Charleston House by Rhett Morgan and Basic Projects
In South Carolina, Rhett Morgan and Basic Projects collaborate to breathe new life into the 19th-century Charleston House – while honouring its traditional bones.
Embracing the architectural heritage of the South Carolina city for which it’s named, Charleston House pays dutiful homage to its harbourside surroundings. Positioned to capture the coastal breezes, the home, built in 1838, has been rejuvenated by architect Rhett Morgan and interior designer Kate Towill of Basic Projects with a deep appreciation for both functionality and enduring charm. Over two years, the home – which comprises a grand main residence and separate guesthouse – was stripped and rebuilt, honouring the owners’ desire to respect the past while embracing modern liveability.
To preserve the home’s historical integrity while ensuring its spaces aligned with a more contemporary style of open living, balance was key. Designed in an era when dense patterning, wallpaper, heavy textiles and opulent layering were de rigueur, the team needed to create a modern interpretation of those traditional details. Colour, warmth and natural materials help bridge old and new but still allow the home’s authentic elements to shine. Bespoke hand-painted tiles, custom artwork and hand-picked furniture are staged around original details like cornices, plasterwork and metalwork, allowing both to co-exist harmoniously.
The owners’ treasured belongings are dotted throughout the rooms as reminders of their origins and adventures. As a family home, there needed to be a strong sense of welcome from the get-go, as well as plenty of spaces to facilitate both retreat and coming together. In among the vestiges of the past, colour and texture add depth, with new wallpaper by Morris & Co and vintage rugs bringing a modern update while still retaining a connection to the past.
Charleston House has been reimagined through a modern lens, infusing it with a more enduring relevance. In retaining and celebrating the connections between the original owners and the current, Rhett Morgan and Basic Projects have created a residence where authenticity meets modernity in the most delightful way.
Architecture by Rhett Morgan. Interior design and styling by Basic Projects. Build by Tiller Construction. Landscape design by Ables Landscapes.
