CREATE THE PERFECT SPACE

When it comes to furnishing your home, the possibilities are endless. From home goods and furniture stores to décor boutiques and catalogs, homeowners can spend a significant amount of time...

FROM THE GROUND UP

Brick helped form the bones of Charleston from its very earliest days. Back when only a small section at the tip of the peninsula was populated, a wall of brick...

THE ART OF METALWORK

Tucked away at the end of Meeting Street Road in North Charleston is an unassuming little building whose front door is answered by the affable David Dieter and his ebullient...

THE SOLAR ADVANTAGE

The sun’s rays are free, and the systems needed to convert them to electricity are getting smarter, less expensive and more sophisticated all the time. So it’s not surprising that...

NATURE’S EDGE

Believe it or not, not everyone spends all their free time scouring Pinterest boards or home décor magazines for ideas on how to decorate their backyards and porches. Fortunately, for...

MORE OF A GOOD THING

Have you ever wished you had a good friend who was an interior designer or architect? Someone who could show you what to do with that weird little landing at...

SEA ISLAND REFUGE

Traveling south on coastal Highway 17 from Charleston, the bustle of the city falls away abruptly and the road widens as it rolls through pine forests and the occasional rural...

PRESENT PERFECT

It comes as no surprise that the most carefully preserved sea island in the world has bragging rights to a variety of magnificent views. When a Maryland couple discovered a...

A PERFECT PAIRING

Enter the house that Structures Building Company built for Kathy and Steve Rucker, with its low-slung design and Caribbean vibe, and you immediately sense its invitation to decompress. That welcoming...

GO NATIVE

When it comes to competitive gardening, there’s nothing sweeter than horticultural one-upmanship. (Admit it. You’d rather get poison ivy than see your neighbor’s lawn look better than yours.) So whether...

CUSTOM COASTAL

President and CEO of Source Consulting Chris Findlay has thought about it. He likely has thought about it more than anyone else in the room. The “it” in question could...

KING OF CASUAL

Aaron Beasley’s eyes brighten when he talks about Palm Casual, the outdoor furniture store in Mount Pleasant. It’s obvious that the partner-owner is passionate about it....

THE SMART SHOWER

If you bought a car made in 1937, it wouldn’t include power steering, intermittent wipers or a single cup holder. It traveled at slower speeds, went fewer miles on a...

MISSION IMPECCABLE

“I wish I had a ‘before’ picture of that sofa,” says David Gilkeson, owner of The French Thistle, as we settle into his intimate James Island upholstery shop....

ALL IN GOOD TASTE

“If you’d have told me I’d be a cult leader when I was a kid, I would’ve actually been OK with that,” Stephanie Rhodes deadpans. Rhodes is the owner of...

HIGH POINT HIGHLIGHTS

“When I visit High Point, I love to see new trends and exciting new pieces,” says designer Gigi Chapman of deGuise Interiors. “The showrooms give me fresh new ways to...

SATISFYING SYMMETRY

From his brick-walled office in Charleston, architect and builder Buz Morris looks down on historic Broad Street and remembers his many months of driving to Effingham, South Carolina....

COMMAND CENTRAL

The Jetsons have officially arrived on Planet Earth. You can now operate everything in your house—TV, audio, lights, intercom, doorbell, fridge, washerdryer, oven and more—from a single mobile device....

A FAMILY AFFAIR

Addison Bell had a plan: an island home all four of his adult children and their families would love and use throughout their lifetimes....

TREASURES FROM MOTHER EARTH

When you arrive at the AGM Imports warehouse in North Charleston, you climb a flight of impressive light-brown granite steps and pass between stately black-veined granite columns. You glide across...

METROPOLITAN FLAIR

When Steven Ferrara and his wife moved to the Charleston area in 2014, the couple planned to spend the remainder of their retirement years playing golf and relaxing in the...

Marvelous Majolica

“These days, hostesses are less afraid of veering away from matching sets and more interested in setting their tables with color, texture and pieces that stimulate conversation,” says David Evans...

Be Square

“Functionally, square tables are the modern-day round table, and they are one of my favorites,” says Liz Baker of Coralberry Cottage, a full-service showroom and interior design firm....

A PLACE IN THE SUN

Every so often in architecture, you will find a pièce de résistance, a confluence of skills, styles and visions made possible by the coordination of true experts....

Conversation Pieces

“Life is too short to take things so seriously, including ourselves,” says Elizabeth Faith. “Sometimes, the little details are the ones that invite surprise and personality into the mix.” For...

A WORLD OF INSPIRATION

If you were to describe interior designer Nicole Norris’ aesthetic, words like this might come to mind: classic, eclectic, modern. “I’m a Southerner at heart, but I’ve traveled extensively and...

UNCOMMON SKILL

“This,” says a fabricator who pops her head out of the workroom, “is where the magic happens.” Ah, if only. An incantation, a wand-wave and out would come window shades,...

NO TWO ARE ALIKE

It’s hard to imagine a successful furniture business without a showroom, but don’t tell Capers Cauthen, owner of Landrum Tables. Word of mouth has served him just fine. “Wherever a...

Earthy Elegance

Occasionally, a bold, daring piece is all that is required to shake up a look, and the Quarry Rock console is perfect when the goal is to add flair to...

IN GOOD COMPANY

An empty lot and new construction in Charleston’s elite South of Broad neighborhood are rare indeed. But here was a lot that once housed a formal side garden, and Cindy...

A GLOW IN THE WINDOW

In the late 19th century, Victorian architecture, with its emphasis on the grandeur of the past, gave way to the Arts and Crafts style, a movement that rebelled against industrialization...

A FRESH PERSPECTIVE

When Sheri Ledbetter spotted the spec home under construction in the exclusive, private country club neighborhood of Daniel Island Park on Charleston’s Daniel Island, she knew immediately it would be...

WORTHY COMPANIONS

In a light-filled loft above the Grind and Squeeze coffee shop in I’On, 12 creatives are at work with a Zen-like focus....

THE ILLUSIONIST

Decorative artist and faux expert Stephanie Poe pulls out a piece of what looks like old wood. She encourages me to touch its knotty surface, its grooved lines promising real...

GO WITH THE FLOW

Relaxing by a pool is a wonderful way to while away time during Charleston’s infamously hot summers....

OUT OF AFRICA

Several years ago, I had the pleasure of staying at the luxurious, award-winning Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. The Saxon is the creation of Douw Steyn, a South African...

SHUTTER SAVVY

When it comes to multitasking, your home’s shutters are champions. Not only do they define the character and personality of your home, they also offer practical benefits, such as protection...

A CLASSIC TIMEPIECE

Not many clocks are made the way a Chelsea is. More than 364 moving parts—gears, pinions and springs—make up its internal heartbeat, one that has survived through time and history....

HANDYMAN HEROES

Sometimes the little things that go wrong can escalate quickly into big problems. A clogged toilet or a fried electrical outlet, for example, can morph rapidly from a small inconvenience...

Traditional with a Twist

Bohemian yet sophisticated; classic, yet contemporary. The handmade Malibu 30 beaded recycled-glass chandelier (shown in “ice”) captures the essence of functional art with a traditional shape that is given a...

AN ANCIENT WOOD

If you have a vision, or even a rough idea, for a piece of furniture—something unique and tailored to your personal taste—chances are Southern Pine Artistry can create it for...

OUTDOOR SANCTUARIES

Outdoor space, with a ceiling composed of blue sky dotted with white clouds, is to Judy Singleton, co-owner of Tropic Aire Patio & Wicker Gallery, the canvas on which the...

THE BIG PICTURE

The owners of Signature Kitchens and Baths, Jim and Linda McLain, exude the calm confidence and graciousness of people who know what they’re doing. Spend an hour with them and...

A CONTEMPORARY VISION

When native New Englanders Bill and Ruth Ennis decided to build their marsh-view home on Daniel Island, they had a clear vision of what they wanted. This home, their second...

LIQUID LUXURY

Charleston homeowners want more than just another pretty pool. They want beautiful design elements such as custom rockwork, lush landscaping, distinctive shapes, infinity edges and dramatic water features. They also...

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS

The house-paparazzi still take pictures in the cul-de-sac, a year after Bill and Jeanne Dunleavy moved in. No one’s seen a house quite like it....

THE PERFECT BLEND

Interior designer Margaret Donaldson’s home in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant is everything an Old Village home should be. The front porch faces the harbor so your can see...

INNOVATION BY DESIGN

The home is decidedly different from its neighbors on the block. Unfussy and sleek in white stucco with strong geometric lines, its honest simplicity provides a refreshing pause....

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

Style. Ever-evolving, nuanced, brash, beautiful. It’s the veneer, the polish that makes us shine. It is ubiquitous and demands our attention, but is often, for many of us, elusive....

Make a Statement

“These days, I see people wanting special, signature pieces in their home, something with a modern feel,” says Bobbi Joe Engelby, owner of Domain Interiors & Design, a full-service interior...

THE BEST SELECTION

Merv Epstein admits that the birth of his first grandchild motivated him to walk away from a five-year real estate career in New York and return to his native South...

OLD MEETS NEW

Owning a historic home is a source of pride and brings with it many rewards as well as a few challenges, but being surrounded by antique construction doesn’t mean you...

FANTASTIC FINDS

Charleston Antiques is a charming wonderland for designers, decorators, dealers and day-trippers. In 3,600 square feet, the shop manages to carry classics such as Chippendale furniture, 1800s French chairs (with...

FROM POP TO BOOM

Six years ago, interior designer Michael Mitchell followed his instinct and opened what he thought would be a temporary pop-up on Upper King Street in Charleston. Soon after he met...

A Chair and Nothing More

Zinn Rug Gallery sits quietly on Coleman Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. Inside, piles of colorful wool and silk rugs are waiting, stacked and arranged by size. Every one is handwoven...

Exterior Expressions

Oftentimes, it is the smallest details that elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary. With fine cuisine, it might come from a pinch of saffron; on the facade of a historic...

A Good Listener

Melissa Koger Watson believes she doesn’t have all the answers when it comes to home interiors. And that’s exactly what makes her such a sought-after kitchen and bath designer....

Quick Fix to Grand Design

As I’m speaking with Phil Bennett, the cheerful owner of Real Estate Repairs, he explains to me what has made his business so successful: He has spent the greater part...

Fun and Fabulous

Home always follows fashion. When Whitney Moore left the fashion world in 2001, that truth, along with encouragement from a friend, inspired her to open a lighting store in the...

Timeless Timber

It’s cold the day I stop by the 750-square-foot showroom and retail space at Encore Architectural Salvage Co. “We don’t have any climate control,” says 30-year-old owner Bryant Dyess, smiling...

According to Plan

When you enter Faye and Tim Powell’s new home on Daniel Island, you are swept into an open, airy space that invites you to sit down, relax and the watch...

ONE HOME, MULTIPLE DESTINATIONS

Located in Daniel Island Park, the home of Richard and Ellen Kypta has an intriguing, rambling quality. The two hallways and a foyer that branch off its open, central living...

INSPIRED BY THE LAND

CHD Interiors knows how to breathe beauty into a home, whether it’s a new construction, renovation or specialty project. They call their style—which freely integrates antiques with contemporary looks—Lowcountry Chic....

A Browser’s Paradise

A soon as I walk into Sharon Bruner’s furniture consignment shop on upper Meeting Street, I notice several pieces that remind me of the decorating style called modern baroque. When...

Blame It On the Bed Swing

The first time I visited Vintage Porch Swings, I climbed into their display bed swing and was immediately disarmed. I was there to do an interview, but all I really...

A Clear Choice

For 20 years, through times of boom and bust, Muhler has polished its sterling reputation for selling and installing high-quality products and following up with unmatched customer service. But despite...

Location Location

On Short Street in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant, a custom home is being built by a national homebuilder that—until recently—limited its Charleston-area work to master-planned communities....

PROMISES KEPT

PURSUING A CAREER IN VIRGINIA MEANT THAT one area couple would have to leave behind their beloved Lowcountry. To make the move more palatable, Graham promised his wife, Nancy, that...

RIVERSIDE LIVING

It’s fitting that dolphins play in the Wando River in full view of the house that Jay and Teresa Yates built. Parents of a 13- and a 10-year-old, the Yates...

CREATIVE BRUSHWORK

An enclave of creativity is blossoming in central Mount Pleasant and putting the once sleepy strip leading to the beach on the map—literally and figuratively. Anchored by The Boulevard—a sleek...

Southern Comfort

In the South, we take our porch time seriously. It is hallowed ground, where the pace of life slows down. Beverages are sipped, bestsellers are read, and friends reconnect. In...

Radiant

Ajute-wrapped chandelier adorned with beads chosen by the customer. Drum shades wrapped in twine and edged with limpet shells. A brass sconce with long, long tentacles of painted hemp, looking...

Pampered Interiors

When you step into the West Ashley showroom of Circe you feel as if you’re walking into a jewel box of possibilities. Centuries of the past reveal themselves in the...

State-of-the-Art

As a child, Mount Pleasant native Jerry Tollison would sit contentedly on the floor, taking apart radio receivers and televisions only to put them back together again. His fascination with...

Center of Attention

Who knew the 1980s were lurking in so many bathrooms? If you’ve still got one of those big, built-in deck tubs, then you might be one of the victims....

The Power of a Vision

Whatever you were doing when you were 8 years old is probably what you should be doing for a living as an adult,” designer Jennifer Patterson says to me....

SIMPLY SUBLIME

When Liz and Will Stewart moved south from their home in East Hampton, New York, they took it for granted that they would shop for a site and embark on...

FUN HOUSE

Wanted: a comfortable yet stylish environment for a family of five children under age 13, including four boys. Must be durable and hard-wearing, yet able to host grown-up gatherings. Needs...

SUITABLE FOR FRAMING

In style, the house defies classification, drawing on mountains, coastlines, Southern woods and Western grasslands. Its traffic-stopping front porch, in architect Darryl Cobb’s view, “is one big piece of sculpture.”...

Tradition with a Twist

Steven Shell is driving. Driving, driving, driving. Six thousand miles he goes, up and down the East Coast and across the southern states, all the while looking for the perfect...

When Precision Counts

Whether you are building a new home or planning a remodeling job, odds are the kitchen is a major area of focus....

Countdown to Comfort

Shortly before Memorial Day, one of Melissa Hempstead’s clients dropped by Coralberry Cottage to ask about a home she was decorating for her on Daniel Island. How was it coming...

Cool Calculations

It’s summertime in Charleston, and that can mean a lot of things. Some people imagine a day at Sullivan’s Island and a dip in the ocean. Some see themselves at...

From Rustic to Refined

It is probably safe to say that, for most of us, crossing a piece of copper sheeting with a blowtorch would likely yield one very hot puddle. Hand those two...

Floors with Flair

Since the Lowcountry of South Carolina was first settled in the 1670s, Charlestonians have been known for their discriminating tastes. Hardwood flooring company Charleston One Source carries that tradition forward....

Cool and Continental

A visit to a European antiques market is a thing both wonderful and terrible. It’s wonderful because there are endless tables spilling over with fantastic treasures, and terrible because they...

Down to Earth Decorating

Say the word “Italy” and certain scenes spring to mind: Olive trees sprout from backyard planters, fountains gurgle over the lips of urns, freshly made pasta spills off earthenware plates,...

The Cutting Edge

Lowcountry builders, architects and homeowners have a seemingly endless inventory of companies they can call when they need to have natural stone countertops or tile installed. If the job is...

Tuscan Treasures

Secreted into Burns Lane, this elegant store full of Italian-made delights is well worth the hunt. But beware, once you write a letter on handmade Italian paper, sleep on Italian...

Looks That Last

If there is one idea a visitor to Palm Casual takes away, it’s that owner Aaron Beasley sincerely wants his clients to have a positive experience. Thirty-something Beasley, who emits...

Wired!

It wasn’t that long ago that the concept of being able to control every system in your house with the push of a button, whether you were at home, down...

Swing into Spring

There’s no better way to celebrate the return of warm weather than in the backyard, deck or porch—soaking in the warm sunshine with a cool drink in hand. Charleston-based Vintage...

Legacy Discovered

The caller, who represented a production company working for The Travel Channel, was looking for six descendants employed in the same fields as their Mayflower ancestors. At the time, Wheeler’s...

ENTREPRENEUR JAN CLOUSE

Jan Clouse’s Mount Pleasant-based company, Carolina Lanterns, supplies quality lighting for homes and businesses nationwide. The company has been featured in the national edition of Extreme Home Makeover, Southern Living,...

Antiques of Distinction

The antiques business is alive and well on King Street. That’s according to expert-in-residence Andy Golden whose store, Golden & Associates Antiques, has been a fixture in the heart of...

Seeking Sleek

It was her childhood home that shaped her love for contemporary, says interior designer Kristy Phillips Johnston. The architect-designed, mid-century home still stands out in its traditional neighborhood....

Special Delivery

John Grisanti has been working with wood for most of his adult life, and he’ll be glad to sell you a wide range of lumber, flooring, paneling and other products....

One-Stop Shopping

After spending what seems like forever driving from one big-box store to the next, you finally find the perfect oven to replace the aging model that came with your home...

Design Central

Through the years, Bobbi Jo Engelby has worked in a variety of roles in the interior design industry. She’s been a manufacturer’s rep for renowned commercial furniture makers and wall...

17th Year Anniversary