This fall I took my daughter, a senior in high school, on a whirlwind college tour in the south. We were lucky enough to spend a quick 2 days in Charleston with a good friend who knows the city inside and out. Writing about travel is waaay easier than writing about the college search process, so here are a few gems from our brief time there.
Charleston is about as iconic as it gets- gorgeous, historic architecture, quaint cobblestone streets with horse and buggy rides, fabulous fresh seafood and an abundance of charm at every turn. We were lucky to stay in a home of historic significance on the Battery - a prominitory that looks out across the water towards Fort Sumter and the Atlantic Ocean. I highly recommend staying in a vintage property that will get you in touch with the character of the city - THIS BED AND BREAKFAST was right down the street from us - easy walking distance to most everything and walking along the Battery to morning coffee can't be beat.
In regards to the morning coffee - HARKEN CAFE was a true gem - awesome vintage details and design, perfect coffee and killer baked goods to munch-on while wandering the streets on a quiet morning.
Two other foodie destinations that deserve mention -
GAULERT AND MALICLET for authentic French fare - this was a quick brunch for us but it's certainly a spot you could linger - very laid back and very French:)
We had an amazing dinner at HANK'S - the freshest seafood with an upscale supper club kind of vibe - I had the "Seafood A La Wando" and it was divine.
This isn't a travel blog (kinda wish it was!) so I'll focus on what I found the most inspiring stop on our brief time in Charleston in regards to design - the historic Nathaniel Russell house - which was basically a master class in historic design.
A few highlights that really struck me -
1. The layers of architectural molding and millwork were stunning - intricate plaster molds with paint detail wrapped most of the formal rooms on the first floor - florals and geometrics mix with abandon and while we don't build this way very often (or ever!) anymore it's a reminder that layers of detail add drama.
2. Color and paper combinations - this vibrant marigold paired with the shockingly salmon greek key paper stopped me in my tracks.
3. The staircase - this plaster and wood nautilus staircase runs through the center of the house and contains so many beautiful details.
It's important to note and acknowledge that Charleston, like most southern cities of the era, was built on the backs of slave labor. Taking in all its beauty alongside the harsh reality of its origins is an uncomfortable juxtaposition for certain. I was thankful that the NATHANIEL RUSSELL HOUSE has recently added a component of their tour that shares the story of the enslaved persons who lived at and ran the house. An archaeological exploration of the now gone carriage house has revealed artifacts of the stories of the families who worked the house - a small but important effort towards sharing the full history of the home and city.
Finally - the beach! A quick drive over the bridge to the Isle of Palms beach gave us a cold but invigorating dip the ocean - and a priceless photo with my girl.
