of the South.

Our “dolce” or sweet was the Tiramisu di Riso—the beloved Italian dessert made with ladyfingers that Dugan married to Southern culture through a novel substitution—Carolina Gold rice.

“It’s an interesting story that circles back to Mr. Navarro,” says Dugan. “We were doing one of our many dinners for him at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and had the entire menu planned, ending with a traditional tiramisu, when someone on his team told us the only request Ben has is that there’s rice pudding for dessert. We took all our prep, cooked some rice, folded some mascarpone into it and made what essentially is the dish on our menu now.”

Who doesn’t love rice pudding?

From start to finish, every detail, no matter how small, has been considered thoughtfully with the aim to deliver a worldclass experience in the heart of Charleston’s historic district. It represents a coming together of so many around a shared vision. Welcome to Charleston, Sorelle. * Wendy Swat Snyder is a Charleston-based freelance writer (sweetgrassandgrits.com).

NO BOUNDARIES

A new Daniel Island home blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living

by ROBIN HOWARD

photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

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Set into groves of ancient live oaks, this clean, minimal home backs up to Beresford Creek on Daniel Island.

A recessed cooking niche with side shelves and a marble backsplash gives this kitchen a fresh take on old-world charm.

There is something very special about visualizing your dream home and having it come to fruition. This was the case for a Daniel Island couple who wanted to build their ideal family home on scenic Beresford Creek. They enjoyed the style and aesthetic of a previous Novella Homes build, so they decided to trust the owner, Stephen Guaglianone, and his process for building their dream custom home.

Guaglianone is a third-generation homebuilder who grew up working for his father on summer breaks during high school and college. After college, he worked as a project manager, mastering every aspect of homebuilding. Though Guaglianone moved to Charleston in 2012 from his native home in Virginia, he believes in being an active and loyal part of the communities in which he builds. Guaglianone lives on Daniel Island, and many of his clients have become neighbors and friends.

Decades of experience mean Guaglianone is innately innovative; he doesn’t want to build the same home twice, and he’s always thinking about how to push the envelope subtly. Novella has a reputation for teaming up with the best architects, designers and tradespeople in the business—all of whom share Guaglianone's passion for innovation. The result are homes with personality and no disconnect between architectural vision, execution and interior design. For clients who want a fresh take on traditional Charleston and island style, Novella’s homes are different enough to be pleasantly unique without disrupting what we all love about Lowcountry living.

Designed by Damien Busillo of DLB Custom Home Design and built by Novella Homes with interiors by JLV Creative, this 5,320-square-foot, contemporary coastalstyle home has four bedrooms, five baths, two half baths, an office and a media room. The house is nestled into groves of ancient live oaks on the right and left sides, and the back faces Beresford Creek, a wide tidal stream that

A 30-foot wall of multi-slide Euro-Wall doors disappears to erase boundaries between indoors and outdoors. In nice weather, the back of the home is open to the pool deck, marsh and creek.

The builder and design team created a peaceful reading nook beneath the white oak and steel floating staircase.

drains into Charleston Harbor. The clients wanted a clean, minimal aesthetic, organic finishes and furnishings, and functional, casual living with room to entertain guests. Beyond that, they trusted the team to do their thing.

“It was a big selling point for the client to have a team that functions so well together,” Guaglianone says. “Because we worked as a team from the start, we could iron out all of the small but important details, such as making sure floor outlets are in the right spots and the sconces are the right height; we could plan the orientation of desks to windows, and furniture placement. JLV helped them choose all the furniture, and they did a great job.”

The house is comprised of a central structure with a traditional coastal farmhouse vibe and a long connecting structure with a lower roof leading to a wing that’s home to the office and the owner’s bedroom and bath. The exterior is clad in HardiePlank siding in contrasting gray and white, highlighting the juxtaposed sections. The unique shape makes it feel like a family home that’s been extended over time, a common practice in the Lowcountry. There are no neighbors visible on three sides, and the house is set back off of the main drive, so it’s quiet and private.

This is an elevated house, so to enter, we ascend a double set of narrow stairs that leave us in front of a long window under a small gabled roof, a touch that reads like a nod to Charleston’s traditional architecture. A few steps to the right and the front porch expands into a wide, welcoming space with a double black steel entry door flanked on either side by two matching windows and gas lanterns in contemporary steel and glass boxes. Once inside, the exterior entry design makes perfect sense. With the staircase off to one side, natural light pours through the unobstructed doors and windows, illuminating most of the first floor.

While the entries of most open-plan homes put you in the action right away, here, we’re greeted by a magnificent feature wall, a geometric masterpiece made of white oak rectangles inset with oak rectangles with curved corners the color of aged dock wood. In between, small black squares march in a neat horizontal line. Behind this wall is the kitchen, but the entry gives us a minute to collect ourselves before we check out the unique, floating four-sided glass fireplace that separates the kitchen from the family room.

Sitting horizontally between the kitchen and living area, the fireplace divider is three-fourths creamy white stucco wall and one-fourth clear glass surround, like a giant fish tank, sitting on a base of subtly veined marble. “This was the first four-sided fireplace we’ve ever done. We had to suspend steel from the ceiling so the chimney hood would also be suspended, and then the fireplace base was built underneath. It’s such a showpiece. When you walk in the front door, my intent was that you see this amazing, vast view of the marsh and river through the fireplace. It’s a great visual and gives the room a beautiful contemporary design,” Guaglianone says.

Large windows in the dining room meet in the corner to admit natural light and magnificent views of the marsh and river.

right:

In the powder room and the rest of the home, black accents anchor the organic East Coast/ West Coast color palette.

A white stucco wall and a foursided glass fireplace divide the living and dining areas, providing unobstructed river views from the downstairs common spaces.

Shiplap runs vertically instead of horizontally in the family room, which is another way the builder puts a contemporary spin on a traditional feature. Tall windows overlook a grove of ancient live oaks to the side. In South Carolina, many tree species, including live oak and white oak, are protected; if they’re healthy, builders must work around them carefully.

Overhead, white oak beams stained a warm chestnut run the ceiling length. Custom cabinets inset in the front wall provide storage, while an elevated, windowed cabinet in the middle is perfect for showcasing treasures and contemporary objets d’art that add to the home’s personality. The television is mounted on the family room side of the fireplace wall, detached from the room’s clean aesthetic yet perfectly functional for movie night.

and pool deck. Behind the living room are a built-in grill, Big Green Egg and undercabinet refrigerator. A long table provides seating for eight. The pool mimics the shape of the house and is elevated to the same level as the main living areas. To create the elevated pool, Guaglianone constructed piers under the pool shell, so it floats in the air on top of them. “It’s a lengthy process, but it’s worth it. We had the surveyor come out several times during the build because I wanted the pool to be exactly flush with the decking, and the decking to be perfectly flush with the front porch. From the front door to the pool, I didn't want there to be any steps up or down, or anything to step over,” Guaglianone says.

Elevated pools are a hallmark of Novella’s design when it makes sense for the home. “I love elevated pools because it looks like the water is floating, and then, because the river is beyond the pool, it extends the view, so it looks like the water never ends. It’s also a great family environment; the kids don’t have to go down the stairs to get to the pool, and you don’t lose sight of them from the deck or main living areas,” Guaglianone says.

There is a fifth full bathroom here, convenient for guests and keeping wet bathing suits out of the house. “JLV did a great job designing the pool bathroom—there are tiles on the ceiling and walls and a main center drain, so it’s a full-on wet room. It’s very convenient and easy to maintain,” Guaglianone says.

To the right of the kitchen, a hallway leads to a hidden scullery door and the owner’s wing, which has an office, laundry and the primary bedroom and bathroom. In front of the kitchen, a floating steel and wood staircase designed by Southern Staircase floats over a reading nook below. “There’s a tree here and beautiful white oak benches, so there’s some life,” Guaglianone says. “It’s a wonderful place to read with a blanket.”

Most of the back of the home is taken up by a 30-foot wall of multi-slide Euro-Wall doors that push back to erase the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. When they’re open, it’s as if they were never there—there isn’t even a sill to step over. When they’re closed, the massive windows bring the blue and green water and marsh views into the conversation.

In the kitchen, an expansive island that seats four serves as both a worktop and a place for casual meals. The two corners facing the front of the home are rounded and mimic the rounded rectangles in the feature wall. An inset cooking niche with side shelves, a recessed vent, marble backsplash and pot filler give this spacious room a cozy Italian cucina feel. SubZero and Wolf appliances and pantry storage are tucked away behind white door panels to the left. Two square pendant lights with half-round cutouts holding frosted glass bowls hang over the island.

The dining area is open to the kitchen and living room and is large enough to seat 10. Most of the side and back walls are home to banks of windows that nearly touch in the corner, providing unobstructed views of the creek in the back and another of the grove of live oaks to the side.

The sliding glass wall opens to an expansive outdoor kitchen

From the front of the house, you can see the long glass hall that leads to the owner’s wing. The first door to the right is an office with custom built-in cabinets and shelves painted deep black to contrast the room’s white walls and wood tones. “The homeowner wanted it to be sleek,” Guaglianone says. “It’s all about the view from his corner window looking out to the marsh and the creek. Because it’s on the owner’s side of the house and the walls are insulated, it’s very quiet and peaceful.”

Further down the hall, a slight jog takes us to the owner’s bedroom, where we get a little more of the cool California aesthetic Novella is known for. “We always try to incorporate an East Coast/West Coast blend,” Guaglianone says. “This client was perfect for that because they were so open to ideas from the professionals. JLV and Novella always gravitate toward that style because it’s clean, it’s organic, and it’s so livable for a family. Sometimes contemporary can go very cold and stark, so the blend is about warming up the home; West Coast contemporary gives you that warmth.”

Wide white oak planking underfoot makes the room feel streamlined, while natural wood ceilings and beams and high white walls add a hacienda vibe. An expansive closet eliminates the need for clothing storage in the bedroom, making way for a conversation area in front of the window with two swivel chairs with rounded backs.

Novella has a reputation for teaming up with the best architects, designers and tradespeople in the business—all of whom share a passion for innovation.

In the owner’s bathroom, the shower has white penny tile on the floor with oversize porcelain wall tiles in shades of white, blue and green with cloud-like swirls that look like a gathering storm. There is a matte black overhead rain shower, two handhelds and two wallmounted showerheads.

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The builder and design team used traditional West Coast elements in the owner’s bedroom to achieve a fresh, serene vibe.

Unusual details are part of what sets Novella’s projects apart, and the owner’s bathroom is a prime example of how Guaglianone and his creative partners think out of the box. Here, natural wood cabinets with channel cutouts instead of knobs or pulls float over the marble floor, and a formed concrete counter and double sinks run the length of the space.

A wide single mirror framed in black replaces the traditional double mirror and floats in front of a wall of vertically ridged glass. The glass admits natural light while giving the room the required privacy. The vanity space opens to a second room with board-and-batten walls, a deep soaking tub and a generous zero-entry shower. The shower has white penny tile on the floor with oversize porcelain wall tiles in shades of white, blue and green with cloud-like swirls that look like a gathering storm. There are two matte black overhead rain showers, two handhelds and two wall-mounted showerheads.

Back down the hall and up the floating stairs, we find a media room and three bedrooms. The media room, with a slider that opens to the second-story porch and killer views, is a favorite place to hang out. “This is such a fantastic room, and it has amazing custom furniture with low-level couches that piece together. On one side, you can watch TV; on the other, you can look out to marshes and creeks,” Guaglianone says. The room also has a large Andersen window slider leading to a peaceful, serene back deck, perfect for watching the sunset.

“I love how the owners really trusted us to design and build a product that is timeless and desired in Charleston,” Guaglianone says. “We feel very fortunate to have worked with such a wonderful family, and throughout the building process, we continuously strove to make sure the home plans fit their specific lifestyle and needs. We love hearing from the client that every detail of their dream home was achieved.” *

Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.

NOVELLA HOMES

234 SEVEN FARMS DR., UNIT 113

DANIEL ISLAND, SC 29492

843.709.2505

NOVELLAHOMES.COM

The elevated pool floats on concrete piers, keeping the outdoor deck accessible and visible from the living areas. There are no steps up or down from the front door to the pool.

CAREFULLY CURATED

Shelter Custom-Built Living creates a unique sanctuary for a nature-loving family

by ROBIN HOWARD / photography by HOLGER OBENAUS

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In the living room, largeformat porcelain tiles create a harmonious backdrop for an inset television and a 72inch ventless gas fireplace.

hen a local family decided to build their dream home , they knew exactly what they wanted: an environmentally friendly, tech-savvy, modern house with organic materials, abundant natural light and large-format windows to frame the incredible views. They also wanted a minimalist aesthetic and multiple spaces for their teenagers and friends to hang out.

WBuilt by Shelter Custom-Built Living with interiors by Shelter’s in-house design team, the result is unique, elegant, functional and environmentally considerate. Situated on Ralston Creek with expansive marsh views, this 7,430-square-foot, modern-style home has six bedrooms, seven full baths and a half bath, a secondary kitchen, a game room, an office, a gym and plenty of outdoor living space Shelter is known for its eco-friendly principles, and in this home, sustainable, long-lasting or recycled materials were used whenever possible. For example, the exterior is clad in white Boral siding, made from more than 70% recycled materials and resistant to rotting, cracking, splitting and termites. The metal roof has a life expectancy of 40 to 70 years—a more sustainable choice than shingles—and composite decking eliminates the need for staining, sealing and replacing wood planking at regular intervals.

Large-format Sierra Pacific windows and custom pivot doors in front and back give the home a distinctly contemporary feel. The design team suggested turf for the backyard so the homeowners don’t have to maintain a grass lawn, and almost every electronic in the home, from blinds to TVs and the pool’s temperature, can be controlled by Control4 Technology accessed by smartphone.

The home has a central structure and two wings forming an L-shape. The extensions make the house feel like it’s been added onto over time, a frequent feature of barrier island homes. The main structure has a two-story modern vernacular exterior with a columned front porch and a gabled roof. The front of the house faces the street, while the back of the home and the extensions embrace marsh and river views. Because neighbors are on either side, windows are strategically placed for privacy.

The kitchen features a hardworking bar area with a prep sink, a full-sized beverage cooler, and tall windows overlooking the marsh and river.

An open dining area is anchored by an artistic contemporary light fixture that gives the space its own definition and personality.

As we enter, we see through the main structure’s open concept living area to the marsh, river and dock house beyond the pool and lawn in the back. Though we’re inside, it feels like nature is all around—precisely what the homeowners wanted. The second thing we notice are the kind of subtle, unique details that make a home sing. “Our design team are experts in finding and sourcing unique materials,” says Jenny Butler, Shelter’s director of design. As we walk through the house, notice details such as the custom-milled slat walls, 3-D marble and slate feature walls, and the artistic lighting. And wait until you see the main staircase.

On the first floor, we find the living, kitchen and dining areas, a powder room, the primary bedroom wing, one of two laundry rooms and the game room. The kitchen, living and dining areas are open to the striking views through extra-large windows that separate interior living spaces from exterior living spaces and the pool deck.

The focal point in the living room is a wall of large-format porcelain tiles with gray and white tones and patterns that mimic marble. The wall has a centered, inset television and a left-justified 72-inch H Series corner natural gas ventless fireplace that requires no glass or screen. Two floor-toceiling windows on either side allow sunlight to flood the room at a gentle angle.

In contrast to the cool porcelain tiles, the right wall of the living and dining area has a unique, warm white oak wood slat detail, custom milled by Shelter’s in-house carpentry team, that frames the nearly ceiling-height windows that overlook the marsh and river. To the left of the fireplace, the dramatic main staircase—more on that later—sweeps up to the second floor. To the right, a light-filled hallway leads to the primary bedroom extension.

The dining area, situated horizontally between the kitchen and living room, takes advantage of the expansive views with a contemporary table that seats eight and a conversation-piece light fixture by Canadian designer Larose Guyon. Looking through the fixture from the kitchen, its overlapping metal V-shapes create an interesting diagonal pattern with the fireplace’s horizontal tiles as a backdrop.

The kitchen is actually two kitchens: a minimalist, modern front kitchen and a sleek but beautiful, hardworking back kitchen. In the front kitchen, marsh and river views take center stage while four sets of lighted natural white oak cabinets with glass doors elevate everyday table and serving ware to art. The range wall, island base and perimeter countertops are clad in a distinctive Calacatta Apuano honed marble that picks up the lighter range of whites and grays in the living room’s fireplace tiles. Quarried in Italy, the creamy white stone slabs have intense gray veining that provides enough visual energy to be interesting without detracting from the focal point—the view.

To keep the front kitchen connected with the minimalist design throughout the home, the design team chose SubZero, Wolf & Cove Designer Series paneled appliances and channel cabinets in white oak and white gloss with a sleek

linear design and no pulls. The counter-height island is wrapped in Apuano marble and provides workspace and gloss white cabinets for storage.

A bar-height extension comes off the marble counter at a right angle, creating an L-shaped island that mirrors the shape of the house. This extension uses the lower marble island for support on one side and a waterfall veneered white oak panel on the other. The higher island can seat up to four for casual meals. Over the marble island, another artful, minimalist light fixture creates the illusion that three globes of soft light are balanced on a slightly curved black steel bar.

The front kitchen has a 45-inch-wide undermount sink and a bar sink. The bar has everything needed for entertaining, including a full-size beverage and wine refrigerator and ample storage for glassware.

The back kitchen—far too sleek and functional to be called a scullery—features a 30-inch workstation sink, a steam oven, speed oven, warming drawer, dishwasher, coffee system, a third refrigerator and a Zip HydroTap that dispenses sparkling, boiling or ice-cold water.

Also on the first floor, a minimal mudroom off the garage is orderly enough to be an art gallery thanks to white and wood veneer custom cabinets that corral the family’s outdoor gear and the dog’s supplies.

Nearby, the game room, with its television, pool table and Skee-Ball Home Arcade, serves as a family hangout and multipurpose gathering room. The design team helped the homeowner choose a playful black-and-white Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, a custom Italian sofa and black-andwhite leathered Orca marble countertops. The television wall is clad in lacquered Farrow & Ball ‘Pitch Black’ grooved and curved tambour quarter-round wood slats that run from floor to ceiling.

To the right of the living room fireplace, a hallway with a 16-foot ceiling and slim black metal sconces separates

This home is a prime example of the magic that can happen when you involve the builder and designer before, or early in, the architecture process.

The game room is a multipurpose gathering and entertaining space with playful black-and-white Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, a custom sofa and a unique wood feature wall.

In the primary bathroom, the zero-entry shower has a 16foot book-matched Italian tile wall with a pattern that flows over and around the shower bench.

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The main staircase has a warm wooden slat wall that wraps on three sides and mirrors the rounded radius of the exterior wall. The handrail is custom-molded steel.

Marsh and river views outside the primary bedroom suite are all the art the room needs. Custom floating nightstands and a dramatic wooden slat wall add visual interest to the sleek interiors.

the primary bedroom wing from the rest of the home. Just before the entrance to the primary bath, the design team installed a three-dimensional slate wall. The narrow black tiles in varying lengths and widths is laid horizontally to create an intentional transition and a visual and sensory experience that lets you know you’re headed somewhere special.

As we enter the primary bedroom, the massive windows provide a verdant 180-degree marsh and river view that is nothing short of spectacular. The oversize, uncluttered square windows with black steel frames and a wood slat feature wall make the room feel like an exclusive, modern tree house. On the exterior, a custom slatted sunscreen wraps the sides and tops of windows, giving the light that enters the bedroom a dappled effect. “We wanted a comfortable and minimalist place to relax with lots of light and uninterrupted views,” the homeowner says. “We often wake up to dolphins, deer running through the marsh and bald eagles roosting on the dock house.”

Though the bedroom is all about visual calm, the design team wanted a wow-factor element that blended with the rest of the room, so they designed a fireplace wall clad in creamy Italian porcelain tiles. Overhead, a black metal hoop light fixture has a simple illuminated edge. The effect is peaceful and grounding in this streamlined room with its endless views. Flanking the bed, two simple sconces provide ambient light.

The attached bath features front and back walls and a zero-entry shower clad in 16-inch book-matched Italian tile. The white tile has undulating black and gray curves that resemble a strand of DNA or the inside texture and pattern of a geode. This luxurious room also features Scandinavian VOLA plumbing fixtures and an expansive shower with two showerheads, handhelds, body sprayers and a floating bench. The room also has two water closets with Toto toilets and double floating vanities with automated toe kick lighting.

Clotheshorses and closet lovers, you might want to sit down, because the closet is a functional revelation. As in the rest of the suite, the closet has a 16-foot ceiling with unadorned square windows set high on the wall. To maximize the functionality of the large space, the design team installed a row of 14-foot-high clothes racks above the normal-height clothes racks. Instead of having a ladder, the high racks have automated clothing lifts that lower with the push of a button. A custom island functions as a wardrobe and packing table, keeping the primary bedroom free of unnecessary furniture.

And now, let’s talk about that staircase. While most staircases are designed just to be a way to get from here to there, this home’s staircase could be described as art. “We wanted something different and unique that we hadn’t seen in Charleston,” Butler says. The curved staircase has a custom steel handrail molded to fit, natural white oak mitered stairs and a wooden slat wall that wraps on all three sides and mirrors the rounded radius of the exterior wall. The lovely light fixture is a series of glowing hoops suspended from the ceiling at different heights.

The outdoor kitchen and dining area are backed by a dramatic 63-by-107-inch large-format porcelain tile wall. The organic light fixtures are weather-resistant.

The home has a central structure with two wings that create an L-shape. The exterior is clad in eco-friendly Boral siding, which is made of 70% recycled materials.

At the top, bold brown and black Phillip Jeffries vinyl wallpaper adds warmth and ties the second floor into the house’s theme. Upstairs are two bedrooms for the kids, two guest rooms and a third-floor bedroom that also serves as an office. Design details on the second floor play off highlights from the first, including more Phillip Jeffries wallpaper with inky black swirls. Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom with a zero-entry shower and design features such as wall-mounted faucets, leathered Orca marble counters and brass accents. The second bedroom has a unique three-dimensional slate headboard wall that plays off of the shapes of the geometric hallway wallpaper and a similar three-dimensional marble focal wall in the adjoining shower.

Back downstairs and through the custom pivot door that leads to the outdoor kitchen and living room, it’s clear this family loves being in nature. With an elegant 63-by-107inch large-format porcelain tile wall and organic pendant lighting, the outdoor kitchen feels like an elegant poolside restaurant. Above the outdoor kitchen, there’s an outdoor living area on the second floor, and adjacent are two rollup garage doors that conceal an outdoor game room with a full shower. The shape of the home was intentionally designed to minimize afternoon sunlight in the back, so the L-shaped infinity pool deck is shady during the second half of the day. The pool surround was built with durable and sustainable Hartstone custom concrete pavers and NewTechWood composite decking.

This home is a prime example of the magic that can happen when you involve the builder and designer before, or early in, the architecture process. There are thousands of details to decide on and oversee outside the architect’s plans, and that’s where Shelter shines.

“We don’t do soft furnishings, but we work with the architect, so nothing is lost in design. That’s what sets us apart,” Butler says. “We like to push the envelope with what we’re doing so we don’t repeat a design. We are all about making the experience enjoyable for the client. Most are nervous in the beginning, but as they see their home come together and know it’s ahead of the curve, they’re really happy.”

Shelter is a multi-Prism award winner and one of the only builders in the Charleston area named to five of Home Builder Digest’s “best of” lists, including Best Modern Builder in 50 States. *

Robin Howard is a freelance writer in Charleston. See more of her work at robinhowardwrites.com.

ARLENE SALMON

LIKE many talented artists, Arlene Salmon has been creative since childhood, when, according to her mother’s accounts, she would only ask for crayons at Christmas. Crayons, it seems, were the gateway into a deep passion for art that led to summer art camps at the Worcester Museum of Art, and Salmon eventually went on to Moore College of Art and majored in interior design, graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. During her evenings, Salmon took oil painting classes. She started a family, and when her son was 18 months old, his curiosity became the undoing of his mother’s pursuit of painting. “He was standing beside me at the easel and grabbed a paintbrush full of paint and proceeded to put it in his mouth,” she says. “I packed my paints away and didn’t paint again until years later.”

Despite her long absence from painting, Salmon’s talents never left her. Nor did her desire to create. Still, she did not pick up a brush again until 2016, when her youngest was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma. “It was recommended that I, as a caretaker, needed to find something I loved,” she recalls. “I started taking painting classes at the Art League in Alexandria, Virginia, and somehow ended

ARLENE SALMON

up in a pastel class. My heart ignited, seeing the colorful sticks of medium. It was like being a kid again with a new box of crayons. I struggled at first but signed up for an ocean wave painting workshop and found a way to incorporate catching the light spilling through the rolling waves.”

Salmon continued to paint, and she now uses her work to raise money for lymphoma and leukemia fundraisers and donate to research for new clinicals trials. Over the past seven years, she has used the inspiration of the Lowcountry salt marshes and the intense beauty of the ocean to drive her pieces, conveying what she sees through her pastels. “When people look at my paintings, a relaxed, peaceful feeling comes over them that ends in a smile,” she says. “Seeing that makes me feel that I have done my job well interpreting what I see onto paper.”

Salmon is a member of the Pastel Society of America, and her work can be purchased through her website. A donation for every painting will be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

703.439.0621

ARLENESALMON.COM

ARLENE SALMON

JUDY WALTERS FINE ART

JUDY Walters’ impressionistic oil paintings illuminate her highly developed sense of place, light and scale. With a tendency to think big, her paintings of majestic skies, endless marshes and sparkling beaches speak to her creative sensibilities. As demand for her works have grown, so have her canvases. Her recent large-scale paintings range from 4-by-6 feet to 8-by-9 feet.

With a home studio on Daniel Island, Walters often paints en plein air from her open-air studio situated aboard her boat. She and her husband, Jack, spend much time cruising the Atlantic seaboard and the Gulf of Mexico. She takes inspiration and reference photos from the coastlines and marshes she explores along the way.

Although her expansive ambitions in art and life sprang from childhood, her upbringing occurred in a much more intimate scale—as a coal miner’s daughter from Pikeville, Kentucky. Walters and her siblings were raised on a working farm with loving parents. There she learned the value of family togetherness and appreciation for every small blessing and beautiful treasure from the land.

Today, Walters applies her fond memories to her artistic achievement. “In my art career, I am reminded about what I learned from my mother, that something lovely can always be created simply and with humble hands. As an artist, all I need

JUDY WALTERS FINE ART

is paint and my deep love of a subject,” she says.

The common thread between her childhood and her career is a deep love of art making.

Walters studied at the Florence Academy of Art and refined her skills through workshops with national and international artists. Her travels through countries in Asia, Europe and Africa honed her eye for picturesque landscapes. Those travels— specifically in Greece, France and Italy—remain her favorite art adventures. She is particularly drawn to impressionism, capturing everyday rural life and landscapes, such as those found in the works of Millet and Corot.

Walters’ artistic style is characterized by vibrant hues applied with loose, expressive brushstrokes. Her paintings mostly tell stories about nature’s ever-changing light patterns and the lovely ways atmospheric light gives form to land and water. Her paintings also celebrate the Lowcountry, where she captures subjects whose lives are shaped by both nature and historic roots.

Walters is a sought-after gallery and commissions artist. Viewing art making as a collaborative process, she works with collectors on subject, palette colors and eventual placement of the artwork. Walters shows her work at the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery in Charleston and Perspective Gallery in Mount Pleasant.

JUDY WALTERS FINE ART

606.477.0877

JUDYWALTERSFINEART.COM

REBECCA CROFT STUDIOS FINE ART

AS someone who has always been creative, Rebecca Croft might always have been fated to become an artist—but she didn’t find her way to becoming a fulltime painter until retiring from a 30-year career in event planning. Her love affair with a paintbrush, however, began long ago. “I’ve been painting for about 25 years and started taking classes when my kids were in school,” says Croft, who considers her time as an event planner, as well as her undergraduate degree in international business and master’s in business administration, to have prepared her well for the task of marketing and selling her art. “I started showing my work and selling it about five years after I started painting.”

The Daniel Island resident loves to paint landscapes— especially the marshes of the Lowcountry—but also those seen in her travels. “I’ve painted a lot of European landscapes and city scenes after visiting there,” says Croft, who grew up as an Army brat and spent 28 years in Arlington, Virginia, while she and her husband raised their children. “I’ve lived all over the United States as well as Europe, so I have a love of travel. Going to new places and seeing new cultures always inspires me. I also love to paint en plein air when I can. Really, I can paint anything—but I always gravitate back to the landscape. Maybe it’s because I love the outdoors so much.”

REBECCA CROFT STUDIOS FINE ART

Impressionistic in her work, Croft arrived at her style after initially beginning with more realistic paintings that were strict in their use of color and technique. “As I’ve grown, I’ve moved to a much looser, more impressionistic style with more vibrant colors,” she notes.

Vibrant colors are something of a signature in Croft’s work, as is the passion that spills out onto the canvas. “I love that you can interpret art any way that you want,” she says. “I literally can create whatever I want on a blank canvas. Painting allows me to escape the real world and imagine something new. I can’t think about anything else when I’m painting except the color and composition. It takes me away from all other thoughts.”

Croft is a member of the Mount Pleasant Artists Guild and the Charleston Artist Guild. Her work is represented at Perspective Gallery in Mount Pleasant and on her online Etsy store. Her work can also be seen by appointment at her home studio

STEPHEN MOSCOWITZ

FROM as early as he can remember, Stephen Moscowitz has been artistic. The son of a father who was a furrier by day and a pastel artist by night, he was given broken chalks and paper and pieces of cardboard from the launderette to use for his own masterpieces as a child. In school, his talent was noticed by teachers who encouraged him to help other students during art—though his oversight didn’t always win him fans among his peers.

As he grew older, honing his natural talent became more of a priority. By high school, he was taking two art classes a day instead of French, algebra and science, learning the techniques and mediums of both fine art as well as commercial art. Moscowitz’s proclivity toward commercial art won him scholastic art awards throughout his high school career, culminating with a scholarship to Rochester Institute of Technology’s School of Art & Design.

By college, Moscowitz lost patience with the finer points of fine art and focused on what had always been his strongest point: commercial art. After graduating from RIT, he went to work for a retail furniture company, creating ads. This opened the door to a career in commercial art, taking him to New York, where he later became an art director for the advertising company where he worked.

STEPHEN MOSCOWITZ

Still, Moscowitz had an insatiable need to keep learning. He took part-time courses at local art schools, where he was introduced to the wonders of illustration—and the success that could come from it. After getting an agent, he began taking assignments with ad agencies and publishers, eventually becoming known on a worldwide scale for his work.

The advent of computer illustrations was, unfortunately, the end of Moscowitz’s boom, but serendipity intervened and brought him a new medium: motorcycles. Beginning with his son’s motorcycle, the paintings he created on the bike’s gas tanks were a rolling advertisement for his work. Since then, he has painted hundreds of motorcycles, many of which have won awards at bike shows.

What the motorcycles proved to Moscowitz was that he could paint. And paint, he did, creating fine art pieces that depict the Lowcountry scenery and wildlife that he has fallen in love with since moving to the area. “Life is the inspiration for my work,” he says. “Something is happening, and I want to create the image.”

STEPHEN

843.540.3960

STEPHENMOSCOWITZ.COM

ART ON THE SQUARE FINE ART GALLERY

OPEN since November

2019, Art on the Square Fine Art Gallery is the Charleston area’s newest art hub, representing more than 40 award-winning local artists to offer a wide variety of paintings, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, artisanal woodwork and stained glass.

Located in Nexton Square in Summerville, South Carolina, the 2,000-square-foot gallery holds a rich abundance of pieces—all of which are incredibly unique displays of local talent.

With a collection of artists whose work offers great appeal to clients with a wide variety of interests, the pieces represent various painting styles and explore different mediums, offering the best of realism, impressionism and contemporary abstraction. The gallery’s vast assortment of art is inspiring to behold, and it’s the perfect place to find a piece that will become a cherished treasure.

Current artists include Julia Gallagher, whose painting A Pond on the Trees engages the viewer with the cool palette of a moody winter landscape. Belle Anderson’s Rocky Shore is a lively seascape depiction using

ART ON THE SQUARE FINE ART GALLERY

a palette knife to create the wonderful texture of the waves pounding on the rocks. Cathy Therrell’s photograph Alligator at Santee displays incredible detail and skill. Lastly, Felicia Neil’s unique painting Copper Smoke demonstrates an almost 3-D effect using different mediums.

Artists represented at Art on the Square are brought in through a juried process that the artist participates in after applying to join the gallery as an art associate.

MICHEL CALVET

MICHEL Calvet is a painter who views his work like a musician views an improvisation: spontaneous, passionate, raw. Using the alla prima technique in his pieces, he creates paintings with texture and movement and a sense of boldness born directly from an inspired response to a moment, a scene, a feeling. “I love the freedom to express and create that art provides,” says Calvet, who lives in Montferrand, France.

Using oil and acrylic, depending on the subject, Calvet creates paintings in styles that run the gamut, including expressive, figurative, borderline abstract and colorist. In his former life, Calvet was a musician from the age of 25, so there’s little wonder that one of his favorite subjects to paint are musicians. He also loves reinterpreting scenes of everyday life and cultural activities and conveying those moments onto the canvas in a way that is, as the artist says, musical and rhythmic. “My work evokes emotion that is happy and sometimes sad. The expressive movement observed and color used all combine to convey feeling and inspire a reaction in the viewer,” Calvet says.

The artist is a member of Indice de Cotation des Artistes Certifiés (i-CAC) and represented by Simpatico Gallery in Charleston.

SIMPATICO GALLERY

843.478.4537

SIMPATICOGALLERIES.COM

MATTHIAS LUPRI

THE need to create is something deep within Matthias Lupri’s soul. A musician for more than 30 years, that need was satisfied through composing, recording and touring. But 10 years ago, he left that world and began to explore another: one filled with color and texture and expression that comes to life on canvas.

“I have always been artistic in various ways and see the world and myself through that interesting lens,” says Lupri, who uses a palette knife and mixed media to achieve thick texture and nuance in his work. “Becoming a painter after being a musician was the most amazing, organic, natural transition.”

As a creative, Lupri naturally sees the intrinsic need that all humans have for art, in whatever form it may speak to them.

“I love the manner in which artistic human beings can dig so deep within themselves and pull things out they never could really imagine on the surface, and then relay it into an art form,” he says. “The interpretation is so beautiful and unique to every individual.”

Lupri’s works are largely abstract expressionist and nonrepresentational, bold in color, texture and strokes as well as in their symbolism or minimalism. He is represented by Simpatico Gallery in Boston and Charleston.

843.478.4537

SIMPATICOGALLERIES.COM

MITAL PATEL PHOTOGRAPHY

IT’S clear from looking at Mital Patel’s photography that he has an incredible eye and a unique sense of perspective. Patel captures his subjects in a way that leaves the viewer staring in awe at this moment—this one incredible moment—that he has forever immortalized through the lens of his camera. That is the mark of a true artist, and Patel’s talent is undeniable, from his nature photography to his fine architecture and abstract photographs.

Over the course of his career, Patel has created a name for himself as an intrepid photographer, traveling the globe to capture the incredible— and often majestic—shots that he takes. “I enjoy capturing the beauty of this world, and photography is my way to showcase it in a form of fine art,” says Patel, who only embarked on the journey of becoming a professional photographer 10 years ago.

As someone who has been creative for as long as he can remember, Patel has always been drawn to art, but photography speaks to him in a way that no other art form ever has. “I was 12 at the time I had my first camera,” says the self-taught photographer. “In the early days, my camera was always capturing and documenting family moments. Over time, my travels and learning of Ansel Adams led me down a path to landscape photography. After my first visit to Africa, I became hooked on wildlife photography. I like to see things a little different, and I work to portray that in my art.”

MITAL PATEL PHOTOGRAPHY

“Different” is what gives Patel that perspective, helps him see the shot that turns into an incredibly mesmerizing photo. He focuses on fine art photography, printing his images on museumgrade fine art paper or on Lumichrome acrylic. Within the wide scope of his work, and in all his travels across the world, Patel’s favorite subjects are larger than life. “At this time, I’d say my favorite thing to photograph has to be elephants,” he says. “They are one of the largest animals while also being graceful and gentle.”

While Patel is based in Dallas, he considers the world his studio. “I have traveled extensively around the globe, touching all but one continent,” notes Patel, who recently travelled to Antarctica for the first time. His work is represented by the Christopher Martin Gallery in Dallas, Houston, Aspen and Vail.

MARLOWE

IN his past life as a creative director of advertising, Rick Schneider’s artistic vision was a strength that he constantly played to, but he knew that he wanted to create work of his own—something that would bear his style and his name. In 2016, he began working on pieces of art that, to his great pleasure, seemed to resonate with people and capture their interest.

It took some experimentation, but Schneider eventually found his niche, using handmade papers and ephemera images from the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s to create dimensional art that literally pops from the canvas, “assembling” his work with the assistance of an X-Acto knife and superglue. “They can be anything, from trees, textures and rocks to people, just anything from that period that gives me an idea for a piece,” he says. “I love unusual, colorful items, so my work is not subtle—I’ve been told that it’s the kind of art that grabs you by the lapels, it’s so colorful and bold. Additionally, a new technique I’m experimenting with is using a base of heavily saturated dye inks and then swirling soft pastels over the image—it adds yet another level of texture, tone and depth."

What results is something that, besides being extremely colorful, is also very dynamic in its imagery. Having developed a signature style, Schneider adopted his pseudonym,

Marlowe, both because it is his middle name and it is greatly referential to the pulp fiction character Philip Marlowe. “I started out doing what I call pulp fiction art, so it seemed fitting,” says the artist.

Much like his pieces, Marlowe has more than one dimension—a fact that can be seen in the softer pieces he creates, works whose subject matter runs toward the natural rather than the fictional. And while the dichotomy of the two may be striking, they are still fully Marlowe, drenched in color and full of dimension. “I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten farther away from fantasy artwork in the past year or so, closer to nature scenery,” he says. “Where I live in North Carolina is so scenic, and local clients gravitate more toward natural settings. The dye ink and pastel enhancements I mentioned earlier have gotten a noticeably visceral response when art buyers view my newer work.”

Marlowe is represented at New Elements Gallery in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Artistic Transfer in Dallas.

MARLOWE

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THERE’S a poetry to the paintings that Jenan McClain creates, a fluidity and abstraction akin to the lines of a poem. She lets her emotions and soul guide the brush and follows the dictates of the words on her heart, both written and unwritten. And that is why her work speaks as powerfully as it does to the viewer, drawing out emotions and stories that create a personal connection to the work on the canvas.

“I realized that there is some emotional undertone in my paintings that resonates on another level with people,” says McClain. “It became apparent that my purpose is to translate healing, joy, light and hope, and that emotion has been felt by people—especially women— across the country who see my work.”

Knowing McClain’s back story and how her art evolved as the result of a period of grief and struggle during her daughter’s health crisis as a child, one can understand how her work would hold such force. Her art comes from that place of pain and fear over the unknown, that place where struggle gives way to surrender and spirituality. Having come through that dark time, there is a depth in her work that conveys so much—all without words.

Words are important to McClain, however, as she expresses herself through poetry just as she does through paint. And the two frequently go hand in hand. “Poetry is a big part of

JENAN MCCLAIN

JENAN MCCLAIN

my life and my work,” she says. Oftentimes, her paintings are named from the poetry she has written, as one inspires the other.

A relatively new artist to the professional scene, McClain studied art in school at the Fine Art Center in Greenville, South Carolina, but did not pursue it professionally. Rather, she followed a path that led her first to banking and then to luxury real estate in the Caribbean. It wasn’t until 2020 that she decided to finish her work in the Caribbean and focus her efforts completely on painting.

A self-described “intuitive” painter, McClain’s style is abstract impressionism, focused on subjects in nature that she views as abstractly maternal: florals, waterscapes and landscapes. Painting from her home studio in Mount Pleasant, she paints her poetry in both large and small scale and accepts commissions. Her work can be found at The Vendue and the Miller Gallery in Charleston, as well as at the Grand Bohemian in Greenville, South Carolina, and AnArte Gallery in San Antonio, Texas.

RICHARD FERGUSON

WHILE his previous career as the chairman of a regional bank may have required that he color inside the lines, Richard Ferguson’s lifelong creativity eventually won out, inspiring him to pick up a paintbrush once he’d left the fast-paced corporate world. “After retiring and leaving behind all of the rules and deadlines, I wanted something with freedom from deadlines, something where I could bend the rules or make my own, something to do when and how I wanted to,” he says. “On a trip through Asheville, North Carolina, years ago, I was struck by the art galleries and artists and decided to start my journey into the art world. I became a sponge, taking every online class, watching every art video and reading all the art books I could find.”

Over the past seven years, Ferguson has created a name for himself as an artist. His relationship with art is one that embraces freedom and eschews boundaries—much like it did in his childhood. “I’ve always been a doodler and loved doing art since I was young,” he says. “I was always envious of the kid in grade school with the 84-color crayon box but learned to do with my dozen. I was also constantly in trouble for drawing in my schoolbooks and on the covers.”

RICHARD FERGUSON

In school, Ferguson enjoyed mechanical drawing, which gave him a greater understanding of perspective and relationships in art. As much as he loved it, however, he majored in finance and pursued a more traditional career Now, art has become a passion for him. “For me, painting is an exciting adventure into the unknown, where I can explore, experiment, make my own rules and feel excitement as a painting takes shape,” says Ferguson, who works in oil, acrylic and Venetian plaster. “I love creating, playing with textures and throwing paint. It’s really playing and having fun. I draw on memories of unusual places I have been, things I have seen and experiences in life, from being outdoors with my family, in the military and during travels to various countries.”

Ferguson splits his time between his home in Columbus, Ohio, and Bluffton, South Carolina. He is a member of the Charleston Artist Guild and the Society of Bluffton Artists. His work is represented at the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery and the 400 West Rich gallery in Columbus. RICHARD

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HAGAN FINE ART

AS an artist and gallerist, Karen Hewitt Hagan sees change both as a fact of life and an inspiration for creativity—and she welcomes it with a sense of expectation for what it can bring to the offerings at Hagan Fine Art (HFA). With the gallery’s move to a new location at 125 Church St., that anticipation is mirrored in the fresh and exciting roster of new artist exhibitions coming up at HFA. “It’s thrilling to get glimpses into our artists’ studios and witness bits of their process as they make magic with their unique, creative spirts,” says Hagan. “I feel honored to have a gallery space that welcomes innovative creation.”

For the month of August, HFA will unveil a new type of show—one almost entirely on silk—entitled Nature’s Tapestry

by Charleston

artist

Mary Edna

Fraser As a multimedia fine artist, she creates monumental aerial perspectives of Earth in her signature medium of original batik silk hangings paired with oils. Fraser is also a well-known activist, speaker and environmental educator, which translated into creating pieces that embrace the concepts and practices of conservation and stewardship. “There’s a life force in these pieces, possibly due to the intense emotion and goodwill that is at their very core,” says Hagan. “They are special and powerful and should be experienced in person.”

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DEBRA PAYSINGER

DEBRA Paysinger’s master’s degree in biology has informed her subject matter, as she primarily paints birds, lures, sea life and rabbits—or the raddits, as she endearingly refers to them. She owns the registered trademark for the term “the raddit” and each whimsical creation is uniquely numbered within the painting.

Paysinger assigns a not-to-berepeated human name to each expressive bird she paints. These names are found on the back of each work. These striking animal portraits stand on their own yet have a grounded familiarity with the others. It’s as if Paysinger knows the personality of every raddit and bird and finds a way to let that personality shine through.

You can find Paysinger’s art in Studio 151 Fine Arts Gallery on Church Street in Charleston.

ARTS

ELLA WALTON RICHARDSON FINE ART

THIS year marks the 22nd anniversary for Ella Walton Richardson Fine Art. The gallery is housed in a 2,700-square-foot, airy and elegant historic property at 58 Broad St. in Downtown Charleston.

The gallery represents American and international painters and sculptors, including the late American artist Glenna Goodacre. Goodacre’s sculptures are prized for their convincing emotion and expressive composition. Visitors will also find fascinating works in porcelain by Anna Kasabian, etchings by renowned Charleston Renaissance artist Alfred Hutty and jewelry by Julie Vos.

Lindsay Goodwin is a treasured discovery among the next generation of fine artists. Her fascination for capturing the historical moment of interiors from Paris to Charleston reflects our human desire for romanticism in our lives and for bringing the elegance of historical splendor into our homes.

This summer the gallery welcomes painter Brad Stroman. He combines his passion for making art with his concerns for the environment by incorporating a Japanese Zen philosophy known as wabisabi. His award-winning work is exhibited in both solo and juried group exhibitions and has garnered acclaim from environmentalists and art lovers alike

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STONO GALLERY

A newcomer to the gallery scene, Stono Gallery opened in March 2023 to the art lovers of Johns Island when owner Simon Schatmeyer capitalized on his love of collecting abstract art and created a place where his passion would find its light.

“I hail from a family of artists,” he says. “My grandfather, mother, brother, sister and now my daughter are all gifted artists in some way, so I’ve literally been surrounded by art all my life. I’ve sold many works in other galleries and online, but this year I decided that I would open my own gallery and exhibit and sell my unique collection alongside some very talented local artists.” The fledgling gallery currently represents many local artists, and Schatmeyer is also working with many more since the opening.

“My gallery is different because of the unique and eclectic collection,” he says. “I am drawn to the bold and liberal use of vibrant color. I love the inherent complexity of abstract art, and what hangs on my walls is beautiful and sometimes unconventional.” These are truly original, one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect the artists’ deepest musings.”

The artists on this page, left to right: Robert LeFevre, Deborah M. Rosato and Rob Bavier.

STONO GALLERY

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KATHARINE FLANDERS

WHILE there is no distinct imagery in Katharine Flanders’ work, her abstract pieces evoke an impression of something— some scene or picture that seems just out of reach of your mind’s eye. As she uses the “magical mud” of acrylic paints on canvas, she takes inspiration from her surroundings, painting the ocean and sky with strokes that are intentional in their lack of form.

One in a long line of women on her mother’s side whose hands were forever in paint or clay, Flanders was destined to be artistic. As a child, she drew and painted—a passion that continued until she turned 18. It wasn’t until more than 40 years later, upon discovering acrylic flow painting, that Flanders returned to her love of painting. In 2021, she dedicated herself to being a professional artist, previously having held an administrative position in the family dental practice. “I love creating something beautiful,” says Flanders, who works from her home studio in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.

Flanders is a member of the Waccamaw Neck Arts Alliance and the Seacoast Artists Guild. Her work can be found on display at various art shows, and she regularly donates pieces to the Burroughs-Chapin Art Museum for use in its fundraisers.

KATHARINE FLANDERS

607.437.0526

BETSY JONES MCDONALD

CHARLESTON artist

Betsy Jones McDonald began her artistic training as a teen with watercolorist Geri Davis of Columbus, Georgia. She went on to study fine art at Columbus State University, and her eye for design was later put to work as a design manager during her years working in visual merchandising.

After moving to Columbia, South Carolina, McDonald began doing murals, which is when she realized her true love lay in largeformat painting. She’s pursued oil on canvas ever since and paints using her own custom-mixed hues. McDonald also co-owned Island Art Gallery in Pawleys Island for four years, where she continues to regularly teach color theory workshops.

These days, McDonald’s art is inspired by the marsh surrounding her Daniel Island studio. “I love the colors of the marsh and the way they change with the seasons and the tides,” she says. “Every time you look at the marsh, you see something different, and I’m fascinated by that.”

You can find her paintings exhibited at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet and Perspective Gallery in Mount Pleasant.

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EMILY WHITING FINE ART

EMILY Whiting has had a lifelong love affair with art. After graduation, the Clemson University alumna did not use the bachelor’s degree she had earned after years of study, but instead did something less “practical” and more passionate: She poured herself into pottery, clay sculpture and making handcarved and glazed tiles of Celtic and medieval themes. Her talents led first to a pottery business and then a tile business, during which time she taught art and pottery classes. Whiting’s work was presented at art fairs in Greenville, South Carolina, and shown in galleries in Greenville and Asheville, North Carolina.

Circumstances led her to change her focus, and she eventually replaced the clay under her fingernails with oil paint stains on her fingertips as she became a painter as prolific as she had been as a sculptor. Whiting’s body of work is based in realism, with subjects ranging from sea life and landscapes to portraits and literary scenes. Like any artist, she has her favorites.

“I love painting brick or stone ruins being overtaken by nature, showing the passage of time,” she says.

Whiting paints from her home studio in Adams Run, South Carolina. She is a member of the Oil Painters of America and Edisto Art Guild, and her work is represented at Stono Gallery.

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SUSAN KLAVOHN BRYANT

THOUGH Susan Klavohn

Bryant has been an artist in some respect for all of her life and majored in art education in college, it wasn’t until 2017 that she became one professionally. Previously, she had been capturing homes, landscapes, wildlife and other subjects through photography, with hopes of eventually returning to painting. Now, she balances a career in real estate with her pursuit of art, creating paintings that capture the scenery and people of the Charleston area with energy, color and emotional qualities that make her work unique.

Through the use of acrylics, oil and mixed media, Bryant paints a variety of subjects, including landscapes, still life, expressive portraiture and abstracts. Though she is still relatively new to the artist community, her undeniable talent has made her stand out, placing her in a position to help others learn to paint and inspire established artists to try new techniques or subjects. She has served as past president of the Mount Pleasant Artists Guild and is involved with the Charleston Artist Guild Pet Helpers project. She also assisted in the development of other area galleries. Her work is represented by the Charleston Artist Guild Gallery.

Bryant has a solo abstract show at Serendipity Labs located in Nexton Square. Serendipity Labs is open weekdays.

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CHARLESTON ARTIST GUILD

THE Charleston Artist Guild (CAG) was founded in 1953 by a small group of local artists, including Anne Worsham Richardson, Alfred Heber Hutty and Elizabeth O’Neill Verner—all of whom sought a way to display their works, network with other artists and become more involved in the community.

More than 70 years later, CAG has approximately 700 members and operates the CAG Gallery, where more than 70 of the Lowcountry’s most well-respected artists display and sell their work. In 2022, the gallery was again voted the Lowcountry’s Best Art Gallery, boosting its reputation as Charleston’s premier gallery for high-quality, diverse local art that represents a wide range of mediums and styles.

A nonprofit organization, CAG fulfills the vision of its founders and members by hosting annual community outreach programs for youth, residents of area Alzheimer’s care facilities and other partner organizations. It has also become a family to its members, giving them a place of support and learning.

New artists are juried into the gallery twice annually, and educational programs, critiques and other artistic development opportunities are held throughout the year. The gallery is open daily at 160 East Bay St., from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

CHARLESTON ARTIST GUILD

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HELLI LUCK FINE ART

WHEN Londoner Helli Luck picked up her first paintbrush at 5 years old, she knew that she wanted to be an artist—and that dream carried her through to making it a reality. Winning her first award at 12, she went on to have her work displayed in the Mall Galleries in London and did a campaign with Pall Mall before traveling to Europe.

Luck went on to work as an art director with Saatchi and Saatchi, a job that took her all over the world, giving her a unique opportunity to see new cultures and artistic expression in a more global way.

Luck’s travels have provided her with a range of captivating subjects, inspiring her to paint her surroundings. She also has the desire to capture the passage of light through a scene and conjure the feeling it created in that moment. “I love to try and evoke an impression, leaving room for the viewer to feel the emotion,” Luck says.

The artist is drawn to the rich texture of oils, starting with a loose, thin sketch that resembles watercolor before building up to thicker paint. Now living in Pawleys Island, she paints the local scenery and wildlife.

Luck’s work is represented at Perspective Gallery in Mount Pleasant, Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, Wynsum Antiques & Interiors in Charleston and Stellers Gallery in Jacksonville, Florida.

KATHY CLARK

THE Charleston Lowcountry and its history have played an important role in Kathy Clark’s life and art. She often focuses on landscapes that reflect enduring feelings for the place she calls home.

“Having spent my entire life living on the islands of Charleston has definitely influenced my appreciation for history and the ever-changing tidal creeks, marshes, rivers and ocean,” Clark says. “For me, translating these visions on paper or canvas has been one of the most satisfying ways of expressing myself.”

Clark’s artistic abilities have developed from a number of sources, including studies with the Gibbes Museum of Art. More recent studies have explored palette knife painting with James Pratt, an artist from New Zealand, and figure drawing with Karen Vecchioni.

Clark’s work is a combination of impressionism with a touch of realism. She does not follow any defined approach. It is derived from a confluence of varied sources of inspiration. She connects with the subject and brings out the beauty of its meaning.

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DENNIS FULBRIGHT

WHILE he may have followed a more traditional path with his career as a landscape architect, Dennis Fulbright never abandoned his love of art or his desire to paint. In his professional life, he used his artistic skill to bring vivacity and color to the renderings of his projects, painting landscapes and architecture with technique and attention to detail. After retiring in 2015, he turned a greater focus to transparent watercolor and entered many juried shows in South Carolina and Georgia for which he won awards. He has been featured at the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition three times thus far and will be at the 2024 event.

With a style that seems to blur the line between impressionism and realism, Fulbright depicts landscapes and seascapes with manmade objects incorporated to “help develop scale and mood.” His medium of choice, transparent watercolor, is one that creates a much different effect than oils or acrylics.

“Transparent watercolor is the application of layers or glazes of watercolor pigments onto paper in a manner that allows light to penetrate through these layers and reflect back through the pigments, giving the color brilliance and luminosity.”

Fulbright works from his home studios in Charleston and Cleveland, South Carolina, and his work may be found online on his website.

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GD WHALEN PHOTOGRAPHY

AS a child, Gary Whalen fell in love with photography, taking photos with his Kodak Instamatic camera and finding magic through the lens. In college, he took photography classes and had a darkroom in his bathroom.

Despite his passion for the craft, he did not pursue it professionally but instead followed his athletic acumen onto the professional tennis circuit and owned a tennis club in Florida. It was not until his later years that Whalen turned his focus to photography, working in various formats, including largeformat film, medium-format film, 35mm film, medium-format digital and FF digital.

Utilizing light and shadow much the way Rembrandt did in his paintings, Whalen tends to be very classical in his style, capturing sharp images and employing little, if any, Photoshop work with his animals and landscapes. “I used to do a lot of portrait and fashion work,” he says.

Whalen utilizes the lighting skills he learned as a fashion and portrait photographer in his landscape and animal work. His work leaves viewers with a sense that they are seeing something unfold, candidly part of a moment that they might not otherwise experience. “I shoot my nature work as if I am taking a portrait of whatever the subject is,” he says.

Whalen is a member of NANPA and PPA as well as a Nikon NPS member. He is presently participating in art festivals all over the South and has a complete online store on his website.

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AVERY KELLY ART

AVERY Kelly’s paintings and relief prints reflect her love of nature and animals and her joy in art making. She has a Master of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. “I love working with paint in various ways,” says the Fort Worth artist. “I do a lot of birds and animals we have here in Texas, such as roadrunners, foxes, deer and burrowing owls.”

Her oil paintings are colorful and vibrant, showing animals in their natural settings, as well as landscapes, such as coastal images of water and sky. Picture a roadrunner on alert, a fox staring at you from the forest’s edge, a deer in a serene aspen stand. Kelly’s other artistic medium is relief printmaking, also of animals and landscapes. Inspired by her love of the contrasts in Pueblo pottery, the prints are black-and-white images made from linocuts and hand pulled through a printing press. Another area of investigation for Kelly is whimsical, small-scale acrylic paintings that convey a storybook feeling. She also does commissions, including pets, landscapes and other naturebased subject matter inspired by a client’s ideas. Capturing a sense of expression and character in animal portraits is something she particularly enjoys. Notecards with images of Kelly’s work are also available.

CHARLESTON STYLE & DESIGN

PHOTO BY RYERSON DESMOND