You might say Garden & Gun is biased in its admiration for the homes of Charleston, South Carolina, since we’re based here, but natives and visitors alike seem to become entranced by the architecture of the historic district, too, as they walk the cobblestone streets and battery walls. Our favorite houses here, though, not only have weathered a century or more, but have found ways to be both modern and livable. Two homes we’ve featured, one a historic row house revamped by its owner, the designer Jennifer Langston, and another a gem downtown made over for a young family by the architect Glenn Keyes and the interior designer Amelia Handegan, prove the case. Every room in these houses transmits style, comfort, and a refreshing sense of youth and personality, but the following two spaces in particular are worth looking to for design inspiration—cozy yet practical nooks offering layer upon layer of takeaway ideas.
A Row House Reading Nook
This lovely corner sits in the front parlor, and the hue alone is inspired. Modern elements, from the alabaster-white cowhide rug to the painted floors, keep the history between those walls from being too stuffy or uptight or period perfect.
Armchair
Three cheers for a reading spot that echoes the color of the room. $4800; chairish.com
Paint
The paint choice absolutely sells this space—not quite gray or purple or blue but a mix of them all. Running it from the baseboards to the molding is genius, as is the pop of white against this color on the floors. $137; anthropologie.com
Hide Rug
Layering the same hue creates a texture, as is the case with the white hide rug on the white painted floors here. $120; overstock.com
Coral
This take on coral made of resin doubles as organic sculpture on the mantle. $140; macys.com
Mirror
A minimal mirror adds height, bounces light, and creates a sleek counterpoint to more traditional silhouettes in the space. $190; amazon.com
An Old-Fashioned Coat Room
Coat room, mudroom—whatever you like to call the space, this lovely, utilitarian area in the historic Charleston home from our April/May 2019 issue is packed with thoughtful details. Newly constructed homes often skip adding a room like this, but we like to think that a mudroom is as essential to a great Southern house as a kitchen or porch.
Wallpaper
Golden bees, long credited as symbols of hospitality, grace this wallpaper, a fitting note in an area that often welcomes guests. $250; anthropologie.com
Paint
A soothing hue like this one looks just timeworn enough, especially on millwork, to complement a historic space. $137; anthropologie.com
Chair
An antique rush-seat chair offers an unfussy place to rest a bag or coat after a long day. $775; chairish.com
Stool
Inserting an indoor/outdoor garden element in a utilitarian room makes sense, which is exactly why a glossy black Chinese drum stool works so well here. $218; homedepot.com
Rug
An old, beautiful rug lays out the proverbial welcome mat in serious style. $795; onekingslane.com
Hanging Rack
Hooks are practically required in a room like this, so why not make them stylish? $40; worldmarket.com
