Charleston – Stylish Heath

Destination: Charleston

One of my focal points when in Charleston are the mini-gardens or window boxes filled with leafy caladiums, ivy, night blooming jasmine, snapdragons, mums or kale. We take photographs of the various arrangements and share them with Tony, then we come home to recreate the beauty on the front of our homes.

Each time we are in Charleston the team must check out the Italianate home called Calhoun Mansion on 16 Meeting Street, which was built during the Gilded Age in 1876. The current owner is a consummate collector of art, objet d’art and every kind of nick-knack that he then stuffs into the house. We visit regularly to see updated artifacts added to the collections, and the latest addition is a mirror found in a diner in Winchester, Virginia. It is absolutely exquisite and a heavy piece, which instead of mounting to the wall, it was propped then secured. Unfortunately, we cannot take photos inside the house so, you must go to experience the premises.

The pig salt and pepper shakers were absolutely adorable, and various animal shakers were set on each table at “Jestines” which is located on 251 Meeting Street. If you enjoy soul food with a lot of soul, you must stop by for a taste.

We always allow time for stopping in Kaminsky’s the dessert cate located on 78 N Market Street, where fresh pies and cakes are baked daily. This coconut pie was great with a cup of coffee after a day of site-seeing.

Travel stylishly,
Kathleen

March 10, 2019March 10, 2019

Kathleen11 Comments

Escape in Style

It’s summer’s twilight, and a mini-vacation is in order. Throughout the season work has been abundant, as we ready Heath for the cooler months. So, what better way to wind down than by taking a three-day weekend to indulge in a bit of site seeing and food tasting?

The Calhoun Mansion

Fountain at Calhoun Mansion

When time is critical, short trips can be an absolute luxury. Several of us from the Stylish Heath team set ourselves the task of exploring Savannah and Charleston in 72 hours. Reviewing our notes from previous trips, we decided to focus on cultural picks and restaurants to save time. Listed are our top choices.

Tony, Sean and I have a lovely routine upon arriving in Savannah, when our flight lands in late afternoon; we head to the Pirates’ House for a delicious lunch and cocktails. This rustic Inn established in 1753 is said to be the oldest standing building in Georgia, which was a place for seafarers then became a rendezvous for bloodthirsty pirates and sailors.

Upon arriving in Charleston our schedule is packed. Starting with the Calhoun Mansion on Meeting Street we, as artist are most impressed with the contents of the home rather than with the sheer size of 24,000 square feet. We come for ideas and inspiration each time we are in the city. Our guide indicated when the current owners moved in they had 18 moving trucks loaded with antique’s to fill every nook of this stately home. The new gift shop is open and the owner is selling pieces of the collection to the public.

Next on the list was Middleton Place to purchase items from their exquisite gift shop. I bought crab plates that are perfect for summer meals; several Charleston candles and the most gorgeous “camellia” place mats for the breakfast room. I also came with sketchbook to draft ideas from the gardens for Heath.

Lunch on Monday was at Jestine’s Kitchen, which is another tradition of ours. The Low country meals are unbeatable along with the history of Jestine Matthews. When you arrive at the restaurant you are given a brief history of the family and their relationship to Ms. Jestine, and then your are invited to share a meal that could have come from her kitchen. And, what I love most is her recipes are shared with those who ask.

A few favorites:

The Pirate’s House
20 E Broad St, Savannah, GA 31401
912-233-5757
The Calhoun Mansion
16 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC
843-722-8205
Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC 29414
Jestine’s Kitchen
251 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401

This is all for now and remember to travel stylishly,
K

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September 4, 2017

Kathleen4 Comments

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.