The Charleston Library Society launch of my new book, The Allure of Charleston, was a big success, with a sell-out of audience of 150. Buxton Books offered a pop-up shop with many of my titles and faithful friends helped to cater a Southern style reception. Many people asked for the punch recipe, as well as my Not Yo' Mama's Pimento Cheese and Devilish Deviled Ham (recipes to follow!). For those who missed the lecture, I'll be offerin... read more

Please join me for the debut lecture based on my new book, The Allure of Charleston, at the Charleston Library Society, and a festive book-signing, on Wednesday, May 18th, at 6 pm. Reservations are recommended (charlestonlibrarysociety.org or 843-723-9912). I'll be talking about Charleston's architecture and design lexicon, demonstrating individual components including the city's unique p... read more

My new book, The Allure of Charleston: Houses, Rooms, and Gardens, is out from Rizzoli International Publications! I've spent a week gazing at it the way a mother does a newborn child and now I'm ready to share it with you! If you're in Charleston on Wednesday, May 18th, at 6 PM, please come to my lecture and book launch party at the Charleston Library Society. You can reserve a ticket by... read more

None of us want to even hear the word COVID again, but there's no denying that it has shaped our lives. Fortunately for me, the lock-down period came just as I began shooting my new book, The Allure of Charleston, making it possible to photograph street scenes and exteriors of famous historic buildings with no cars in sight. There's always a silver lining. I was also able to move with my camera through the rooms of historic hous... read more

Where architecture and antiques meet...   [caption id="attachment_19522" align="alignnone" width="4987"] 19th-Century Savannah living room of Charles Chewning and Tommy Genusso[/caption]   Where would antiques be without architecture? What would domest... read more

    Just add antiques, stir lovingly, and deliver a heart-warming welcome.   [caption id="attachment_19517" align="alignnone" width="712"] An heirloom silver tea service perched on a neoclassical sideboard offers a classic Southern invitatio... read more

That is the question I will pondering while signing books this Sunday (12/8 from 1-2 pm) at Drayton Hall as part of their annual Deck the Hall Weekend. The weekend includes a classic oyster roast, holiday workshops featuring floral design and wreath making, and a Lowcounty Artisan Market offering holiday fare ranging from candy to candles and everything in between. It’s enough to make you to utte... read more

Lighting is often almost an afterthought in creating a space for living, but it is one of the things that most affects the way we feel in a space, the way we interact, and the way we perceive our surroundings. This Monday, October 21, from 11 to 1, join me with Business of Home editor Kaitlin Petersen at Couture Lamps showroom at the fall ... read more

It's been a busy day in and out of the office! The Southern autumn twilight is gently falling on my garden (we won't mention the tree that fell down there a few days ago and is a now a playground for the squirrels). It's the perfect time to unwind with some relaxing reading or listening. I've just completed my radio interview on Charleston's Ohm Radio (... read more

I just finished an hour-long web chat with Jura Koncius, Home and Design writer for The Washington Post, that will be published in excerpts next Thursday. I fielded great, thought provoking questions about the secrets of Southern style and hospitality and I'll share snippets with you in the coming days. I'm now heading over to the offices of OHM Radio in Charleston, 96.3 FM, a non-commercial, locally-produced station with programs ranging from cu... read more