#Charles Rowland is built different

[livefastwritetrash]

Something about Charles with his cross earring Harrowing Hell to free a Just soul from torment.

[deconstructthesoup]

Okay, I had thoughts on forming a legit DBD Hadestown AU, and seeing as they kept me up literally all last night, it seemed only fitting that I actually write them down. So:

Charles and Edwin are, obviously, Orpheus and Eurydice respectively. However, rather than having just met and falling into a whirlwind romance, I decided that they're childhood friends who've met again and rediscovered feelings that they'd both been ignoring for a long time. Edwin is dedicated soley to figuring out why the world is dying and if he can help people while he can, and he hasn't really let himself rest, or even feel happy, in years---to the point where he feels that any good thing is too good to be true, even falling in love. Charles, on the other hand, has long since made the decision that someone has to be happy and keep spirits up in the trying times, and it might as well be him... even at the cost of his own health, as he works tirelessly on a song that he knows, despite all logic and understanding, will bring back spring again.

Crystal is Hermes, but she is also Hecate---she is the goddess of the in-between, magic, trickery, the crossroads, and restless souls... and that last part refers not only to the dead that she guides to Hadestown, but to anyone who chooses a life of wandering the road, from the honest messenger to the thieving highwayman. And yet, since the world has begun to die, she's been slowly slipping away from her role, choosing to spend her time among the mortals. This decision, of course, is helped by the fact that not only is Crystal one of the few gods who thinks there's more to the world dying than it just being "a reflection of mortal hubris," but that she's managed to make a friend in Charles. She's seen the way that music can change the world, after all, and knowing that there's at least one mortal who still has hope means that she can still believe.

Niko is a combination of Aphrodite and Dionysus---she's the goddess of love, revelries, happiness, and abundance, yes, but she's also the goddess of the mania that comes when all of those things are taken too far, and she's been dipping more and more into that side of herself as the world gets worse and worse. She wants to forget all the pain and suffering, and she gives herself and others the means to do so, even if it's all temporary. And while Niko does care for the mortals, and wishes that things could get better... deep down, she's lost a lot of her old hope, and even she can't disguise the fact that she's living with a broken heart.

Monty is Persephone, but he's also Apollo---he's the god of rebirth, prophecies, the stars and the earth, and new beginnings... and for what should be half of the year, he rules over the dead. He used to find just as much joy in watching over the souls as he did creating spring with Niko and charting the stars to bring prophecies to the mortals, but as Hadestown gets more punishing, more people die up above, and the world just gets worse, Monty grows even more bitter and closed off. He's unable to even properly enjoy his time on the surface, knowing full well that he won't stay for six months like he should... and the man he loves is wearing his patience thin.

The Cat King is Hades---and yes, somebody did make a very compelling argument for him being the Fates, but it works for the story, so just hang on. Once upon a time, he was happy just ruling over souls and managing the afterlife, and he cherished the time he spent with Monty as much as he could. But over time, wealth became added to his already vast domain, and his fascination for making and collecting things became an obsession... in no small part due to the fact that those six months spent away from Monty started to weigh incredibly heavy on him, and he eventually loses himself in his effort to replicate everything his husband loves about the upper world as it dies along with the way they used to feel about each other. Not to mention, his old empathy and compassion for the souls has hardened into cold indifference at best and a sick enjoyment of their suffering at worst. And all this change is making one person in particular very happy...

Esther is the Fates, but she's also a version of Demeter---the goddess of nature and all of its love and cruelties, and the one who spins everyone's path on her loom, punishing those who dare to stray from what she has determined for them. She's despised the Cat King for years, ever since he whisked Monty away to Hadestown, and she wholeheartedly believes that the reason the world is dying is only because he's been keeping Monty down there for too long, not because they've begun to fall out of love. So, when Esther spins a tale of a pair of lovers who are destined to end tragically, she sees it as an opportunity to finally push the Cat King and Monty to the breaking point---to save her son and the world, she tells herself, but mostly for revenge.

[aletterinthenameofsanity]

Edwin Payne and Charles Rowland (Amnesia AU: Chapter 2)

Hell is the scariest thing in the world to Edwin. It always has been. It is the place that Edwin hates most in the universe, terrifying beyond compare. Decades after he finally, finally, found the door out of Hell, he still cannot stop seeing the sickly green lighting of the Dollhouse whenever he closes his eyes. He cannot forget what it felt like to be ripped apart over and over again. He cannot see spiders or dolls without freezing. He has spent thirty five years running from it.

But there’s no other option, truly.

Charles Rowland loved him enough to let him go, because Charles Rowland, for all his cleverness, is an absolute goddamn idiot.

And Edwin, for all his own intelligence, is in love with said idiot. Because Charles is not just a pretty face, a liar, a clever fighter- he is Edwin’s best friend, the sun brought to earth, the love of Edwin’s afterlife.

And, for all of his bad decisions, Charles is still the best person that Edwin has ever known.

Edwin Payne is not a knight in shining armor. He leaves that to Charles. He is built to run away, not to run towards. 

But if there is one thing in the universe that is worth running towards, worth embracing, it is Charles Rowland.

-aletterinthenameofsanity, you know the problem with history (it keeps coming back like weeds)

Oh, I always let you down You're shattered on the ground Still, I find you there Next to me And oh, stupid things I do I'm far from good, it's true But still, I find you Next to me

-Imagine Dragons, Next to Me

@tumblerislovetumblerislife @every-moment-a-different-sound @mellxncollie @nix-nihili

@tragedy-machine @anything-thats-rock-and-roll @wordsinhaled

@idliketobeatree @tw0-ravens @dear-monday @sasakisniko

@bequietimsodizzy @regina-cordium @spacegirlsgang

@shadowflame84 @the-moons-jade-rabbit @pappelsiin

@frogsondeckchairs @flaggersribs @lesbicosmos

@tititilani @flowerbritts @silverysnake @ohfallingdisco

@depressedandoverdressed @1kazul @nobledragonflying

[lowkeyrobin]

Hii, I'd like to request a Charles Rowland x reader who's always really nice and sweet, but the moment someone says something negative abt him reader just flips out? Ty!

oo okay I can try for you! ; thanks for requesting, hope you enjoy! ; also I put this in like hc format bc I couldn't milk out a whole oneshot from my brain I apologize ; also rip dbd I guess wtf

CHARLES ROWLAND ; limitations

summary ; youre usually very nice and kind, unless someone tries to talk shit on charles

warnings ; language

word count ; 255

masterlist

you're usually really chill and laid back

and you and Charles bounce off each other's personalities bc you're very alike

you're always there when he breaks because holding everyone together like glue with a smile on his face isn't possible when he's stressed and anxious and angry asf

and he's always there when you lose your shit when you're anxious/upset or when someone says some snotty shit about him

genuinely you're always very calm, to the point it worries charles that you're gonna explode with emotion when you lock it up sm

whether it be face to face combat with a demon or dragging edwin and charles away from danger, you never really explode with emotion

the only time you really do is when someone thinks you're a charles hate safe space??? not like ur tighter than tied shoes or anything but okay

if it's a close friend it's a bit of a different story

"why is Charles so stubborn? can he get over his problems for one moment-" Edwin begins

"shut up, Edwin." you sneer. "just give him a minute, damn"

"I hate Charles"

"and I hate your ugly personality. you're built like a football. go talk about charles somewhere else and stop dickriding assholes 😋"

"jfc okay"

"my favorite thing about Charles is that he-"

"Charles is such a bitch"

"look in a mirror for me before you start calling him names bruh"

"why do you always get mean when someone says something about charles?"

"cause I don't tolerate ppl talking about him like that"

"....understandable"

[terresdebrume]

Prompted by a fic I was reading: would Charles be likely to have learned Punjabi at home ? (As in, enough to actually be able to sustain a conversation in it, even a simple one, to say nothing of actual proficiency in the language)

My instinct is to say no for a couple of reasons

(Note: This is not to discourage people who want to write bilingual Charles! I just like thinking about people's relationship to languages and also it's relevant to my prep for my down on my knees series)

Rowland Sr. is a violent man who hit his son on the regular. Charles' dialogue implies that he did not hit his wife, but with a man like that the threat of it is never gone

Mrs. Rowland, per Charles, was "just quiet". This, plus the glimpse of her we have in the mirror and in Charles' trauma flashbacks implies a woman who likely survived in her house through self erasure and deference to her husband

Rowland Sr is explicitly likened to Devlin Sr, which suggests a controlling man who constantly found fault in Charles for varied and likely nonsensical reasons

All this leads me to think that for Charles to speak/understand Punjabi in canon would require his mother to be allowed to use Punjabi with him to a degree where he could have built actual fluency which to me seems... Unlikely to say the least.

First of all, like I said, Rowland Sr is a controlling asshole who wants to know everything going on in his house, which makes it unlikely that he would be fine with his wife and son having a "secret language" of their own, which means the first step to get bilingual Charles in canon would be to have bilingual Rowland Sr. Not impossible, but given the way people thought about language in the 60s/70s when he would have met his wife, unlikely imo.

Even IF Rowland Sr was somehow bilingual in Punjabi (which you could have if you wanted) I think it's important to remember that the way bilingualism is perceived right now on Tumblr is not necessarily universal. Assuming Charles spoke Punjabi at home, on top of all the assumptions above, also assumes:

His parents didn't subscribe to the wisdom of the time, which is still widespread, that hearing more than one language at home would impede the acquisition of speech for children

His parents felt that Punjabi would be important and/or useful and/or not an obstacle that he would have to overcome when trying to fit into British society at large. I don't know what would have been the consensus in the UK in the early 70s when Charles was born, but I can tell you that people of Charles' generation in France generally don't speak the immigrant parent's language because the attitude of the time was that to do so would be detrimental to the child (that said, the UK does integration differently so I could be missing something there)

There are other factors that can influence practice and understanding of a language: I imagine Charles' relationship with his mother would play a huge role there, as well as people's reactions to his usage of Punjabi outside the house (would he have people to practice with beyond his mother? If so, would he have wanted to?) and tbh you can probably make sense of a lot of permutations

But between the above and the fact that Charles' costume design makes no reference to his heritage that I could spot beyond the cricket bat* I think if Charles does learn Punjabi it's more likely to be a choice he makes as a teenager/after he dies than something he was taught at home

*He does have visible antiracist politics but those are not the same thing as a particular connection to India and Punjab, which I think would be a bit of a requisite for him to actively learn the language later on

[pipwasreal]

Day 13: demons + crossdressing

Characters: Crystal Palace, Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland

Content warnings: clubbing, underage drinking, flirtation, transformation

Crystal's pretty proud of herself for managing to convince the boys to have a night off. And not just a night off, but a night out.

She doesn't miss who she used to be, all spite and malice and jagged edges trying to hide just how scared she was all the fucking time. But she does miss dressing up and cutting loose.

She doesn't think Edwin's ever cut loose. She'd had to promise him that their first stop would be a gay bar where she was sure she'd seen some ghost patrons, just to tempt him out.

Charles hadn't needed convincing, but he had wistfully wondered aloud if there were any venues in London that still featured more brass than bass, so Crystal had found him a jazz bar. She has no idea if it's any good, but he seems excited to give it a go.

She spends longer than usual picking an outfit, aware that it'll look like she's out on her own. She decides to go a bit less flashy than she used to, more comfortable: a silky, sequinned mini dress and platform boots, dramatic make-up and a bunch of thin silver jewellery, but her natural hair and nails.

And she's feeling pretty fucking good, cocktail in hand thanks to her fake ID, with the music throbbing through her and the coloured lights pulsing down on the dancing, laughing crowd... until someone appears right behind Edwin and sniffs him.

Edwin freezes and Charles jerks forward, already reaching out to shove the stranger away, but one of their hands shoots out and grabs Charles' wrist, holding him still with no apparent effort.

Crystal's heart hammers in her chest. There's fear, sure, but she's mostly fucking angry. Tonight was supposed to be a break from supernatural nonsense.

"Hey asshole!" she yells, reaching out to grab their arm in turn. "Back off or I melt your brain."

The stranger chuckles, but does take a step back, hands raised. They're not tall but they are solidly built, with close-cropped silver hair. They're wearing boots, jeans and a leather vest with nothing under it.

Their eyes gleam demon-black.

"Sorry, kids," they say, voice smoke-rough, low and amused. "But your friend here smells like home."

Edwin had whirled around to face them. Charles hovers warily close, fingers inching toward his bag.

"You are a demon," Edwin says. "Of which level?"

The demon grins, slow and satisfied.

"Guess."

They're not Crystal's type, but their easy confidence is incredibly attractive. And they smell really good. Her face suddenly feels very warm. She takes a sip of her drink to avoid saying something stupid.

Edwin crosses his arms, expression unamused.

"What do you want with us?"

The demon eyes Edwin critically from bowtie to boots and back.

"Nothing, from you," they say, then pointedly turn their attention to Charles, looking him up and down.

"But I do feel like a change. And this one's got... potential."

Without warning, their form begins to bubble, skin and hair and clothes all glowing and warping, stretching and changing until...

"Holy fuck," says Crystal.

Another Charles stands before them, tall and slim and pretty, except for those creepy black eyes. And the outfit. The outfit is definitely different.

They're wearing a red corset top over a cropped tee, with black short shorts and boots. They've swapped out Charles' gold star earring for a silver cross, and added a velvet choker around that long neck.

Edwin gasps. Charles just laughs.

"Is that meant to be me?"

"You, only better," the demon croons, still in that low, smoky voice. "Genderfuck is in, honey."

Edwin's eyes have gone very wide and his mouth has fallen open. He seems, for once, speechless.

"Well, it's working for him," they say. "But he doesn't have the kind of energy I need..."

They grin and wink at Crystal instead. "What do you think, sweetheart?"

Crystal can hear her heartbeat in her ears, even over the music. Everything feels very warm and smooth. She licks her lips to reply.

"Oi, leave her alone!" Charles says, drawing his cricket bat.

"Calm down, I'm just testing out the new look. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've worked up quite an appetite."

[night-minstrel]

Thanks for the tag! I'm not sure about comfort characters but I'll do my best lol

5. Ricky from Madagascar: my family was obsessed with The Penguins of Madagascar for a while when I was a child and since then it lives in my head. Love how random he is. Love that he doesn't really speak. Love that explosions are his most used solution to trouble. Guess he lives with me forever at this point

4. Charlie Dalton from Dead Poets Society: I relate to a lot of DPS characters but this one mainly. He is the core of what personality I taught myself to have. He was the first character I saw experimenting with name and I'm still grateful for that

3. Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables: well, related to her a lot as a child in terms of being weird, different and full of imagination. Loved her quite a lot back than. Still love her as an inspiration to look at the world with wonder

2. Charles Rowland from Dead Boy Detectives: pretty recent, that one. I kinda see myself in him? And it helps a bit to see that it's alright to have problems (pretty serious ones) even though you seem happy on the outside. Also, love how he's shown in the series (comic as well, but slightly less), I aspire to have his level of coolness

1. Jesper Fahey from Six of Crows: look. I don't even like the book that much. I love the characters though. And even though it's not a childhood thing, he's the core of my personality at the moment. I saw him, went like "I want to be like him" and then adapted his mannerisms. Helps me be confident and loud. Helps me dress the way I want to. Uses humour and denial as a coping mechanism just as much as I do, but overcomes it anyway (which, honestly, kinda brings me hope). Genuinely love how he's built as a character

I think that's it!

No pressure tags: @aaand-mitsuba-is-dead-again @spiderlegeyelashes @lactoset0lerant @noonehere-rightnow and everyone else who feels like joining :)

Thank u for the tag @lynxfrost13 !! :)

5 Comfort Characters

1) Blondie and Mickey (they count as one lmao)

saints row boss duo me and my bestie made together way back in high school and we still talk about them a lot <3

2) Krieg (borderlands 2)

he's my favorite little guy :) (i say even tho he's the biggest player character asdfgh)

3) Mack (the keeper of midnight saga by @the-keeper-of-midnight / @when-life-gives-you-lemons-if )

*slaps his back* you can fit so much trauma and thirst in this guy (memes aside if u like halloween stuff then u should maybe give this game a try 👀)

4) Black Lumaban (reanimated heart by @doubledeadstudio )

I love characters who are intimidating to everyone but one specific person who they are devoted to. Perhaps a lil TOO devoted. Maybe.

5) Rose (fable 2)

Comfort character who causes me anguish. Listen. I know you only interact with her in the prologue, but the memory of her influences the story every step of the way. she haunts the narrative. Everything sparrow does is to avenge her (or, depending on the ending you choose, to make sure she gets a chance at the life she deserved, even if they never see each other again). Can u tell fable 2 changed my brain chemistry lol

Tagging: @vanskyfox @gloomiegalaxie @troglobite @foxholemonster @azeterna

@foxtophat @savagemagician3 @crazy-lazy-elder-sims @strangegrapefruit @hymless

@sansabirdanne @sadraccoon061 @shibotaibo @iberissims @occultradio

No pressure to do this if i tagged you, and feel free to do this even if i didn't!

[taniasinel]

Carolyne in Charleston

  Today is the final chapter in the Charleston Series of beautiful houses.  A few years ago I showcased Carolyne Roehm’s latest book that corresponded with her visit to the Skirted Roundtable HERE.  We were surprised by Roehm.  We didn’t know what to expect and what we got was a vivacious, fun woman who was very warm and friendly and intelligent.

I have long been in awe of this brilliantly talented person – is there anything she can’t do?�� Seriously?   What would it be?  She was a successful dress designer, even had her own label which is not an easy feat.  She is an interior designer.  A master gardener.  A writer with many books under her wings (I think she’s written 14.)  An incredible photographer. 

And then there was this.  An announcement that she was now an artist.  A watercolorist. 

OK.

Can you just decide to become an artist and then be BRILLIANT at it????!?!??

Only if you are Carolyne Roehm.

Have you seen her work?  I was stunned.

    Here is a  sample of Carolyne’s watercolors which are now available on her web site!

I ask again, is there anything this woman can not do?

Carolyne writes a beautiful blog where her photography is showcased to perfection.  She wrote about being obsessed with 18th century France and wanting to buy a house there.  Over the years, she found four houses that she loved and longed to bring back to life.  But, in the end, it wasn’t to be.

Instead, she decided to stay here in America where she lives in her NYC apartment, her Connecticut farmhouse and her Aspen house.

She dreamed of a place in the sun,  where she could grow the southern flowers that have alluded her in Connecticut:  camellias, magnolias,  and gardenias. And of course, she found the perfect place in Charleston. 

She has spent the past few years renovating her house, room by room.  It is now completed and she has posted photos of it on her blog.

Sigh.  It’s impossible to have a favorite room.  Impossible.  You just can’t say which room is your favorite because each is so special!!

Of course the house has a name.  It has for all its many years: 

“Chisholm House” 

If you read her blog, then you have been following the renovation, but I realized this week that I have missed a few updates – and thought maybe you might have too.  So, here is a recap of Carolyne’s Chisholm House – all in one.   I’m hoping that her next book will be the story of this house, her own “An Affair With A House.”  Please!!!

  The History:

The earliest view of Chisholm House in 1865 – a torpedo boat the “Little David” was beached in front of the house.  The area where the house was built was actually a marsh – that was eventually filled in.  It is located just a few blocks from the waterfront. 

  Here, an early view when the house was owned by Dr. Rowland Alston. 

Chisolm House is a Greek Revival, built in 1836 and designed by Prussian-trained Charles Reichardt, the architect of the original Charleston Hotel and the Milford Plantation. 

  1977 View.

The house has what is described as a flying staircase, flanked by double drawing rooms.  There is also a dining room and a family room.  Upstairs there are three bedrooms ensuite.  The property sits behind a privacy wall.

  1977.  From the side – the house sits on a corner.

  It was rumored that Carolyne was going to remove this upper balcony and build a larger one that stretched the length of the house, but that hasn’t proven true.  And, I can’t see her changing this.

  A close of the beautiful capital.

When Roehm bought the house,  it had been owned by Stephanie Saunders, daughter of Cliff Robertson who had once been married to Mar A Lago’s Marjorie Merriweather Post’s daughter Dina.  The house is 5,800 sq.ft. with 4 bedrooms, and 4.5 baths.  The swimming pool was one of the first things that Carolyne had removed.  In fact, she also removed all the landscaping – it was most important that she design her new garden from the ground up, so to speak.

  The large expanse of concrete in the back of the house was removed – in order to make room for the garden along the side street. 

    The house, when it was sold to Carolyne.

  Before:   When Carolyn bought the house, the renovation of the gardens was one of the first things she undertook.  The swimming pool was taken out to make room for the garden.  At the fence is a row of ten 16’ tall holly trees that will act as screen to hide neighbors and telephone wires.  Remember at the Ravenel house how the electrical wires were so overwhelming?  Here, a few blocks away, it’s the same story.  Apparently the city is slowly burying all the electrical wires but it’s a long, slow process.  Also bought early on, were 80 camellia bushes.  In the front yard, she planted 2 huge, old live oaks to create shade. 

  The back of the house completely cleared out – no sign of the pool was left.

I wish there were more photographs of the garden, but there have been a few natural disasters.   Last year,  there was a hurricane which was fatal for the landscaping.

  The problems started with the torrential storm of 2015.  Here you can see the water in the bowl – how deep it was.  Still, look how beautifully Carolyne has laid out her garden, with the blue & white as focal points.  Last year, more troubles came with Hurricane Matthew.

  At first, Carolyne was hoping she had avoided disaster with Hurricane Matthew.  She planted these bright mums to liven up the beds, but two weeks later, the salt water turned it all brown and the entire garden of boxwoods had to be thrown away and replanted.  Today, it’s hard to believe she went through this.  And it’s even harder to believe her gardens are just three years old! 

Notice, the wonderful design with the center fountain and the brick walkway.  A year later and Carolyne is entertaining outside again.

INSPIRATION:  I love mums, especially pink ones.  But, I never plant them anymore because they don’t last that long in Houston.  Still – seeing these, used as a filler, it makes me realize that mums can be so useful.  Think party.   When you need to freshen up the garden and make it look wonderful – immediately – plant mums!

  Martha Stewart visited before Hurricane Matthew.  Here is the blue and white garden – with the gate opening to the front lawn.

  And the pineapple fountain.  It’s truly hard to believe the garden was planted just a few years ago!

Here, the steps leads down to the back side of the house where tables and chairs are set out for entertaining.  Martha Stewart photo.

  Recently, Carolyne entertained in her garden.

Perfection!

  Another photo.

  And this week, Susanna Salk visited – filming Chisholm House for her video blog.   Link at the end of the story. 

Can’t wait to see her video on the house!!!

And wow!  I love the house with the blue and white urns and the topiary!!

  The front door photographed by Susanna.   

  BEFORE:   The entry, as it was when Carolyne bought the house – pine floors that had an orange-tined stain.  The floors were damaged and had been patched over the decades.  Instead of removing them, Carolyne chose to paint them – which I love!

  BEFORE:   The entry hall with the “flying staircase.”

  TODAY:  The floors are painted to mimic marble and the walls are papered in Farrow and Ball.  A collection of coral sits on the console – this is a beach house, don’t forget!

  Another earlier styling.

  Looking down at the fabulous floor!

  Black and white chair with red.

  The console!  Just gorgeous.  Carolyne is a master at styling and at photography.  Together, her houses are her laboratory where she experiments with different looks. 

Flanking the entry hall are two parlors.  On the left is the Chinoiserie Room and on the right is the Bird Room. 

  And now this is the time you get to decide which is your favorite room!   Good luck with that!

First, on the left side is the

The  Chinoiserie Room:

BEFORE:  The room used to have two entrances on each side of the fireplace, but one was closed off.  In order to fit her furniture in the room, Carolyne had the other entrance blocked off – so now, the only door to the room is off the entrance hall.

  Here is the room, readied for the renovation.  The two openings (to the Media Room) will be closed off.   And, there was the matter of the fireplace.   Victorian mantels had been installed in all the rooms – but they didn’t match the age or style of the house.  Carolyne chose to remove and replace them (not repeal & replace!!)  The paint is Farrow & Ball’s  Chalke Green.  Be sure to read her blog story about the details of the renovation. 

  Here is the room in candlelight- when it looks its prettiest, I think.  The floor is a different pattern than the entry – here it is a faux marble with faux cabochon insets.  Two settees face each other here.

  A view of the front windows.  This room is like candy – it’s so delicious!   The color of green was taken from the Green Salon at Drottningholm Palace.   Carolyne has said that her love of all things chinoiserie started when she was a child and her grandmother gave her a piece of Blue Willow china.

  These statues were painted green and gold.

  The mirror was designed by Carolyne using a door surround from Clayden House as inspiration. 

  Subtle damask pattern on the fabrics.  I love the hot pink pillows that will dictate the color of the flowers.  Perfection!

  Chinoiserie table.  Wow.  Gorgeousness.

  18th century desk – was obtained for this room.

  This 18th century desk is incredibly beautiful.  

  This is a view not seen before – a screen sits behind the settee.

  Another photo of the desk – love the pink shades on the lamps.

  Is there a prettier room?  Well, maybe!  Just walk across the entry hall to...

The Bird Room:

On the right side of the foyer is the Bird Room. Seen here, is how the previous owners decorated it.

  And here is the Bird Room, cleared out for the renovation.  The Victorian coal burning fireplace and its mantel was removed, as these were a later addition to the house.  Additionally, the doorway on the right of the mantel was opened up – to the Library.   This room became the blue and white Bird Room, inspired by a 17th century painting bought in France.

  And here is the room – an early version.   The mirror was made for the house, the chairs are Syrie Maugham, the fabric is Quadrille.  Crystal chandelier and painted floor.

  The inspiration for the Bird Room came from this 17th century painting that Carolyne spotted while bicycling in the France – of course!   Carolyne has had a long love of birds in painting and this room is the perfect manifestation of that love.

  The view from the Entry Hall into the Bird Room.

  The table – the view is of the corner of the two streets that the house sits on.

  Seriously?  This German clock is so gorgeous I could cry.  It’s absolutely beautiful.  And I love the birds flanking it.  Carolyne writes that the clock was in her Aspen house but she moved it here where she felt it belonged.  Yes.  I agree!!

Seriously though.  This room is gorgeous – I could cry!  OK, I won’t cry, but it’s just so beautiful to me – probably because I’m a cool color person.  Blues just appeal to me.  While I love the Chinoiserie Room – I probably am drawn more to this decor.

Which room do you prefer so far?

  The fireplace with the mirror that Carolyne had made for this space.  Notice through the newly opened door is the Library.

  Old plates that feature birds are set for a dinner in the Bird Room.

  Another view of the Gustavian sofa and the inspiration painting.

  The watercolor is by Scott Kelly.  Carolyne writes that besides the antique painting from France, her biggest extravagance in the Bird Room was the pair of tole pineapples by Carmen Almon.   When Carolyne wrote her stories on the Bird Room she was debating whether she should get curtains for this room.   I think she would be happy without curtains – she obviously loves a less textured look without rugs and layers.   But, the room is exposed to the street, so privacy is an issue.

  Recently Carolyne posted a video that showed the Bird Room with curtains – pretty white curtains with blue trim.   When the 2015 storm hit, she also posted a few pictures of the curtains on that night  - pulled up to avoid dampness leaking through the windows.  (Glad to know I’m not the only person who has to do that!)

  So pretty!  Waiting for the book to properly see the room with all the curtains!  Hint Hint.

  The Library

Past the door in the Blue Room is the Library.  On her blog Carolyne has said several times that she is going to discuss this room in detail – but she hasn’t yet.  I tired to find as many photos of the library that I could, but there aren’t that many.

  The library was actually the dining room.  Here is the Before photo.

  Carolyne posted this painting and said it was going in the Library.

  This chandelier was in storage – and is now in the Library. 

  The Library – with dark, dark brown walls that read almost black.  The dining table is white.

  A dinner party – with views of the bookcases that were built on both long walls.

  The place settings and flowers for the dinner party.

  In this view – you can see a bit of the architecture of the Library with the medallions above the shelving – which I LOVE!!  You can see a bit of the red chandelier in this picture. Through the door is the hall off the entry.  

Until Carolyne posts about the Library, we will just have to wait for proper photos!

  In this photo, you can see how the table is set up daily – like a Library table – with books and lamps.

  Another dinner table set with the lamps and red roses.  Gorgeous.

  Another table setting – with red apples.  Are those lamps or candelabras???  How are they lit?

And the same table at night – here you can see the gold votives lit up.  Those are really pretty votives. 

  And yet, another table setting.  Makes me want to have a dinner party!!!

  The stools in the library.

One thing I don’t see is the painting that Carolyne said was going in the Library.  We’ll have to wait for Susanna’s video on Friday!

  Moving to the Media Room!

Before:  The Media Room had more of the orange stained floor.  It is located behind the Chinoiserie Room.

  BEFORE:  Here is the room ready to be renovated.  The Victorian fireplace is to be replaced and more substantial crown molding is added.

The inspiration for the room came when Carolyne saw four large paintings on canvas at Christie’s.  She believes they may have been made for the stage.  The 18th century French panels are 12’ tall x 9.5’ wide and depict the four seasons.  She bought the panels, had them framed and shipped them down to Charleston to be hung in the Media Room.

The problem though was the large flatscreen TV and how to hide it.  The panels took up so much of the wallspace, there wasn’t a place for a TV that was large enough.  In the end, she and her partner Simon came up with a solution for the flatscreen.

  To give you an idea of how large the framed panels are – here is one of them waiting in the kitchen before it was hung!!

  But first, the gorgeous Media Room:

The panels set the color scheme and tone for the room – soft and romantic.  A beautiful crystal chandelier hangs over the room, which is toned down with a Starke rug.

Gorgeous!!!

  Against this wall is a chest that sits in front of one of the panels.

  This panel was set over the fireplace. There is a table for small meals.  Through the doors is the foyer’s main hall.  Across the hall is the library.

  Carolyne decorated the room with seafans and coral since this house is so close to the beach.

  The fabric is Bennison.  Love!!!   The panels are so beautiful – aren’t they?  I told you it’s hard to decide which room is the prettiest!!!  My first favorite is the Bird Room and then maybe this room – or maybe the Chinoiserie then the Media.  But maybe the Media Room first!  ahahahah

Can I just buy the house, furnished?

  Now – how about the TV? 

At a recent dinner party, the guests had no idea there was a flatscreen in the room.  Notice the mural that is on an easel in the corner?  That’s the flatscreen!

  When Carolyne watches it, she just removes the mural and flips the TV to the horizontal position.  Ingenious!

  Viola – the TV is gone!!!

    Here is the beautiful table setting in the Media Room during a recent party.

  The Kitchen:

The entry hall leads into the kitchen – with the twin columns that mark the space.  Today – there is a French Door at the end - that lets in light.

  Before:  The kitchen is a long room – here with the columns that lead into the hall.

  And the breakfast room side of the kitchen.

  As with all the other rooms – it was renovated – to become the vision that Carolyne had.

  Here – the kitchen with its classic black and white floors and white marble.  Her small flower sink is in between the two windows.

    The room is bright and light with green walls that mimics the green from the gardens.  At the left not seen is the French door that opens to the back garden.

  Across from the kitchen table is the large storage for Carolyne’s collection of plates and glassware.

  Two of Carolyne’s watercolors hang in the kitchen.

    She sets the prettiest tables.  Variegated camellias! 

Inspiration:  Concentrate on the napkins!

  There are two rooms that are just hinted at on Carolyne’s instagram.  First, her powder room fashioned out of the broom closet!  An Oriental blue and white bowl becomes the sink.  So beautiful.

  With her signature “CR” written over this photo, there is this small picture of her bedroom in lilac.  OMG – dying to see  more  of this bedroom!!!!!  Apparently the bedroom is covered in a Quadrille fabric.  Those silk curtains!!!

I just hope she is writing a book about this house.  Until then, don’t forget to watch Susanna Salk’s video of the house this Friday!!  HERE.

.

Be sure to visit Carolyne’s beautiful blog for her in depth writing and photographs of her life, her houses, and her art.  HERE. 

To listen to Carolyne on the Skirted Roundtable, go HERE.

To see all of her prints that you can purchase – go HERE.

Carolyne’s two latest books.  Click on the cover to order.

    Ideas To Set A Table With Antiques:

HERE

  HERE

    HERE

  HERE

HERE.

from COTE DE TEXAS http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2017/05/carolyne-in-charleston.html

[aletterinthenameofsanity]

Charles, Edwin, and Monty (Pirate AU)

So Charles leans in and kisses Monty.

It’s different than kissing Edwin, no lantern light upon his mouth, just the moonlight through the porthole, and yet it’s just as special.

Edwin Payne is Charles Rowland’s North Star, the guiding light by which he has built his life for so long, and that will never change, but there is something else settling between his ribs as well, something warm and solid and here.

Charles’ hand lifts on instinct to cup the back of Monty’s neck and pull him in closer, deepening the kiss, while Monty’s hand goes to Charles’ waist to pull him in closer, and their hands are covered in blood. 

But they’re always covered in blood. That is what being a pirate is, violence and theft and finding safety on the sea in the arms of those you trust your very life with.

Charles’ heart has always yearned for love. It has always loved too much and too hard to survive. 

And it is certainly big enough for three.

-aletterinthenameofsanity, picture a man turning back to shore (i can only think of you)

Some days I'm tired of trying, honey

But you're like a thousand miles from me

I'm wrapped and worn come and find me

Don't send me flowers or a letter

Cause only your arms can make me better

And I know I can be hard to carry

And I've got some beasts I need to bury

But you've got the antidote for me

Honey, make me healthy

-Flannel Graph, Honey, Make Me Healthy

@deadboy-edwin @icecreambrownies @anonymousbooknerd-universe @ashildrs

@tragedy-machine @orpheusetude @jaysbraindump

@pappelsiin @itsbitmxdinhere @rexrevri @sweet-like-h0ney-lavender @saffirez

@the-ipre @sunnylemonss @days-light @agentearthling @helltechnicality

@sethlost @catboy-cabin @secretlyafiveheadeddragon @vyther15

@anything-thats-rock-and-roll @queen-of-hobgobblers @every-moment-a-different-sound

@nix-nihili @mellxncollie @tumblerislovetumblerislife @lemurafraidofthunder

@likemmmcookies @wr0temyway0ut @thelakeswillbreakourfall

@sapphic-corgi @occasionaloneshots @troublegoblin