KITCHEN CONFIDENCE: Suzanne Pollak, also known as “The Dean” of The Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits, brings her culinary skills and global aesthetic to a traditional townhome on Rainbow Row.
THE LONG VIEW: Pollak takes in some fresh air from her four-story home’s petite rooftop deck, which offers stunning views of Charleston Harbor and Fort Sumter.
CLASSIC BEAUTY: The Pollaks’ townhome on East Bay Street; the façade features a balcony forged by legendary ironworker Philip Simmons.
HIGH, LOW, & IN BETWEEN: The Pollaks enlisted jewelry designer and friend James de Givenchy to help them choose décor in keeping with their eclectic personal style. In the living room, a glittering chandelier and Suzanne’s collection of 18th-century Chinese porcelain keep company with a coffee table from Crate & Barrel.
ELEMENT OF SURPRISE: De Givenchy designed this seven-by-seven-foot square table, crafted by Savannah-based furniture maker Greg Guenther from 100-year-old walnut, around an unexpected centerpiece: a live palm tree.
OUT OF AFRICA: Exotic textiles and a sculpture from Suzanne’s time in Africa lend a global bent to this dining and lounge space.
GOURMET CENTRAL: The couple transformed this former garage into a dining area, and the carriage doors can still be slid open for an alfresco experience.
As an entertaining expert and avid home cook, Suzanne spends many happy hours within the exposed brick walls of the kitchen.
SECRET PASSAGE: Under the rolling kitchen island lies a hidden stairwell to the cistern, which the Pollaks use for storage.
HAVE YOUR GARDEN & EAT IT, TOO: The courtyard garden features citrus trees, such as lemon and tangerine, as well as beehives that yield some 70 pounds of honey per year.
Original cypress paneling lends a dignified air to the master bedroom.
GLITTERING TRIBUTE: Designer de Givenchy chose the jewel-like glass subway tile in this bath to mimic the brick that’s found throughout the historic district.
