Southern Charm

patricia altschul charleston home - exterior

patricia altschul - charleston home drawing room

patricia altschul charleston home - stair hall

patricia altschul charleston home - bath

Did any of you watch the Bravo show Southern Charm earlier this year? Embarrassingly enough, I found myself sucked into it — it was a slow burn that got more entertaining to me as the weeks went on (apparently a lot of people felt similarly — it got renewed for another season!). Anyway, one of the stars of the show wasn’t actually a primary cast member at all. It was Patricia Altschul, mother of cast member Whitney Sudler-Smith, who was known for her hilarious one-liners and unapologetic “southernness” (two favorite memorable lines: how each day, when she is ready for a cocktail, she declares, “It’s time for my medicine!” and, when she tells another fifty-something year old cast member, who at the time was having a pregnancy scare with his young girlfriend and entertaining political aspirations, “Instead of impregnating 21-year-olds, you might refocus, is all I’m suggesting.”). This video (listed under “Whitney’s Mom is a Sitcom Character”) is a gem.

Patricia and Whitney live together (I told you this show was great) in this unbelievably beautiful 1850s home in Charleston, the Isaac Jenkins Mikell House. Originally owned by a cotton planter, the mansion used to function as a library, and later apartments, as it changed owners several times (and underwent renovations), eventually being scooped up by Patricia in 2008. Architectural Digest recently featured a tour and history of the home now that it has been renovated once more and re-decorated, and the results are perfection: colorful, warm, and over the top southern (basically Patricia herself). That blue and white bathroom — I need to be in a soaking tub like that right now.

There’s been all this Charleston talk lately (did you see Grace’s city tour when she visited earlier this fall? I felt ready to pack my bags!), and I’m feeling like a trip south might be in order at some point in the near future. If you were a fan of Southern Charm and want to check out Patricia’s home, the Architectural Digest feature is here, and the blog Cote de Texas did an extensive tour of it here, by placing together historical photos, published photos, and TV show stills (it’s pretty impressive, and includes images from Patricia’s former homes, too). This house is amazing, no? Did you watch Southern Charm earlier this year? Have you ever spent any time in Charleston?

 

Images: Scott Frances for Architectural Digest

17 Comments

  1. 12.2.14
    Agoprime said:

    GREAT HOUSE!!
    http://www.agoprime.it

  2. 12.2.14
    Rachelle said:

    I watched a few episodes of that show and it was funny. Actually I’ve been wanting to visit Charleston ever since, it looks like a charming area. (no pun intended). This house is amazing.

  3. 12.2.14

    I’ve never seen the show – but I was just looking at apartments in Atlanta. Work drama has me SO ready to relocate and sip some sweet tea on a porch somewhere that doesn’t have a winter season.

    • 12.2.14

      Can’t wait to hear about Atlanta later this week ;)

  4. 12.2.14
    Lisa said:

    Seriously this house looks like a museum to sweet southern charm!
    In Dramatic Fashion

  5. 12.2.14

    I moved to Charleston a few months ago, and I’m absolutely in love with it! Such an amazing city. You should definitely plan a trip! If you have any questions, feel free to email me :)

  6. 12.2.14

    What an incredible home! I, too, admittedly loved the show. Looking forward to Season 2 :)

    xo, Laura
    http://www.brightandbeautifulblog.com/

  7. 12.2.14

    I totally got sucked into this show, so I’m really glad to know I’m not the only one! We went to Charleston for our babymoon & even though it was chilly & rainy we loved it. I really love the architecture of the city & hope to go back when it’s a bit sunnier (& I can drink! Ha).

  8. 12.2.14
    Morgan said:

    I’ve lived in Charleston the past 10 years and hope I never have to leave. Believe the hype and come visit! We’d love to have you!

  9. 12.2.14
    Ellie said:

    Growing up in Charleston I always wondered who might live in that house and what it might look like and boy was I blown away to finally see the inside!!! Not only is it AMAZING but Patricia is by far the most authentically old South cast member on that show. I definitely don’t think the show was a particularly accurate portrayal (especially as many of the cast members aren’t even from Charleston originally!), but everything Patricia said and did was spot on. My favorite line was when she told Whitney that opening a restaurant was “pedestrian and banal”!!!!

    If you like seeing shows set in Charleston, try Reckless (on Netflix)!! It’s only maybe 13 episodes and isn’t being renewed :(

    • 12.3.14
      Jenn said:

      Oh no, it’s not being renewed?! I loved watching it, mostly because it was set in Charleston. I loved pointing out things to my husband (much to his dismay) every time they would show shots of the city and area. Bummer!

  10. 12.3.14
    Ella said:

    I never saw Southern Charm, but I would gladly take the front of that home and smack it on mine!
    http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26

  11. 12.3.14

    omg I got sucked in too, and I actually don’t watch any reality tv, pretty much ever. I fell in love with charleston during that trip, and came back and binge watched the show.

  12. 12.3.14

    One of the best cities here in the US! So glad I got to spend my college days down there. Never heard of the show, now you have me curious:)

  13. 12.3.14
    Jenn said:

    My first job after college was in Charleston! For six months, I flew every Sunday evening down from DC and spent the week (and sometimes weekends). I actually almost moved there, I loved it so much. It’s a fantastic city! When we were in Burgundy in September, our wine tasting partners were a husband and wife from Charleston. She actually knows most of the women on the show. I guess for the city, the show is a total embarrassment. Or at least that’s what she said, southern pride and all. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I got sucked into the show!

  14. 12.4.14
    Toni said:

    Yep, this show totally sucked me in too! Patricia is a gem. I would love to just move into her bathroom :)

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