Home Features

Charleston entertaining and etiquette expert Suzanne Pollak says it best: “We are wallflowers and proud of it.” Those words open a chapter in her book about gracious living, The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits: A Handbook of Etiquette with Recipes. She’s talking about (or from the perspective of) sideboards, the iconic pieces of dining room furniture that preside over a formal...

Photography by Emily Jenkins Followill Often, a new house in proximity to the beach takes on a predictable sameness— think blue-and-white striped upholstery and wicker furnishings. The challenge for a designer lies in bringing layers of personality and a collected look to the freshly built residence, creating rooms that speak to the full range of the owners’ lives, not just...

Step inside the colonial home of Marc and Eileen Weller and see a soothing world of harmonious greens and blues. Set in an idyllic community in Chevy Chase, Maryland, the home’s location is a dream come true. “I love where we live,” declares Eileen Weller. “In fact, this is our fourth house in the neighborhood. We’re able to walk...

Photography by Jean Allsopp and Chris Luker Every now and then an enlightened owner comes along who has a goal of hiring a design team with a vision and is willing to go with it. The owner of this North Carolina home did just that. For a piece of property in an established neighborhood and a prime spot overlooking the Chapel...

Photography by Erica George Dines Ambitious ideas, such as a striking rotunda like the one designed by Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia, defined the overarching vision for this 13,000- square-foot project in Georgia’s capital city. To translate such lofty concepts into comfortable living spaces, the homeowners already had architect Keith Summerour of Summerour and Associates on board. Now...

Photography by Erik Kvalsvik | Text by Andrea Fanning Vaucluse has been a fixture along the banks of Hungars Creek since the late 1700s. The floorplan has been adapted, the square footage expanded, and the wear and tear multiplied over the years, but the home still retains a rich sense of history. Architect Stephen Muse says, “In the main house,...

Photography by Ryann Ford Turn an enormous, heavy-handed “castle” in Austin’s Barton Creek community into a light-filled, happy home with a bit of Hamptons style. Such was the task facing Heather Harkovich of Heather Scott Home & Design. “The only part of the home that originally appealed to my clients was the garage space for the husband’s collection of motorcycles,”...

Photography by Jeff Herr Existing homes that have potential, particularly older ones, are often said to contain “good bones.” What’s commonly understood with this lively description is that although a house may be dated or rough around the edges, it possesses enough attributes and sound features to translate into an improved, better-than-ever makeover. And sometimes, a full-fledged overhaul is in...

1. Spartina 449 Siren Top Handle Crossbody with Beaded Tassel Bag Charm This premium leather handbag designed by Spartina 449 is for the style maven who is uncompromising on function and quality. It features a removable, adjustable crossbody strap with pockets and compartments to keep everything organized. spartina449.com 2. Juliska Emerson Pewter Stoneware Collection Let your culinary triumphs shine when you set your holiday...

Family time and design traditions have always been important to Marshall and Matt Rigby. When the couple relocated to Marshall’s hometown of Richmond, Virginia, after living in New Orleans and New York, they looked to local designer Janie Molster to help them settle into a fitting new home. “Marshall and I have a lot in common, and we hit...