It’s that time of year again- the event planners are working away furiously, the florists are creating fabulous centerpieces and bouquets, and the church bells are ringing out every Saturday afternoon and evening. Yep, it’s wedding season! As if trying to find the perfect outfit wasn’t hard enough, it can sometimes be even trickier deciding on what to give the bride and groom. Yes, you could go the easy route and give them that boring old toaster from Target or you can find them something unique and personal that really shows the amount of thought you put into finding them the perfect gift. Luckily for you, ESD is stocked full of beautiful china, fun glassware and barware, and all sorts of fine Belgian linens. ESD takes the everyday essentials all new couples need to another level by sourcing only the finest gifts and accessories.
One of my go-to wedding gifts is the serving pieces from L’Objet. Their timeless pieces can go from casual entertaining to fine dining and everywhere in between.
Another great gift idea is Belgian linen napkins. We carry several different kinds of gorgeous linens that will make any tabletop luxurious.
For the less traditional brides and grooms we offer fun, unusual pieces for the household. Mercury glass bowls and handmade pottery are the perfect accent to any coffee table or dinner spread.
ESD has so many other fabulous options for your wedding gift needs so stop in soon and let us help you find something personal and beautiful for their special day!
Beautiful handcrafted Belgian linens are perfect for the newlywed’s first dinner parties!
These gorgeous handmade ceramics are not only beautiful but food safe as well!
This mercury glass bowl has beautiful texture and would look perfect filled with delicious fruit in the kitchen.
The Aegean pattern from L’Objet is one of my all-time favorites- a great display of contemporary patterns on crisp, clean white porcelain.
There’s nothing better than coming home after a long day and sitting on your favorite couch or chair. All the worries of your day start to slip away and you are left feeling truly relaxed. This is what an exceptional piece of seating should offer you. Whether you prefer a tight back reading chair or a deep bench seat sofa, there really is a perfect seat for every person.
At ESD, we carry exceptional seating options and often feature pieces from Hickory White, Rowe and Moss Studio. These three companies manufacture upholstered and slipcovered goods in the United States, and provide a wide range of styles with outstanding craftsmanship. We have an extensive fabric library and would love to show you all of the options we offer. If you are looking for some fabulous seating, come into the store May 15th-18th for 25% off all of our in-stock seating.
A relaxing and rejuvenating sit is only as far away as ESD; come in and take a look!
Charming Southern Front Porch
Homeowner and decorator Muffie Faith of Elizabeth Stuart Design, Charleston, SC, designed this front porch with paint, wicker, and florals.|Story by Lydia Somerville
“In Charleston, the porch is almost more important than interior rooms. I designed mine with company in mind.” —Muffie Faith
Photo: Laurey W. Glenn
1. Choose Classic Colors
Muffie chose Charleston green (so dark it’s almost black) and white for the porch’s structural elements and furniture. She painted the ceiling “haint blue,” a Charleston tradition that’s said to repel insects and scare away ghosts.
2. Soften the Light
Rather than relying solely on overhead lighting, try plugging in a lamp. Top it with an inexpensive shade that you can replace cheaply when it shows wear. “Lamplight makes the porch intimate and welcoming,” Muffie says.
3. Incorporate Antiques
Shake up a trad design with an unexpected antique piece reupholstered in durable, weather-resistant outdoor fabric. Muffie found her antique chaise at a flea market and put it on the porch for a quirky touch.
4. Mix and Match Styles
Give a porch personality by using a variety of seating types. “I like my furniture to be a collection,” says Muffie. Painting everything the same color, in this case Charleston green, gives a unified look.
5. Defer to the View
Because the porch is surrounded by a pretty garden, Muffie added color only with accessories, such as floral-print pillows that are treated for outdoor use and trimmed in grass green fringe.
Get Muffie’s Charming Southern Style:
Lamp | Ivory Bird Lamp, $205; horchow.com
Pilliow | Watercolor Floral Pillow, $375; esdcharleston.com
Garden Stool | Clover Window Stool (0934WT), $495; decor-decor.com
Chair | Storsele (202.016.82), $119; ikea.com
Additional Resources:
Designer: Muffie Faith, Elizabeth Stuart Design, Charleston, SC; esdcharleston.com. Shutter, floor, and wicker paint: Historic Charleston Green (DCR099); duron.com. Ceiling paint: For a similar look try Atmospheric (SW 6505); sherwin-williams.com. Note: Items similar to all furniture and accessories are available through Muffie’s store, Elizabeth Stuart Design; esdcharleston.com
The other evening I had the opportunity to join my neighbors for our annual Ansonborough birthday party which celebrates our neighborhood’s namesake, Lord Anson. I will say he looked pretty great for being 316 years old, but what really caught my eye was the venue: Zero George Street.
After a huge renovation throughout 2012, the boutique hotel finally opened their doors this past November, inviting the well-traveled to indulge in its historic charm as well as its modern amenities. Zero George offers 17 guest rooms, each created with a soft and inviting palette that welcomes even the weariest of travelers. The guest room we saw was in the main house overlooking East Bay and the second floor piazza. It was incredible how the architects kept the structural integrity of the house but updated it with modern features to keep guests comfortable. For example, they applied storm windows on the inside of the paned windows in order to create a sound barrier from the busy East Bay intersection below. Also, a beautiful pull out minibar in the custom armoire allows one to keep their drinks fresh so they can be enjoyed on the piazza or in the lush courtyard below. The architects even went as far as to cast exact plaster molds of the crown moldings and wainscoting to continue in the new bathrooms in each bedroom.
However, one of the coolest rooms in the main house is the kitchen. I got goose bumps as we meandered through the bottom floor and up a few stairs and there it was- a gorgeous open kitchen with a sleek stainless steel range set behind a wide island just begging to entertain or teach a cooking class. As we found out, chef Randy Williams does offer seasonal cooking classes as well as private classes.
It was such a lovely evening and I was so excited to finally get to see the beautiful and historic hotel return to its splendor. I’m even wondering if a “stay-cation” is in my near future….regardless, you’ll know where to find me.
Want to recreate the gorgeous look of Zero George in your own home? Stop by ESD for a design consultation- our talented designers and staff would love to help!
I’m very excited about what just came into the store: trunks! These vintage inspired reproductions come in a variety of sizes and can be used for much more than closed storage:
- A piece of cut glass or a tray can be added to the top for a well-protected coffee table
- Add pillows and place it in front of a wall for additional guest seating
- Keep the lid open and fill it with casually draped throws and a toss pillow in a family room
Incorporating one of the trunks into your space will help create a more eclectic look and also add functionality to your space. Come by and take a look!
So, April showers bring May flowers? Well, the May flowers have come early here at ESD! We are so excited for Caroline Gardner’s new collection of colorful, floral and heart patterned stationery and accessories. We imported her fun collection straight from the UK and are super excited to have these affordable pieces featured here in the store.
“Caroline Gardner is one of the most respected independent greeting card and stationery designers in the United Kingdom. Caroline, who trained at Chelsea College of Art and initially worked as a painter, started designing cards some eighteen years ago after receiving a commission from a Tokyo based art gallery.” http://www.carolinegardner.com
Her pens, chunky pad, or noteblock would be excellent Mother’s Day gifts, May 12th. Stop by and see all of the fun and colorful options we have for Mom this year. She will thank you!
I moved to Charleston from Boston about six months ago and while I miss it, I have never been homesick. Until Monday.
People reacted to such an awful event in the most incredible ways:
- Runners completed the race, heard what had happened, and continued running to Mass General to donate blood. The Red Cross had so many people donate that they had to issue a public statement saying that they didn’t need any more.
- A Google Doc was set up as a resource for displaced marathon runners who needed somewhere to rest and over 2,000 people in greater Boston offered spare bedrooms, sofas, showers, home cooked meals and rides.
- A Google Person Finder was set up for those trying to locate loved ones or loved ones trying to get the message out that they were okay. All cell phone service was suspended in Boston and many people were left frantically searching for others.
- Restaurants in downtown Boston offered free meals to anyone.
- Bostonians handing out blankets and jackets.
These are the reasons that I’m proud to be from such an incredible place. When humanity showed its’ absolute worst, so many showed their absolute best.
I’m very excited to be part of this amazing ESD team and wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself! My name is Andrea Sargent and I am the newest designer on staff here at ESD. I graduated from the College of Charleston and fell in love with this amazing city. After graduating, I moved to Boston and earned my Masters of Interior Design from the Boston Architectural College. This was an intense and challenging program that allowed me to work full time at several design firms, and showed me that residential design is my passion. I relocated back to Charleston in October, 2012 and couldn’t be happier to be back in the city I love. I am inspired by coastal living and design that provides clients with functional yet beautiful spaces. Many times, even the smallest changes can help to revitalize a space and make you fall in love with it all over again. I hope you’ll consider my services for any design project, large or small. I can be reached at asargent.esd@bluetie.com or here at the store at 422 Savannah Highway, 843-225-6282.
Remember that long track arm sofa you loved jumping on as a child? Have you been craving Lucite as much as we have? Well ladies and gentlemen, we’ve got it all; Mid-century is back and better than ever!
At ESD we love an eclectic look and what better way to jazz up your space than throwing in a great mid-century piece? We just received a container with several fabulous mid-century pieces that can add interest to any room. From Mies van der Rohe style chairs to a hand carved teak dining table (it’s actually wired to light up!), these pieces are a great way to break away from cookie cutter design. Come stop in for that fab piece your space has been asking for!
A glamorous black and white chandelier to add drama to any room.
Fabulous pops of color in a bold orange.
An elegant Lucite and glass coffee table can add the perfect touch!
Here’s some inspiration on adding mid-century touches throughout your home:
The sun is starting to set later day by day and spring is just around the corner! If you’re like me, you can’t wait to “spring forward” and are already in full-blown spring fever. This is the perfect time to start thinking about the outdoor spaces at your home and doing what you can to make them beautiful. There’s no shortage of beautiful outdoor fabrics that are fun and festive for the warmer weather. The Trina Turk for F. Schumacher is a perfect example. Bright colors and bold patterns make perfect choices for outdoor spaces, and will leave you and your guests excited and loving every minute of time outdoors. Stop by ESD to take a look at our wide selection of indoor and outdoor fabrics, and let’s get your project started!
