Charleston: Low Country

{Middleton Place-  home to America’s Oldest Landscaped Gardens}

When I can extend a weekend and create a mini holiday, there is nothing like jetting out of town to Charleston, which is an elegant and charming city. An area rich in American history dating back to the first settlers, along with a growing trend for foodies who have a penchant for the Low Country style of southern cooking. And, there is an art scene that anyone would enjoy uncovering throughout the back streets.

But, what captured my attention most on this trip was seeing our nations oldest gardens at Middleton Place on the Ashley River 14 miles northwest of Charleston. These formal gardens were designed to reflect elements established by André Le Nôtre, the fabulous landscape architect of Louis XIV’s Versailles. It is always inspiring to see gardens while traveling to extract ideas that can be incorporated at Heath.

{Calhoun Mansion currently used as a private home and a museum}

The inside of Calhoun Mansion {16 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29401} is decorated as if the eclectic taste of the Addams Family, Liberace and Louis XIV were thrown into bag, shaken up and strewn about the place. The interior is completely over the top and most definitely over stuffed, but we absolutely love going into this Victorian home whenever in town, because there is so much to see and the decor changes constantly.

K