A palette of verditer blue and red enlivens the dining room of the Nathaniel Russell House. Elaborate passementerie and wallpaper trim inspired by the interlocking rings of a set of chairs original to the house further animate the room’s decor. (Opposite) Scarlet upholstery and black-and-gold japanning accentuate the bold yet graceful form of an early 19th-century sofa in the drawing room of the Federal-period Joseph Manigault House.
Stucco facades in a palette of pastel tones offer colorful contrast to Charleston’s brick, stone, and clapboard edifices. Contributing a Caribbean air to the cityscape, the irregularities of their sun-faded surfaces enhance the charm of Charleston’s streets.
A gilt-framed mirror and silver card cases gleam like jewelry against chartreuse paint reminiscent of Georgian green.
Historical research revealed that the Nathaniel Russell House’s dining room was papered in a vibrant shade of blue with contrasting trim.
The wood carving and wainscoting of Drayton Hall’s dramatic staircase were once painted a brilliant vermilion hue.
A saffron-colored pillow with darker gold passementerie echoes the patina of a 19th-century French carved gilt-wood sofa.
The renowned interiors expert explores the Holy City’s unique style lexicon, from the late 17th century to the present
