Category: HOME

Charleston, SC Voted #1 City in the World by Travel & Leisure Magazine!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, THOUGHTS, TRAVEL2 Comments

Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC – it’s quite a city, that’s for sure! Charleston, SC has been voted the World’s Best City. Wow.

Last year we were number 2 on the list, still impressive – and we’re the number one city in the US and Canada for the fifth year in a row!

So, if you ever are wondering where to take a vacation, this is the place! I think I would plan ahead, I think it’s going to get busier!

From the historic treasures this city has to offer, to the beautiful architecture and food that will blow you away – it’s no wonder!

This blip about Charleston, SC – from Travel + Leisure’s website:

Charleston moved up from the No. 2 city in the world last year to No. 1. The city has shown incredible resilience and, as one reader wrote, there is still “no place quite like it.” In addition to historic battlegrounds and jasmine-scented streets, Charleston is home to award-winning hotels (including the Spectator, No. 2 in the world this year) and restaurants. Antebellum charm, excellent boutiques, and the beautiful waterfronts at Sullivan’s Island and Folly Beach make this city one of the most beloved in the U.S.—and now, the world.

That’s quite an honor –  Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: The Kensington by Karoleena!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House Plans2 Comments

Kensington by Karoleena FRONTThis is the Kensington Plan by Karoleena. This plan is 1,700 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. I love the sleek design. If you aren’t familiar with Karoleena I urge you to check them out. Their plans are wonderful. These homes are built in British Columbia and shipped just about everywhere. They have a fabulous website, it explains their process, shows the design in much more detail than what I’m showing you. You can even get pricing information for everything. It’s out of this world! Just wait until you see the floor plan!

The Kensington Plan by Karoleena MAIN

I love how the living area (Living Room, Dining, Kitchen) is located on one “wing” and the bedrooms, bathrooms, laundry are located on the opposite “wing”. It keeps things nice and quiet, giving privacy which is sometimes hard to do. Be sure to check out their website, there are many more images – Click HERE to see images (interior and exterior!) of the different plans, the Kensington plan included!

All images via Karoleena.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the architectural firm.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: 101 Scout Path – What a wonderful guest cottage (or art studio?) by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

101 Scout Path by Our Town Plans

Who would have thought there would be this much charm in a 280 square foot guest cottage? There is. Oodles of it! This plan is 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and when you add the unconditioned space (porch and screened porch) that almost doubles the square footage. Outdoor living space is fabulous! This would make a sweet addition to your backyard for when you have a guest, just think of the possibilities! This plan would make an amazing art studio! You could paint inside OR outside while on the porch! Can you imagine?? This is the 101 Scout Path plan by Our Town Plans.

 

101 Scout Path by Our Town Plans (Front)

The layout is simple, a bedroom, bathroom and closet. There is a sink outside of the bathroom area, which is nice, especially if you’re using this as an art studio, plenty of room to wash your brushes! The closet area could hold your art supplies. There beautiful windows and oh… the porches! You’ve got to see photos of actual images of this plan that were built, each is unique, all are fabulous!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

From the Photo Archives: 27 State Street B&B – Charleston, SC

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, PhotographLeave a comment

27 State Street B&B - Charleston, SC

This is such a cool building, so it doesn’t take a lot to make it into a wonderful photo. I snapped this photo in March of 2007. Just look at the charm and character. Isn’t the old wavy glass on the windows just beautiful? I love the different textures – this building has such a wonderful patina!

Read more about 27 State Street B&B!

Catch you back here tomorrow – Back to regular posting next week!

From the Photo Archives: Palmetto Bluff (Bluffton, SC)

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, SCLeave a comment

Palmetto Bluff 2007

From the photo archives… Palmetto Bluff, (Bluffton, SC) – taken September 2007.

We headed out on a road trip shortly after our last dog passed away – Reggie, he was a sweetie. Needed to get away from the silence and busy our minds with beauty. Let me tell you Palmetto Bluff is the perfect place to do just that!

Catch you back here tomorrow – Back to regular posting next week!

From the Photo Archives: Alligator at Palmetto Bluff

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, Photograph, SCLeave a comment

Palmetto Bluff 2007

Photograph from the archives…

This creature was just perched on his own little island minding his business when we walked past… I snapped a photo and kept moving.

It’s best to respect the distance between us, ha ha… This was taken in 2007 at Palmetto Bluff. Have you ever been? If you get a chance, it’s a beautiful place to visit – don’t miss it!

Catch you back here tomorrow – Back to regular posting next week!

Another Charleston Photo…

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, PhotographLeave a comment

Cool shadows - Charleston, SC

Love the shadows, don’t you? Charlie loves to walk downtown… different smells and different “friends” that he runs into along the way. It’s the time of year to head out early, humidity isn’t fit for man or beast, ha ha…

Bring a camera! Most of my photos are taken with my phone nowadays, I can grab it and run out the door and snap along the way. Fred and Charlie walk fast, so I snap, snap, snap then run, run, run to catch up. It’s a workout, but one worth it’s weight in gold!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Charleston Photo!

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, PhotographLeave a comment

Charleston, SC

I love the wrought iron gates in Charleston, SC. Each is a masterpiece. The views beyond the gates are even more of a masterpiece. A peek at that white steeple against that oh-so-blue sky is just beautiful. The palm makes it tropical, the shadows on the old brick are stunning.

No matter where you look you find something absolutely beautiful. Not only downtown in the historic district, but everywhere! Keep your eyes open for it!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: TNH SC 32DL by Moser Design Group

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, House PlansLeave a comment

TNH SC 32DL by Moser Design Group

TNH SC 32DL by Moser Design Group

This is the TNH SC 32DL plan by Moser Design Group. This plan is 1,791 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. This plan features 9′ ceilings both upstairs and down – and has loads of charm to go with it! I love that a section of the porch is screened – so you can sit outside even with the mosquitoes!

TNH SC 32DL by Moser Design Group MAIN

This plan has an open floor plan with a kitchen, living & dining space. There is a fireplace both indoor and outdoor. Can you imagine how wonderful it would be on a nippy evening, to sit on your porch and have a fire? Heavenly!

The main floor also has a powder room and a utility room off of the back porch. The master bedroom is in the back of the house and I wonder if there could be some sort of built in storage or drawers to access underneath the stairway from the master bedroom! Couldn’t that be wonderful storage for off season clothing, etc.?

What a great plan, especially if you’re downsizing or not looking for a large home. With the 9′ ceilings both up and down, this plan could really look like it was built years ago. Shiplap walls would be very cool in this home, wouldn’t they?

TNH SC 32DL by Moser Design Group UP

How perfect is this upstairs? Two bedrooms, bathroom and gallery area. Say no more – this is fabulous!!

All images via MoserDesignGroup.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the architectural firm.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Mural on Mira Winery Building – Charleston, SC – Can you name the chef’s?

On By Barbara StroudIn ART, Charleston, FOOD1 Comment

Husk Mural Charleston

This is so cool. This mural was painted on the side of the Mira Winery (Wine tasting in Charleston, SC | Napa Valley Education Center). Artist David Boatwright painted this mural depicting local chefs in town. Can you name them? Answers HERE!

If you aren’t familiar, check out the MiraNapa.com website!

Read a bit about it from CharlestonCityPaper.com!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Sun and Shadows – Charleston Photo

On By Barbara StroudIn Charleston, Daily Blog, Photograph2 Comments

Charleston Window Box

I’ve mentioned the beautiful window boxes throughout the city. Each one as gorgeous as the next. Some with unexpected plants that seem to flourish in their surroundings. Obviously planted by someone who knows what they’re doing!

Another fine example. What a treat to round a corner and find even more beautiful window boxes just waiting to have their photo taken!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

House Plan: 228 Pendleton Road by Our Town Plans!

On By Barbara StroudIn HOME, House Plans2 Comments

228 Pendleton by Our Town Plans

228 Pendleton Road by Our Town Plans. What a great little plan this is! This is an especially great plan if you are just starting out! This place is precious! The bathroom is gorgeous (see the real life images) – and the bedroom/living area can be just as you like it. This plan can use a regular bed and a few chairs or small scale love seat or a wonderful daybed, depending upon your preferences. This home is so sweet from the outside and just has so much character I am ready to downsize!

228 Pendleton Rd by Our Town Plans

A sweet porch that increases your living space, especially during the nice weather! A perfect, small kitchen with a bedroom/living area and a nice size bathroom, and ooooh, a closet! Perfect!

All images via OurTownPlans.com, used with permission…

Images are not for construction or reproduction, they are property of the architectural firm.

Happy Day!

On By Barbara StroudIn Daily Blog, HOME, THOUGHTS2 Comments

Lily

Do you know how to keep cut lily’s fresh for a longer period of time? It’s easy!

I will often buy these at the grocery store just because they smell amazing – they’re beautiful to look at too! I usually buy them closed (and not open as you see here), it doesn’t take them long to open (especially here in Charleston)! Once you get them home, be sure to give them a fresh cut, at an angle, under running, cool water. Then snip the pollen off of the stamens. The central pistil (dark “thing” in the center, is surrounded by pistils that have a rust colored pollen attached. Simply snip the pollen off, leaving the rest of the stamen. (As shown). Now the pollen won’t land on the petals (or furniture!), which means the bloom will be beautiful!

Cut lily’s do best OUT OF THE SUN, they like it nice and cool!

A fresh flower = a Happy Day! Catch you back here tomorrow!