Last month, I went away on a quick work trip to North and South Carolina with my cousin Stephanie, of Stephanie Jean Design,  and my friend Rachel of Peridot Decorative Homewear to gain lots of inspiration from High Point Market for future projects! Thanks to our friends at Airbnb, we stayed in rental homes in  Greensboro and Charleston! Vacation rental homes are really one of my favorite ways to travel, especially when traveling with a few people! Makes for endless memories and feels a bit more like home.

Now, I’ll have to start by saying this: If you’re considering a trip to Charleston, don’t be disappointed if it doesn’t look like the photos you see on Instagram. We weren’t overly impressed at first sight. However, when we started to learn more about the history and the city, visiting different neighborhoods and areas, I began to appreciate Charleson more and more. It’s absolutely charming, but not as perfectly pristine as it’s made out to be. But, of course, there are pockets of picture-perfect areas that really whisk you away.

I was completely bowled over by the architecture, history and amount of character. And the place we stayed at in Charleson was an absolutely adorable. Simon, our host, was so gracious. We would be thrilled to stay there again! If you’re going to the area, we definitely recommend checking out his suite!

If you’re planning a trip to Charleston, you need to pick up a copy of its Wildsam Field Guide. I grabbed one while we were there and found it to be such an adorable little helpful guide, really digging into the city’s culture and history. It’s a fun way to get to know a city’s story and find all the best recommendations for places to see and restaurants to try.

Favourite Things to Do in Charleston

Tour the historic homes of Charleston, including Rainbow Row and Battery Park.  Enjoy local seafood and southern hospitality. Visit all the little shops downtown Charleston too. It’s a pretty walk with all the gorgeous architecture, with shops from J.Crew to Gucci. Something for everyone!

Lots of walking. Take the time to explore new streets because you never know what you’re going to get around each corner. It felt like we walked for hours and couldn’t see enough! Everything from restored architecture to haunted house looking building structures. The weather was perfect in October, and fall was absolutely showing off!

Favourite Restaurants & Cafés in Charleston

Exploring a new city is so much fun. Being able to try new restaurants is such a treat. The Ordinary was at the top of my list of restaurants to try, and it did not disappoint. Perfect place to enjoy some fresh fish dishes. And don’t miss out on the oysters! We LOVED it!!

FIG was also on my list. This is place is a must! It boasts exceptional service and a market-fresh menu that changes often. What more can you ask for?

Some of my other recommendations? The Darling Oyster Bar, The Watch: Rooftop Kitchen and Spirits, The Daily, and Butcher & Bee. Loved them all! The decor and design of each one were also uniquely gorgeous.

Sugar Bake Shop was on my list, but it was closed when we got there. So sad! But I’ve heard good things about it, so make sure you’re able to get there.

Cannon Green is an adorable brunch spot too!

Favourite Home Trends at High Point Market

And now a little bit about our quick trip over to the High Point Market where home decor lovers, designers, and buyers meet to see new trends and buy buy buy for their stores and clients! I loved going through the entire market with Stephanie and Rachel, playing off each other’s excitement made it that much better!

1. 1. Lots of natural raw woods: From tables to benches to cutting boards, raw wood is everywhere. Adds a lot of character to your space.
2. 2. Neutral Turkish rugs are still going strong! We saw all kinds of sizes, from big area rugs to runners.
3. 3. Art, lots of art:  From oversized prints to antique Parisian sketches. Again, they add that extra character to your space. Think about layering art too!
4. 4. Lighting:  Brass, polished nickel, blown glass, and touches of farmhouse rustic charm is still all going strong.
5. 5. Velvets, soft-toned leathers, and linens: All perfect textiles for couches to occasional chairs.
6. 6. Color: It’s true we’re seeing more color! Dive into hunter greens, rich navys, and browns. Little touches here and there in your white space is always safe!

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