Charleston Symphony Designer Showhouse (Part 1)

I had the pleasure of being invited to attend the media event for the Charleston Symphony Designer Showhouse this past Wednesday. I took hundreds of photos of the exquisitely decorated circa 1840 Greek Revival house located just steps away from the Charleston harbor. 

The elegant home sports double piazzas with traditional ironwork that one associates with Charleston, SC. A young couple owns the house and had recently undertaken its renovation before the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League asked them if it could be used as the site of the 40th Designer Showhouse this year. In fact, that is the young owner's arm that you see in the above photo! 

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Because a young family lives here, the local and nationally renowned interior designers brought creative, contemporary elements into the historic home, incorporating some of the couple's antiques in the mix.

Y'ALL, I may live in a small country cottage but I have always had an interest in home decor and design. And if you do,too, then you do not want to miss seeing the magic that these designers created! You have from now until April 15 to get yourself down to Charleston to see it for yourself! You can find more ticket info at the end of this post.

I took so many photos at the media event that I'm breaking down this post into 2 parts. But let me tell ya. There is no way that my photos can truly capture its magnificance. Today I'm sharing the rooms on the main living level.

When you step up onto the first level piazza, a coastal theme greets you, appropriate given that the home is located not very far from the harbor and neighboring beaches. What a wonderful, relaxing place to greet visitors and offer them a cool drink.

The Showhouse is brought to you by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League in partnership with Traditional Home and Charleston Magazine. So this relaxing spot would be a great place to peruse the latest design magazines or curl up with a good book. And when the mood strikes, you could even take a snooze on that bed swing!

On the other side of the porch was a conversation area done in peaceful coastal colors.

That embroidered jellyfish pillow was simply GORGEOUS!

Upon entering the home, I was immediately drawn to the dramatic color of the walls and the flowy fabric of the draperies juxtaposed with modern, eclectic art and light fixture. 

In conjunction with Charleston Fashion Week, the media event featured Dress-to-Room pairings where models were dressed to match the rooms. 

In each room were cards listing sources and paint colors so if you are interested in that kind of information, more than likely, I can find it for you. For example, the wall color in this room is Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain. 

I'm seriously in love with this brass lamp and the contemporary art above it depicting headphones with donut ear pieces. Funky and fun yet sophisticated!

Down the hall was the light filled music room featuring a grand piano.

 The focal point on one wall was the textured chinoiserie panels created by a local artist using stencils and plaster. And look at those interesting, teal colored chairs! Southerners do love beautiful colors!

The unique hinged flower vases showcase those pretty pink ranunculus! 

I especially loved these rivited stools used in the room with the vibrant fabric on the top. 

You really can't tell from this photo, but the wallpaper had a pearlized sheen to it which contributed to the lightness of the room. And I simply must copy this terrarium! 

The adjoining bathroom used similar colors with a crocodile pearlescent wallpaper. What great use of color and shine to wake up what could be a stodgy, historic house! 

Across the hall was the dining room. Here you see another model wearing a coral dress that matched the color of the interior of the built in cabinets as well as the wallpaper and other fabrics used in the room. Nothing formal here in this room but there were interesting things and combinations everywhere you looked.

Such as this interesting and unique Murano glass chandelier! 

Above the buffet was this Iris Apfel piece of stunning, custom made artwork. 

And I was stunned to discover that it was created out of bottle caps! 

And look at these cheeky cocktail napkins!!! No detail was overlooked in this room!

Close by was a small powder room with a large scale wallpaper that gave this space lots of color and character. The gold in the wallpaper coordinated with the aged brass fixtures and mirror.

And the tassels on the basket add a fun and youthful touch!

Are you still with me on the tour? Good because I had to show you this round, over-sized impressionistic painting that was directly across from the kitchen. Where in the world do you find such a large canvas? Talk about DRAMA! 

The kitchen had a timeless, modern French flair. You can't see it in the photo, but the ceiling was painted Benjamin Moore Nimbus Gray. 

The accessories were French inspired, but take a look at the backsplash. I think the insets in the diamond shaped tile were mirrors. 

What a way to bring some sparkle and shine into a room! 

The orchid arrangement on the island was the crowning touch for this gorgeous kitchen!

Across from the kitchen was the man's study which used the owner's antique desk. The fabric on the wing chair is by Thibaut.

The gallery wall expresses the owner's interest in Charleston wildlife.

And one could get lost in this woodland painting in this room.

Adjacent to the man's study was the lady's study with this elegant damask wallpaper by Thibaut. This model was elegant as well in her Dress-to-Room pairing. 

The designers' talent breathed new life into the first floor rooms, don't you think? Photographs just don't do it justice. I've been in quite a few designer showhouses, but this one is a MUST SEE! Below you will find ticket information. 

I'll be back soon with the rooms on the second level of the Charleston Symphony Designer Showhouse.