History, culture and architecture combine to create the unique experience of living in downtown Charleston. We’re counting down our favorite things that make us love these beautiful Charleston homes.
Porches. You may think that you’re sitting on a porch, sipping on sweet tea, but here in Charleston we call them piazzas. An open-air piazza often runs the length of a home and has multiple doorways leading indoors, making it the perfect place to beat the Lowcountry’s summer heat.
Gas Lamps. Evoking an ambiance of years past, lanterns often flank the entries of Charleston homes greeting visitors with a stunning flicker of light. Gas lamps however are not just for historic properties; there is a rising home design trend that includes these features in new construction homes.
Carriage Houses. Because where else are you going to store your horse and buggy? These days, carriage homes (or kitchen houses) offer renovated spaces separate from the main home and are converted into guest quarters or garages.
History. Strolling Charleston’s downtown streets you will often come upon plaques that detail the early history of the properties. It is also common for guests to tour these historic homes, especially during the Fall Tour of Homes put on by the Preservation Society.
Ironwork. From gates and fences to balconies and window grills, you cannot visit a Charleston home without stumbling upon a bit of ironwork. Philip Simmons was one of the most celebrated 20th Century Charleston ironworkers and his work can be spotted at various properties downtown including 3 Judith Street.
Shutters. They may seem like a typical part of any home, but Charleston shutters provide a pop of color and are often re-painted different hues throughout the year by their homeowners. You will also see plenty of hurricane shutters that are both decorative and provide protection from unruly storms.
Gardens. Take a peek over garden walls or through iron gates and you may just spot a stunning secret garden. One such famous designer was Loutrel Briggs, a landscape architect in the 1930s that designed many gardens in Charleston. His work can still be seen throughout the historic district including the expansive garden at 59 Church Street.
Window Boxes. For homes situated on smaller parcels of land that don’t have room for a vast green space, window boxes bring gardening to the forefront of the property. A pleasant welcome to any passerby, springtime in Charleston is alive with overflowing plants and flowers.
Learn more about downtown Charleston living.
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