close up of rice bed with carved rice sheathes
- Rice Bed, a queen size, in master bedroom
Charleston Tea Party Private Tour Launches a Weekly Vacation Rental in Historic Charleston
- twin beds
- oriental rug in main room with day bed
- A nice spot for tea.
Where: Historic Charleston on Ashley Avenue in Radcliffborough
Cost: One thousand dollars a week, or $250 a night, two night minimum.
How many does it sleep? Up to seven people in three bedrooms, perfect for friends, two to three couples, or a family.
How many bathrooms? There two full baths with original black and white tiled floors.
Is there a kitchen? Yes, with a brand new refrigerator, an electric oven and stove, pots and pans, and vintage dishes with newly restored oak cabinets
Is there a dining room? Yes and a table and chairs, and silver knives and forks.
Do we get breakfast? Yes, when you come on my tour; otherwise, you are on your own as if you live here. I will start you off with farm fresh eggs in the fridge from friends David and Becky’s plantation, Live Oak. Our God son, their little boy, sells them to us. I will also leave you some of my home made calamondin marmalade with home made bread.
Will there be a coffee maker? I ain’t know not’n about making coffee; I’m the Tea Lady! But I will concede to a coffee maker, as well as an essential tea pot and some of our best locally blended coffee and teas. The family of four I first rented to have a 9 yr old daughter who said to be sure to say they love the mint iced tea I left in the fridge.
Does it have bed bugs? Good question! A resounding NO! After my children came home with bed bug bites from a very special stay in the New York City Yacht Club a few years ago with a member friend, I realized they can be found in the best places! These are brand new top quality mattresses and box springs with Old Charleston frames. One is a Queen size four poster ”rice bed”, another is a full Victorian white Jenny Lind or Spool styled wooden frame bed, and then there are twins with white servants – dorm style metal as seen in Downton Abbey. The rice bed was a gift from our groomsman George Kanellos for our honeymoon in his hand hewn log cabin, one of the oldest houses in South Carolina. (That is where history was made)! There are vintage linens and an oriental rug carefully chosen from Charleston antique shops.
Are there furniture and closets to put our things in so that we are not living out of a suitcase? Yes. Lots. Do unpack and make that suitcase disappear! It effects the psyche.
How did you decide to do this venture?
This apartment my husband owns just came vacant. At the same time, Fodor voted Charleston their top destination in the continental United States. This acclaim was after the same designation from Conde Naste. I received a call for my tour from Sweden from Anika, coming for a week in spring with her family, considering a stay in North Charleston for a week for a thousand dollars. I suggested some of my friends places closer in to the historic district, which they are coming all the way here to enjoy, but they were all booked or too expensive for the week. This vacation rentals by owner came up at City Council as well; what to do? If we will serve it, they will come, said City Council! It met with approval.
There is an alignment here. My real estate father agrees my proposal is good. My real estate investor husband agrees to let me have a go at it; consequently, I am launching our first vacation rental by owner. My husband bought it the same year and month I bought my first house, while we were still dating, in the late ’80′s. He rented in the historic house right across the street and looked out on this property. We both knew it was time for a big step in life, so instead of stepping up to the marriage altar, we stepped up to our first real estate purchase. I lived in mine on Legare Street. He continued living cheaply in his apartment he was renting in the old Victorian house across the street, which enabled him to invest in this property in the first place, while working to restore it; as a result, this property is tied close to his heart and has received a lot of his manly attention.
Is it the most charming property in Charleston? No, to be honest. I take you to those on my tour. But I am adding my personal touch to what is there to make it charming.
Does it have ANY Old Charleston charm? Yes, the kind of thing you can pass by every day and not notice if your eye is not trained to look for beauty.
Like what? Like the herring bone brick work on the front stoop, with specs of green moss appliqued by time that makes that brick more than just building material. A peace stills into ones heart; the very bricks speak of being home at last in the way that only Old Charleston can. There are deliberately exposed heart pine beams in the dining room off the kitchen, showing the age and construction of this old house, which my husband is proud to have exposed in restoration work himself.
Is there a room with a view? Yes! The windows look out on historic Charleston houses, one next door of 18th century Old Charleston Carolina Gray Brick, as poet EVH said, “poetry in brick”, and an Old Charleston plum colored slate roof. Another is the spacious house and garden across the street where lived Robert and Irene Dixon, Irene having been born in that house over a hundred years ago. Husband Preston rented a room from them and was beloved by this childless couple, both tennis pros, now passed away.
Is there off street parking? Yes, in back is the garage for two cars.
Is there internet access? Yes.
Is smoking allowed? Absolutely not. Smokers will be fined $250 a day.
Are pets allowed. I am sorry but no. I love my dog, but he goes to doggy resort when we leave town.
What is it near? It is near the trendy shops on Cannon, the Orthodox synagogue on Rutledge, the Medical University of Charleston, and Ashley Hall girls school, which was the urban plantation home to George Trenholm, the real Rhett Butler, blockade runner and all. It is also near some of our popular casual restaurants, Hominy Grill, Lana, Fuel, and Five Loaves. Marion Square, home of the Farmer’s Market, is nearby, as well as Sugar, a great tiny bakery on Cannon St where you can get the tarts and scones for a picnic tea party! I have a picnic basket ready for you.
How do we make inquiries and bookings? By phone. Call me at 843-577-5896; leave me a message with dates and I will call you back. Do not ask me questions here . I hope this offering will induce people who love Charleston to be able to stay as long as a week. There is so much to explore. We have something new for your eyes to see of an old city still left that time forgot and yet is full and vibrant, the Holy City of Charleston. If you come in a receptive mood, you will leave us wiser than when you came, for the streets of Charleston are full of delights, mellowed by time, which make life forever richer.
–Laura Wichmann Hipp 843-577-5896
Location, Location, Location!!!
Your Ashley Avenue Vacation Rental By Owner…what can I say…..except that it is ten minutes from EVERYTHING…..in Downtown Charleston! I recently got to spend a week back home in Charleston playing tour guide to two sets of very good friends who had never been before. I really wanted to show them my hometown and was given the opportunity to stay at Ashley Avenue after booking our Charleston Tea Party Private Tour with Laura Wichmann Hipp. It was the best decision I ever made. The apartment was perfect for us! Three bedrooms, two full baths, full kitchen….dining and sitting area….we were never crowded. The charm of every room made it so special and there were touches of Old Charleston everywhere! When someone would ask how long it takes to get to…so and so…I could always say 10 minutes….and mean it. The off street parking is a plus and we walked to The Hominy Grill for dinner twice a 5 minute walk around the corner and to Five Loaves that was suggested by a friend of Laura’s, both excellent! My only regret is that we never made it to Sugar bakery! Laura’s Mother’s Tour and Sugar will be on my next trip HOME! I promise! Thanks for everything….Laura! Phyllis and Friends!