DOWNTOWN CHARLESTON’S HISTORIC DISTRICT IS A TAPESTRY OF architectural beauty, where centuries-old homes whisper stories of the past. When an out-of-town family set their sights on one of these treasures, they faced a timeless challenge: how to preserve the soul of a 19th-century home while embracing the comforts and aesthetics of contemporary living.

Enter Beverly Bohan, a third-generation designer and principal of Haute Design, whose family roots run as deep as Charleston’s historic oaks. “My father taught me to read plans at the kitchen table and would take me with him to jobsites in Atlanta,” she says. “He was a master carpenter and constructed Phipps Plaza. Watching him work and meeting top designers shaped my path. I’ve had two educations: one with my dad and one formal.”

With more than 35 years of experience across six states (including Washington, D.C., Virginia and South Carolina), Bohan has called Charleston home for 26 years, designing interiors for some of the city’s most iconic buildings and historical homes, as well as luxury homes in Kiawah and beyond the Lowcountry.

This project presented two key challenges: working under tight planning timelines and preserving the historic integrity of the 1840s home. The designer had just one phone consultation before the initial meeting at the property and had not yet seen the house before developing her design concepts. “A good designer can enter a project at any stage and design within the clients’ parameters,” says Bohan. “Otherwise, you’re working only from your education and past experience.”

The second challenge was more nuanced: updating the home for modern living while honoring its historic character. Bohan approached the project as a refresh restoration that required cultural sensitivity and design precision. Heart pine floors and marble details were carefully preserved while modern functionality was seamlessly introduced.

Walking through the front door, the harmony between past and present is immediately evident. A custom console table with gold-accented feet pairs with artwork by local artist Rick Reinert, setting the scene for the historic-modern dialogue in the home.

The living room sets the tone for the entire residence and centers around an original black marble fireplace mantel with distinctive white veining. “I worked backwards from the mantel,” Bohan explains. “It became the inspiration point for the entire design.”

Above the fireplace hangs another Reinert painting; this one is a colorful, semiabstract depiction of Downtown Charleston that serves as the room’s focal point. “I think of Charleston as an electrifying burst of energy,” Bohan says. “You can feel the past, but you’re living in the present. Rick’s work just took me there.”

Polished wood floors and high ceilings pay homage to antebellum architecture, while neutral-toned seating and sculptural lighting introduce contemporary elegance. Custom lounge chairs and a handcrafted sofa upholstered with fabric imported from Italy offer modern comfort without compromising the historic charm.

Visual Comfort lamps with organic, abstract shapes grace a whitewashed console, their contemporary forms complementing rather than competing with the room’s period architecture. A custom black coffee table anchors the space, echoing the fireplace’s dark tones, while contemporary light fixtures add sculptural interest. “The right mix of modern and historical is important,” Bohan notes. “This home has a fabulous historic shell, but you don’t want to sit on uncomfortable furniture from the 1800s.”

Bohan’s design philosophy extends beyond fabric selection to every decision—from metal finishes that echo Charleston’s weathered ironwork to maritime blues that reflect its coastal locale. Each choice reinforces the home’s connection to its neighborhood while ensuring contemporary relevance, the designer notes.

Throughout the home, Bohan paid particular attention to how fabrics and color honor Charleston’s unique sense of place. “The right mix of modern and historical is important. I chose fabrics based on memories of Charleston—things that have become part of my life, like the colors and textures of old buildings, the gardens, gates and old seeded glass,” she explains. “As I’m designing a home, I’m always thinking about how I can put old Charleston and modern pieces together. That thread goes all the way through this home.”

While the kitchen had been previously restored, Bohan gave it what she calls a refresh. The centerpiece dining table, crafted from bleached wood and paired with upholstered woven chairs with refined leg finishes, exemplifies her approach. “It does not look new—it looks like it has always been there, like an old vintage piece,” she says.

Knowing the homeowners love to cook, Bohan introduced Charleston culture into the kitchen design by incorporating artwork featuring traditional Lowcountry foods such as oysters. Sheer curtains allow natural light to filter in from windows that frame views of the city’s iconic rooftops and church steeples, vistas that inspired design choices throughout the home and create an atmosphere that is both intimate and open.

Each bedroom tells its own story while maintaining the home’s cohesive aesthetic. In the guest bedroom, a historic white fireplace with ornate molding evokes the elegance of Charleston. Layered lighting, coastal patterned draperies and gold-accented lamps create an elegant retreat. Bohan selected artwork of a woman wearing pearls to serve as a focal point. To complement the art, the designer chose the blush peach tone of a Charleston sunset for the walls, washed woods and richly textured upholstered headboards. A custom rug, handwoven in Nepal, features a moss-colored pattern reminiscent of the city’s wrought-iron gates.

The primary suite continues the narrative of thoughtful juxtaposition, where a stately bed, dressed in soft gray, is framed by floral embroidery that nods to Charleston’s garden heritage. A sophisticated palette of cream, khaki and blues, with patterned armchairs and a glass-top table forming a sitting area nods to a traditional parlor. Built-in cabinetry and curated décor offer modern functionality, while a handmade rug woven from wool and mohair anchors the space.

The bathrooms showcase Bohan’s love of authentic period details. The designer incorporated shagreen bath accessories and custom black-and-white vanities that complement the original black-and-white basket weave tile. An elegant shower drapery fabric depicts garden foliage in charcoal, black and navy—colors that harmonize perfectly with the tilework.

For Bohan, updating historic homes requires a deep understanding of materials and their relationship to architectural periods. “You don’t want to destroy the fiber of a house but restore it with new materials that could be interpreted as authentic,” she says.

Her approach requires expertise in selecting materials to complement architectural styles. “When you know design, you know what materials to pair with the type of home. If you don’t use the right materials or furnishings, it loses its character,” she explains.

The family prioritized outdoor living, and Bohan designed these spaces with equal care. The piazza, with its original terra-cotta floors, became a canvas for blending historic charm with modern comfort. Bohan created distinct zones for dining and relaxation, using weather-resistant materials, such as wrought iron with soft cushions, concrete elements and rustic tables that appear authentically aged. Wicker furniture, sisal rugs and a neutral palette enhance the home’s stucco facade. “We didn’t want to take away from that,” Bohan says. “We restored with comfortable, functional furnishings.”

The project’s success stems from Bohan’s expertise and her love of Charleston culture and history. “The clients loved everything we did. We fulfilled their dream of having a beautiful home in Charleston,” she says.

And the relationship continues to evolve. “As they live in and enjoy the home, we’re always embracing new ideas,” Bohan says. “Great design doesn’t have to be static; it can grow and adapt over time.” Designing for every season is the philosophy at the heart of Haute Design: Honoring the seasons of life—and the eras, past and present—that shape the world. *

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