Before and After: Lamboll Foyer

“My vision for the house is that you would come in and feel like you are connected to the garden because the garden is such a big part of this property.”

Two things make this property especially unique, even for Charleston. It has a double lot with a beautiful large garden designed by Sheila Wertimer, and it has three stories of piazzas on the front. I wanted the owner and guests to feel the energy of the outdoors while inside.

Excerpt from Charleston Style & Design’s Fall 2022 Issue:

When Fleuren began the project, the front entry doors were in rough shape. The team removed the doors, reworked them, and sent the hardware for professional cleaning. New copper gas lanterns were added to complement the beautifully landscaped gardens.

In the foyer, a jaw-dropping grand staircase winds gracefully through three floors. “I wanted to tie all of these spaces together,” Fleuren says.

“My concept was that as you ascend the staircase, you feel like you’re rising into a canopy of trees.”

To realize the vision, she worked with fine artist Michael Gilbert to create a three-story mural with a botanical motif. Gilbert worked in shell whites, and soft oyster grays to create a muted tropical scene that included some of the plants in the gardens.

We will continue to take you behind the scenes, room by room this fall. So, make sure that you subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram or Facebook. See you there!

DURING

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The front doors received some much needed TLC. First they were carefully removed. Then all hardware was removed and numbered and photographed. The hardware was sent out for professional cleaning, while the incredible carpentry team reworked the doors to get them in usable shape. The badly warped and rusted screws ate through 7 drill bits before the job was over.

A 1965 nickel was found in the front door keyhole. After we cleaned the hardware, we put the nickel back. This time, Jefferson side up.

IMAGE FIVE
The guys from Carolina Custom Electric are busy installing decorative lighting. Love all the smiling faces in beautiful spaces here in Charleston! And I love to hear the crews talk about which rooms are their favorites. It makes the job fun when everyone is excited for the client and likes what we are creating. are busy installing decorative lighting. Love all the smiling faces in beautiful spaces here in Charleston! And I love to hear the crews talk about which rooms are their favorites. It makes the job fun when everyone is excited for the client and likes what we are creating.

IMAGE SIX
Sneak peek of the mural in the foyer of the historic downtown project. Michael Gilbert Studios is an artist and a craftsman. I am so fortunate to also call him “friend”! He captured my vision beautifully. 😊

Original Window

Every little space is important. A window tucked under the ground floor staircase is the perfect place to stop and reflect. It has been an absolute joy to restore this property to the grandeur of its day.

POWDER ROOM

It’s fun to see great craftsmen on the sites. Chris Hostetler is putting the final touches on custom cabinetry at our historic downtown project. @hostetlercustomcabinetry is amazing! Thanks, Chris!😃

ELEVATED ELEVATOR DOOR

The existing elevator door was pretty bad: a metal door with a diamond peek window was NOT ideal for the property.

So, the first challenge was to duplicate the original doors found in other areas of the house, but with the dimensions of the cased opening for the elevator.
Then, the huge challenge of merging the new casing with the existing casing that was not plumb, not level, and basically, a big mess. But, wow! The trim team is AWESOME! I am absolutely amazed at the skill of the trim guys who matched existing casings from circa 1820, and merged them with new, even when one set was 2″ off plumb. IMPRESSED! I love to see the artistry of these amazing guys. Love it! Love it!

BOTTOM LINE: another great week on site with a team of subs that ROCK!