Photo courtesy of Margaret Wright
Caitlin Dirkes Design
Location: Downtown Charleston
Aesthetic: Colorful, livable, inviting
Kassatex: Three favorite paint colors to use?
CD: Farrow and Ball Borrowed Light, Benjamin Moore Windham Cream and Benjamin Moore Parchment.
Farrow and Ball Borrowed Light
Benjamin Moore Windham Cream
Benjamin Moore Parchment
Kassatex: Three favorite fabric/wallpaper prints?
CD: My all-time favorites are Devonshire in coral by Jasper, Floral Batik by Kathryn Ireland, and Windrush by Lewis and Wood. My go-to textile designers are usually Blithfield, Jasper, and Lee Jofa.
Devonshire by Jasper
Floral Batik by Kathryn Ireland
Windrush by Lewis and Wood
Kassatex: Best place for coffee?
CD: Babas (either location).
Kassatex: Most memorable meal in Charleston?
CD: Any meal at FIG. I was also blown away recently by dinner at Costa, a newer addition to Charleston’s amazing restaurant scene.
Kassatex: Three locations you find the most design inspiration in the city?
CD: Hampton Park, a greenspace in my neighborhood that has the most amazing landscaped gardens.
Historic Charleston Foundation’s home and garden tours that they offer as part of their annual design festival, which let you peek inside some of the city’s most historic private homes.
Really, any stroll through downtown Charleston. There are so many unique little alleyways and streets that you can get lost in admiring everything from the paint colors to the architecture to the window box designs.
Kassatex: Favorite place to shop for antiques?
CD: Antiques of South Windemere and 17 South Antiques.
Kassatex: Best stroll in Charleston?
CD: Start in Ansonborough, walk as quickly as possible through Market Street, then meander down Church Street to the Battery and zig zag your way back to Ansonborough.
Kassatex: Favorite place to shop for finishing touches (pillows, throws)?
CD: Acquisitions and Elizabeth Stuart.
Kassatex: When in doubt always add ________ to your design:
CD: Texture, it can add so much interest to a space.
Kassatex: Favorite room to design?
CD: Sunroom or Library.
Kassatex: Three locations in the city for fabric inspiration?
CD: Ibu (this is a clothing boutique, but they source different textiles from female artisans around the globe) and Fritz Porter.
Kassatex: Favorite museum or historical place to visit for inspo?
CD: Nathaniel Russel House for the architectural details.
Kassatex: Best hidden secret store for best home decor deals?
CD: Terrace Oaks Antique Mall — you can find beautiful table linens, pottery, lamps, artwork, and more.
Photos via Margaret Wright
Kassatex: Splurge or save: dining room furniture?
CD: Save. I think the more formal and traditional dining room pieces are impractical for modern life. I am loving the more approachable dining room designs with a farm/library table or a unique wicker set!
Kassatex: Splurge or save: rugs?
CD: Splurge.
Kassatex: Splurge or save: lighting in guest or kid’s room?
CD: Save.
Photos via Margaret Wright
Kassatex: Favorite website for inspo?
CD: I use Pinterest a lot to find details to articulate my ideas better, but for the most part I turn to my beloved collection of interior books.
Kassatex: Three designers you are inspired by?
CD: Rita Konig, Gil Schafer, and Ben Pentreath.
Photo courtesy of Margaret Wright