Our very first project in downtown Charleston – welcome to our “Circa 1796” project. Because so many of our designs and shop products are Charleston-inspired, this is a very special project to us. We kept the charm of this traditional Charleston home yet gave it a modern twist.
Located just off of State street, this historic home’s exterior contains several of Charleston’s classic features, including gas lanterns, a blue porch ceiling, and a set of rocking chairs. Because there is so much foot traffic in the downtown area, most downtown homes have a front door leading up to the porch to enforce privacy. The light blue ceiling is a traditional color seen throughout many downtown homes and is said to ward off evil spirits. Our favorite porch ceiling paint color is called Piazza Blue by Sherwin Williams!
Throughout the home, you can see that the traditional wood flooring was kept, giving it a vintage feel. All paint colors within the home are from the “Colors of Historic Charleston” paint collection by Sherwin Williams. The entryway was kept chic and simple, with a vintage rug to warm up the space, a framed floral print mimicking the print which we later see in the dining room, and a traditional golden chandelier. The color of the entryway walls is called “Charleston White” by Sherwin Williams.
Painted a charming blue called “Comingtee” by Sherwin Williams, the living room features a double set of built-ins which are minimalistically styled with products from the Megan Molten Shop. The lighting fixture gives a nod to the floral shapes and patterns that can be seen throughout the home. Centered on the coffee table, we chose to keep the decor minimal and make the florals a statement – sometimes keeping it simple can make a larger impact. Just above the sofa is a custom piece by Emily Pope Harris, a local artist who uses a plaster technique reminiscent of historic ruins.
This charming dining room drew inspiration from the original tile found on the fireplace, resembling a traditional blue and white china pattern. This pattern was carried throughout the space through the blue and white nature-inspired wallpaper. With a rather traditional chandelier, we styled the dining room table with a series of 3 vases filled with floral arrangements.
The kitchen is a duo-toned modern moment, with soapstone countertops, a white subway backsplash, and honed marble checker flooring. Although it is on the smaller side, there is plenty of counter space for storage! We styled the countertop with some of our favorite kitchenware essentials from the Megan Molten Shop.
In the primary bedroom just upstairs, we chose a stunning canopy bed with a rustic gold finish. Inspired by the nautical artwork, we tied in some soft blues and blushes throughout the space. Just off the primary is a private porch with a bistro table set and another lounge area for enjoying the view of the busy streets of Charleston.
The highlight of the guest bedroom is the fun Rebecca Atwood pattern chosen on the drapes, complimenting the art piece just above the desk. We modernized this room by selecting two more contemporary and textured lamps from the Megan Molten Shop.
On the third floor of the home lies two more bedrooms, which were designed to host the client’s grandchildren. The first room contains a pink velvet trundle bed and two bedside tables with lamps just small enough to fit under the slanted ceiling. Throughout this room, we added Roman Shades in a playful Schumacher fabric to play off of the patterned rug.
Across the way, another children’s space contains two twin beds and which contain a fun pillow duo – pink cheetah print with a spherical pillow. We refreshed this space with a mint-green paint and added a rattan nightstand to be shared.
Thank you for following along our “Circa 1796” project – we hope we inspired you to bring a little bit of Charleston charm to your home!
If you liked this home tour, I think you’ll love our Kiawah River project.
