Charleston

My husband and I have been visiting Charleston for several years now. Every single time I go this city still amazes me. The architecture, churches, iron gates, cobble stone streets, and the GARDENS! Some of these gardens were started in the 1700s. I get excited when I have flowers that make it through two seasons!

We were able to stay at a friend's house on James Island. It was only a 10 minute drive to the downtown historic district. I have over 300 pics from just this trip alone. I don't know how many I'll share but I will divide the posts up.

This huge round porch is unbelievable!

Do you notice the ceiling of the porch is painted blue? It is called haint blue. The word haint comes from the word haunt. The Gullah people would paint their porch ceilings this haint blue to ward off evil spirits. They believed that these "haints" could not pass over water. The blue, of course, symbolized the water. Now they just paint them blue because it's pretty. But there are so many shades. If you want haint blue, paint your ceiling a blue-green. A color that reminds you of water. Benjamin Moore's haint blue is Palladian Blue.

This little pink house was in between two massive houses. A lot of times these were "kitchen houses". There was a law passed at one time that required kitchens to be in a separate structure. I don't know if this little pink house served that purpose. Many of these have been converted to charming little apartment homes and bed and breakfasts. This pink charmer can't be more than 12 feet wide!

I don't believe there is a single house without an iron gate somewhere on the property. I especially loved this one. Directly behind the gate you can see the bold red front door. Can't walk by and not notice this one!

I have so much more I'll be sharing with you!