highlights of hilton head & savannah

We just got back yesterday from our trip to Hilton Head and Savannah, so I thought I’d share a few highlights with you today.

Hilton Head, South Carolina is like our home away from home, and we look forward to our visit every summer.

Between visiting with friends, going to the beach and doing a few DIY projects around the house, I also love to ride my bike around the neighborhood and check out the fabulous curb appeal.

These two homes are among my favorites! 

You know me, I’m always on the hunt for great thrift stores, and Hilton Head has several great ones. To help brighten up the front entry, I was lucky enough to find these vintage inspired travel posters at "The Litter Box"!

BTW, all proceeds at this thrift store go to the Humane Association of Hilton Head.  😻🐶

I just love them! The one on the left says Cannes, and the one on the right is Spain. Perfect pairing with the living room sofa.

I try not to work too hard on projects while I'm there. Last year I must have painted 5 different things, from the new coffee table to a couple of vintage mirrors. 

This year we found some nice blue and white bedding and accessories for one of the bedrooms and that was fun and easy!

                                 

The beach was absolutely magical this year! Can you spot the full moon above? This is during sunset, and this one is...

just a gorgeous sunrise.

We also explored the old Honey Horn plantation which is now known as the Coastal Discovery Museum. Spanish moss is draping from every tree here, and you really get a sense of southern living 100 years ago.

Actually, the history goes back about 300 years at this location, but this main building was built in 1859.

Besides all the wonderful wildlife displays, they also have several original artifacts from this home. These plates are so pretty!

                                 

And check out this farmhouse sink!

While we stay in Hilton Head, we always make time to visit Savannah to and the first stop on this trip was the fabulous Paris Market.

                                

I love to explore their lower level that features interesting tablescapes and vignettes.   

There’s something to admire at every turn while walking the streets of Savannah...

and we have a new favorite restaurant. 😏 Stay tuned for more…

We had so much fun trying new restaurants this year and also visiting some of our favorites like Lowcountry Produce in Sea Pines. They serve amazing breakfasts and lunches and have a yummy smoothie bar. A Chocolate Banana Almond Smoothie with a shot of espresso is my fave!  

And, while I’m here today, I wanted to share that I have some really cool projects lined up for the next month that you're bound to love! I can't say much besides that they're really fun tablescapes....

Vintage, beachy, unique and fun, all rolled into one! 

All the tables will include new online finds combined with vintage treasures. I even found some fun tableware in South Carolina last week, and with fall on the horizon, the tablescaping possibilities are endless!

Quite often, time is of the essence, and I have last minute projects or events to work on, so I turn to online shopping for quick one or two day delivery. You’d be surprised at how many amazing items you can find! Check out my favorite tableware here at “Tablescaping Essentials”.

ciao! fabiana

visit Savannah’s last unrestored mansion

Step Inside and Explore the Mystique of this Faded Historic Southern Mansion.

One of my favorite places to visit in the south is the historic Noble Hardee Mansion. In fact, I make it a point to get to this amazing and ultra-historic home every summer when I’m in Savannah, Georgia. 

This slightly spooky Italianate style home is actually known as the “last unrestored grand mansion of Savannah.”

Go upstairs and explore every nook.

Unrestored, but completely jaw-dropping, this notable 1870’s era home is now home to Alex Raskin Antiques, a phenomenally unique antique store. 

As you explore the four stories of this glorious old mansion, you’ll come across thousands of amazing antiques, some that are piled sky high on top of each other.

Wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling this place is packed with the most incredible antique furnishings, chandeliers and ancestral portraits. 

Make sure to go upstairs and check out the amazing views of the city from this home’s numerous outdoor balconies and upstairs porches.

A stunning mansion filled with antiques

While first time visitors may be shocked to see the historic home in its time-worn and somewhat run-down state, most others embrace the faded grandeur that adds to its fascination and charm. 

Inside, ceilings and walls in a deteriorating state, the carpets are worn, but the intrigue overshadows these flaws.

One can only imagine the pristine beauty of this home when it hosted the most glorious gatherings and important guests over 100 years ago.

Picture-perfect beauty from the street

Fancy cast iron balconies and rusty outer window frames harmonize beautifully with the crumbling gray and pink stucco that covers its exterior. 

The faded glory of this home meshes beautifully with the Spanish moss and tree lined streets that surround it.

At the entrance of the store, you’ll find that layers of history await you through the shabby chic blue door with its original glass doorknob.

One of the most beautiful spots in Savannah.

Located on the southern end of Savannah’s historic district at 3 West Gordon Street, the entrance to the antique store is at street level at the corner of 441 Bull Street. 

You’ll enter through an amazing patinated blue door with its antique amethyst glass door knob. 

This grand architectural dream faces Monterey Square, which is one of the prettiest tree lined parks in Savannah. 

Historic Savannah’s architectural charm.

The home is named after its first owner, Noble Hardee, a cotton merchant who began building the home in 1860, but died before its completion. 

Throughout the Civil War, this mansion remained uncompleted until the Reconstruction era of the 1870s when it became one of the city’s most sophisticated residences.

Exploring this historic home is quite an adventure. As you make your way through the labyrinth of antiques, you’ll notice amazing architectural details like these chunky door frames and 15 foot tall ceilings accented with elegant moldings.  

Don’t forget to look up while exploring this slightly spooky, but fascinating antique store.

With ceilings and walls in a deteriorating state, one can only imagine this home during its heyday over a century ago.

Ancestral portraits line the stairway walls, and add to the mystery of this historic unrestored home.

The balconies and upstairs porches of this Italianate mansion turned antique store are also filled with interesting heirlooms, and offer amazing views of the southern end of Savannah’s historic district.

An intriguing place to visit

If you’re in Savannah and would love to visit this grand manor and store, you’ll find Alex Raskin Antiques located at 441 Bull Street.  

Mr. Raskin is the proud owner of the Noble-Hardee Mansion has spent over twenty-five years filling this historic home with auctions treasures from around the world.

 ciao! fabiana

This article originally appeared on Romantic Homes online.

patricia altschul's Charleston mansion

an in-depth look at Patricia’s Isaac Jenkins Mikell house

the Isaac Jenkins Mikell house

Yesterday’s blog post featured the fun coastal inspired home of Southern Charm’s Chelsea Meissner, and today we’re doing a complete 180, as we showcase the best of Patricia Altschul’s historic Charleston, South Carolina mansion.

Also known as the Isaac Jenkins Mikell house, Patricia lovingly restored and decorated her amazing home with the help of interior designer Mario Buata. It’s also quite convenient that she’s great friends with Carolyne Roehm who also has a love of very traditional, old-school décor.

Patricia Altschul

Built in 1853, in the Italian villa style, This home was the Charleston public library from 1935-1960. Fast forward to 2008 and the home has new life breathed into it with homeowner Patricia.

Thanks to her faithful butler Michael, this home runs like a well-oiled machine and is so perfect for hosting fabulous dinner parties.

Enjoy a visual tour around Patricia’s home today and let me know if you’re a Southern Charm fan or quite simply just a Miss Patricia fan!  

Patricia suggests the entertaining following tips:

ü  Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the day of the party to get everything done. She says this allows you to be calm and relaxed for the party. “If you’re stressed, it shows and it makes people uncomfortable.”

ü  Write everything down, including whom you are inviting and what food you are planning to serve.

ü  Call and invite people at least a month in advance. “It’s not a spontaneous event — you’re investing your time and money,” she said. Speaking to someone on the phone also allows for a more personal connection and you’re likely to get an RSVP sooner.

ü  Host the party in your home. It’s less intimidating and much cozier than meeting at a restaurant.

ü  If you’re planning a dinner party on a budget, serve simple, well-prepared food such as spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and homemade cookies for dessert. “The whole purpose is to get together and have fun; it’s not a gourmand roundtable,” she said.

An artichoke themed dinner party with the Southern Charm girls. Watching this episode, it seemed like none of the guests had ever eaten an artichoke before!

Patricia had to explain the proper way to eat an artichoke.

ciao! fabiana

Check out Patricia’s essential lifestyle guide here:

Photos by Architectural Digest, Patricia Altschul 

on instagram  and Patrick Brickman on Houzz