EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

The quality of the light in the Lowcountry—sunrise, sunset and everything in between—is what drives Helli Luck’s passion for painting in the coastal region of South Carolina. “I painted in Paris a lot before COVID,” says Luck in her soft British accent. “The light here is beautiful, but the light in Paris is amazing. That’s the […]
FOR SALE

Real estate agent Lauren Zurilla isn’t the person who sets a for sale sign in the ground and walks away, satisfied in securing a listing agreement with a homeowner. Although 65% to 75% of her business is as a listing agent for Charleston-area sellers, she says there is so much more effort that goes into the real […]
SPIRITUAL RETREAT

When Laura Fontaine was 4, her preschool teacher had to have a talk with her mother. The class had experimented with painting that day, and Laura got in trouble because she flatly but politely refused to leave the easel. She hasn’t stopped painting since. Today, Fontaine’s dreamy, contemporary impressionistic Lowcountry and mountain landscapes are represented […]
GET BUSY LIVING

If you’ve ordered outdoor furniture recently, you’ve likely been surprised by lead times that range from three to six months. It’s disappointing and frustrating for consumers, and it’s a supply chain model begging for disruption. Disruption is precisely what Cliff Wooldridge had in mind when he started Harbor Classic, a high-quality outdoor furniture brand that […]
HEAD TO TOE

Magical things can happen over a glass of good wine. Romances are kindled. New friendships are forged. And for Michael Tonello, a casual conversation led to connections that catapulted his unique product to swift success. Author of the best-selling book Bringing Home the Birkin, Tonello was chatting with fashion industry icon Fern Mallis at The Polo Bar […]
AN INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION FOR ART LOVERS

As folks from the region well know, Charleston is now one of the top destination vacation spots in the United States. Scores of tourists from all over the world come to enjoy its beautiful scenery and beaches, soak up the rich history of the region and experience this community’s thriving performing and visual arts, all while […]
TIMELESS ART

An emerald green spring leaf blown up to reveal tiny dew drops; an orange, freeze-framed, splashing into water; a bigger than life cheetah caught mid-stride; a sun-drenched dome on an ancient Greek Isle; a glacial crystal resting on black volcanic rock. Gary Whalen of GD Whalen Photography walks the world with camera in hand, drawing attention […]
A JOURNEY OF FINE ART

This spring, all eyes from the art world were on Charleston—or, more specifically, Reinert Fine Art. The King Street art gallery was chosen as the host gallery for the Oil Painters of America’s 2023 Annual Exhibition & Convention, which ran from March 31 to April 30. “It’s one of the most prestigious art exhibits in […]
WHEN BUILDINGS SPEAK, SULLY LISTENS

Susan sully sold her first book at age 8. Her neighboring sidewalk vendor, a lemonade stand, did better. “She made a lot more money than I did, and I should have paid attention!” Happily, she didn’t. Charleston’s resident design maven hasn’t done too shabbily in the large-format publishing world. With 18 books on architecture and interiors […]
SEALED WITH A KISS

Love makes the world go round. But help with planning a wedding it does not. That’s when pairing up with a team that’s garnered The Knot Best of Award multiple times can make all the difference, and keep the happy couple happy. Yoj Events owner and lead planner Monique Semper has a long history of […]