The inaugural Charleston Design Week

This November marks the area’s first Charleston Design Week. A unique blend of local and national events highlighting southern design, creativity, + architecture– the Southern Style Now Festival (previously hosted in Savannah + New Orleans) kicks off Thursday, Nov. 1, running through Sunday, Nov. 4.

What you can expect:

Keynote speeches– from the likes of Patricia Altschul, Julia Reed, Shax Riegler, + more
Panel discussions– from ‘Dreaming in Color’ to ‘Trends + Traditions’ to ‘Fear of Fabrics’
Experiential elements– including exclusive local home + museum tours, Lowcountry cooking demonstrations, flower arranging workshops, wine pairing workshops, + more
The 2018 Southern Style Now Showhouse– presented by Traditional Home, the house serves as the cornerstone of the festival, where selected A-list experts capture the southern aesthetic through the design of a historic home built in 1844
Decadent dinners, and of course– more cocktail parties than you can shake a stir stick at

Why Charleston?

“One of the most beautiful cities that we've ever seen, Charleston is experiencing a perceivable renaissance of style, culture, and cuisine and is on the forefront of the movement to redefine what Southern style is in 2018– and what it will be in the future.” – Festival Organizer Robert Leleux.

Throughout the four-day event, organizers are partnering with Design In Great Spaces (DIGS) Charleston– a local group focused on elevating + nurturing local architecture, decor, and design. Additionally, the DIGS First Annual Design Awards Gala will be held on Nov. 2, at the Cigar Factory. This summer, both professionals + individuals submitted design projects that captured how the simple is made extraordinary. Eleven different categories from ‘Let There Be Light’ to ‘The “Me” Room’, inspired creativity and challenged applicants to share original and unique work in architecture, interiors, and landscape design. In partnership with Traditional Home and Explore Charleston, this year's project named “Best in Show” will receive $10,000.

“Since Charleston was settled, our region has been known as the center of Southern design and style. Now, through Charleston Design Week, we have a unique opportunity to welcome the industry’s most talented and renowned professionals, host the Traditional Home Showhouse and support DIGS in celebrating the many forms of creative talent that exist in our area.” – Helen Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston

The DIGS Awards Gala, Southern Style Now Festival, and Southern Style Now Showhouse are open to the public, as well as to industry professionals. Tickets are required. Click here for more information + to purchase tickets.

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While I consider myself an amateur designer at best– I can appreciate the time, thought, and talent that goes into creating the beautiful spaces of the Lowcountry. Not to mention how a room can invoke a multitude of feelings or convey a single story.

What are a few of your favorite architectural arenas in the Holy City? Are there certain designers who continue to capture + captivate you? Let me know in the comments below.

– Nicole