HISTORIC CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA AT ITS SPRINGTIME BEST


Charleston, South Carolina is one of my favorite places.  I enthusiastically accepted our friends, Phil and Laura Huffman’s, invitation to visit this beautiful city during

Historic Charleston Foundation’s month-long annual Spring Festival of Houses & Gardens.

Dave and I once again stayed with Phil and Laura in the home Phil’s grandparents bought in 1940.  This home is the Thomas Rose house on Church Street.  The Thomas Rose house, built in 1735, is one of the oldest examples of Early Georgian architecture and has the original Georgian paneling inside.

Dave and Kathy Miller with Phil and Laura Huffman at Thomas Rose House, Charleston, SC photo by Kathy Miller

Please watch the video for a glimpse into this lovely home.

When stepping through what appears to be the front door, one actually enters a side piazza facing the garden.

Inside the front door in Charleston's Thomas Rose House photo by Laura Huffman

The view looking back to the front entrance.  The actual front door is to the far left.

Looking back to the front entrance photo by Kathy Miller

The long bench is a joggling board found on many Charleston porches.  It is a pliable board balanced on stands at each end.

Phil and Laura enjoy the joggling board.  I can just imagine the children over the years bouncing up and down as they “joggled”.

Phil and Laura Huffman on joggling board in Charleston photo by Kathy Miller

Kathy, Dave and Sheldon try the joggling board at The Thomas Rose House in Charleston, SC photo by Kathy Miller

The azaleas were in full bloom during our visit.

Azaleas in full bloom at the Thomas Rose House in Charleston photo by Kathy Miller

Azaleas in full bloom at the Thomas Rose House photo by Kathy Miller

Sculptures of the Four Seasons anchor the terrace.

Scupptures of the Four Seasons in the Thomas Rose Garden photo by Kathy Miller

Sculpture of the Four Seasons photo by Kathy Miller

The urn in the rear garden viewed through wrought iron gates.

The urn in the rear garden with iron gates photo by Kathy Miller

Phil’s sister, Catherine Forrester has lived in the house and preserved many of the traditions and furnishings created by their grandmother, Juliette Wiles Staats.  Cathy is the author of  At Home -Charleston, a delightful book based on her Grandmother’s entertaining style.  The book includes family recipes, seating arrangements, and photographs of elaborate table settings, all from Juliette Wiles Staats’ entertaining archives.

At Home Charleston by Cathy Forrester photo by Kathy Miller

Such a treat to stay in this historic home.  Speaking of treats…the garden tours, the home tours, the city tours were as spectacular as expected.  What was unexpected…the large number of homes utilizing the adage, “smaller is better”.  Many of the homes took advantage of small spaces with beautiful gardens and window boxes.

Oh the Window Boxes.

Charleston window box with lime green moisture photo by Kathy Miller

I loved the lime green from watering below these window boxes.  Just complemented the overall color theme.

Window Boxes with Black Gate photo by Kathy Miller

Pink House with window box photo by Kathy Miller

Window Box on Church Street photo by Kathy Miller

Triple window box in Charleston photo by Kathy Miller

Window box with taller flowers photo by Kathy Miller

Window box with red photo by Kathy Miller

Window box at The William Vanderhorst House on Tradd Street, Charleston photo by Kathy Miller

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Window box and Charleston brick laying photo by Kathy Miller

Charleston Window Boxes with iron grates photo by Kathy Miller

I love bicycles and always include “transportation” images when I can.

Window Boxes with pop of yellow and bikes photo by Kathy Miller

How about the pop of yellow and the Yellow Fire Hydrant!  Perfect!

Yellow window boxes with bicycles and yellow fire hydrant photo by Kathy Miller

Must be a yellow theme going on.  I will put these yellow pots on my wish list.

Yellow pots with flowers Charleston, SC photo by Kathy Miller

Great Charleston House with yellow pots filled with flowers photo by Kathy Miller

My favorite window boxes had the cutest pig watching over them.

Red House with window boxes and pig in window photo by Kathy Miller

Watch for upcoming stories from my Charleston travels.

More gardens, more iron gates and grates, more alleyways.

 I welcome your comments and pictures on your favorite Charleston home or garden.

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table.

10 Comments

  • Carol ann atwood says:

    Oh how beautiful. Love Charleston in the springtime or anytime, CUMMELIA is touring my garden this afternoon as well as Becky Grimes. We’ve had lots of rain so hope this afternoon clear. Always enjoy your blog

  • Joanne says:

    beautiful Pictures, Kathy. This article depicts what Charleston is all about.

    • Thanks you Joanne. Charleston is always beautiful, but especially now with the banks of azaleas. The grand homes are something, but also saw smaller homes updated very nicely.

  • Laura Huffman says:

    I love your pictures! I love Charleston! I love that you were there to share the house, home and garden tours, good food, and all else Charleston with me!! XO

  • Nancy says:

    Thank you for sharing such a wonderful home. Charleston is one of my favorite cities. I will look for the book.

  • Darleen Robertson says:

    Dear Kathy, What gorgeous pictures of your Charleston trip! Love the city, do you think you’re friends need some new friends to visit, lol. The flowers are beautiful and those gates that lead to secret gardens is so very enchanting. It’s truly a magical city! Always enjoy your travel stories and will meet you at the table soon. Hugs, D

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