Historic home gains new vitality … and a claim to TV fame
South of Broad is more than the historical crown jewel of Charleston — it’s a neighborhood where cobblestone streets, wraparound porches and centuries of stories are woven together.
Charleston designers Chelcie Eastman and Gray Benko, who star in TV’s “Anything but Gray” on the Magnolia Network, renovate historic Charleston homes and transform them with bold colors and personality.
One of their recent projects is this historic two-story brick residence on the city’s Tradd street that combines the charm of Folk Victorian architecture with the warmth of Craftsman details.
The home was built on a corner lot in 1915, while Charleston was experiencing heavy political unrest and also emerging as a cultural center trying to rebuild in the post-Civil War era.
More than a century later, one family has made it their perfect blend of history and home. The owners completely restored and renovated the home with the original Craftsman and Victorian details preserved wherever possible. From its raised basement to a two-story rear addition, the house holds tales of Charleston’s past while welcoming modern family life.
Historically listed as having seven rooms and two baths, the home includes a wrap-around porch, brick piers and decorative glass, asymmetrical Craftsman window placement, exposed rafter tails, original oak flooring, paneled doors and Arts and Crafts interior trim.
The current layout includes three bedrooms and three baths, with a study, formal living room, dining room, kitchen, hearth room and a butler’s pantry.
The home has seen generations of judges, WWII families, bankers and shipyard workers and the new owners wanted to honor that lineage while creating a space that feels approachable, comfortable, and full of personality.
To achieve this, they turned to Eastman and Benko.
“The owners were looking for a historic Charleston home with authentic character and charm that could still function comfortably for a family,” Eastman says. “When they found this home in its walkable, South of Broad location, they knew it was the one.”
The 110-year-old architecture, with its mix of Craftsman warmth and Victorian details, was the right balance of history and comfortable functionality, the designers say. It has a rich legacy of families who have lived in this home over the last century and the new owners wanted to honor and be part of that legacy.
The interior design was guided by the owners’ desire to preserve the historical feel of the home while keeping it approachable. Eastman and Benko layered heirlooms, antiques and new finds to create a home that feels lived-in rather than overly polished.
“They wanted the home to feel warm, collected, layered, and true to its 1915 roots but also colorful and comfortable,” Eastman says. “The design was inspired by the original Craftsman trim and oak floors, Charleston’s iconic hues, vintage murals and wallpaper and the idea of honoring the many families whose stories lived within the home.”
The new owners have made the kitchen the soul of the home. With pedant lights wrapped in fabric shades and a generous island, it is where the family’s Greek heritage shines through in lively cooking and gatherings. Along with the kitchen, the porches and open living spaces make entertaining family and friends effortless.
This home is rich in Charleston history, but also family history. The families who once lived here may be gone, but their story is still being told as their legacy is being honored and celebrated in the present.
For its newest owners, it’s not just a house — it’s a gathering place and a reminder that Charleston’s history is best experienced not in a museum, but in the warmth of family and everyday living.
link
