#have shown up for each round in droves and there are SO many entries that I did NOT expect to make it this far

[musical-chick-13]

The thing is. We are starting to get to the point in this poll where I have to decide whether Voting For The Sapphic Couple I Like The Most is more important or Voting For The Sapphic Couple That Might Actually Stand Even The Slightest Chance Of Beating D/stiel is more important.

[minhoslut]

♡ summary: Y/N is a fairy in a world of magic hating humans, who moves into a house with seven young men after being kicked out of her old dorm. She learns about all their secrets while hiding hers for as long as she can. Lots of parties, games, sex and maybe even love. 

♡ pairing: ot7 x fem!reader, fem!reader x various idols

♡ chapter: 1 | 2 | ? |

♡ series warnings: alcohol consumption, blood mention, drug use, mxm, fxf, threesome, foursome, orgy, swearing, anxiety, depression, past trauma, past abuse

♡ series genre: fluff, smut, slight angst

♡ series rating: R

♡ word count: 1515

♡ posted on: AO3

♡ chapter one: new home

♡ A/N: I’ve decided to finally begin putting my work on tumblr as well so that will be happening slowly uwu

You watched the trees going by as the taxi you were riding drove through the forest on a well used dirt road. You were on your way to your new ‘home.’ Really, it was a big house with a bunch of rooms and 7 other occupants who had been looking for a new housemate. You were very nervous, as you had only met 1 of the housemates, since you were so desperate to find somewhere to stay.

Your last home had kicked you out when you were found to be a fairy. It was so unfair, everyone knew magical beings of all kinds existed but humans didn’t want them interfering. Pretty fucked up if you had anything to say about it, but no one cared what a lousy fairy had to say. You had been so careful not to reveal your identity but a so called ‘friend’ of yours had seen you stretching out your wings and immediately set the Council on you.

You had been terrified when the Council had shown up at your door, they had demanded you leave immediately and all but shoved you to the ground threatening to rip off your wings if you stayed. This should have scared you back to your colony in tears of apology and begging forgiveness. Instead it sent you into the next valley, far away from your old home and your old colony. You didn’t want to live in the forest alone, you liked humans and other magical beings but not many shared that thought. Your own colony had sent you away the second you even mentioned talking to a human saying you were tainted.

This time you were determined to keep your magic a secret and be able to live around humans for a long time. You were somewhat addicted to human contact, craving kisses and soft touches from the magicless creatures. You had never really met any other magic beings so you couldn’t compare it to anyone but some lousy male fairies, but human kisses were different. The seemed desperate somehow, so giving and warm, the opposite of a kiss from a male fairy which was anything but pleasant. Female fairy kisses were infinitely better compared to male but they still lacked something, where as kissing humans of any and all genders was electric in a way. The way they put such warmth into their touches was… crazy.

You sighed and shook away your wandering thoughts as you approached the house. You sucked in a breath at the sight of the building. It was truly divine. Old fashioned, built long ago originally, but now tuned up with modern touches while leaving the past features intact. It had large gates at the bottom of the hill it sat on that were propped open, beautiful dark metal gates that further enticed your interest. It had looked beautiful in the pictures, but most of them had been inside, this was breathtaking and almost too good to be true. There’so no way I can blow this! The house is perfect and it’s by the woods away from loud streets. Your heart thumped in anticipation both anxious and excited as the taxi pulled up and came to a halt.

Once all your bags had been unloaded, you thanked the driver and pulled out your phone to send a message to the guy who you had met in preparation to moving in.

Y/N

[ Hello Namjoon! I’m a little later than originally planned but I made it :) ]

Namjoon

[ Okay cool, I’ll come let you in and show you around :) ]

You rocked on your feet as you waited at the door for him, taking in all of the beautiful architecture and wondering what kind of humans lived in the house. Namjoon, the one you had met, was extremely handsome, if a little awkward, and it made you very curious about the 6 others.

The door opened and Namjoon came out to greet you. “Hey (Y/N)! Welcome to the house, the others are out doing grocery shopping but they’ll be back for dinner. I’ll help you take your stuff to your room and then give you a little tour, sound good?” “Yeah, sure!” You looked around as you followed Namjoon who was carrying two of your bags, two more in your own hands. It was more modern inside than it appeared, with a very open concept on the ground floor. “There are 4 bedrooms and one bathroom on the third and second floor. Your room is on the third level, I hope that’s alright.” “That’s perfect, I love being higher up.”

You had been hoping to be on the top floor as soon as you had seen the house, you had always loved being up high. You reached the room and Namjoon opened the door, you followed behind and scanned the room. There was a huge four poster bed with elegant iron connecting it, the sheets were gold and with red accents. A big dresser with a mirror, a side table and chest of drawers that all matched the beds victorian style with dark brown wood. There was also a small chair with matching gold fabric and a coffee table in the same wood as everything else. It was so beautiful.

Namjoon put your bags down and turned to you. “I’ll grab the last two bags, you get settled a little and then we can go on the tour.” You hummed in agreement and began moving the bags over to the dresser and chest of drawers. Not wanting to start unpacking quite yet you sat on the bed, which was heavenly soft. Namjoon was back now and gestured for you to follow him. “The others on this floor are Yoongi, Taehyung, and Jungkook. Jimin, Jin, Hoseok and myself are on the floor below.” He explained pointing to doors and assigning names of your other housemates.

“Down here on the ground floor there is another bathroom, the den, which is mostly used for gaming, the dining room, the pong hall, entry room, and living room and the kitchen.” The kitchen was victorian styled with very modern appliances and a bar closing it off from the rest of the open space. The bathroom was beside the kitchen, and beside that, a door that lead outside to some kind of deck. The den was in a semi-rounded section beside the so called ‘pong hall’ that was home to a long wooden table covered in solo cups. The entry room has two huge racks for shoes and then opens into the living room on one side and the dining room with a huge wooden table that is before the bar of the kitchen.

You scanned layout and sighed, this was really a lucky opportunity for you, you needed to keep it. “We don’t have that many rules but I’ll tell you them now. 1. Always knock. 2. 100$ per person is put towards groceries, we all go at the beginning of the month together. 3. Anything without a name on it is free game, in terms of food and drink, if you want it safe, label it. 4. I told you this before you moved in but we throw a lot of parties, like at least three a week. 5. Everyone keeps their own room clean and everyone helps clean up after parties, other than that there’s a chart for chores that you sign up for each week. There’s not much else but don’t be shy about asking questions.” “Alright noted, Namjoon. Thank you for everything!”

“Oh! One more thing there’s a hot tub and pool in the back deck out that door.” You could cry, you loved water so much it was a main source of your magic. Namjoon disappeared into his room after walking you back up to yours to let you unpack. You began putting your clothes away and tucking jewelry into boxes on top of the dresser. You wanted nothing more than to run into the woods and stretch out your wings but you couldn’t risk that on your first day, so you just finished up unpacking and decided to change out of your moving clothes, which had been a black cropped hoodie and matching sweatpants.

You wanted to be comfortable but still look cute to meet the other housemates, so you put on black leggings, an oversized white turtleneck cinched in with a double buckle belt. You brushed your hair and surveyed your look. Happy with it, you laid on the bed to scroll on social media until the others came home.

You heard them coming before the door even opened, talking about what to have for dinner. Peeking out the window, you surveyed the group, now finding out that the other 6 housemates were also attractive men. You hadn’t expected to be the only woman in the house, not that you minded, but you were surprised that they had wanted a woman in the house. Maybe no guys had applied? You shrugged and stopped your analyzing, turning and heading downstairs to meet your housemates.

[wristwatchjournal]

Louis Erard X Alain Silberstein Excellence Regulator Limited Edition Watch Review

Louis Erard and Alain Silberstein’s collaboration on this Excellence Regulator was welcome news last year for anyone who is a longtime fan of the iconic designer/watchmaker as well as for new collectors who took a liking to the colorful geometric design housed in a classic regulator. A fun piece that is actually wearable, I’m a big fan of the Excellence Regulator in large part because it nails the balance between expressiveness and restraint. Louis Erard and Alain Silberstein avoid falling into the “novelty trap” and have created a limited edition piece that distills the designer’s best style in a thin case with modern finishes and refinement. I spent time with the black PVD stainless steel model with black dial, but there is also a stainless steel case model with white dial. Each is limited to just 178 pieces.

Alain Silberstein

Silberstein was an architect and interior designer when he decided to start his eponymous watch brand in 1988. Fun, playful, and often way over the top, Silberstein’s brand created his immediately recognizable designs through 2012. Sadly, finding collectors who appreciated this particular brand of whimsical and colorful design at not inexpensive prices was quite difficult. In fact, I’d venture to say it’s still quite difficult.

PS If you’re not too familiar with Alain Silberstein (the brand), this huge Artcurial auction from a couple of years ago has the 142 watches sold with images, descriptions (though they may only be in French…), and final sale prices.

Yes, Silberstein’s designs have clear Bauhaus roots with Kandinsky’s abstract art being a clear point of inspiration. I also see a lot of László Moholy-Nagy, the Hungarian painter who was foundational to the Bauhaus school, particularly with the pieces that highlight his fascination with the technology of the time. The works Perpe, The Great Wheel, The Bicyclist, and Y (all from between 1920-1921) feature abstract geometric shapes but also depictions of wheels as symbols of dynamic movement. These are particularly apposite works to discuss especially when we consider that Silberstein refers to his watch designs as “kinetic art.”

There is also a connection to Kazimir Malevich who founded the Suprematism movement in the early 1900s, as well as others in this school such as El Lissitzky. This Russian movement focused on geometric shapes, though bright, loud colors were not a defining characteristic. This is where I see the influence of Joan Miró as well as the great De Stijl artists like Mondrian and Vilmos Huszár. Finally, Keith Haring comes to mind as well.

And, while there is no direct connection to be made, I really believe that the work of animation studio Klasky Csupo in the 1990s was adhering to the same colorful, geometric design ethos that drove Silberstein.

The Regulator

Regulator clocks were developed in the 18th century as a way to keep time as accurately as possible by having a central minutes hand with hours and seconds hands shown on sub-dials. The regulator layout is still commonly, though not frequently, seen in brand collections from Patek Philippe, Laurent Ferrier, A. Lange & Söhne, and Vacheron Constantin to Oris and Tissot.

Two brands that are inextricably associated with the regulator are Chronoswiss and Louis Erard, albeit occupying different price categories, as I believe Chronoswiss’ entry point is about $4,000. Louis Erard doesn’t exclusively produce regulators (neither of these brands does, but they’ve both come to be indelibly characterized by them) but the Excellence collection has benefitted the brand greatly by offering something few others do in the ~$2,500-$3,000 range. Having handled my share of Louis Erard pieces over the years, they do excel in quality and attention to detail. Even if the market for someone seeking an affordable regulator to add to their collection is self-selecting, I suspect I was one of many, many people lusting after the Alain Silberstein collaboration when it was announced late last year.

The Excellence Regulator Design

Ironically, this collaboration with Louis Erard is the first regulator designed by Alain Silberstein. I say it’s ironic because the fragmented layout of the dial on a regulator is ideally suited for Silberstein’s colorful, geometric designs. Looking at some of Silberstein’s previous designs, there aren’t too many examples of time-only pieces that for me hit the “just right” spot where his quirkiness matches the medium (in this case, watch dials). Time-only models like the Rondo Nomade or Klub Medio leave something to be desired while something like chronograph Krono pieces shine.

With the regulator, Silberstein was able to create a time-only watch that let him create a deconstructed dial that is actually pretty legible, even with an offbeat layout and Silberstein’s eclectic design language. I chose to review the black dial model since it’s the one I prefer, though it was very close (let’s say 52-48) when compared to the white dial. I think the yellow seconds squiggle on the white dial strains my eye a little and that was the deciding factor.

The red triangular hour hand, squiggly blue seconds hand, and the clean diameter of a yellow arrow minutes hand are all quirky but also do their job legibly and intelligibly. This oftentimes can’t be said with more traditionally designed dials that take design heritage seriously, while spectacularly failing at their singular purpose (due to general illegibility, poor contrast against the dial, over-polishing, short hand length, or a bevy of other reasons).

I think the dial has just enough going to still be fun each time I look down at it — I smile nearly each time, which does not happen frequently, as anyone who knows me can attest — while avoiding being too much of a novelty. In fact, I think the Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Excellence Regulator could very easily be a regular wear that’s in rotation alongside more traditional pieces. The same thing can’t be said for, let’s say, something like the (now-defunct) Romain Jerome Super Mario Bros. watch. One is both fun and wearable, the other is a madcap novelty meant for occasional wear.

Of course, the wearability doesn’t just have to do with the tastefully zany dial but the case, as well. Unlike many of Silberstein’s own creations and the aforementioned Romain Jerome, the Louis Erard collaboration is conservatively sized and designed. This is crucial in the success of the watch since a loud case design would firmly plant it into the novelty category.

Rather, we get a highly versatile and wearable watch that measures 40mm wide and 8mm thick, with a lug-to-lug height of exactly 46mm (water resistance is 50M). Hell, forget a suit, if there’s an occasion that I have to wear a tuxedo (with a mask, these days), I’d consider pairing it with this black model. I know there are many readers who wouldn’t be caught dead in that pairing, but I’m already grinning thinking about it. While I actually find the habit of “wacky socks/tie” to be a bit tired, I find that boldly styled/colorful eyeglass frames or a watch like this one can be the most thoughtful and effective ways of adding a little bit of self-expression to a buttoned-up environment.

ETA Peseux 7001 + Louis Erard RE9

At 9 o’clock, you can see the power reserve indicator, which helps round out the dial design while letting you know how much power the manually winding watch has left. Turn the case over and you’ll first notice the only Alain Silberstein branding on the piece, and I think most would agree that this was a much better call than having it forced onto the dial. You also get a view of the ETA Peseux 7001 with Louis Erard RE9 complication movement. Personally, I’d probably prefer an enclosed case back that would further act as a canvas for Silberstein’s designs but that’s just me building castles in the air.

The base 7001 operates at 21,600 vph and has a 42-hour power reserve, with the RE9 module adds the regulator display and power reserve indicator. Fortunately, the module does not add much thickness overall, which would be a huge bummer, as I have come to find the slenderness of the 8mm case an integral part of why I enjoy the watch so much.

By this point in the article, I’ve made it clear how much I enjoy the Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Excellence Regulator. This watch is a perfectly conceived and executed work of whimsical watchmaking from one of the truly great original minds in watch design. Of course, it will not appeal to wide swaths of the general public, but that really means nothing when it comes to appreciating the product in the metal. Plus, there are only 178 pieces in each of the two variants being produced. Price for the Louis Erard x Alain Silberstein Excellence Regulator is 2,800 CHF in stainless steel with white dial and 2,900 CHF in black PVD steel. You can learn more at louiserard.com.

The post Louis Erard X Alain Silberstein Excellence Regulator Limited Edition Watch Review appeared first on Wristwatch Journal.

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[agermanbetweenscots]

Can I stay?

I am counting the weeks. And it is horrible. I fell in love with this place and these people and I don’t wanna leave. The date on my visa comes closer and closer and yes, I am well aware that I legally have to leave by the 4th of June. But also there is this nagging voice screaming, shouting at me that I should just stay. Not forever, but for a couple more weeks. It makes me realise how much time you waste. And you never waste it. Not really, anyway. Forming friendships and settling in takes time and bravery on both sides. It takes weeks and months for people to warm up to each other and become friends. And it always amazes me how quickly people can become friends – after four months since Seth started talking to me in Lab, they have become such good friends that I even got invited to his wedding! TO A WEDDING! When he invited me – I couldn’t believe my luck. Although the nagging thoughts stay behind in my brain, screaming at me “what if”. What if in one or two weeks, we lost contact. What if in one or two months our snapchats and random texts end. What if after one or two years I am merely a random person popping up facebook feeds and wedding pictures. And I also know its as much my responsibility to stay in touch, as it is theirs. I guess what this rambling is supposed to say is that I hate it. I love the travelling, I love getting to know people. But this also always means leaving parts of your part behind, that you wanna hold onto forever.

Enough of sad ramblings. Let’s catch up with what has been going on over the last few weeks. (I know, I know. I am being horrible. Don’t tell me) I found really good friends. Rayleigh, Hope, Russell, making me enjoy physiology lab so much more. I just got recently got added to their group chat via phone and they are hilarious! Every Tuesday I am grabbing a coffee between lab and history class with Hope. Every lecture we have this group chat going on talking about how Dr Clifford looks like he just got electrocuted. And how is absolute favourite word is poo. The last time before the exam we spent hours in the library just freaking out over the sheer amount of chapters we had to study. That was so much fun. But the people I got closest too – friends I wanna keep for life: Chris. Seth. Megan. Whitley. They make every day here so, so much better. I have been able to work on my line-dancing and country music recognition in Max’s Garage Bar four times so far Max’s is weird anyway. It has a bar, some standing-tables and a fenced of area where you are supposed to dance. And that area is not only fenced of but it is also covered in flour-like dust that apparently makes it able to slide across the floor better. Or fall on one’s arse. Whatever your skill and you prefer. There are also only two accepted styles of dancing – line- dance, which I absolutely love! and two-stepping, which you dance with a partner and is kind of like forward, forward, back and forward, forward, back. I can’t do it. I don’t like being lead and somehow these moves just don’t come naturally to me anyway. But fair enough. Chris and me tried – and somehow that feels weird. I love that he tried. But nah. I feel like partner-style dancing is something that you either need to be really good at or … I loved that I got to see him dance though. That was my plan all along, and I won’t even need to fill him up at Seth’s wedding anymore. The dancing here is scary anyway, the way all the people know exactly what dance goes onto what beat – this hive-mindedness scares me. Usually, me and Megan stay at her friend Bristen’s house, who lives in Muskogee. I love how in the beginning here, I felt so strange and not wanted and by now that has become such a fixture. I got included into the girl-talk, I was part of the girl-talk and I even borrowed clothes. But don’t tell her, she doesn’t know. Big shout out to Megan, by the way, who keeps driving e back and forth. Last time I actually wanted to hide petrol money in her car, but couldn’t decide where.

I also went glow building one Saturday, with Megan, Chris and Megan’s brother Cody and friend. (Cody is a very good dancer by the way. And huge. Like tall. Like seriously, where even does his head end and how does he fit into the car, tall. More about that another time).

Anyway, glow-bowling, because bowling (as much as it belongs into my past) is still very much part of an adolescents life in Oklahoma. I never glow – because my nice clothes are all black, but nevertheless. I am not horrible in it. I do use the children’s balls (even though the sign says to only use them when you are 12 or under but sue me. I cannot lift the other balls. I can hardly lift anything (you should see me trying to do one single push up). If I cant even lift my own body weight - how come they think I can move more than 8 kg. But still, I held myself strong and my head high (read: was not a total embarrassment) which me coming second and third of four. That is all right. I mean, I wouldn’t go and announce it to the world but nevertheless. Could have been worse. Kudos to Chris though you put us into a feeling of safety (as he was horrible and lost the first round but single-handily won the second one). Cannot believe I fell for that. After all, he lived here for an almost-decade. I also finally had the chance of being at a house-party (!!!) which featured 4 corgis, two drunk guys, way too many shots and my personal favourite: the typical red plastic cups. In case you don’t know what I am talking about – watch a college film: they are always shown. Seth and his fiancé were house sitting in the middle of nowhere and were apparently allowed to through a little soirée as Seth put it. But not let Seth Chapuis fool you with his ‘french’ and fancy words. It was a house party. With weird music because they had forget the speakers and we had to listen to Christmas music and Shakira CDs. I had so much fun. We weren’t many people, at some point we were 13 but only a couple actually stayed to the end. It is a weird experience, Seth and his fiancé are my age and their friends are all somehow married already (and a little older). Somehow that was a weird glimpse into early-married life. Because although I have friends that are in relationships, the inner cynic in me stops a little in shock when people get introduced as ‘the wife of’ or ‘the husband of’. And then these people are in their twenties, so they drink a lot and get drunk and have fun and talk about sex, all while being married. And I know that is normal, but when the only married people you truly know are of the generation of you parents that just stops you in your tracks. Anyway, we spent hours playing ‘kings’ with Ashley, Candace and Alexis and eventually also the guys like Chris and Seth. Kings is just like Ring of Fire. Minus the drinking. At least for me. But what else is new. Seth got really drunk though. Like really, really drunk. Half of us playing with him was spent by him trying to set me and Chris up. He got up, pointed to the bedroom I would occupy at night and told me I should share it with Chris. Like – geez Seth. Thanks for being subtle. Remind me never to hire you as a PI or wing-man. It was a really nice party though – Ashley and Seth got really drunk, everyone else left so early and so just me, Chris, Seth and Alexis and the dogs were left. I can’t believe how much our friendship has changed since then. I remember sitting in front of Chris and Seth and not really knowing how much friendship was between us. The same thing now would feel much less awkward I bet. Seth drove me to the airport the next morning. He swore that he wasn’t feeling that hangover – and I did talk the entire ride to the airport. And for those who know me, you also know, my voice is not a hangover-friendly voice. Plus he filled me in on the night he has had – where he thought the closet was the toilet and how he actually got sick like four times. Well at least he clearly found his limit. And then I was off flying to LA for spring break – and guess who was gonna get me at the airport in LAX? … Hanna! Another note on flying in the US, before I shall stop this entry and think about the next one talking about California - I love how I can fly domestically here by just using my drivers license. No visa, no DS form needed. Just my effing driving license. Even me! Even a German! Makes me feel so American.

[taniasinel]

CHARLESTON CHARM

  It’s that time again!  Bravo’s hit show – “Southern Charm” just started it’s fourth season and it continues to be one of their most watched reality shows.   Who can resist?   The houses that a few of its stars live in are so gorgeous, it’s hard to change the channel.

  A few years ago I wrote a two part story about a few of the Southern Charm houses, including Patricia Altschul’s house, shown above.  She had moved to Charleston after she was widowed and brought Mario Buatta along with her to decorate her newly bought house.  Since I wrote that story, Architectural Digest featured her house and more recently, this month Charleston Home and Design put Patricia on their cover. 

    This wasn’t the first time a home of Patricia’s had been featured in Architectural Digest, it’s her third go-round!   Before moving to Charleston, she had lived in a Fifth Avenue apartment and a 30 room country estate on Oyster Bay named Southerly, both designed by Mario Buatta – and both showcased in AD and in Mario’s book.

In my original story, I showed Patricia’s Charleston house and how it looked before she bought it and I also showed the Architectural Digest photoshoots of her Fifth Avenue apartment and her country estate.  Unfortunately, the new AD photoshoot of her Charleston house came out right AFTER my story, so it was never really complete, which always really bothered me.  Now, with yet another magazine feature, I thought I would visit her house again.  Her Charleston house is a dreamy confection of English fabrics and antiques and fine art – and I can’t get enough of it, which is one of the main reasons I tune in to watch “Southern Charm.”

  Becoming a Reality-TV star in your golden years was, I’m sure, never a goal of Patricia’s.  Her only child, son Whitney Sudler-Smith, is the producer and developer of Bravo’s “Southern Charm.”  When he started the show, he asked his mother if she would like to guest on it – maybe five minutes here and there.  Thanks to her sharp wit and willingness to be brutally honest, Patricia became the break-out star of “Southern Charm” and this month she even released her first book – a primer on Southern manners and mannerisms.

  “The Art of Southern Charm” – click on the photo to order her book.

I was surprised to read “The Art of Southern Charm” and learn that Patricia is much more than just a martini drinking widow that she pretends to be on the show.  She has a masters in Art History and Archeology(!) from George Washington University where she had graduated cum laude, quite a feat at GW, which is a very highly rated school.  After graduation, she worked as a college professor, lecturing on Art History.  Later she began her own company, buying art collections for wealthy clients, one of whom became her late husband.

Altschul’s book is filled with stories of her life, her parents, her son and her husbands (3).  If you are a fan, you will enjoy it.  I did.

  When she and Arthur Altschul married,  they had several homes – one on Fifth Avenue where Sister Parish had once lived  and a large, 30 room, country estate on Long Island called “Southerly.”  After Mr. Altschul passed away, Patricia drove around, with her infamous butler Michael in tow, looking for a southern town to land in.  Charleston was it.   It all sounds so simple now, but the hunt for the perfect town and house took her three years. 

  Patricia, her son Whitney on the far left, and the other male stars of “Southern Charm.” 

    The story about her Charleston house is most interesting because Mario used her furniture from her other two New York houses  – just recovering and repurposing everything.   It all looks so fresh in her Charleston home.  Even the Zuber wallpaper in the dining room came from her country estate – it was pulled off the walls and reinstalled in Charleston.   I admit I’m a bit obsessed with her house.   I can’t help it!!

  The Roman Revival house is known in Charleston as the Issac Jenkins Mikell House after the cotton planter who built it for his 4th out of five wives.  It was the town library from 1936 until 1960 when the building was going to be razed.  Luckily, it was sold and restored by a couple who then sold it to the Historic Charleston Foundation, who later sold it again.  When Patricia bought the house, some of its 10 bedrooms were being used for apartments.

  The earliest view of the Mikell House in the 1850s before the stucco wall was built.  There does seem to be a wing on the right side of the house.

  In the early 1930s, the main house was photographed.  To the right is the wing that houses the library, dining room, and butler’s pantry.

  Here, is the kitchen wing, to the extreme right of the main house and its wing.   Through that door with the fan light – today, is a sitting room.  At some point, shutters were added to this wing, too.  Trees and shrubs have grown so large that now it’s hard to see this wing through the greenery.

  In 1936 through 1960, the house was used as Charleston’s library.

      Here is the aerial view of the Mikell house’s corner lot which is hidden behind a stucco wall on one side and an iron fence on the other side.   You can see the main house with the wing with the dining room & library at its side, along with the kitchen in the next wing with its lower roof.  The kitchen wing is hidden behind the trees and shrubs.   At the very right, across the driveway, is the old carriage house with its red tiled roof.   The front door to the house is located on the side street, at the side of the main house.

    An early photo of the house with its large piazza.   A later owner painted the columns and today, the shutters are green.  I like the shutters painted the same color as the stucco as shown here.

  BEFORE:  An early owner painted the base of the columns red and the tops brown – if you can believe it!  Patricia has kept the shutters green but she restored the columns to their original color.

  TODAY:  Inside the house, a large double drawing room opens onto the large piazza.  Above, the master bedroom suite and guest suite open onto a balcony that overlooks the front lawn with its koi pond and swimming pool.  Patricia planted potted lemon trees on the piazza.

  Close up of the shutters.  During Hurricanes, Patricia doesn’t have to evacuate.  She just closes her shutters and “hunkers down” as we say in the south!   The house has stood since 1853, unharmed, through all those many hurricanes and storms.

  The front gate on the side street that leads to the front door.

  Since moving in, screens have been added to the gates to give privacy to the estate.  Today, horse drawn carriages lead tourists past this now well-known house.

  Patricia Altschul greets you at the front door.  She is usually wearing a caftan and at 5:00 pm, her butler Michael presents her with his perfect martini.

  TODAY:  Inside the front door - and its fabulous foyer.  Mario Buatta painted the wood floors to brighten up the dark space.  To the left is the morning room.  The staircase is past the arches.

  I love this oriental antique chest in the foyer next to two French chairs, covered in velvet.   The walls in the foyer, staircase, and landing have been marbleized, while the wood floors were painted.

  BEFORE:   The front lobby before the floor was painted.  To the right is the Morning Room.  Originally, there were columns and a large opening to the Morning Room.  Patricia removed the columns.

  TODAY:   The Morning Room.  This is where Patricia makes calls on the “house phone.”  The floor is covered in seagrass and the walls are wallpapered in a stripe.

  Another view of the morning room.

  From Charleston Magazine, a view of the fireplace.  Patricia collects French mantel clocks – there are enough for each fireplace. 

  In the morning room is her large collection of pug dogs.

  The bar is set up on this console.  There are three bars set around the house.

  A close up of the Morning Room curtains with their gilt cornice.  These were originally at Southerly, in the living room.

  Patricia on her “house phone” – making her morning calls.   I love her hair – it’s so flattering!

  BEFORE:   The staircase with its stained dark banister.  I must say – I do love this antique light fixture.  I would have kept it myself!

  TODAY:  The staircase hall is off the foyer.  In this view you can see the foyer at the left and the Morning Room entry, without the columns.  I adore this painted floor.  It is fabulous!   On the walls of the stairs is the silhouette collection that Patricia and two of her husbands collected with her.   The banister was painted white by Buatta – which I love.   Here you can see the antique light fixture that Patricia installed here.

  The roundabout in dark pink.    Across from the stairs is the entrance to the double drawing room.

  The view looking down at the stairs.  This is such a beautiful space.  The windows overlook the back side of the house.  The one thing I’m not crazy about in the house is the runner, but that’s personal.

  Close up of the fabulous antique silhouette collection.  She owns one of George Washington and Robert E. Lee!!!

  The only silhouette of George Washington that he sat for!  Amazing!!!!

    BEFORE:  The double drawing room was actually originally set up to be a living room and dining room.

  TODAY:  The Double Drawing Room is the highlight of this fabulous house.  The furniture is a combination of Patricia’s Fifth Avenue living room and Southerly’s living room.   Cream sofas combined with Lee Jofa chintz arm chairs.  Southerly’s one large rug was cut into two to fit these rooms.  I think the wall color is stunning – I wonder whose it is – is it custom?  It truly makes the room.   The Buatta décor is classic and timeless.    Gorgeous!!!!

  The double drawing room is entered off the stairway hall, which you can see here.  The smaller drawing room on the right leads to the library, dining room, and the kitchen wing.

  The smaller drawing room.  Instead of curtains, Buatta made fanciful shades.   The two chandeliers were removed – I wonder if they will be replaced?  On the mantel, an antique French clock.

  From the NYC Fifth Avenue apartment, this chinoiserie desk is beautiful.

  The large drawing room with the cream sofa.  Both rooms have fireplaces with matching mirrors that face each other at opposite ends of the rooms.  On the mantel, another antique French clock.

  The other side of the larger drawing room.

  Patricia in one of her signature caftans.

  And sitting in the larger drawing room, wearing one of her animal caftans, which she now sells.  You send in a photo of your pet and it is printed on the fabric.  Those sconces are gorgeous!

  In the smaller drawing room, Michael serves Patricia her daily, 5:00 pm martini.  She says he makes the perfect martini.

  This view is of the balcony right outside the large drawing room.

  I love the area between the two rooms where this console always has a beautiful flower arrangement.

  And yet one more floral design.  Patricia is good friends with another new Charleston citizen, Carolyne Roehm.

  BEFORE:   Southerly, the library.  Some of this furniture, and its curtains, was used in the Charleston library.

  TODAY:   Across from the smaller drawing room is the second foyer that opens to the wing.  The library is off this second foyer.  Here, the walls look almost magenta, but they are a true red.

  A nighttime view of the library with the fireplace going.  There are quite a few books and now knowing Patricia’s academic history, it makes perfect sense that she would have a large library.

  Bar #2 is set up here in the library.  After-dinner drinks and cigars are served here.  It’s unusual to allow smoking inside these days, but Patricia does.

  The bar and cigars!

  And you can see here the painted floor from the second foyer that leads to the library.  Next to the library is the dining room.  Originally, this library was where the kitchen was, but Patricia reconfigured this part of the house and moved the kitchen to the second wing.

  BEFORE:   The library was originally the kitchen!  Hard to believe.  You can see here what it once looked like.  What I can’t figure out is the mantel.  This mantel is now in the dining room and the mantel that was in the dining room is now in the library for some odd reason.

  BEFORE:  Here is the dining room before Patricia bought the house.  This mantel is now in the library/kitchen and that mantel is now in the dining room.  Through the door, you can see what is today the butler’s pantry – which was once a sitting room.  Patricia moved the kitchen from this area to the wing off the butler’s pantry.

  TODAY:  Next to the library is the dining room.  This room was first designed in Southerly and Buatta reused all the elements here in Charleston.  Although the curtains actually came from Patricia’s former Fifth Avenue apartment.  The Zuber paper is gorgeous – it was taken off the walls in Southerly and rehung here.    These ceilings are higher though, so to stretch the wallpaper, Buatta added a trim piece and then painted sky blue above it to mimic the sky in the wallpaper.  Very smart, Mario!!!   The room has four windows – two on each side.  These two windows face the front yard and open to the balcony.   The textured rug tones it all down – instead of being too dressy, the room looks warm and welcoming.   Another fabulous room, IMO.  I love this house!!!

  Through this door you can see the second foyer where the library is.  To the left of the foyer is the small drawing room.

  The view towards the other direction which faces the back of the house.  This side has two windows, but one is faux, it is actually a door.  Instead of panes there are mirrors. 

  BEFORE:  Here is the Zuber wallpaper in the dining room at Southerly – you can see the ceiling is not as high as the Charleston house.   Buatta cleverly added the trim piece, then painted above it to make the paper “fit.”  Remember, Jackie Kennedy also painted above her own antique Zuber paper to make it fit the White House Diplomatic Room.

  Patricia in her dining room.

  Her blue and white corralled for a dinner party.

  BEFORE:  The Butler’s Pantry was once a sitting room with stairs that lead up to the second floor in the wing.  Patricia closed off the small door and added built ins on each wall to hold her extensive plate collection.

  TODAY:   The butler’s pantry connects to the new kitchen in the far right wing.  The pantry is a large bar/staging area.   The kitchen is past the doggie gate at the very right.

  Another view of the Butler’s Pantry – with Cameran, one of the stars of “Southern Charm.”

  Michael preparing for a dinner party.  The French doors leads out to the front balcony and yard.

  The view from the outside – the right wing with the library and dining room and butler’s pantry.  Whitney and Shep, another star of “Southern Charm” stand on the balcony off the butler’s pantry.  Seen here at the very right, are the two windows from the kitchen building.

  The kitchen is a large, charming country style room with two farm sinks and a fireplace!  Mostly all the dogs stay in here.  The island’s top is made of copper, as is the stove’s hood.  Love the ceiling.   The door opens to the driveway and the carriage house.

  The kitchen’s fireplace is surrounded by blue and white tiles.  To the left is the door that leads to the breakfast room and sitting room.

  Another view of the kitchen – when it’s not styled for a photoshoot. I love how this is a brand new kitchen, but it looks decades old.  Amazing!  The cabinet doors under the sinks add to the charm, as do all the sconces around the room.  I also love how low the sconces were hung.

  The breakfast room off the kitchen has its own brick fireplace.

  BEFORE:  The sitting room was dark with mirrored walls on one side!  Mirrors?!

  TODAY:   The room looks totally different, painted white and bright with the mirrors removed.  The sitting room is off the driveway court, next to the kitchen entrance.  Outside the French door is the old Carriage House.   Much of this furniture came from Southerly’s sitting room.

  Patricia and Whitney share appetizers.  Up the stairs is the kitchen, where Michael is headed.  Up the higher level is the breakfast room.

  Southerly:  Buatta was able to reuse much of this in Charleston.

  BEFORE:  The second floor landing off the main staircase.  Patricia kept the arched trim work at the end of the landing.

  TODAY:    Here you can see how Patricia utilized the arched trim work upstairs.   To create some architectural interest, she added a faux mirrored French door.

  Further down the long hall, the walls are papered.  I love those sconces!

  The landing – shelves were added for even more books.

         BEFORE:  In the main house, above the double drawing rooms are two bedroom suites.  First is the guest room, seen here, before.

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Today:   The guest room.  This furniture was moved from New York – where it was Patricia’s master bedroom furniture.  The room leads out to the front balcony.  Just beautiful.   This photograph by AD is so pretty!!

  Above the desk is a needlework from Jackie Kennedy that was once in the White House.

  The view into the guest room from the landing.  The wood -floors are painted white.

  Patricia calls this the Dog Room because of the paintings.  Notice the ceiling is pink.  Photograph by Charleston Magazine.

  FIFTH AVENUE:   Here is the same furniture, as it was in Patricia’s Fifth Avenue apartment.  Buatta was able to reuse it all!

  The guest bathroom.  Sweet.

  BEFORE:   Over the larger side of the double drawing room is the master suite, shown as it was, before.

  TODAY:   Patricia’s master bedroom is a copy of her Southerly bedroom – the same furniture and fabric was used, just refreshed.  The bedroom opens up to the front balcony.  The room sits on top of the double drawing room.  I have to say this is such a pretty bedroom – a classic and one of Mario’s best rooms!!!  I had been a fan of the Southerly bedroom for years before I ever heard of its owners.  I bet you were too.

  From Charleston Home Magazine.  The floor is painted white wood.  It’s so interesting to see how the photographers from Architectural Digest take such gorgeous photos while Charleston Home’s photos are just photos.  The AD photos are by Scott Frances and he is unbelievably talented.  Incredibly so.  Just compare the AD marked photos with similar ones of the same room and you will appreciate how gifted Frances truly is.    For instance – compare the beautiful, fragile linen lampshades in each photo.  In AD’s  photos – you can see each one in detail, in the other photo, they disappear.  Notice the sun’s dappled light in AD’s photo.  Frances waited for the exact right time to take that photo.  Not sure how he even finessed that?

  This is an antique dog bed!  Adorable!

    While packing for a trip to NYC, you can see the landing at the right door, with the crystal chandelier from the Fifth Avenue apartment.  Through the left door is the bathroom.

  BEFORE:  The master bedroom.  Through the left door is the bathroom.  Through the right down is the stair landing.

  BEFORE:   The master bathroom.  Patricia removed the cabinetry and cleared out the room to completely renovate it for her bathroom.  This tub was reused in the guest bathroom.  The mantel stayed put, although the stone surround was changed.

  TODAY:   The bathroom with its cabinet where the heated toilet is concealed.  The floor is painted here again. A fireplace in the bathroom!!   Is this the prettiest bathroom, ever?  The walls are mirrored strips.  Just gorgeous!

    Gorgeous!!!  What I would give for this bathroom!  That mirror!!!

  SOUTHERLY:  Patricia’s bedroom on Oyster Bay.  The main difference is there is no canopy here!

  BEFORE:  Southerly – the other side of the bedroom.

    Here are the Architectural Digest photographs from Patricia’s Southerly and Fifth Avenue living rooms so you can see how Mario Buatta used their previous decor:

  Southerly:  The same rug was used, as were the sofas and chintz chairs.  The ottoman was also reused, as was this French checked chair.

  Southerly:  The other side of the room.  This was all reused in Charleston.  The curtains were put in the Morning Room.

  Fifth Avenue.  The cream sofas were used in Charleston.  The curtains were reused in Charleston’s dining room.  This red desk was also used.  The crystal chandelier is now on the second floor landing, right outside Patricia’s bedroom suite.

  Another view of this apartment which was once Sister Parish’s.  The velvet chairs, tables, lamps, stools – were all reused in Charleston, thanks to Mario Buatta.

  This room is just incredible – three photos in AD!  The mirror above the fireplace ended up in the Charleston library.  The screen?  I don’t think that was reused.  In Charleston, the antique oval mirror is in the second foyer, outside the dining room.   But that desk!!!  Gorgeous!!!

  Want a caftan with your pet’s photo on it?  Go HERE.

Books to go with this story – click on the photo to order:

SHOP THIS COLLECTION & TONS MORE OF EUROPEAN ANTIQUES:    HERE

from COTE DE TEXAS http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2017/04/charleston-charm.html