Again I must say—I love my job. From digging into all aspects of life in Charleston while developing article ideas, to the puzzle-solving exercise of assembling them into an issue, to geeking out of over word usage, it’s all deeply satisfying. Even the nitty-gritty task of making copy fit the page brings me joy. As a curious (read: nosy) person, I especially enjoy scouting homes—meeting the owners and seeing how their personalities and experiences shine through their design and decor choices. And in my quarter century with the magazine, I’ve seen some amazing ones.
It’s part of our mission to give you access to all manner of Lowcountry residences, whether centuries-old mansions downtown, country homes, epic penthouses, four squares in Hampton Park Terrace, midcentury ranches, funky cottages, or beach houses of all eras and styles. And that variety is the point: some are purely aspirational (for most of us), others more down-to-earth, but all are opportunities to meet your neighbors, see how they live, and glean design ideas and local resources.
For this Home Design issue, editor at large Stephanie Hunt takes us through a 19th-century frame house on Rutledge Avenue that’s seemingly traditional from the outside and anything but inside. Within its walls, elegant yet adventurous design elements await around every corner, like the wow-worthy dining room ceiling, the sexy monochrome kitchen, and that color-drenched den you saw on the cover. This was a fun house to scout, particularly with homeowner Phoebe Mendez sharing the stories behind various treasures, whether collected during her family’s travels or inherited from a loved one. A happy place, indeed!
Over in West Ashley, home editor Jennifer Pattison Tuohy relays the labor of love behind interior designer Angie Hranowsky’s low-slung, modernist bungalow that was eight years in the making (“Worth the Wait,” page 75). I’ve long been a fan of Angie and her work, and this home is a breath of fresh air.
Enjoy!
Darcy Shankland
dshankland@charlestonmag.com