When I was a little girl, I was obsessed with antebellum homes. I loved hunting for them as I rode with my parents across South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. Every delapidated southern mansion seemed to be “calling” to me. And I was jealous of every owner who lived in a beautifully restored object of my desire. Even beyond college and into my late twenties I would drag my husband or other family members to any antebellum home tour within driving distance of my location.
Thankfully, by the time I was in my mid-thirties, the realities of home-ownership and parenthood had transmuted my inner voice from “save an old house” to “build a new house”. Which is exactly what my husband and I did.
Fast forward to today’s visit to Saluda Cottages, the Historic Flat Rock Designer Showhouse. As an undisputed designer showhouse addict, I was curious to see how the interior designers would interpret and furnish these deeply southern historic rooms. These are my impressions:
1) The true beauty of this home is the home, not the new wall colors and furniture installed by a slew of talented interior designers.
2) Because of #1 above, simple trumps highly decorated. Less is more when the antique moldings, fireplaces, windows, etc. are so outstanding.
3) My favorite room was the Daughter’s Bedroom, simply and tastefully decorated by Taylor & Huie Fine Interiors & Appointments. It was fresh, classic and perfectly complemented the room in wedgewood blue and white.
4) There were certainly other lovely fabrics, colors, furniture pieces and artwork throughout the house, but for me, most of the rooms were overdecorated.
5) It is understandable that an interior designer cannot afford to completely redo a bathroom or kitchen, but decorating around dated fixtures and cabinets leaves me without the “wow” moments that a new luxury bath or kitchen can give.
6) Historic Flat Rock, the Designer Showhouse committee and all the designers did an outstanding job!
Final thoughts: Saluda Cottages is for sale and will make some historic home buff extremely happy. As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon exploring and experiencing this antebellum gem without even the tiniest twinge of antebellum home envy!
