charleston
charlestonhomemag.com
® Spring/Summer 2010
Edisto Island: Restoring an 18th-century plantation A Lowcountry-style lobster bake
cooking • decorating • gardening • nesting
fresh start
Get the Recipes! { special section }
The 2010 Symphony Designer Showhouse
50+
Before & After Contest See the Winners!
USA $4.95
smart ideas to steal
{ contents } b r i e
w i l l i a m s
spring/summer 2010
16
54 BEFORE & AFTER CONTEST
Everyday Homeowners, Big Results! Meet the winners of Charleston Home’s first-ever renovation contest, their dramatic revamps favored by our judges for style, function, and ingenuity photographs by Julia Lynn
BAKE, 60 LOBSTER LOWCOUNTRY STYLE
Steal These Secrets: A downtown couple brings New England’s warm-weather staple to their Rutledge Avenue backyard by Mary Matthews • photographs by Squire Fox
68 15 Fresh Ideas
presents the
2010 sYMPhonY
designer showhouse 120 South Battery St. & 54 Gibbes St.
March 18 - april 18
k
concrete countertops, & more
page
18 Hot home hues for 2010 19 Load up on local flowers with
77
Southern Bouquets
23 Home Front
50
clever design ideas
Jane Larkin Miller
f o x s q u i r e
49
36 The Dish Food editor Heather Garvin cooks up colorful helpings of gardengrown veggies
45 One-Room Revamp:
Outfit your home office
430-square-foot dwelling
49 Small Spaces: New life for a
4
| CHARLESTON
HOME
| 77
SPECIAL SECTION
The 2010 Symphony Designer Showhouse • 2 historic downtown dwellings • 9 talented interior designers • 50+ clever decorating ideas • Loads of local resources
In Every Issue w i l l i a m s
45 Homeowners’ Notebook
SPRING/SUMMER 2010
6 On the Web 10 Editor’s Note 92 Resources 100 Real Estate Marketplace 102 Accents 104 Last Say
Cover photograph by Julia Lynn
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Sunday: 1-4 p.m. (closed Easter) • Tickets: $20; $15 advance • (843) 723-0020 • www.csolinc.org w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
b r i e
staff favorite
Design by Evon Kirkland Interiors (see page 82). Photograph by Julia Lynn
More than
Your must-read guide for shopping, gardening, and decorating locally
24 Market report 26 Bargains & best bets 28 Do-It-Yourself: Upholster a chair 30 Dig It: Knock Out Roses 32 10 Minutes With: Fabric expert
{ special section }
60
15 Create a pots & pans pegboard 16 Seagrass pendant lights, faux
Inside Edisto Island’s storied Prospect Hill plantation
by Melissa Bigner photographs by Brie Williams
The charlesTon symphony orchesTra league, inc.
Seasonally inspired tips for house and home
staff favorite
RESURRECTION
{ on the web} www.charlestonhomemag.com
April
n Decorate with Color (& Confidence!) Ten tips to brighten your abode n How Does Your Garden Grow? A roundup of our best growing tips from local experts—from soil selection to creative container garden ideas
July & August
we want to hear from you!
web
charlestonhomemag.com
Tell us what you’re doing in your home—we’d love to hear your ideas! Click on our At-Home Editor link on our website to send us your best recipes, household tips, makeover projects, questions, and photos.
6
| CHARLESTON
HOME
f r a n k p e t e r &
n Local interiors she’s scouting for upcoming issues n Easy at-home projects and favorite recipes n An inside look at area design events, plus highlights from interviews with top local tastemakers n And much, much more!
w i l l i a m s
Editor Ellen McGauley brings you inside the Charleston design scene at charlestonhomemag.com/blog, with a first look at:
B r i e
Plus: Charleston Home’s “On the House” Blog
e d w a r d s
n Photo Gallery: Living on the Water Escape to the marsh, beach, or tidal creek with views from some of our favorite waterfront dwellings n Fresh-Caught Fish! How do you cook up the day’s catch? Check out rave-worthy recipes and entertaining ideas for your next fresh-offthe-boat bash
b y
n Ode to Mom Which tasks rank highest on your domestic bliss list? Lowcountry moms weigh in on their happiest household tasks n The Best Father’s Day Recipes Browse dishes Dad will love, from babyback ribs and baked grits to steamed crabs and warm blackberry cobbler
p h o t o g r a p h s
May & June
charleston Creative Staff
Editor Ellen McGauley Art Director Melinda Smith Monk Associate Art Director Julie Wood Lead Designer Ivy C. Deitch Publisher Jed Drew Editor-In-Chief Darcy Shankland Senior Editor Melissa Bigner Style Editor Ayoka Lucas Staff Editors Anna Evans & Lauren Brooks Johnson Assistant Art Director Camilla Nilsson
•
CONTRIBUTING Editors
Mitchell Crosby & Stephanie Hunt
•
FOOD Editor
Heather Garvin
•
Senior Account Executives Elayne H. Cason, Gene Crim, Denise Janove, & Amy Lovette Advertising Art Director Zach Norris Traffic Manager/Sales Assistant Kathryn J. Aydlett
•
Director of Marketing & Circulation Misty Lister Johnson Special Events Naomi Russell Distribution Coordinator Larry F. James, Jr. Circulation Assistant Helen Knight
•
Financial Manager Pamela Robinson Subscriptions & Office Manager Jacqueline Hicks
•
Web Director Rory Johnson Web Developer Cole Palmer Systems Administrator Thomas Fussell
•
INTERNS
Editorial: Emaly Standridge Art: Theresa D’Alessandro, Kelly Bozard, Ann Catherine Campbell, Jeremy Darby, Rae Fenice, Elizabeth Gouldon, Megan Green, Johara Landham, Isa Salazar, & Louisa Sperr Style: Allie Ellis, Gaynell Galt, & Sarah Koval Marketing: Kaley Connelly, Karen Peters, & Whitney Tackett Production: Stephanie Drum Sales: Brooke Truxillo Web: Rachel Cope charleston home is published two times per year by DEZ Inc., d/b/a GulfStream Communications, 782 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Ste. C, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464. Buy a copy: charleston home is sold on local newsstands (go to charlestonhomemag.com and click on “newsstands” for locations), or order by calling (843) 971-9811. Send comments: We welcome your letters. Send to charleston home, P.O. Box 1794, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465-1794, or reach us via the web at charlestonhomemag.com. Names and e-mail addresses of individual staff members are found on the “Contact Us” page. Writing Opportunities: We are always willing to consider freelance writers and article ideas. Please send queries and/or suggestions to Ellen McGauley, Editor, charleston home, P.O. Box 1794, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465-1794 or by e-mail to emcgauley@charlestonmag.com.
8
| C harlest o n
h o me
{ editor’s note }
At Ease Puttering around the house is a great way to usher in a new season
P
erfect timing. As the shock of economic melée mellows, the c a m p b e l l
return of warmer weather lets us all exhale a little, and the urge to slow down, look around, and get centered spreads like a thaw. On my end, that manifests best on obligation-free weekends,
C a t h e r i n e
when I fling open my windows, get a good Law & Order mara-
thon going in the background, and spruce and style my way to a spring-ready
A n n
house. I’m lucky I get a jumpstart, too, via my job, where I get to meet people who exude a sense of ease and contentment in their own homes (big or small, terrifically furnished or works in progress). Soaking up a bit of their domestic bliss is bliss itself.
Visit editor Ellen McGauley’s blog, “On the House,” at charlestonhomemag.com/blog.
Meeting Susan Ford at Prospect Hill Plantation was like that (“Resurrection,” page 68). In the time I’ve spent there scouting and shooting (my first visit was four years ago, back when Susan was still nursing the once-forgotten house back to health), I noted a refreshing simplicity about her days—whether sorting out tractor difficulties or fixing an afternoon cup of tea. There was a grace about it e r c h e s t
all that hinted that home was Susan’s reset button, too. Heck, I don’t even live there and it worked as mine—which is saying something considering my most
c a m i l l a
n i l s s o n
n k r i s t a
recent visit was on a frigid, mid-winter photo shoot, with icy breezes coming
(Top) Photographer Squire Fox shoots a Lowcountry-style lobster bake on Rutledge Avenue (page 60). (Above) Charleston Home wins Gold for Best Magazine Design at the 2010 Charleston Addy Awards.
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| CHARLESTON
HOME
in off the marsh. Nevertheless, Susan and her home stayed with me, warm and inviting with the kind of mystique that makes me want to detour whenever I head south on 17 towards Edisto. I hope you catch that same mix of mellow-meets-motivation as you browse these pages and revel in it in your own home. Ellen McGauley editor, Charleston Home emcgauley@charlestonmag.com
Seasonally inspired tips for house and home
1
idea Peg Your Pots & Pans Cut down on kitchen clutter by installing a standard-issue pegboard. Painted in a favorite hue, it’s a clever way to let stylish cookware take center stage—without taking over your kitchen. (Turn the page for
b r i e
w i l l i a m s
( 2 )
the homeowner how-to.)
w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
spring/summer 2010
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ideas
Stuff 2 Smart Chic & sensible
idea
Seagrass and jute pendant light Trendsetting designer Jamie Young brings coastal classic looks into the limelight with these natural fiber shades. Candelabra, price upon request
Peg Your Pots & Pans (cont’d. from page 15)
and, using a level, mark the wall with a pencil along the bottom and top of pegboard. Set aside. Measure 4 inches up from the bottom mark and 4 inches below the top mark and note on wall.
3. Using a level and four 2-inch screws, drill white wood boards horizontally to the
Eco-friendly resurfacing mix Deco-Poz is a DIY alternative to expensive counter upgrades. Apply to dated linoleum (or drab fireplaces, unsightly desktops, etc.) for a sturdy—and striking— home improvement. Available at DwellSmart
wall at the new marks. (Be sure at least Online Extra!
two screws per board are in wall studs.)
4. Drill the pegboard onto the support boards with the six 1-inch screws and wash-
web
charlestonhomemag.com
Check out DwellSmart’s how-to at Youtube.com/user/ DwellSmart.com
s t . a n n
ers. Insert hooks and hang pots and pans.
q u e e n
Faux concrete countertops
2 5
2. Hold pegboard in desired location
a t
Allow to dry and paint second coat.
l o c a t i o n
pieces), and washers for six 1-inch screws.
o n
8-foot white wood board (cut in two 4-foot
but not so good at babysitting? Try this workaround: Fill empty window boxes with planted pots that you rotate in and out according to what’s seasonal or in bloom. To really cheat, just buy pretty, pre-potted specimens from a nursery.
s h o t
forated hardboard (pegboard), one 1 x 3 x
c a m p b e l l ;
Spray Paint, paint one tempered and per-
c a t h e r i n e
1. Using Rust-Oleum Farm Equipment
Low-maintenance window boxes Want a lush window garden
e l i z a b e t h
Pegboard Project
g o u l d o n
The idea for this pegboard came from Queen Street resident Matthew McLaughlin, whose carriage house is rife with smart ideas. Give yourself about an hour (excluding paint drying time) and you’ll have a system just as smart as his.
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home
ideas
Your Palette 3 Refresh Time to put on your summer shades
idea
why we love ’em: Seaside colors that exude sophistication? How Charleston can you get?
Turquois e
Pink Champagne PANTONE 12-1107
Tomato Purée
Violet
PANTONE 18-1661
PANTONE 16-3320
Aurora
Amparo Blue
Fusion Coral
PANTONE 12-0642
PANTONE 18-3945
PANTONE 16-1543
a n n
c a t h e r i n e
c a m p b e l l
PANTON E 15-5519
“Turquoise represents an escape to many–taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.” —Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute® on the company’s 2010 color of the year
Pantone What? Known internationally as the world’s foremost expert in color trends and color cataloguing and used in industries as widespread as fashion, plastic, weddings, paint, digital technology, and more, Pantone’s role in your home can be tenfold. First, referring to its immense color chip cache helps you speak the same language as those working on your house. A great tool if, say, you live here and are building or designing a house there. In that case, you and your builder, painter, interior designer, muralist, or whomever can point to your preferred Pantone color to pair it with your dream wallpaper, wood stain, countertop finish, and on. Paint stores can match Pantone chips and fabric can be dyed to suit, too. And since the company is recognized internationally as the definitive color expert, their trend reports (what’s hot in the industries mentioned above) are spot-on indicators of where design is moving. Neat stuff, all around.
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For more on Pantone and to order color chips and fans, call (866) 726-8663 or visit pantone.com.
{ editor's pick }
Right In Our
Own Backyard
p h o t o g r a p h s
b y
e l i z a b e t h
g o u l d o n
A
pure and simple approach to showing off local flowers? We’ll take it. Southern Bouquets, penned and art directed by senior editor Melissa Bigner with Charleston floral designer Heather Barrie, delivers quick, easy-tounderstand bloom basics for many of the South’s beloved blossoms. Not one for fuss, Barrie brings the art of arranging back down to its simple, soil-dusted roots with fresh-from-the garden displays (created with fodder from Lowcountry gardens and plantations). Each chapter comes with a charming “Southern Story,” which Bigner relays with her signature overthe-back-fence candor. A legendary hydrangea queen in Atlanta, a makeshift azalea stand in Alabama—these accounts make Southern Bouquets a near-even split between charming eye candy and darn good reading. ($24.99, April 2010, Gibbs-Smith)
spring/summer 2010
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ome front
your must-read guide for shopping, decorating, and gardening locally
{ spring/summer}
24 k 26 k 28 k 30 k 32 k
Market Report Bargains & Best Bets Mini-Makeover Dig It 10 Minutes With
Re-upholster a chair See page 28
p h o t o g r a p h
b y
r a e
f e n i c e
LEARN HOW!
w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
spring/summer 2010
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home front Shop Smart
Market Report Spring and summer introductions by area craftsmen play up pretty forms and fun florals
Mirror, Mirror Charleston Architectural Glass debuts the Ava Mirror, with its curvy frame and light antique finish. $975, charlestonarchitecturalglass.com
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b y
Just Your Cup of Tea Slim stems of floral finery wind their way up these hand-crafted tumblers from Summerville’s Silver Pail Pottery. $21 each at Seeking Indigo
p h o t o g r a p h s
New Life This restored Basketweave Rocker from Mulberry Street—a furniture search-and-rescue outfit specializing in vintage metal pieces—has all the markings of its retro roots, including simple, curved construction. $325 at mulberrystreetonline.com
a n n
c a t h e r i n e
c a m p b e l l
( 2 )
&
e l i z a b e t h
g o u l d o n
( 1 )
Eden Redux This digitally assembled collage is a mix of acrylic paintings by artist Sally Bennett, known for her bright color blendings. $240 at Lesesne
home front Shop Smart
Bargains & Best Bets Northern Exposure New York-based interior designer (and shameless Charleston admirer) Eric Cohler descends on the Lowcountry this spring for a pair of events. First, hear him speak at the Charleston International Antiques Show’s annual Luncheon Lecture, Friday, March 19, at 11:30 a.m. (See page 92 for ticket information.) Then, on Thursday, March 25, from 5-8 p.m., catch Cohler at Circa Lighting’s
Eric Cohler
King Street showroom as part of the company’s “Meet the
Find the Goods Seat Yourself
S
taci Ranew of Imagine Interiors in Mount Pleasant has developed a private-label upholstered furniture line, offered to retail and trade customers alike. The seating collection includes everything from side chairs to settees, all made with solid wood frames with spring and down cushions. The line is made in Atlanta, where Ranew ran a shop before opening at her current spot in I’On. Keep an eye out for Imagine’s upcoming line of chandeliers and area rugs, handcrafted by South African artisans. 353 N. Shelmore Blvd., Mt. Pleasant; (843) 352-4010
Designers” event (more industry
Strike a Deal Seeking second-hand goods on the cheap? The Lowcountry is full of secret stashes, but hiding in plain sight at Mount Pleasant’s Fabric Emporium are a dozen or more furniture castoffs, including everything from leggy Chippendale-style sofas to sturdy wingback chairs. Prices start at $200; nab discounts with in-house re-upholstering. Wando Crossing Shopping Center, Mt. Pleasant; (843) 216-0008
heavyweights like Suzanne Kasler and
Trade Up (for a Good Cause)
Alexa Hampton will appear at Circa’s
From April 8-May 10, comfort giant
other Southeastern showrooms). Circa
La-Z-Boy Galleries will take your old
Lighting, 426 King St., (843) 937-5990,
Money Savers!
furniture and give you credit toward a
circalighting.com
new chair or sofa. Don’t have an oldie to
Geige double lamp
trade in? Cash donations of $25 or more
stay for free) and the Lowcountry Food Bank. In the three years since inception of its trade-in program, La-Z-Boy Galleries has raised more than $5,000 for local outreach programs and donated more than 200 pieces of furniture. m o o r e
7671 Northwoods Blvd., North Charleston; (843) 553-8070
Hit the Road
r e e s e
If hand-hewn trappings are just your style, head to HandMade: The Western North Carolina Craft,
Open Door Policy: Don’t miss the Spring Design Walk Thursday, April 15, 5-8 p.m., when shops from Calhoun Street north to Spring Street keep doors open late for shopping, wine, and nibbles. 26
| Charleston
home
Architecture & Design Expo in Asheville, June 25-26 at the North Carolina Arboretum. HandMade features scores of custom-designed rooms created especially for the event, each one filled with artisan decor from pottery to lighting, furniture, and more. handmadeinamerica.org
C r a f t ,
Society’s Calhoun Street Hope Lodge (where patients can
W e s t e r n N o r t h C a r o l i n a a n d D e s i g n E x p o
into the community, primarily to the American Cancer
A r c h i t e c t u r e
are also accepted. Contributions of both kinds cycle back
Get Cooking
C
Water Wizard
C
k i n g s t r e e t c o m p a n y
k i t c h e n
harleston has more than its share of cooking classes for a city its size, but score a particularly good deal at King Street Kitchen Company. Every third Wednesday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m., guest chefs like Jimi Hatt of Guerilla Cuisine and Frank Lee of S.N.O.B. whip up a selection of small plates with wine pairings there for just $20 per ticket. (Six-ticket King Street Kitchen Company bundles cost $90). The best part? All proceeds go to local charity Louie’s Kids, which encourages healthy eating habits and regular exercise for children. (843) 408-0543; kingstreetkitchencompany.com
harleston-based tech outfit OneZone Solutions released an intelligent irrigation system that boasts a “brain,” which keeps an eye on your water bill. Designed for residential use, the nifty system assesses rainfall, temperature, humidity, and wind before dispensing water and can cut waste by up to 40 percent. Like the sound of that? They’ve got many more energy-saving gadgets for indoors and out, including indoor climate monitors and lighting controls. onezonesolutions.com
Control your irrigation system online via OneZone Solutions.
Inside Look
V
H i s t o r i c c h a r l e s t o n
f o u n d a t i o n
isit charlestonmag.com/home/ events for a full list of spring and summer home events, including annual house and garden tours. Of note: Historic Charleston Foundation’s downtown tours (March and April) and the annual Garden and Art Tour of historic Old Village residences (April).
Hit the historic neighborhoods while gardens are abloom.
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Spring/Summer 2010
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home front Mini-Makeover
Easy Proj ect! You will need:
Sit Pretty
• Flat-head screwdriver • Needle-nose pliers • 4 yds. fabric • Scissors • Straight pins • Staple gun • Gimp • Glue gun
T Before
hese days getting your craft on and stretching style dollars has gone mainstream. And nowhere does it make more sense than in your home. Love an old hand-me-down chair or a vintage thrift-store find, but not so wild about its fabric? Easy fix, says Pamela Pamela Bowen Bowen, the self-taught owner of Meg and Me Upholstery. Find your dream fabric, she says, set aside a few “here and there” free-time hours, and get set for a can-do upholstery re-do. Not only will the end result breathe new life into your old find, it will also inject verve wherever you decide to showcase the chair. All that payoff for a few pennies—we like!
Allow Room for Error Cut your new fabric pieces an inch larger than the old fabric pieces to allow for mistakes. Trim excess off once the new fabric has been affixed to the chair.
New Finish Remove old fabric before touching up or painting your chair frame.
STEP 1:
Use a flat-head screwdriver and needle-nose pliers to remove the old fabric and any staples or nails. Don’t rip or discard the old fabric; this will become your pattern. Leave cushioning in place.
STEP 2:
Spread your new fabric out flat. (We used Albemarle Capri by Beacon Hill through Robert Allen Design.) Overlay your old fabric atop the new so the grains from both are going in the same direction. Pin the old fabric in place.
STEP 3:
Cut the new fabric in pieces that match the old.
STEP 6:
To hide stapling work, glue a gimp (or flat trim) border around the edges of the fabric. Begin at the exterior back and use a hot glue gun to adhere gimp until chair is fully trimmed.
28
| Charleston
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What do you need made over? Send us your “before” photo of an old chair, tired lamp, or threadbare sofa. We’ll pick one and work some magic! Visit charlestonhomemag.com and click on the At-Home Editor link to submit.
r a e
Staple between the initial points, pulling the fabric taut as you go. (Tip: If you encounter stubborn fabric, move on and come back to that spot later.)
Wrinkle Remover The more curvaceous the corner, the more you have to pull the fabric to fit. With extreme curves, it may be necessary to fold or pleat the fabric before you staple it in place.
b y
STEP 5:
?
p h o t o g r a p h s
Start with the interior chair back and place the new fabric in position on the cushioning. Pull fabric taut and staple four times in a “T” pattern, starting with one staple at the top, and then bottom and one in each side. Place remaining fabric pieces on chair, staple, and repeat until chair is roughly covered.
f e n i c e
STEP 4:
home front Dig It {
genus:
Rosa
family:
Rosaceae }
Knock Out Roses
Petite, abundantly flowering Knock Outs are the equivalent of roses for dummies
Knock Out bud
{ Double
}
Knock Out }
At a Glance
Cultivar: Knock Out Hybridized/Introduced: 1999 Zones: 4 -9
(winter hardy to zone 5) Shape: Compact shrub (3 x 3 feet) Bloom Size: 3 inches across
Varieties:
•Knock Out Rose (red) •Double Knock Out Rose (red) •Pink Knock Out Rose •Pink Double Knock Out Rose •Rainbow Knock Out Rose (pink and yellow) •Blushing Knock Out Rose •Sunny Knock Out Rose (yellow)
{ Sunny 30
| Charleston
home
Bloom, Repeat Knock Outs flower every five to six weeks.
Knock Out }
Tips
Plant in a sunny spot in the spring, once the ground has thawed. Cover the lower few inches (where the branches stem out from the rose’s base) with dirt and mulch. Trim judiciously once established, coaxing into your ideal shape and size (never to below a foot tall). Remove excess mulch once temperatures warm consistently. Water at its base (not on its leaves) to avoid mildew. But keep in mind Knock Outs are drought tolerant and thus don’t need babysitting; ideally soil is well-drained and moist, but not drenched. Cover roots with mulch again in the winter. —Melissa Bigner
R e g e l i n
{ Pink
E r i c a
Knock Out }
b y
Sneak a Peek! Want to see Knock Outs up close and personal? Explore West Ashley’s South Windermere Shopping Center, as they’ve recently planted Knock Outs throughout the beds.
{ Pink
i l l u s t r a t i o n s
R
oses get a bum rap. They’ve been dubbed temperamental, tough to grow, disease- and pestprone, occasionally fragile—all that low-maintenance gardeners want to avoid. But Knock Outs, cultivated by Wisconsin botanist William Radler and released commercially in 1999, are everything but. Hardy, self-pruning, both cold- and heattolerant, veritably drought-resistant, they even thrive on benign neglect. Early versions, like the original red cultivar, burst forth in layers of single blooms, while later iterations have multi-rows. The best part? Many bloom from March right through to December.
w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
spring/summer 2010
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home front 10 Minutes With
Jane Larkin Miller
J
ane Larkin Miller is quick to tell you that interior decorating is a people business. “I’ve learned how to work with people, and how not to work with them,” she says, sitting at the dining table of her light-filled Montagu Street home. “If you can earn your client’s trust, the rest falls into place.” That fundamental lesson wasn’t driven home by way of showrooms or design school but, quite appropriately, from a mentor. She met Mrs. Brunschwig—yes, that Mrs. Brunschwig—as an eager 19-year-old do-anything, learn-everything assistant for the
Words To Live By What’s the most important element when designing a house? Flow. I like creating spaces that are calming and inviting, so there has to be a harmonious flow between palettes and patterns.
! Expert Advice “There’s something to be said for restraint,” says Miller. “Simplicity can be elegant and vice versa. Clutter is out!”
(Top to bottom) In town in the 1980s to design a fabric collection for the Historic Charleston Foundation, Miller (right) visits with the group’s then-licensing director Cornelia Pelzer; at Carleton V Fabrics in late 1990s; embroiderers in China work on one of Miller’s designs for Schumacher in 2000 32
| Charleston
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international textile matriarch at then up-and-coming fabrics outfit Brunschwig & Fils. Miller worked there for nearly two decades, during which time the Connecticut native fell under the Lowcountry’s spell while designing a Charleston-inspired collection. Miller also completed a stint with Marion Morgan at McMillen Inc., one of New York’s oldest, most esteemed design firms (with clients like Henry Ford and Marjorie Merriweather Post), and spent time abroad, including nine months to open a furniture showroom in Shanghai. A noted lecturer and consummate interior designer, she now works with select clients from Boston to Palm Beach to the island of Mustique. As for her spontaneous move to Charleston two years ago? “You can’t go wrong living in the most beautiful small city in the U.S.,” she says. —Stephanie Hunt
What’s the biggest lesson you learned from Mrs. Brunschwig? Obviously I learned the fundamentals of decorating, but mostly I learned the value of good mentors. She imparted so much knowledge to me. The care with which she did it and the opportunities she gave me to use what I learned were truly empowering. She was an extraordinary woman. Where do you begin when working with a client? I listen. You have to really understand what a client wants from you. I don’t want to replicate another style or impart my own; my goal is to help my client create his or her own style. Any secret tricks? Mirrors are wonderful! A mirror adds dimension to a room. I once used a large convex mirror over an off-center fireplace, and the mirror magically brought the rest of the room in. Also, the right lighting is a big trick. If a room isn’t well-lit, it can be a disaster. I love repeating dramatic fixtures down a hallway allée.
p h o t o g r a p h ( 1 ) b y a n n c a t h e r i n e c a m p b e l l , p h o t o g r a p h s ( 3 ) c o u r t e s y o f j a n e l a r k i n m i l l e r
Bold colors: yea or nay? I’m a color girl. I love vivid hues—I used red toile upholstery on the bedroom walls of my last house. Again, though, it’s all about choosing colors that aren’t jarring but flow together.
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SPRING / SUMMER 2 0 1 0
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{ the dish } Photographs by Christopher Shane
Asparagus & Spring Onion Pizza Buttermilk Fried Okra
Can substitute equal amount of toasted sesame oil for tahini if desired for similar results.
Farm to Table
Heather prepares a panini-style sandwich stacked with zucchini, peppers, goat cheese, and pesto. 36
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Grilled Zucchini Sandwich Recipe on page 38
a t
Cook's note
s i e m a t i c
Orange-Sesame Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Shrimp
l o c a t i o n
S
ince my husband and I bought our first home a few years ago, we’ve spent tireless afternoons from March to August toiling away in the dirt, growing everything from lettuce to corn, determined to be as self-sustainable as possible. We’ve had our fair share of deadbeats and overly laborious plantings (notably, the Great Cucumber Takeover of 2006) and now find ourselves opting for reliable uprights like peppers and okra, and trailing vine such as zucchini and crookneck squash—all of which do splendidly in home gardens. (cont’d on page 38)
Grilled Zucchini Sandwich
o n
Food editor Heather Garvin looks to her own backyard harvest to dress up warm-weather menus
S h o t
Garden Variety
Veggie Favorites
Asparagus & Spring Onion Pizza {S
e rv e s
3-4}
Purchased fresh, raw pizza dough 2
1/2
Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbs. chopped fresh chives 1 Tbs. freshly grated parmesan 2 garlic cloves, crushed Pinch of salt & crushed red pepper flakes For the TOPPING: 2 cups (1/2 lb.) fontina cheese, shredded 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella 1/2 cup ricotta 1/2 bunch asparagus 4-5 green onions, thinly sliced Salt and black pepper, to taste
Preheat oven to 400째F. Roll pizza dough out to a 10 x 15-inch rectangle at 1/4-inch thickness. Transfer to a lightly greased sheet pan. Combine next five ingredients together and brush evenly over pizza dough. Spread fontina cheese evenly over top. Stir the mozzarella and ricotta together in a small bowl and place small dollops over pizza. Cut one-inch tips off asparagus and reserve stems for another use. Spread tips over top and sprinkle with green onion. Season with salt and pepper. Cook in center rack of oven for 15 minutes or until all cheese is melted and lightly browned. Slice and serve warm.
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spring / s u mmer 2 0 1 0
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{ the dish } (cont’d from page 36) The key to finding good veggie recipes? Look for those with ingredients you can swap out according to what’s in season. For instance, this springtime pizza stars plump green onions, freshly snipped chives, and asparagus tips, but whatever is at the farmers market that day is fair game. Read on for more fresh ideas for spring and summer crops and in the meantime, happy harvesting!
Grilled Zucchini Sandwich {M
a k e s
2
s a n d w i c h e s
}
2 baby zucchini, sliced lengthwise
1/8-inch thick 1 red or green pepper, seeded and stemmed, sides sliced into four equal pieces 1 vine-ripe or green tomato, sliced
Buttermilk Fried Okra {S
e rv e s
4-6}
1 cup flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. ground mustard 1 1/2 cups buttermilk Fresh whole okra (about 24 pieces) Canola oil, for frying
Sift all of the dry ingredients together. Whisk in the buttermilk and use batter immediately. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat (do not let oil smoke), heat enough oil to submerge okra. Dip okra in batter one at a time, leaving tops exposed, and coat well. Drop into preheated oil and cook for 30-40 seconds, until pale brown. Drain on paper towels. Serve immediately alongside a creamy herb or remoulade dipping sauce.
Cook’s Note This is a versatile batter delicious with most any garden fresh veggie. Try it with zucchini, squash, or eggplant, each sliced no more than a half-inch thick to ensure the vegetable cooks all the way through.
Olive oil, for brushing Salt and pepper, to taste 4 slices thick-cut crusty bread Fresh pesto Goat cheese, room temperature 1 Tbs. butter, softened
Preheat oven to 400°F. Place veggies on a roasting pan and brush with the olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for five to eight minutes, or just until slightly tender. Spread one side of a slice of bread with pesto and stack half the warm vegetables atop. Spread goat cheese on one side of the other slice and close sandwich. Repeat with second sandwich. Place a medium, nonstick skillet over medium-low heat and spread butter on one side of each sandwich. Place buttered side down and place a cast-iron skillet or other heavy pan over sandwiches, pressing down until well-toasted, about three minutes. Lift pan and quickly spread top of sandwich with butter. Flip sandwiches and cook in same fashion for another two to three minutes. Halve sandwiches and serve immediately.
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Buttermilk Fried Okra
{ the dish }
Orange-Sesame Sugar Snap Pea Salad With Shrimp {Se
rv e s
4-6}
For the dressing: 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 3 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tsp. rice vinegar 1/2 tsp. tahini paste 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. white pepper 1/2 cup olive oil For the SALAD: 3 cups sugar snap peas 1 lb. medium (26-30 ct.) shrimp, peeled, deveined, and cooked 1 shallot, thinly sliced 1 Tbs. sesame seeds
Whisk the first six dressing ingredients together until well-blended. Whisk in the olive oil and set aside. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Drop snap peas in and cook for one minute, until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl, toss peas with the shrimp, shallot, and dressing. Chill for one to three hours. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Cook’s Note You can substitute an equal amount of sesame oil for tahini for similar results.
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{
notebook }
Helpful hints for making the most of where you live
homeowners’ one-room revamp 45
small spaces 49
Inside Job Is your home office as hardworking as you are? Reclaim it with comfy trappings and 24/7 practicality
Office Overhaul
W
hether it’s the bill-paying hub of a busy household or headquarters for a small business, your home office should earn high marks for both form and function. Outline its purpose and dress accordingly, freeing it of catch-all clutter in the process. How else will you find your next big idea?
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spring/summer 2010
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Inside Job
Let Form Follow Function
A
ll home offices are not created equal, so your first priority is to determine what role your workspace will play.
( cont’d. from previous page )
C
&
The household hub is the go-to spot for Internet use, bill paying, correspondence, archiving photos, and other family business. Think of it as “Office Lite.” Furniture here can be minimal and in some cases, a portion of the room can be co-opted for another use, like a dry pantry or kids’ homework corner. The part-time study is the place to set up shop after dinner or on weekends. Along with accommodating reference materials and files, it needs to be a comfort zone enticing enough for a little overtime work. The home studio/full-time office fosters productivity the same as a commercial address does. While amplifying the divide between home and office here is key, design possibilities are sky-high without the stuffy, assembly line setup of traditional offices.
Quiet the Chaos
a n t h r o p o l o g i e ,
2
1
lean out anything—and we mean, anything—that isn’t relevant to the purpose of the room. That includes ancient bills, out-of-use printers, even that old baby stroller you’ve been storing in the corner. Only items that facilitate office work and enhance the environment should remain. Invest in a filing system only after you’ve sorted and organized the remaining contents.
Splurge (From left) Leaning bookcase ($139) from Crate & Barrel; “Ordinal” dresser ($998) from Anthropologie
Save
Open shelving, like this adjustable Sycamore system from The Container Store, enables you to see anything you need at a glance.
Three Chairs We Love
Consider the hours you spend in your office chair and treat yourself!
i m a g e s p r o v i d e d b y c r a t e & b a r r e l , t h e c o n t a i n e r s t o r e
{ homeowners’ notebook }
one-room revamp
Aluminum bar stool ($150) from Berlin’s Restaurant Supply
Choose Wisely
Valhalla office chair ($759) by Bauer International
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| Charleston
home
Gregor swivel chair ($89.99) from IKEA
Need something for occasional meetings? Try a hip stool (near left). Crave a new desk chair? Opt for cushion, comfort, and casters (far left).
3
Y
Home Office Cost Cutters
Color Your World
our palette should suit both the work at hand and its role in the house. Paint household hubs a shade or two lighter or darker than adjacent rooms to maintain their connection to domestic activity. For all-business rooms that keep nine-to-five hours, choose hues that establish a contrast between house and office. And when it comes to creative havens, all bets are off. Choose a shade that wires your mind.
Pignoli
Terrace Tile
Satisfy the Senses
Save Splurge
Brushed nickel pendant light ($49.98) from Lowe's
GO ECLECTIC: Scour antiques shops and tag sales for vintage crates and other chic storage containers. SCORE USED GOODS: Browse craigslist.com, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore, and thrift shops for gently used desks and cabinets. GIVE NEW LIFE TO OLD STUFF: Simple, office-issue bookcases are easily made over when coated with a bright shade of paint and/or colorful wallpaper spread across interior shelves. BUILD A SYSTEM: Big-box stores stock inexpensive, stackable storage boxes you can add to over time. CREATE A CORNER OFFICE: Don't have the extra square footage (or money) for a dedicated workroom? Retrofit a coat closet with a petite desk and hang todo lists and calendars on the interior back wall, shallow shelves on the side walls, and a bulletin board on the back of the door. Add a slim chair that can slide under the desk, and close off the office when work’s done for the day. GET BOARD: Invest in dry erase boards. The calendars can be used for years on end, and the note boards, too, which saves dollars and paper both. CLOSE IT OFF: Those who regularly work from home can often write off the mortgage or rent for the square footage of their office space. The main rule of thumb is that the claimed space must be solely used for work and is ideally separate from the rest of the house, by a door or otherwise. For details, visit irs.gov and meet with your accountant.
Forest Lichen
Martha Stewart colors by Valspar
4
A
ddress light and comfort in your office overhaul, starting with quality task lighting. Hang a pair of pendants over your desk for a good-looking twist on the standard desk lamp. Replace any furniture that stalls productivity, including desks with limited surface area and slouchy task chairs past their prime.
Caleb Siemon beehive pendant light ($1,000) through ESD by special order
Display Case
5
I
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o f
d e s i g n * s p o n g e
Get Wired-less
Prop stylist and decorator Emily Henson’s inspiration board
c o u r t e s y
nspire your workday efforts with items that mirror your purpose and gussy up the room at the same time. Create a Nostalgic Collection: Family photos and children’s art projects make for satisfying wall decor. Inspiration Boards: Dress a standard bulletin board in items that cue your creativity—landscape images, treasured notes and drawings, and inspired reminders all work well. Portfolio Art: Don’t tuck accomplishments away; frame photos or drawings of past projects and hang on office walls.
Need to tame the cables and cords that crawl all over your office? 1. Tuck a wireless router away in an office closet to clear your desk of modems and wires. 2. Use cord tamer tubing (from office stores) to collect and conceal cables. 3. Corral a herd of electric plugs with a single power strip (and extension cord if needed).
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small spaces
Less-Is-More Living
A 430-square-foot dependency house, one tiny Yorkie named Benne, and a trove of art-smart finds equal one couple’s urban sanctuary
W
e wanted a project,” says Marilynn Tynan. And project is what the Tynans got when Marilynn and her architect husband Dan bought a 430-square-foot carriage house on Ashley Avenue downtown. The two—former owners of a painted furniture line up north—had been keen on Charleston since first visiting nearly a decade ago while vacationing from their Lake Michigan cottage. “It’s time we live somewhere where the temperature is more above my age than below it,” Marilynn remembers telling Dan. After the move South, they stuck to condos East of the Cooper, South of Broad, and so on. But then they spotted a tiny dependency near the very walkable Colonial Lake area. “The place intrigued us,” says Dan. “It was small, and we’ve always liked small spaces. And it was historic; we guess that it was built around 1880.” Other bonuses? The two-story home (there’s a miniscule garage on the ground floor) sported 16-foot ceilings (once the modern drywall one was removed), nine windows (each about six foot three inches), a sound structure, and it was detached from its corresponding main house and thus held claim to its own, independent entrance. The diminutive scale meant the couple could both afford it and afford to rework it, too. Warm Welcome Open the front door and a slim, short hall leads to the “gathering room,” dressed in a mix of antiques, organic elements (the coffee table Dan built), and paintings by Julyan Davis, Gary Grier, Linda Keyser Smith, and more.
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{ homeowners’ notebook }
Written by melissa bigner / Photographs by Brie Williams
{ homeowners’ notebook } | C HARLESTON HOME | Charleston home
XX 50
Here’s what they did: A Created storage and a media center in an existing dividing wall, which also conceals a complete HVAC system.
B Moved the bath to the back of the house to take in a garden view.
A
C Centered a petite farmhouse sink under a window for the view.
B
D Hung artwork by local artists and pieces that seemed Charlestonesque. Contrasted the clean-lined backdrop with gilded frames and cheery colors.
C
And they also...
D
Took out drywall ceilings and exposed a 16-foot tall gabled roof line. Tuck-pointed the exterior masonry and repaired the wood siding. Removed old interior walls and installed insulation like that found in recording studios to tone down the city noise. Oriented the kitchen along one wall in the main room and installed appliances—other than the refrigerator—under the countertop.
So they got to work. After closing on the home in May 2009, contractors replaced the door (it had been chewed through by a previous tenant’s dog); took out the aforementioned ceiling to expose the gable roof line; installed a wood planked ceiling with a cottage look; and refurbished the exterior. Dan created a new floor plan—two rooms, including a “gathering” room (kitchen included), an original wood lathe and horsehair plaster partition that’s now rife with storage, and a bedroom suite with a bath that looks out over the neighbor’s garden—that came together in a matter of weeks. Then the Euro-sized appliances went in, a petite farmhouse sink w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
capped off the kitchen, and marble found its home in the bathroom. Bottom line? Though it may be small, its amenities are grand. But personality still prevails. Old wood became new window trim and nails and nail holes still punctuate newly exposed rafters. “We could have gone very contemporary,” Marilynn says. “But there’s a story here that we wanted to preserve. “Look,” she continues, “this house was adequate when it was built and it should be adequate now—we still require the same things. More, for us, is excess.”
Stayed “green” in building supplies and paint, reusing salvaged materials from the old structure to trim closets, doors, and windows. Painted the walls white to amplify light and cheat in volume. Brought in only essential furniture with a worn, soft-colored look appropriate for a waterfront retreat.
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{ homeowners’ notebook }
small spaces
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charleston home magazine’ s
Meet the
winners
Before After
Photographs by Julia Lynn
The creative team at Charleston Home poured over B&A reader entries from all over the Lowcountry. Here are our favorites! 54
| CHARLESTON
HOME
Elongating and slimming a trio of windows created more light and allowed for open shelving.
With less square feet in the “after,” openness became key; thus the changes included cropping the fireplace to make room for more windows.
before
ov wi er nn al er l
Cottage Classic Kathy & Robert Heller Sullivan’s Island
T
Adding a cutout to this wall connected the revamped kitchen to the newly airy living room.
he red, circa-1890 cottage near Sullivan’s Station 24 (known on the island as “The Barn”) has seen its share of living. “People would stop by during the renovation to see what we were doing,” recalls homeowner Kathy Heller, “and one gentleman remembered sitting on his grandfather’s knee on the porch back when the roads were dirt and horses and buggies were here.” To transform The Barn (named Architect Elizabeth for its red façade) from a Allen and homeowner rambling, dark home into Kathy Heller a cozy but breezy retreat, Heller and her husband, Robert, teamed up with architect Elizabeth Allen. Resurrection complete, the couple now agrees that The Barn’s “after” life exemplifies the old-time good life.
What they did: 1. Eliminated three additions that housed the former kitchen and reinstated the home’s original, twobedroom, rectangular footprint. 2. Stripped and stained existing heart pine floors and redid walls in beadboard for a clean, consistent backdrop. 3. Installed an eat-in kitchen adjacent
before
to the living room, with open shelving and under-counter storage.
The present-day kitchen (above) was last used as a game room (left). The former cooking area was tucked away through the door at left in an addition that’s since been removed.
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4. Cropped the living room fireplace and added windows on either side. 5. Replaced all existing windows. 6. Converted a bedroom into a bunk room to save space. 7. Painted in soothing neutrals to streamline the entire interior.
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Y r DInne wi The Galmarinis fashioned this homemade pot rack from an old window frame they found in their garage.
Creating a bar overhang allowed dine-in seating and transitions the kitchen into the gathering space.
What they did:
before
1. Knocked out the wall that separated the kitchen and living room. 2. Tore out faux wood paneling and replaced it with drywall. 3. Traded old laminate for new wood floors. (Half of the new flooring was donated, and they struggled to match it; when they couldn’t, they incorporated a second, same-color wood that added texture with every fifth board.) 4. Installed butcher-block counters from IKEA. 5. Added trim to cabinetry, painted it vintage green, and changed out hardware. 6. Installed new lights and fans.
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| CHARLESTON
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Dynamite DIY Kris & Bob Galmarini
Faux wood paneling overwhelmed and darkened the former kitchen and den. The wall between the two chopped the space abruptly and interrupted its flow.
West Ashley
W
e were on a serious budget,” says Kris Galmarini, who, together with her husband, Bob, tackled the kitchen of their 1962 brick home. “The house had never been updated, so it was in a time warp.” Determined to do the job themselves, the couple asked handy friends for lessons in drywalling and flooring and listed more expensive projects, like new countertops and lighting, in order of must-do priority. The biggest ticket (and most “pressing”) item? “A new range,” laughs Kris. “The old one was a vintage, push-button model. The cat would jump Homeowners Kris and Bob on it at night and turn it on—it had to go.” Galmarini with their daughter, Neve
s sp mal wi ac l nn e er
Space Saver Sandra Clerici
New mahogany panels added a sense of permanence and soundness to the onetime porch. Fence posts echo the woodwork for continuity.
Downtown Charleston
S
andra Clerici knows how to make things work. Thus the one-time industrial engineer was on familiar ground when she renovated her 1,500-square-foot kitchen house with space efficiency in mind. “I intend to live here a long, long time, so I tailored the rooms according to how I would use them,” says Sandra, who collaborated with Mike and Katy Thomas of TNT Construction to revitalize, among other things, a Sandra Clerici, dilapidated screened porch. homeowner “Mike suggested a sunroom to extend my living space while maintaining a connection to the back garden.” The verdict? Sunny success for the ages.
before What they did: 1. Retained the original copper roof but tore down wimpy wood supports, removed old screening, and replaced
Clerici covered the pendant lamp’s chain with muslin to make it “disappear” against the ceiling.
an unfinished concrete floor with tiles. 2. Framed an enclosed sunroom atop the porch’s original footprint and spaced posts to correspond with 10 eight-foot mahogany panels fitted with slim windows that mimicked the new siding’s proportions.
The former screened porch housed a grill and garden furniture and could chiefly be enjoyed during the spring and fall. The renovation made it a fully integrated, 365-day room.
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3. Added two sets of French doors that open onto the courtyard from the sunroom. 4. Made it livable with an easy-toclean floor, a fan, lighting, and built-in seating for an eat-in nook.
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doer n coinn w Web Extras!
Cabinets painted sleek black and finished with brushed metal hardware dressed up the galley tenfold.
To see more Before & After photos from the winners, visit charlestonhomemag. com/beforeandafter
Gerardi splurged on granite counters and glass tiles for her backsplash rather than blowing big bucks on flooring.
What they did: 1. Doubled the size of the kitchen
before An enclosed galley kitchen cut the dining room off from the den and made all three spaces claustrophobic.
Open House
| CHARLESTON
HOME
knocking out two walls and an adjacent hall.
Joy Gerardi
2. Took out a load-bearing wall
T
the headers that now support the
West Ashley
and added a tray ceiling framed by
he challenge of making every inch count was the coolest,” gushes real estate agent Joy Gerardi of revamping her condo’s small galley kitchen. “Simply taking out a wall and a hallway opened up the entire house,” she marvels. Gerardi hired friend and contractor Craig Mullison of Personalized Home Improvements to help her create a chic cooking space (complete with new tray ceiling) that now opens onto both the den and dining room, and amplifies the condo’s newly joined public areas. Suite deal!
second floor.
Joy Gerardi, homeowner
58
before
from 55 to 130 square feet by
3. Reconfigured sink and cabinetry to facilitate ease of movement. 4. Added texture and depth with natural materials in different finishes like glass tile in the backsplash and granite on the countertops. 5. Replaced outdated appliances with those stylish enough to be on display in the newly open floor plan.
Written by mary matthews
•
Photographs by squire fox
Lobster Bake { Lowcountry Style } A Charleston pair brings up-North summer seafood to their Rutledge Avenue backyard
T
om O’Connor and Matt Pugliese know how to escape the summer heat. Each year, the couple leaves behind balmy South Carolina and heads to New England for a week or so to hit favorite towns, visit old friends, and reset against a backdrop of harbors crowded with fishing boats and breezy seafood suppers at day’s end. Back at home in the Holy City, in the sunny kitchen of their downtown Victorian, Tom and Matt rattle off favorite points north in quick succession. They each cue the other on past trips to spots along Buzzards’ Bay like Mattapoisett and Marion, and to Martha’s Vineyard, Marblehead, and Maine’s central coast. These summer sojourns began more than 20 years ago, shortly after the couple met while working as television execs on the West coast. Their move to Charleston came in 2004, when Tom and Matt traded in their entertainment industry careers and Studio City digs for a more easterly place to settle (Tom hails from Michigan, Matt from Pennsylvania). With family in Hilton Head, they quickly agreed on Charleston and have since built a successful real estate business fixing up downtrodden dwellings. Among the rescues is their current late-1800s house, today the setting for an inspired North-meets-South lobster bake that the two dreamed up to share the best of
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| CHARLESTON HOME
their summer getaways with Charleston pals. “We figured, why not bring a favorite Northern tradition down South for an afternoon?” offers Matt, a Boston College alum. The pair fashioned a long, 20-guest table to stretch down their legustrum-bordered pool garden, lit by paper lanterns strung overhead. Just inside, a cocktail bar boasts New England-named offerings on the porch, while fresh lobsters cook in giant pots in the kitchen. Instead of tossing clams and potatoes into the mix (per tradition), Tom and Matt serve up Southern crab cakes and fresh corn salad. And for dessert? A South Carolina peach and Maine blueberry cobbler. There were, of course, a few notable challenges to throwing a lobster bash south of the Mason Dixon line. “The morning of the party, we learned that the guests of honor missed their flight,” says Matt, referring to the two dozen Maine lobsters due to be shipped in. “Thankfully, we live in a foodie town and were able to track down replacements in less than an hour. So our ‘New England lobsters’ were from Canada,” he laughs. Tom adds, “That, and timing was an issue. This may be a summer party up North, but down here, an outdoor dinner party doesn’t always go over well in August. Spring worked a little better for us.”
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{ Menu} Savory Palmiers Pistachio Cheese Biscuits Mini Charleston Crab Cakes Whole Steamed Lobster Summer Corn Salad South Carolina Peach and Maine Blueberry Crumble (Famed northeastern chef Ina Garten is a favorite epicurean of Tom and Matt’s, so many recipes were adapted from their collection of her cookbooks.)
Culture Clash Miniature crab cakes are easy, hometown starters to a feast that stars shellfish caught in Northern waters. Each place setting is stamped with the iconic lobster (see page 64 for more table setting tips). (Opposite) Party hosts Tom O’Connor (left) and Matt Pugliese boil the lobsters stovetop in five-gallon pots. On the porch, they’ve set up a New England-inspired bar, complete with a signature party drink, the Sagaponack Chronic, a ginger ale, vodka, and key lime concoction dreamed up by Tom.
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LOBSTER BAKE 101
{ Cheat Sheet for Charlestonians} What is a lobster bake?
O
riginated by Native Americans, a lobster bake is an outdoor cooking method (usually on a beach) that centers around a rock-lined pit dug in the sand. A fire heats the rocks before several layers of seaweed are added, topped by a layer each of clams, potatoes, corn, and finally, the lobsters. The “lid” is another layer of seaweed covered by a canvas tarp and anchored down on all sides. Cooking takes about an hour, or until the lobsters turn red.
How to boil lobsters at home: Start with live lobsters, purchased or delivered the same day you intend to eat them. Do not remove elastic bands from the claws prior to boiling.
1
Fill a large, five-gallon pot approximately three-quarters full of seawater or salted water. (Use about 2 ½ quarts of water for each lobster, with two tablespoons salt per quart of water). Bring the water to a boil.
2
One at a time, plunge live lobsters into the water quickly (up to four to a pot). The boiling water should kill the creature instantly, but be careful of splash caused by the tail. Bring the water to a boil again.
3
Lower the heat and simmer about 11 minutes for a 1- to 1 ¼-lb. hard-shell lobster (13-15 minutes for 1 ½-lb. hard-shell lobster).
4
A cooked lobster will turn bright red, but be sure and crack one open where the body meets the tail to ensure it’s done. The meat should have turned from translucent to white. Do not overcook—overdone lobster meat will be tough. Note: Concerned about the humanity of boiling live lobsters? Researchers at the Lobster Institute, a research arm of the University of Maine, report that lobsters have no central nervous system or cerebral cortex, and therefore cannot perceive or process pain. Still, if you’d rather not wrestle a thrashing lobster, you can stick a sharp knife straight down behind the lobster’s eyes to kill it just before cooking.
How to select lobster:
Size: A one-and-a-half pounder is a good size for a single serving—keep in mind that larger lobsters (more than three pounds) are often older and their meat tends to be tough. Appearance: When selecting lobsters from a tank, look for lively, active creatures whose tails contract and curl when picked up. Source: Buy live Maine and Canadian lobsters from Crosby’s Seafood, which stocks them year-round. Or order from charlestonseafood.com (Tom and Matt’s source) or Huff’s Seafood on Folly Road for same- or next-day delivery.
How much to pay for lobster: Whole live lobsters cost $10-$17 per pound. Ordering during the summer, before Labor Day, will likely cost more.
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SET THIS TABLE
{ Seats 20 }
Step
Cover two 10-foot tables in plain white cloth (10-12 yards, or big enough to hang roughly 1 1/2 feet from ground). Top with 8-10 yards blue gingham fabric, cut 6 inches shorter on all sides than white fabric.
1
Step
2
Lay a strip of white butcher paper, cut 21 1/4 feet, down the middle.
Step
Add chairs, spacing evenly and at a comfortable distance from each other (leave guests elbow room for lobster cracking). For each place setting, add a dinner plate topped by a salad plate. Place a ramekin (for melted butter) to the top right of the plates.
3
Wrap fork and knife in napkin and center on salad plate. Place cracker and lobster fork crosswise over plate. Place wine and water glasses at top right of each setting. Step
4
Step
Write the guest’s name on the butcher paper just above the plate. Stamp with a store-bought pattern that matches your party theme.
5
Step Place 8 painted terra cotta pots planted
6
with rye grass (allow 10 days to grow), 4 ceramic pots filled with hydrangea blooms, and 4 bottles each of flat and sparkling water, down the center of the table.
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Savory Palmiers (Yields 60
{ Recipes} 1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
h o r s d ’ o e u v r e s ) ......
1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce
1 package frozen puff pastry, defrosted
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup fresh pesto
1 1/4 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 lb. lump crabmeat, drained and picked
in oil, drained
through to remove shells
1/4 cup crushed pecans 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Lightly flour a cutting board. Unfold one sheet of puff pastry atop and roll lightly with a rolling pin until it’s 9 ½ x 11 ½ inches. Spread half the pesto over the sheet of pastry. Sprinkle with half the goat cheese, half the sun-dried tomatoes, and half the pecans. Sprinkle with half the salt and pepper. Fold each of the short ends halfway to the center. Then fold each side again toward the middle until the folded edges almost touch. Fold one side over the other and press lightly. Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat for the second sheet of puff pastry and remaining ingredients. Cover rolls with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut the rolls into ¼-inch-thick slices and place face-up two inches apart on baking pans lined with parchment paper. Bake for 14 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm.
p i st a c h i o c h eese p h i l l i p c a r r o l l
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2 tsp. Dijon mustard 2 extra-large eggs, lightly beaten 4 Tbs. unsalted butter
Pistachio Cheese Biscuits
Pistachio Cheese Biscuits (Yields 48
b i s c u i t s ) ........................
1/2 cup butter, room temperature 2 cups grated cheddar cheese 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 cup coarsely chopped pistachio nuts
In a medium bowl, combine the butter and the cheese. Beat at medium speed until well-combined. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and black and cayenne pepper. Add to the cheese mixture and beat on low until blended. Add the nuts and stir until well-combined. Lightly flour a cutting board. Place the dough atop and divide it in half. Form each half into a log shape about one inch wide. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm. Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch-thick biscuits and place two inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until edges are brown.
Mini Charleston Crab Cakes (Yields 26
c a k e s ) ...............................
2 Tbs. unsalted butter 2 Tbs. olive oil, plus 1/4 cup, divided
Savory Palmiers w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
Melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add two tablespoons oil. Add next 8 ingredients and cook until the vegetables are soft, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, break the lump crabmeat into small pieces and toss with the bread
1 small red onion, finely diced
JUST FOR FUN
Creative ideas worth the effort
Signature Cocktail Bar Tom and Matt know what gets guests talking: the cocktails. So they offered up a handful of East Coast concoctions and let the guests order up. Caveat: Someone must man the bar full-time to pull this off.
Backyard Luminaries The couple strung five paper LED-light lanterns over the table and framed the pool with more than a dozen paper luminaries (votive candles in white, open paper bags anchored with sand).
Party Trademark Following the cardinal rule of partyplanning, Tom and Matt played up a singular element to unify the event. Their signature lobster icon appeared on invitations, the drink menu, and on the table runner.
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Light Up the Night Paper bag luminaries and overhead lanterns light the long supper table at dusk. “Over the years, we’ve learned that the best approach to hosting a party is to relax and enjoy it,” says Tom. “You might miss a few details along the way, but it will turn out best if you just focus on having a good time.”
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Matt’s Peach & Blueberry Crumble
( S e r v e s 8 ) .....................................
How to eat lobster
{ Like a Pro}
5-6 large firm, ripe peaches Zest of one orange
1
Twist off the claws.
3
Separate the tail
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar 1 cup light brown sugar 1 1/2 cups, plus 2-3 Tbs. all-purpose flour 1/2 pint fresh blueberries 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal 1/2 lb. cold, unsalted butter, diced
2
Crack each claw and
knuckle with a lobster cracker. Remove meat.
Summer Corn Salad crumbs, mayonnaise, mustard, and eggs. Add the cooked mixture and mix well. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Shape into bite-sized crab cakes. Heat the butter and 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the crab cakes and fry for four to five minutes on each side, until browned. Drain on paper towels; keep warm in a 250°F oven until ready to serve.
Summer Corn Salad
( S e r v e s 6 ) .................................................. 2 Tbs. olive oil 1/2 cup chopped red onion 1/2 small orange bell pepper, diced to one-
half-inch pieces 1/2 small green bell pepper, diced to one-
half-inch pieces
Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter the inside of a nine-inch pie dish. Immerse peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds, then place them in cold water. Peel and slice into thick wedges and place in a large bowl. Add the orange zest, 1/4 cup of the sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and two tablespoons flour. Toss well. Gently mix in the blueberries. Allow mixture to sit for five minutes. If there is a lot of liquid, add one more tablespoon of flour. Pour the peach and blueberry mixture into the baking dish and gently smooth the top. Combine 1 ½ cups flour, one cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, salt, oatmeal, and the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until the butter is pea-sized and the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle evenly on top of the peaches and blueberries. Bake for one hour, until the top is browned and crisp and the juices are bubbly. Serve immediately, or chill in refrigerator and reheat in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes until warm.
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
from the body by arching the back until it cracks.
4
Bend back, and
break the flippers off the tailpiece. Remove meat from each flipper.
5
With a fork, push
the tail meat out in one piece. Remove and discard the black vein that runs the length of the tail meat.
6
Separate the shell
5 ears yellow or white corn, kernels cut off
of the body from the
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
underside by pulling
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
them apart; discard the
1 medium tomato, chopped
tomalley, or green
2 Tbs. julienned fresh basil
substance (the lobster’s liver and pancreas).
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for four to five minutes, or until soft. Stir in the peppers and sauté for two more minutes. Add the butter. Once melted, add corn and seasonings and cook, stirring occasionally, for five to seven minutes. Remove from heat and gently stir in the tomato and basil. Serve warm.
7
the body by cracking it apart in the middle, with the small walking legs on either side. Extract the meat from the leg joints and the legs themselves by biting down on the
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Open the underside of
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m e l i s s a
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Edisto Island’s historic Prospect Hill plantation returns to grace, thanks to its faithful owners and scores of dedicated craftsmen
Grand Entrance Salmon-hued plaster walls in the stately entry hall and throughout the second and third floors are original, sanded and preserved in a limestone wash. (Opposite) The riverfront faรงade of the circa-1800 dwelling
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Uncommon ground Architect Glenn Keyes refurbished this rustic loggia under the piazza (opposite page), which today serves as a hub for frequent al fresco dinners or just a place to sit on quiet afternoons. “I love downtown,” says owner (and master gardener) Susan Ford (top left), “but this is so much different from all of that. Here, I love being outside, I love the nature, I love the history. And I love the solitude.” Family Tree Last summer, Susan and Hank’s daughter Jessica married at the foot of the old oak in front of the manor house (middle left). Because rain threatened to drown the ceremony, Susan planted a bottle of bourbon by the tree’s roots, in accordance with an old Southern superstition. It worked long enough for the young couple to say their “I dos,” but the skies opened soon after.
Taking a Nip: Previous owners of Prospect Hill, the Whaleys, gave Susan a collection of photos of the home, including this one of happily imbibing residents from the Edwardian era. Note the family parrot in the foreground.
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here’s something about Edisto Island’s Prospect Hill Plantation that seems to haunt folks. And it’s not just its ghosts—those few benevolent spirits that reportedly dwell alongside its corporeal residents. No, the haunting is more that way that some places grab hold of one’s imagination and linger in the soul. It’s the kind of thing that makes an island resident (like Phyllis Phillips) self-publish a first novel on its founders and leave the tome on the manor’s doorstep; the kind of thing that makes the property’s caretaker, James Smythe, show off his case of archeological finds from the grounds with no prompting; the kind of thing that makes its current residents amass accordion folders stuffed full of history reports, old records, and grainy photos that document the property. It’s the type of haunting that makes an Old Village couple—Susan Ford and Hank Hofford—leave the ease of urbane living for country life, and sink years into getting the plantation on its feet again. “It’s not about the school district,” says owner Susan Ford as she explains the home’s mystic. “It’s not about conveniences. It’s not about style. Prospect Hill is really about the land. This house was only here because of the land around it, and as a Sea Island cotton plantation, it’s seen rich times and poor times, it’s had workers on the land, and it’s been through a war. The land, its history, that’s what captures you.”
Past life A tour of its 409 acres proves what she says and shows why the well-heeled Baynard family established a cotton plantation here along the South Edisto in 1792. Today, pass through the property’s gates and you meander by fields, dikes, and tupelo bogs on the mile-long dirt drive that ends atop a waterfront knoll. At Prospect Hill’s inception, the river below served as the equivalent of an aquatic autobahn for its owners, who sold copious amounts of long staple cotton to exporters in big port cities like Charleston. (Caretaker James has found rare lead tags from the old cotton bales on the property, each used to mark and track harvested batches.) In its most productive era, there were some 220 slaves working the plantation, which then totaled upward of 520 acres. A three-story circa-1800 Federal home—reportedly designed by White House architect James Hoban, though not documented as such—crowns the bluff. When the home passed out of Baynard family hands not long after the Civil War, it went nearly unmodernized (though inhabited) for the next 100-plus years, until it caught the eye of out-of-state developers looking to create a luxury golf getaway on Prospect Hill’s grounds, and throughout the adjoining Riverside Plantation. That was in the early 1990s, around the same time that
“Part of the appeal was that the house was just so untouched. It only had one identity and that was simply Prospect Hill. Things had happened to it over time, but the place had shown a lot of patience, and had such an appealing personality because of that.” —Susan Ford, homeowner
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Hank and his business partner, Mike Bennett, caught wind of the place and its potential fate. For the next near-decade, the old plantation and surrounding plats underwent legal wrangling between foreign developers, governmental agencies, and the Nature Conservancy, which eventually led to Susan and Hank securing an option to buy it in 1999 from the latter. The only stipulation? The couple—he a builder, she a veteran of several old-home restorations—were bound by law to develop it gingerly and in limited fashion, with the property placed under a perpetual easement. Though the two approached Prospect Hill as a business investment and preservation project, the home—overgrown as it was with brambles, void as it was of central air, electricity, and plumbing, and bedraggled as it was overall—so captured their imagination (Susan’s especially) that she and Hank ditched their initial plans and moved in permanently as its sole private residents in 2009.
RESCUE MISSION To get the house ready for full-time habitation, they enlisted a Palmetto State dream team of sorts: Glenn Keyes, an architectural icon who modernizes historic homes while preserving their integrity and identity; Reggie Gibson, who adds contemporary, yet organic, whimsy to utilitarian structures (think Fleet Landing restaurant and the Ashley River Bridge clock tower); Sheila Wertimer, whose landscape work is putting her on par with the famed Loutrel Briggs; and P.O. Mead IV, who is widely assumed to be the state’s best arborist. Glenn assessed the building’s structural needs and outlined a step-by-step prescription for good house health, longevity, and livability. Reggie drew up plans for outlying buildings and designed copper structures for wells that call to mind I.M. Pei’s Louvre glass pyramids for their juxtaposition with the manor’s classical architecture. Sheila surmised the location of the original drive, plotted its offspring along with other walkways, new groves, a garden, an orangery, water elements, and more. And P.O., he went tree by tree, doctoring each back to vibrancy once more. “We really had less crews and more craftsmen out here working on the place,” admits Susan, who easily lists those who pitched in, name by name. There was Max Tarpley, who helped her replace and mend doors, jambs, and sills, then strip away old paint bit by bit. There was muralist and painter Stephanie Poe who did the faux bois doors and marbleizing on the mantel. And there was pal Kathryn McGowan, an interior designer who helped Susan dress the place in antiques that suited a light-flooded manse graced with 11-foot-ceilings, a regal parlor and dining room, and an expansive master bedroom and guest room, not to mention the modern quarters Glenn created on the 72
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HEART OF THE HOME Though the dwelling is fully modernized, the majority of creature comforts are tucked away on the ground floor. The cozy sitting room (top) reflects the home’s rustic setting among Edisto’s birds and other wildlife. Across the hall is the kitchen (above, left and right), its modern cooktop and range flanked by pairs of casement windows.
natural light (opposite page) The second-floor dining room houses one of several candelabra chandeliers. In order to minimize a modern footprint, there are only two electrical outlets per room, so the wax candles offer additional light.
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“Not many owners would be willing to accept the mottled look of the surviving limewash. Susan and Hank appreciated the architectural significance of it and were eager to retain it and its patina.” —Glenn Keyes, architect
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Water, Color (opposite page) Susan fell for this line of Rodin study drawings on a 2007 trip to Paris and knew they’d suit the master bath perfectly. Rare Forms The clean lines and black and vanilla composition of this collection of cutout silhouettes (top left) by Lowcountry treasures Clay and Carew Rice contrasts ideally with the soft tones and mottled appearance of the walls. Rooms, like this guest suite (bottom left), are appointed in minimal but traditional antiques so not to overwhelm the star of the home—its stately architecture.
ground floor. But before Susan’s artisans could pitch in, she and Hank’s extended family did. One Easter found sisters and brothers and young nieces and nephews camping on the plantation grounds while Susan and Hank slept on mattresses on the floor inside. (That was in part because the house was such a work in progress, and in part because relatives caught wind of ghost rumors.) All ages got to work tearing up overgrown brush about the house, removing wasps nests inside, and the like. When they wrapped for the day, Susan put on an egg hunt that featured plastic eggs filled with coins—plus one or two stuffed with $50—to reward the kids. Today, following what Hank calls the completion of their “toothpick renovation” (dubbed so because every millimeter was hand-coaxed back to life), Prospect Hill has become a home again, one that, once more, nobly adorns the land upon which it sits. His and Susan’s younger daughter married under the old oak by the river last summer and their eldest daughter is set to follow suit this year. The house is regularly opened for Edisto Island Historic Preservation Society’s tour of homes, and the couple is known to welcome the occasional benefit there as well. For the past decade, Thanksgiving meant oyster roasts for scores on the grounds. These days, guests can actually come inside in between shucking. On regular days though, it’s much quieter. Caretaker James (a scant 26 years old) breezes in with his hunting dog, ready to talk about his latest unearthed find. In the den, Susan’s Boykin, appropriately named Baynard, stands by his mistress, who is studying a handful of wild mushrooms she’s found nearby over the past few days. “Living here,” she says, “is about all of this. It’s about what’s been here, what’s here now. It’s about the eagle that passes by outside, it’s about this house and its light, and even these mushrooms here.” Haunting, apparently, the lot of it.
READY TO REVIVE A BELOVED OLD DWELLING? Here’s the short list of what Susan and Hank did to bring Prospect Hill back to its glory ■ Hand-stripped and sanded the exterior, then hydrated the wood with turpentine, mineralspirits,andlinseedoilbeforepainting ■ Repaired and replaced missing shutters ■ Removed and restored piazza columns ■ Dismantled piazza stairs, salvaged brownstone treads when possible, and replaced others as needed ■Doctoredinteriorplasterwallsandceilings ■ Gently sanded interior walls to uncover
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the original colors, then coated them with a preserving limestone wash ■Stripped,repaired,andfaux-painteddoors to reflect Greek Revival style ■ Restored fireplace mantels ■Addedgeothermalairconditioningsystem, and incorporated limited plumbing and electrical work ■Removedtheplasterceilingontheground floorandfashionedathoroughlymodernized
kitchen-hall-densuitethereinfordailyliving ■ Installed ductwork between floor joists to conceal modern amenities ■ Removed water tanks in the yard and added a pond and wells throughout the property ■ Developed a master landscape plan and revitalized existing old trees ■ Commissioned an archeological study to locate former buildings, walls, and gardens
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{ special section } The charleston symphony orchestra league, inc.
presents the
2010 SYMPHONY
designer showhouse 120 South Battery St. & 54 Gibbes St.
March 18 - April 18
Design by Evon Kirkland Interiors (see page 82). Photograph by Julia Lynn
More than
50
clever design ideas
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. • Sunday: 1-4 p.m. (closed Easter) • Tickets: $20; $15 advance • (843) 723-0020 • www.csolinc.org w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
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welcome
2010 symphony designer showhouse
N
p a i n t i n g
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j o a n
a .
d a v i s
ow in its 33rd year, the Symphony Designer Showhouse remains Charleston’s most exciting collaborative design event. Organized and produced by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League (CSOL)— the all-volunteer fundraising arm of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra (CSO)—the Showhouse is the group’s signature event, and drew more than 8,000 visitors in 2009 alone. Each year, a team of veteran designers transforms a downtown residence (this year, there are two!) to energize rooms with fresh ideas and hand-picked goods that complement the dwellings’ historic character. For roughly seven months, organizers and designers work together to pack the houses with inspiration galore—from crisp new paint colors to striking finish details. Need more reasons to go? With your Showhouse ticket, you can:
Showhouse Committee
Dozens more local individuals and businesses pitched in to produce this year’s Showhouse. Turn to page 93 for a complete list of donors.
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Support the symphony. All proceeds go directly to the CSO.
Spark your imagination. Look for lighting ideas, space-planning solutions, color combinations, and much more.
Shop! See something you like? Nearly all of the furnishings in the Designer Showhouse are for sale. Also, browse the Showhouse Boutique with its handmade jewelry, home accessories (including pillows, linens, and lamps), pottery, garden sculptures, and artwork. The shop is located downstairs at 120 South Battery, open during Showhouse hours.
plus
Grab lunch at the Café and order from a menu inspired by popular dishes of the early 1900s and 1920s, when the two homes were built. The Café will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Musical entertainment is offered throughout the Showhouse by CSO members, CSOL youth scholarship recipients, and other volunteer musicians.
Win a Lexus Convertible! Enter to win a 2010 Lexus IS250C red, hardtopped convertible! Tickets cost $100 and are available at the Showhouse, Symphony events, or online at csolinc.org. (Note: Only 1,000 sponsorships will be sold.) Sponsored by Lexus of Charleston. Winner need not be present to win. Drawing will be held May 28, at the CSO’s Piccolo Spoleto Sunset Serenade. All taxes and fees are the winner’s responsibility. Proceeds benefit the CSO.
h e a d s h o t s b y e l i z a b e t h g o u l d o n ( 9 ) ; r e m a i n i n g p h o t o g r a p h s b y k e l ly b o z a r d ( 5 ) , A n n C a t h e r i n e C a m p b e l l ( 1 ) , r a e f e n i c e ( 1 ) , E l i z a b e t h G o u l d o n ( 4 ) , a n d I s a S a l a z a r ( 2 )
Chair: Mary Jo Daugherty Co-Chairs: Jean Eckert, Janet Knorr, and Cathy McWhorter Assistant to Chair: Jim Daugherty House Search: Kay Long Staffing Chair and Co-Chair: Jackie Cunningham and Barbara Brock Marketing, Publicity, and Charleston Home liaison: Janet Knorr Advance Tickets: Judy Imbus Ticket Sales Chair and Co-Chair: Marlies Tindall and Terri DeVane Designer Sales Chair and Co-Chair: Betsey Carter and Marie Arnaud House Operations: Sandra Gordon Distribution: Julie Fenimore Designer Liaison: Sandra Gaylord Boutique Chair: Mary Ellen Ondo Boutique Co-Chairs: Bobbie Greenebaum, Celia Hansult, Gail Maginnis, and Carol Lou Yaeger Bare Boards Chair and Co-Chair: Marie Palmatier and Celia Hansult Preview Party: Jean Eckert and Lisa Rourk Café: Sue Ingram Signage: Chuck Hansult Music Coordinator: Ledlie Bell Zoning and Community Awareness: Marion Schools Photography: Wally Briedis House Treasurer: Ed Knorr Sponsorship: Bud Strauss Logistics Coordinator: Richard Show Special Events Co-Chairs: Bonnie Merkel and Margaret Bobo CSOL President: Margaret Strauss CSOL VP Projects: Caroline Thibault
120 South Battery
Eight interior designers took on 120 South Battery, a two-and-a-half story Colonial Revival-style residence built in 1922. The design team revamped nine rooms, including a center hall, double parlors, and four upstairs bedrooms. The 6,000 square-foot structure, erected after combining four lots, boasts a street-facing entrance and double side porches. Among the home’s previous owners are A. Marion Stone, vice president and treasurer of the old Charleston Hotel, and Governor Ernest F. Hollings, who bought the property for his family in 1962. Shortly after, the house was sold to its current owners, the Shisko family. Architectural Notes The façade of the South Battery property features a semi-circular portico with Doric columns and balustrade, accessible by a curved double-entry staircase.
54Gibbes King Street retailer Maine Cottage enlivened this newly renovated, 1910 house, built in a modified Arts & Crafts style with a semicircular front porch and brick variation of a balustrade extending its length. Doric columns, double-hung single-pane glass windows, a tiled roof, and a small back porch define the exterior, while the open floor plan features a modern kitchen, circular interior staircase, four bedrooms, and a ground-floor living and recreation area. The renovation was completed in March of 2009. Architectural Notes A key design element at the early 1900s residence is parquet flooring, featuring inlaid wood with a herringbone pattern.
?
behind the scenes
s a n d r a
g ay l o r d s a n d r a
Sm i t h J o l e n e
Jolene Smith (right) chooses trim samples at Market in New York City.
g ay l o r d
DO I need an interior designer?
Sandra Gaylord measures for new cabinet doors in the kitchen at 120 South Battery.
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Sandy Ericksen works with a contractor in the master suite of 120 South Battery.
How much will they charge? Is it a big-time commitment? Go to charlestonhomemag. com/decorating to learn more about hiring an interior designer. Experts weigh in on fees, getting help with small projects, and finding a pro to suit your style.
SPRING/SUMMER 2010
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2010 symphony designer showhouse
120 South Battery
entry hall
& powder room
1
Steal This Look 1. Add Southern warmth and drama
the room
Interior designer Kristine Johnson chose the iconic pineapple—a symbol for wealth, prosperity, and hospitality— as a theme for the entry foyer. “I wanted this refined space to be both inviting and glamorous,” says Johnson, who paired a backdrop of Petite Pineapple wallpaper with a decorative hall console and a pair of French walnut armchairs upholstered in Designers Guild “Ariana Moss.” Oil paintings by New Jerseybased artist Santo Pezzutti warm the airy entry hall and stairs. Johnson was raised in the West Indies and educated in Europe and the New York School of Interior Design. Having recently relocated to Charleston, she brings with her an affinity for ancient Greek forms, clean-lined Chinese design, and simple neoclassicism. Note: Check out the first-floor powder room for more of this designer’s work.
with pineapple-themed wallpaper. 2. Create a pleasing focal point in broad entry spaces with a decorative console table and colorful upholstered chairs.
Where to find her:
3. Marry hall to stairwell with a series of
Kristine Johnson Design 22 King Street Charleston (843) 793-1821 kgilljohnson@aol.com
rich oil paintings by a favorite artist.
(Far left to right) Hall painting: Woman with Flowers; Ariana Moss armchair fabric; Petite Pineapple wallpaper
Ceiling: Pulpit Peak
Trim: Simply White
*See page 94 for a list of resources 80
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Kristine Johnson
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WINTER 2009
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2010 symphony designer showhouse
living room 120 South Battery
Draperies: Pompadour Prints, Palais Chinois
Walls: Ash Violet Trim: Simple White
the room
In an effort to create an intimate central living room, West Columbia-based designers Evon Kirkland McAngus and Daly Gentry anchored the focus in the center of the room with a pair of petite conversational sofas and a Lucite coffee table. An emphasis on rectangular forms mimics the room’s shape, while a three-dimensional oyster-shell mirror adds texture above a plain fireplace. Bright yellow accents give fun contrast to lavender walls. McAngus has been the owner of Evon Kirkland Interiors since 1995 and has built a portfolio that includes residential and commercial projects throughout the Southeast. Before the firm, McAngus worked for a boutique retail design group and a high-end custom homebuilder. In 2007, she expanded her business by opening Westend in Columbia, a luxury home gallery of furniture, art, and antiques.
Where to find her: fabric name here, maker etc info also here on the plate
Steal This Look 1. Dress the room in lavender for a sophisticated, feminine hue. 2. Add organic, three-dimensional detail
Evon Kirkland Interiors 830 Meeting St. West Columbia (803) 794-5002 evonkirklandinteriors.com
to plain architectural elements (like the fireplace) with a large oyster-shell mirror. 3. Put a unique spin on traditional toile with an avant garde fabric, like this Osborne & Little drapery swatch that inspired the room.
Queen Anne armchair from Baker 82
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*See page 94 for a list of resources HOME
Daly Gentry (left) and Evon Kirkland McAngus
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2010 Symphony designer showhouse
den & music room 120 South Battery
the room
Situated behind the home’s formal living room, the den serves as a comfortable seating area and music room. Designer Maria Schendzelos enlivened the walls with a beige grasscloth and took advantage of the room’s elongated shape to define two living spaces—the warm seating area with a pair of wing chairs and a1920s sofa, and a music room centered around a baby grand piano. Schendzelos’ designs reflect a fresh mix of art, antiques, and contemporary furnishings. “I like to use as much of the client’s personal pieces as possible,” says the University of Georgia grad, who has more than 15 years of interior design and retail experience. Schendzelos is also the proprietor of Morton James boutique in West Ashley’s South Windermere Shopping Center. Note: Check out the upstairs guest suite for more of this designer’s work.
Steal This Look 1. Refer to 1920s design with Decoinspired furniture and accessories, like a pair of tall, crystal buffet lamps. 2. Add eggplant accents for a fresh and modern color palette. 3. Cover walls in a pale grasscloth to keep
Where to find her:
things bright and casual.
Morton James/ Maria Schendzelos Designs 36 Windermere Blvd. Charleston (843) 571-2575 mortonjames.com
.
Sofa accent pillow fabric: striped velvet Crystal and bronze buffet lamp
Walls: grasscloth
Sofa fabric: velvet
*See page 95 for a list of resources 84
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HOME
Maria Schendzelos
120 South Battery
front
bedroom
the room
Designers Anna Lassiter and Lucinda Robinson positioned the bed in the center of the room to open up work spaces, reading nooks, and access to the view. Silk charmeuse panels over shimmery Japanese silk Roman shades frame the windows and an upholstered linen chaise offers a comfy spot to read. But the heart of the room is the suspended canopy bed, which the designers dressed in custom linens and fabrics by Osborne & Little. After working separately in the local design community for years, New York native Robinson and Charleston-born Lassiter teamed up in 2009 to open downtown boutique, Eden Boheme. This is their first Showhouse. Note: Check out the upstairs hallway for more of this design team’s work.
1
Steal This Look
Where to find them: Eden Boheme 194 King St. Charleston (843) 805-6025 edenboheme.blogspot.com
1. Design an artists’ den using a soothing backdrop, like this mix of slate, taupe, violet, and cream. 2. Add rich texture to the room via embroidered silk, silk charmeuse, and velvet. 3. Center the canopy bed in the middle of the room for a surprising design element.
Walls: Cobblestone
French chaise in linen and burlap Lucinda Robinson (left) & Anna Lassiter Pillow fabric: Kishore
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2010 SYMPHONY designer showhouse
master bedroom 120 South Battery
the room
In interior designer Sandy Ericksen’s master bedroom, a simple upholstered bed in russet-hued fabric and a scalloped ceiling shade punctuate her subtly feminine design. “The furnishings are a mixed bag,” says Ericksen, who made use of an antique desk from the homeowner and a recovered chair that dates to the 1960s. “These items blend with new pieces for a look that will appear to have evolved, much the way most rooms organically come together.” Ericksen launched her Mount Pleasantbased design firm in 2004 following a successful sales and marketing career. After training at the Rhode Island School of Design, she went on to build a portfolio that includes residential, maritime, and commercial projects.
Steal This Look 1. Ground the room in a pleasing Charleston color scheme of blue and russet hues. 2. Replace traditional art with a Willow Ware display over the fireplace.
Where to find her:
3. Beware of light, light, and more light:
Sandra Ericksen Design (843) 324-5914 sandraericksen.com
“I had to design a room energetic enough that it wouldn’t be washed out in the sunlight,” says Ericksen.
Draperies: Stitched Check Bed upholstery: Ginger Delphine bedside table lamp Walls: Dune
Ceiling: Jacob Blue
Trim: Simply White
*See page 96 for a list of resources 86
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Sandy Ericksen
120 South Battery
office
Chaise: green linen
the room
Designer Heather Marz imagined the upstairs office as a lady’s retreat, serving as both a creative haven and quiet den for relaxing. Smoky gray walls offer a strong contrasting backdrop for fresh, modern upholstery fabrics and a custom area rug (designed by Marz). Wall art comes in the form of glass display boxes fitted with handmade jewelry, notes, and drawings. In 2007, Marz moved from Los Angeles to Charleston, where she opened her boutique—The Sitting Room—and set out designing homes and commercial spaces throughout South Carolina. With more than a decade in the design industry, she’s been featured on television’s HGTV’s Designer’s Challenge, the Christopher Lowell Show, and the Kitty Bartholomew Show, as well as in various news segments and magazine articles.
Wall art: Swirled vintage glass pendant by Studio 546
Where to find her:
Steal This Look
The Sitting Room 280 West Coleman Blvd. Mount Pleasant (843) 849-8969 thesittingroomhome.com
1. Start with solid, neutral walls and add
Walls: Seraph
fresh, contrasting colors. 2. Choose a patterned rug that grounds the room in fun, feminine style. 3. Forgo traditional art and encase jewelry and treasured objects to adorn the wall instead.
Custom area rug Matisse storage cabinet with leaf cutout
Heather Marz
*See page 96 for a list of resources w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
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2010 SYMPHONY designer showhouse
120 South Battery
dining room
the room
With a round pedestal dining table and a set of limed oak upholstered chairs, Jolene Smith’s light-filled dining room becomes a charming space for intimate dinners. “The challenge was to create a feeling of warmth in a somewhat large, open room,” explains Smith, who balanced the natural light from four large windows with a dark, merlot wall color. A pretty, striated wallpaper in aqua adds a punch of color to the ceiling, while handmade dinner ware offers light pumpkin accents. Smith spent time in the corporate world before returning to school to study interior design. She has designed homes since 1992, specializes in custom residential design, and is best known for her use of color and creative space-planning. She frequently authors articles on the subjects of design and the psychology of color.
Ceiling: Zebra Grass textured wallpaper
Where to find her: Jolene W. Smith Interiors, Inc. 165 Village Green Ln., Ste. 230 Freshfields Village Kiawah Island (843) 278-1958 jolenesmithinteriors.com
Steal This Look
Gemma capiz-shell chandelier by Made Goods
1. Employ a strong color scheme of merlot, aqua, and light pumpkin; this balances any flood of light from large windows. 2. Punch up the room with whimsical
Walls: Merlot
detail, like a modern, mother-of-pearl chandelier with capiz shell butterflies. 3. Incorporate a large, round, painted
Accent: Pale Aqua
dining table for intimate suppers.
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Jolene Smith
120 South Battery
kitchen
the room
Tyvek “Phrena” light designed by Karl Zahn for Artecnica
Working with the existing cabinetry and countertop, kitchen designer Sandra Gaylord says she “set out to make something old new again.” Gaylord repainted the cabinetry using two different hues for upper and lower cupboards (crisp white and grey, respectively). Lacking a natural breakfast area, she added an open, freestanding island that provides a muchneeded spot for eating and conversation. After working in Washington, D.C., for several years, Gaylord returned to her native Charleston to open Gaylord Design, LLC. She is a Certified Kitchen Designer and Allied member of ASID, specializing in residential, kitchen, and commercial design. Along with completing past showhouses in D.C. and residential projects in Michigan, Florida, and South Carolina, her firm’s work has appeared in DC-VA-MD Home+Design, Charleston Home+Design, and Shades of Green, among other publications.
Where to find her: Roman shade fabric: silk
Steal This Look
Gaylord Design, LLC 642 Grassy Hill Ln. Summerville (843) 327-4635 gaylorddesignllc.com
1. Save the expense of replacing out-of-
Lower cabinetry: Gauntlet Grey
date countertops by blending them with lower cabinets, using a complementary paint color on the cabinetry. 2. Hang a large picture frame over an
Upper cabinetry: Extra White
oversized picture window to give a visual break from the expanse of glass without interfering with the view. 3. Add an open, custom island for a central breakfast area that doesn’t
White oak kitchen island
dominate the room.
*See page 96 for a list of resources w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
Sandra Gaylord
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2010 SYMPHONY designer showhouse
featured rooms 54 Gibbes
house details
Designers at King Street retailer Maine Cottage furnished the newly renovated,
dining room
Steal This Look 1. Tie a room to outside greenery and adjoining rooms by mimicking their color schemes; here, the designers used mango and pear hues.
early 1900s residence in their signature sunny hues and comfortable, approachable style. “Our goal was to create a living space that was cheerful, fresh, and current,” says Amy Zonarich, one of the team’s designers. Along with infusing the home with beachy fabrics, pretty painted furniture, and cozy upholstered pieces, the group dressed the chic Arts & Crafts residence in contemporary art throughout, with special collections of paintings and sculpture serving as a bridge to the handcrafted patterned floors, millwork, and built-in cabinetry. “Our idea was to create a relaxing, lively interior fit for family,” says co-designer Amy Zonarich. Maine Cottage has produced fresh furniture and colorful fabrics since 1988, retailing nationwide through their e-commerce website, mainecottage.com. The Charleston showroom opened its doors on Upper King in February 2003. The company also operates showrooms in West Palm Beach, Florida, and in their headquarters in Yarmouth, Maine.
2. Create a focal point that is comple-
Where to find them:
mentary to an array of colors. The dining
Maine Cottage 525 King St. Charleston (843) 722-7188 mainecottage.com
table’s butternut wood is irregularly grained with occasional darker tones that makes it easy to match. 3. Hang strong, but light-hearted artwork over the mantel.
Butternut dining table Interior cabinets: Sun Dining chairs in Mango pure linen
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Maine Cottage designers Cindy Baxter (left) and Amy Zonarich
living room Steal This Look 1. Use an interesting collection of accessories—like Tracy Glover glass lighting—to bridge differing styles. 2. Paint the interior of shelving to help bring focal points and the scale of the room down to eye level.
Wingback chair: Tweet Suite in Zinnia
Cottage Tea Table in Sun Interior cabinets: Sun
master bedroom Steal This Look 1. Encourage relaxation with an upholstered bed in blue, beachy colors. 2. Bring a large room down to scale using window treatments and paintings that draw room elements together. 3. Make sure the room is practical by including generous bedside lighting and
Bed upholstery: Luxe Loop in Porch
plentiful, easy-to-reach to storage.
End tables: Bark
Armoire and wicker table: Ivory w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
Nellie six-drawer dresser in Porch
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Like our style? Here’s where we shopped
Home Front { Page 24 } Market Report Lesesne, 539 King St., Charleston, (843) 853-3905, shoplesesne.com; Charleston Architectural Glass, 1750 Signal Point Rd., Charleston, (843) 452-0427; charlestonarchitecturalglass.com 92
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{ Pages 26-27 } Bargains & Best Bets Eric Cohler at the Charleston International Antiques Show, Friday, March 19, 11:30 a.m., 40 East Bay Street; $75 per person;
call (843) 722-3405 for tickets or order online at historiccharleston.org { Page 28 } Mini-Makeover Upholstery by Pamela Bowen of Meg and Me Upholstery, (843) 568-0304, megandmeupholstery. webs.com; fabric is Albemarle Capri by Beacon Hill through Robert Allen Design, robertallendesign.com; gimp from B Picky, 761 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, (843) 881-
3771, bpicky.com { Page 32 } 10 Minutes With Jane Larkin Miller, JLM Designs, (843) 577-6693
Homeowners’ Notebook { Pages 45-47 } Inside Job Leaning bookcase from Crate & Barrel, crateandbarrel. com; Ordinal dresser from Anthropologie, anthropologie.com;
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{ Page 16 } Smart Stuff Seagrass pendant light from Candelabra, 404 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, (843) 849-7775, shopcandelabra.com; container plantings from Abidea-While Garden Center, 1460 U.S. 17, Mt. Pleasant, (843) 884-9738, abideawhilegardencenter.com; and the City Greenhouse, (843) 958-6434; Deco-Poz supplies from DwellSmart, 615 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, (843) 856-2282; dwellsmart.com
Mulberry Street, (843) 9918724, mulberrystreetonline.com; Silver Pail Pottery, 113 Ayers Cir., Summerville, (843) 8519544, silverpailpottery.com; Seeking Indigo, 445 King St., Charleston, (843) 725-0217, seekingindigo.com
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{ Pages 15-16 } Peg Your Pots & Pans Table lamps from Circa Lighting, 426 King St., Charleston, (843) 937-5990, circalighting. com; Supplies from Lowe’s, 1104 Market Center Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, (843) 881-5757; 770 Daniel Ellis Dr., Charleston, (843) 795-9774; 3125 Glenn McConnell Pkwy., Charleston, (843) 852-9099; 7555 Northwood Blvd., North Charleston, (843) 572-4613; lowes.com
b y
Fresh Ideas
}
p h o t o g r a p h
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resources spring/summer
Before & After
More Makeovers, Please! { Pages 54-58 } Crave more makeover shots from our reader contest? We’ve got plenty! Check out the extras at charlestonhomemag.com.
{ resources } The Charleston Symphony Orchestra League (CSOL) extends sincere thanks to the following:
p h o t o g r a p h
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E LI Z AB E TH
GOUL D ON
{ Page 77 }
It Takes a Village
The 2010 CSOL Designer Showhouse committee on the steps of 120 South Battery in downtown Charleston. The home is one of two open for tours March 18-April 18. For more information, visit csolinc.org.
Mr. and Mrs. Conhagan Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Shisko Abide-a-While Garden Center Mike Bishop of Bessinger Electric, Inc. Board of Architectural Review Charleston County Library Charleston Police Department Color Wheel Paint City of Charleston Cuddleton Towels Ralph Dandridge of Color Wheel Paint Joan A. Davis Daniel Dover of Nu Home Adam Edwards of Carriage Properties Earl Fore of Aqua Blue Pools Ned Evish of Unique Refinishers of South Carolina, Inc. Charles Fox of Fox Music Josh Garvin of Green Meadow Nursery Jay Guy of Carolina Landscape Supply The Harbor Club
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Keith Hess of Carolina Shelving and Mirror Hhgregg Appliances & Electronics Gail Howell George Hyams of Hyam’s Garden & Accent Store If It’s Paper Jason’s Deli Tom Joyce’s Brass Quintet Jay Jurevicius of Moen Jennie Katherman of Hairy Winston Joanne’s Cleaning Service Lexus of Charleston Lord & Evans Paints Lowcountry Lighting Center Beth McGinty of Blooms by Beth Tony Merck of Specialty Trees Middleton Place Museum Shop Tony Moluf of Moluf’s Kitchen and Bath Nelson Printing Corporation Josh Oleen of Oleen Moving
Piggly Wiggly Carolina Corporation Pins and Needles, LLC Rick’s Lighting The Honorable Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Romo Designer Fabrics & Wallcoverings Mile Sanders of Aukland Nursery Jeff Singletary of Lowcountry Tile Contractors, Inc. Snyder Rental Tom Smith Catering Total Wine & More Derek Wade of Carolina Landscaping Phyllis Wakat of Phyllis 232 King Kenneth Widener of Ambassador Window Cleaning Wonder Works
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{ resources } Elfa Sycamore desk system from The Container Store, containerstore.com; Valhalla office chair from Bauer International, 414 Jessen Ln., Charleston, (843) 884-4007, bauerinternational. com; Gregor swivel chair from IKEA, ikea.com; Aluminum bar stool from Berlin’s Restaurant Supply, 5051 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, (843) 744-4499, berlins.com; paint colors available at Lowe’s, 1104 Market Center Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, (843) 881-5757; 770 Daniel Ellis Dr., Charleston, (843) 795-9774; 3125 Glenn McConnell Pkwy., Charleston, (843) 852-9099; 7555 Northwood Blvd., North Charleston, (843) 572-4613; lowes.com; Portfolio 1-Light from Lowe’s; Clear beehive pendant by Caleb Siemon through special order from ESD, 422 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, (843) 225-6282, esdcharleston.com { Pages 49-51 } Small Spaces Architecture and interior design by Tynan Associates, tynanacorn1@aol.com; bed and linens from Acquisitions, 273 East Bay St., Charleston, (843) 577-8004, acquisitionsfurniture.com; bed shams from Yves Delorme, 246 King St., Charleston, (843) 853-4331; yvesdelorme.com; finish carpentry by Final Piece of the Puzzle, Kevin Hutchison, kahutch0825@yahoo.com; hardware and plumbing fixtures and supplies from Bird Decorative Hardware and Bath, 1081 Morrison Dr., Charleston, (843) 577-5440, birddecorativehardware.com; light fixtures from Circa Lighting, 426 King St., Charleston, (843) 937-5990, circalighting.com; painted chest from ESD, 422 Savannah Hwy., 94
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Charleston, (843) 225-6282, esdcharleston.com. Artwork by Gary Grier (on easel), (843) 460-8787, garygrier.blogspot. com; Harriet Shorr (above demilune), harrietshorr.com; Julyan Davis (above loveseat) and Johnson Haygood (left of kitchen counter and above chest) from Carolina Galleries, 106 Church St., (843) 720-8622, carolinagalleries.com; Linda Keyser Smith (above chest) from Sylvan Gallery, 171 King St., Charleston, (843) 722-2172, thesylvangallery.com; Melanie Parke (right of kitchen sink), (231) 889-6134, parkekooyman.com
Before & After Contest { Pages 54-55 } Cottage Classic Architectural design by Allen Design Inc., 409 Coleman Blvd., Ste. 203, Mt. Pleasant, (843) 881-3773, allendesignarchitecture.com; general contracting by Allen Construction, LLC, 409 Coleman Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, (843) 881-1515; interior design by Roberts Erickson Design, LLC, 1315 Elfe St., Daniel Island, (843) 425-8373, redesignsc.com; Susan Crisler of Willett-Crisler, Atlanta { Page 56 } Dynamite DIY Counters by Mack Sanders, (843) 813-6214; floors by B&C Flooring (Capers Cauthen and Kevin Dilbro); general assistance by contractor Westley Muckenfuss, (843) 478-6883 { Page 57 } Space Saver General contracting by TNT Construction, (843) 693-1339 or
(804) 543-0983, tnt-construction.com { Page 58 } Open House General contracting by Personalized Home Improvements, (843) 214-0834
Lobster Bake, Lowcountry-Style { Pages 60-67 } Butcher paper from Artist & Craftsman Supply, 143 Calhoun St., Charleston, (843) 579-0077, artistcraftsman.com; chairs from Snyder Event Rentals, 3895 Meeting St., North Charleston, (843) 766-3366; gingham tablecloth from eBay.com; lobsters from charlestonseafood.com; lobster stamp from krittersinthemailbox.com; paper lanterns from paperlanternstore.com and World Market, 946 Orleans Rd., Charleston, (843) 852-2700, worldmarket.com
Resurrection { Pages 68-75 } Architectural restoration and renovation by Glenn Keyes Architects, 12 Vanderhorst St., Charleston, (843) 722-4100, rgkarchitects.com; faux painting by Stephanie Poe, (843) 3450257; interior design consulting by KDM Interiors, (843) 884-9378; landscape design by Wertimer & Associates, 517 Meeting St., (843) 577-3360, wertimer.com; new building and well cap design by Gibson Thompson Guess Architects, 12 Vanderhorst St., Charleston, (843) 722-9040, gtgarchitects. com; tree doctoring by Mead’s Tree Services, Inc., (843) 5565679
Designer Showhouse { Page 80 } Entry Hall Design by Kristine Johnson Design. Credits: artwork by Santo Pezzutti; antique French chairs gilded by Born Again Furniture, upholstered by Alfred Nesbitt; antique French chandelier, designer’s collection; Super Star console table by Mariette Himes Gomez for Hickory Chair; flowers by Stems; Rococo-style Hunt mirrors, owners’ collection; paint by Color Wheel from Lord and Evans; paint and wallpaper installation by Shamrock Services, Inc.; Ariana Moss fabric by Designer’s Guild; Petite Pineapple wallpaper by Studio Printworks through Hinson & Co. { not pictured } Powder Room Design by Kristine Johnson Design. Credits: accessories including vase and soap dish from Antiques Market, Mount Pleasant; business cards from Dulles Designs; faucets by Moen through Moluf’s; front door knocker by Cape Cod Weathervane Company; handmade mirror, designer’s collection; pedestal sink from Waterworks; Birdcage Walk wallpaper by Nina Campbell { Page 82 } Living Room Design by Evon Kirkland Interiors. Credits: original artwork by Mike Williams; chandelier from Visual Comfort; drapery fabric from Osborne & Little; furniture from Westend, a division of Evon Kirkland Interiors; lamps from Festoni; mirror from Made Goods; paint from Sherwin Williams; decorative rug
{ resources } from Fine Rugs of Charleston; sisal rug from Merida; Lucite cocktail table from Grace Li Designs; lacquer walls and plaster ceiling by Georgia Lake { Page 84 } Den & Music Room Design by Maria Schendzelos Designs. Credits: accessories, furniture (interior and porch), and lighting from Morton James; antique accessories from Terrace Oaks Antiques; artwork by Elizabeth Middour; Thibaut and Lorca upholstery fabrics through Morton James; porch fabrics by Duralee Fabrics through Morton James; custom paint by Color Wheel; piano from Fox Music; rug from Fine Rugs of Charleston; Kunqu Damask grasscloth wallpaper by Thibaut Designs through Morton James, installation by James S. Meador { not pictured } Upstairs Guest Suite Design by Maria Schendzelos Designs. Credits: accessories and lighting from Morton James; artwork, including piece by Soicher Marin, from Morton James; bedding by Ferran New York through Morton James; Naples fabric by Thibaut through Morton James; drapery fabrication and installation by Creative Cotton; Rush Hour paint by Color Wheel, painting by James. S. Meador; area rug from Zinn Rugs; hourglass table by Beeline Home through Morton James; Naples wallpaper by Thibaut through Morton James, installation by James S. Meador { Page 85 } Front Bedroom Design by Eden Boheme. Credits: center chandelier from Golden & Skinner Antiques; mixed media Twitter feed piece above fireplace from Matthew Bowers; painting by Andrew Chisolm from Chisolm Restoration; area rug from Zinn Rug Gallery; sink faucet from Moluf’s { not pictured } Upstairs Hallway Design by Eden Boheme. Credits: oil paintings by Liz Tuckwell; wallpaper panels w w w. c h a r l e s t o n h o m e m a g . c o m
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{ resources } from Catherine Weathers from Wonders of Wallpaper, construction of panels by Tim McMillan from Around the House; painting by Andrew Chisolm of Chisolm Restoration { Page 86 } Master Bedroom Design by Sandra Ericksen Design. Credits: area rug from Fine Rugs of Charleston; chandelier from Carolina Lanterns; tile installation by Lowcountry Flooring; drapery fabrication by Creative Cotton; Mosaic Tile Mirror by Mosaic Reflections; master bath plumbing fixtures from Moluf’s; painting by Bobby Grubbs Painting; master bath shower tiles from Melcer Tile; window treatment installation by Phelps Enterprises; lighting installation by Cypress Electric; master bath vanity top from Lowcountry Tile; fabrics and hardware by Robert Allen Design { Page 87 } Office Design by the Sitting Room. Credits: white cabinet from Bungalow 5; custom drapery from Pins & Needles, LLC.; purple cut velvet fabric and wallpaper from Romo, additional fabric from Michael’s Textiles; faux-finishing from My Painter & Co., Inc.; custom furniture & accessories from the Sitting Room; lighting from Ro ShaBeaux; painting from JRMori Painting { Page 88 } Dining Room Design by Jolene Smith Interiors. Credits: dinnerware by Marc Blackwell; fabrics by Schumacher; faux finish by Gail Tiller; paint by Color Wheel; room rendering by Anne Melvin Girault; rug from Fine Rugs of Charleston; wallpaper and paint by James Meador; window treatments by Creative Cotton { Page 89 } Kitchen Design by Gaylord Design, LLC;. Credits: area rug from Fine Rugs of Charleston; artwork from Mary Martin Gallery; glass backsplash by GlassKote, installed by Charleston Glass; cabinet refinishing by Verde Fine Fin96
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{ resources } ishes; curtain fabrication by Creative Cotton; electrical work by Bessinger Electrical; hardware from Foxworth Hardware; island by Dave’s Custom Cabinets; lacquer application by Cabinet Doctors; lighting by Artecnica Phrena through Velocity Art and Design; plumbing fixtures from Moluf’s, installation by Melfi Plumbing; kitchen wall and trim paint (Simply White) by Color Wheel/Sherwin Williams, lower cabinetry and secondary walls (Guantlet Grey) and upper cabinetry paint (Extra White) by Sherwin Williams { Pages 90-91 } 54 Gibbes Design by Maine Cottage. Credits: lighting from Altamira, Architects & Heroes, Jill Rosenwald, Lamp Works, Stray Dog Designs, and Tracy Glover Objects & Lighting; rugs from 79th Street Rug Shop, ADMG, Design Materials, and Magdalena York; bedding from Brahms Mount, Libeco Lagae, Serena & Lily, and Legacy; throw pillows from Dermond Peterson and Pablo Mekis; consignment artists: Gina Adams, Philip Barter, Carol Bass, Martha Baum, Sissy Buck, Greg Frangoulis, Laurie Hadlock, Mary Ruth Hedstrom, Lynn Krause, Jane Ryan, Beth Westra; art from Beyond Borders and SugarBoo Designs; window and window seat treatments by Rebecca Geary; tabletop accessories from Frances Palmer, Lacey Goodrich, Mariposa, Rolf’s Cut Crystal, Soule Studio, and Sophie Conran; frames from Bedford Downing Glass and Mariposa; coat rack from Form & Reform; paint by Color Wheel Paints, painting by Steady Hands Painting Co.
charleston Advertiser index Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath......... 31
Handmade in America...............................34
Bulls Bay Bed Swing...................................95
Historic Charleston Properties................ 19
Blue Ridge Wine + Food......................... 40
Jim Kempson.................................................35
California Closets......................................... 27
Lane & Smythe..............................................39
Candelabra........................................................ 11
LEAF................................................................... 53
Carolina Lanterns................................... IFC, 1
LeHigh Land & Building Company...... 25
Carriage Properties.....................................33
M&M Oil and Propane, Inc. - The Fire
Centex Homes................................................ 31
Place...................................................................83
Charleston Architectural Glass............... 81
Maine Cottage.............................................IBC
Charleston Day School..............................96
McAlister Preferred Properties............... 41
Charleston Lamp............................................ 6
Mt. Pleasant Pilates.....................................42
Charleston Power Yoga.............................33
Outer Banks Trading Co............................96
Christopher Rose Architects.................. 76
Pierre Deux......................................................53
Charleston Fashion Week........................42
Princess Anne...................................................8
Charleston International Antique Show.
Remark Landscape Architecture ......... 13
..............................................................................48
Roper Saint Francis Ryan White
Classic Remodeling....................................... 9
Foundation...................................................... 52
Coleman Fine Art.................................... 2, 22
SC Department of Agriculture................ 17
Daniel Island....................................................14
Sea Island Builders.........................................3
Daniel Ravenel................................................ 12
SieMatic................................................................5
East Cooper Entrepreneurial Women.....
SIM Group Inc................................................. 21
......................................................................98, 99
Tile and Stone Design Studio.................59
Ferguson.........................................................BC
Upper King Design Walk..........................43
Frank Leigh Paint.........................................34
William Bates Design.................................95
Gathering — Floral + Event Design.....29
Worthwhile......................................................20
GDC.......................................................................7
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seabrook
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charleston estate marketplace Your guide to million-dollar homes in the Lowcountry.
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james island •
6070 Grand Council Street
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downtown
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2457 Daniel Island Drive
kiawah edisto
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This charming one-story cottage is nestled on a private home site next to a greenspace. Details include Brazilian cherry floors throughout with the exception of ceramic tile in the baths, soaring 10-foot ceilings, and a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops, upgraded cabinets, and a center island. The spacious master suite features a tray ceiling, a walk-in closet, and a double sink vanity and ceramic tile shower in the bath. Perfect for entertaining, the family room is open to the kitchen and features a gas log fireplace. There are many places to enjoy outdoor island living including a welcoming front porch, a screened porch, a rear deck, and a fenced-in backyard. 1,538 sq. ft, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. $459,000 Contact: Daniel Island Real Estate Phone Number: (843) 971-7100 Website: www.danielisland.com
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This elegant Lowcountry home boasts sweeping views of an 11-acre lake framed by spacious parklands and flourishing gardens. Nestled on a corner home site, this residence features a top-of-the-line kitchen and an elegant office beautifully accented with a coffered ceiling and built-in cabinet and desk on the first floor. The floor plan also includes a playroom and guest suite with a full bath on the third floor. Other details include custom cabinetry and built-ins in all baths and closets and a coffered ceiling and cozy gas fireplace surrounded by bookcases in the family room. Enjoy an easy walk to the Daniel Island School, library, and Pierce Park pool and pavilion at the Wando River’s edge. 4,165 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 half baths. $1,095,000 Contact: Daniel Island Real Estate Phone Number: (843) 971-7100 Website: www.danielisland.com
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This two-story home is located down the street from Smythe Park which features an 11-acre lake surrounded by beautiful gardens and scenic picnic areas. The functional floor plan includes a formal dining room off the foyer and a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops that opens to the breakfast room and family room. The owner’s retreat is on the second floor and features a walk-in closet and a dual sink vanity, spa tub, and a separate shower in the bath. Exterior features include a detached two-car garage with storage above, a spacious rear screened porch, and a fenced-in yard. 1,599 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths. $431,305 Contact: Daniel Island Real Estate Phone Number: (843) 971-7100 Website: www.danielisland.com
seabrook
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Pier View offers the perfect opportunity for low-maintenance living in Charleston’s preferred suburban address. Situated on the marshes of the Wando River, this inviting neighborhood represents the best of both worlds—the serenity of island living with all the conveniences of Daniel Island’s downtown. With spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom units ranging from 884 to 2,291 square feet, plans feature large master suites with walk-in closets and well-appointed interiors. Residents enjoy a private parking garage, storage units, an elevator to each floor, and controlled access to buildings, along with a swimming pool and outdoor grilling area. Prices range from the high $100s to the $600s. Contact: Daniel Island Real Estate Phone Number: (843) 971-7100 Website: www.danielisland.com
james island
Pier View Condominiums
This charming home offers panoramic views of the Tom Fazio-designed Beresford Creek Course. The spacious master suite faces the golf course and boasts a private piazza. The floor plan also includes an elegant dining room, formal living room, third-floor game room, and a guest suite with full bath and kitchenette above a detached two-car garage. Exterior highlights include a deep full front porch, a rear porch, and an exquisitely landscaped backyard with a reflecting pond and fountain. This property includes Daniel Island Club social membership privileges, plus the opportunity to upgrade to a golf membership. 4,125 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths. $1,350,000 Contact: Daniel Island Real Estate Phone Number: (843) 971-7100 Website: www.danielisland.com
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33 Hazelhurst Street
Daniel Island’s diverse collection of home sites offers a wide range of views, locations, and attractive pricing. From conveniently located home sites within walking distance of Daniel Island’s schools, library, and most popular parks, to breathtaking golf and waterfront sites within an exclusive golf neighborhood setting, there are many reasons to consider building now on Charleston’s Daniel Island. Contact: Daniel Island Real Estate Phone Number: (843) 971-7100 Website: www.danielisland.com
isle of palms
isle of palms
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Daniel Island home sites
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daniel island
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132 Church Street
55 Concord Street
2739 Royall Trace Lane
The Douxsaint-Macauley House (c. 1791) includes a main house, carriage house, elevator, walled garden, and pool. A two-year renovation by architect Glenn Keyes and contractor Todd Poore was done with attention to every detail, from gas lanterns at the front door to the carriage house secret garden at the back of the property. Grand, elegant rooms have been polished to their original integrity, seamlessly leading to a new wing with a kitchen that opens directly to a completely refurbished garden. Beyond the carriage house and main garden is a hidden walled garden with a pool. Contact: Marty Byrd, marty@historiccharlestonproperties.com Phone Number: (843) 509-8789 Website: www.charlestonpropertyfinder.com
Revel in glorious views of the Charleston harbor from this waterfront townhouse on the park. This nearly 2,000 square-foot South of Broad residence is open and accommodating, offering a large living room, sitting/dining/ kitchen area, powder room, and small sunroom overlooking a sumptuous courtyard. The second story features a large master with water views, a guest bedroom, two tiled bathrooms, and a study. Nine-foot ceilings and beautiful heart pine floors throughout. This low-maintenance, fee simple townhouse has off-street parking and a stucco exterior. $1,295,000 Contact: Jane Ries, jane@historiccharlestonproperties.com Phone Number: (843) 853-3000 or 224-9912 Website: www.charlestonpropertyfinder.com
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Creekfront/oceanview lot with dock. Beach, ocean, creek, marsh, live oaks, and palmettoes are all rolled into one spectacular home site. Dock in place with 8 x 16-foot float. The best views at Edisto. It doesn’t get any better than this! $525,000 Contact: Jim Kempson, jimkempson@seaislandrealty.com Phone Number: (843) 509-6890 Website: www.seaislandrealty.com
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This is the perfect home with a dock just 40 feet from the backyard and on deepwater, too. The entrance foyer opens to a formal dining room. The great room features built-ins, a television over the mantel, and a bank of windows overlooking the creek. There is an outstanding kitchen with breakfast room that equals the dining room in size, plus a lounge area for the kids. Granite countertops and stainless steel appliances complete the kitchen. A large downstairs master bedroom suite features a sunroom and marble bath. There are four additional master suites upstairs. Hardwood floors throughout. Screened porch for outside entertaining. All of this on one of the prettiest lots in Old Brickyard. $1,850,000 Contact: Jackie Clark, jclark@carolinaone.com or Renee Bittner, rbittner@carolinaone.com Phone Number: (843) 607-1265 or (843) 509-9139 Website: www.jackieclark.com
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james island
Edisto Island
High-style classic, late 19th-century residence overlooks a very large private garden oasis with a pool, restored carriage house, and two off-street parking spaces. This house has grand-sized rooms with 14-foot ceilings and the original gas (now electrified) chandeliers in the front parlor and dining room. The true beauty of this wonderfully restored residence is the size and graciousness of its rooms with French doors on both levels that open onto its wide double piazzas. From inside looking out or from the sitting areas on the piazzas, you can enjoy your country garden right here in the heart of Charleston. $1,950,000 Contact: Casey Murphey Phone Number: (843) 200-2121 Website: www.danielravenelsir.com
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110 Ashley Avenue
Renovation opportunity in desired location. Charming Charleston Single with heart pine floors and a familyfriendly floor plan. Located on the first floor, the living room, dining room, family room, kitchen, and breakfast area are beautifully lit with natural light from the windows and French doors. Four bedrooms, two baths, and laundry area complete the second floor. Just a leisurely stroll from fine dining, art galleries, designer boutiques, and antiques shopping on King Street, this home is ideally located on sought-after Church Street. $1,295,000 Contact: Beth McCrabb Phone Number: (843) 670-0296 Website: www.danielravenelsir.com
isle of palms
isle of palms
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west ashley
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kiawah
downtown
48 Church Street
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Hang this bed on your porch and watch the summer slide by. $3,600 (Cape Romain model). Linens, these from Aubergine Home Collection, extra. The Original Bulls Bay Bed Swing, (843) 849-9788
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Place this perfect perch (a ceramic pedestal stool) in the garden or even in your shower. Charleston Lamp Company, (843) 763-9150
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Accents Special Advertising Section
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Crafted from antique French “oyster sticks” (used to cultivate the bivalves), this electric chandelier casts a warm glow on any repast. Call for price. Candelabra, (843) 849-7775
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Dress up any drink with a hand-painted glass that will cool you off in style. $19 each. GDC Home, (843) 849-0711
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Leave it to this saffron-toned French provençal linen pillow to wake up your decor. $275. Pierre Deux, (843) 724-5880
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Flip a switch and the chic factor escalates thanks to this cork and acrylic pendant light, available in various shapes and sizes. Call for price. Carolina Lanterns, (843) 881-4170
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Lounging doesn’t look more elegant than with a chaise, like this castaluminum one. Call for price. M&M Oil and Propane, Inc. — The Fire Place, (843) 402-7790
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{ last say } Written by Mary Matthews
Get Real Ditch the entryway “dead zone” in favor of a look that’s all you
A
ngel Roberts, a wise local designer, has a simple decorating philosophy. “You live on the inside of your house, not the outside.” Her point is that cookie-cutter exteriors be damned, she’ll dress the inside to the nines. I’ll go one further and say that indeed we’re meant to live inside—kick up our heels, collapse into our furniture, and for Pete’s sake, check all our silly little airs at the door. Last month, I tagged along on my sister’s house hunt, and our first stop was a one-story brick number we’d heard was a real gem. A beauty indeed—it had a big open kitchen with a half-dozen easygoing stools; charming kids’ rooms; and a sunny, oversized playroom with giant chalkboards and the remains of an imposing pillow fort. My problem? I could hardly get past the front door. Greeting me through the threshold was a parlor, of sorts, with a rather ordinary love seat, a pair of safely matched accent pillows, and an austere side chair. A chenille throw was draped perfectly over the sofa back. A wooden side table had nothing on it. There was no light, nothing to do, and nothing to make me want to plop down and stay. Odd thing was, a version of this curious room greeted me in nearly every house on our list. Just inside each front door sat a room that nobody talked about but everyone passed through. A place where the world goes silent the minute you step inside, like a funeral parlor without a guest book. About these dead spaces, I say, look: there’s no harm in cordoning off one room in the house to remain clean and respectable, one sans stray Cheerios or free of pencil marks on the wall that record growth spurts. That makes sense. But do our private lives really need a lobby? I don’t think so. Resuscitate this place! Use it or lose it. Find a way to give yourself—and guests like me—a real welcome.
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