The Design Style of Charleston, South Carolina

What do you do or where do you go to gain inspiration for your projects? I know some people go for a run (yuck, I hate exercise), some take some quiet time to meditate, and others travel to a favorite place to inspire them.

When I think of my design style and from what and where I gain inspiration, I always think of Charleston. Though I am a native Floridian, you will often hear me proclaim the wonders of this beautiful city in my beloved adopted state of South Carolina. It has the best food, the greatest music, the nicest people, and the most beautiful scenery and architecture this side of the Mississippi.

Photo from Pinterest

Whether strolling down King Street window shopping or ogling out the window of your car at the beautiful homes on the Battery, Charleston has something to offer for everyone.

Photo from Pinterest

My favorite part of Charleston has to be the amazing architecture of the homes. Their wide front porches (perfect for sipping cocktails on a muggy summer day), their shutters that are both decorative and useful (hurricanes often threaten this city and you need those to protect your windows), and their beautiful colors always stop me in my tracks. The design of the homes in Charleston is much like Charleston itself —timeless, classic, and quietly elegant.

Photo from Fine Art America

What places do you enjoy visiting for their architecture? The concrete and steel skyscrapers of New York? The moss-covered brick homes in Savannah? I’d love to hear about new places I should check out!

Four Things Friday

Happy weekend, everybody! What are your plans? I think I’m just going to take it easy because it’s been a whirlwind week! Here are some things I’m loving from around the Web…

1. I am IN LOVE with this paisley headboard. How could you ever wake up on the wrong side of the bed?

2. Ahhh, milk glass.

3. I’d love to have cocktails on this striped porch.

4. I have to get this pillow! It’s so fitting for my life!

Photo from Pinterest

R is for Rattan

There is something about rattan furniture that I just adore. It’s laid-back, sturdy, and easy to clean and care for. It’s perfect for a porch, a sitting room, or even a semi-formal living room.

Photo from Chic Coles

Rattan reminds me of summertime. When I think of rattan furniture, I remember being a little girl on our family friend’s covered porch, sitting on her rattan love seat and clutching a sweating glass of lemonade. This type of furniture can be dressed up or down depending on the pillows and seat cushions used as well as the location in which it is placed. I am OBSESSED with this rattan lounge. Wouldn’t it be so fun to have in an entryway in a beach house?

Photo from Apartment Therapy

Rattan is relatively inexpensive and I am always finding it at yard sales and thrift stores. Just make sure to test it out to make sure the seat bottom is sturdy!

Photo from Because It’s Awesome

Photo from It’s a Mod World

C is for Craftsman Style Homes

These homes are so adorable! Craftsman style homes, or bungalows (don’t you just love that word?) are characterized by their simple lines, clean style, and use of natural materials. You can identify a Craftsman home by its low-pitched roof, numerous windows, large porch, and exposed beams on the interior.

Photo from Yahoo!

I think my favorite part of a Craftsman style home is the large porch. As a Southern girl, I love rocking chairs and porch swings, so a wide porch would provide ample room for these vital porch accessories. These homes just look so cozy!

Photo from Pinterest

Four Things Friday

Cheers to the weekend, y’all! These next couple of weeks are going to be insane for me, so you’ll notice I’ll only be posting about 2-3 times a week for the next two weeks. I promise as soon as life slows down a bit, I’ll be back and better than ever! :)

Here are some things I’m loving…

1. These stencil patterned porches are to die for!

2. The next time I find a cheap chandelier, I’m definitely spray painting it to look like these beauties!

3. I never thought about using scrapbook paper as a way to jazz up a plain cabinet, but this is too cute! I’m in love and want to try it immediately.

4. This desk is such a cool way to repurpose a baby crib.

Photo from Achados de Decoracao

P is for Porch

Photo from Pinterest.

There is something so comforting about porches. Whenever I think about porches, I think of sitting on an old family friend’s porch with a sweating glass of sweet tea, listening to my relatives gossip. The sounds of cicadas filled the warm evening air and people around the neighborhood slowly filed out onto their own porches, calling hello to one another.

Photo from Pinterest.

I think the best kinds of porches are ones that have a great, comfortable swing, an abundant supply of rocking chairs, and lots of green plants. I’ve always wanted a sleeping porch, which is a porch with open sides or many windows to allow the cool breeze to enter. They were used as bedrooms during the warmer months at the beginning of the 20th century before the invention of air conditioning. Though I love my air conditioning, I think it would be great fun to spend the night on a sleeping porch!

Fantasy Front Door

 

One day, I hope to have a home with a red front door. I can’t explain why I love red doors so much, but I’ve wanted to have one on my own home since I was a little girl. Maybe it’s because they add a punch of personality to a home or maybe it reminds me of red lipstick (my favorite makeup look).

 

Gtown red doorphoto © 2008 favouritethings | more info (via: Wylio) Aren’t these red doors charming? They make me wonder what the inside of these homes look like!

#97 Red Doorphoto © 2009 Becky Snyder | more info (via: Wylio)

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 699 other followers

%d bloggers like this: