As mentioned in a previous post, we were delighted to attend Illumination Charleston and have the opportunity to tour the historic Aiken-Rhett House last weekend. In addition to the gorgeous Christmas florals and greenery that adorned the mansion, the house featured modern furniture arrangements and inspirational vignettes by top Southeast designers. From the gracious piazza designed by Amanda Lindroth to the intimate library fashioned by Jason Reeves, each space had a distinct vibe despite being under the same roof of one very historic property. Let’s have a look!
Above: Designer Amanda Lindroth brought a light and airy Caribbean flair to this quintessential Charleston piazza, proving that wicker can mix perfectly with traditional Christmas greenery. She transformed the space into a tropical, outdoor dining room with her beautiful line of rattan furniture and accessories. We love the idea of making your porch or patio as beautiful and inviting as any room in the house. The combination of greenery, fresh citrus and block print linens creates the perfect backdrop for entertaining friends and family.
Above/Below: Charleston designer Jenny Keenan composed a dramatic and well-collected backdrop with an artful arrangement of curio. We love her refreshing use of color and vintage upholstery, and have long admired her taste in art and creative lighting.
Above/Below: Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Nicholas of Cloth and Kind curated a tribute to an enslaved woman who spent much of her life serving the Aiken-Rhett family. The “Parlor for Dorcas” was influenced by the legacy of Dorcas Richardson who went on to become a strong leader and female entrepreneur in the Charleston community after her emancipation. Ramsay and Nicholas also took cues from the house’s Lowcountry setting, incorporating coastal elements, natural woven fibers and palms. Soothing neutrals with pops of blue and green are reminiscent of Charleston’s seaside status.
Below: The “Lady’s Boudoir” by Charleston designer Sarah-Hamlin Hastings provides a moody, yet feminine respite for the lady of the house. Hastings imagined it as a place to retreat and relax away from the bustle of city life. We love her use of color and the modern artwork above the fireplace.
Above/Below: This parlor created by Charleston-based designer Tammy Connor was Farrah’s favorite room. Featuring a variety of “vignettes through the ages” the space had timeless appeal and felt imbued with elegance and old world beauty. We could easily imagine lighting a candle and curling up with a book in this amazing living room!
Above/Below: Lori’s favorite was the eclectic library by Jason Reeves of Highlander Mountain House. Cozy and intimate, the room featured a floor-to-ceiling bookcase packed with antique volumes, along with cheerful armchairs and a variety of collected objects. This tucked-away space captured our imaginations, hinting at far-off adventures and exotic travels.
We hope you enjoyed this tour of the decorated Aiken-Rhett House as much as we did! Do you have a favorite space? Let us know in the comments section.
