A Little Place Near Charleston

Our Base of Operations

By Sam Burnham
@C_SamBurnham

​We spent the week leading up to Thanksgiving in the Charleston area. It was a typical Iron Skillet Travels style getaway. Our base of operations this time was too notable to not get it's own special post. Oh it wasn't a luxurious spa, a stately plantation mansion, or a re-purposed cotton mill. No this one is quite special in its own way. 

The managing editor found this little gem on Airbnb. It is located in the Shem Creek area of Mt. Pleasant. It is a recently renovated duplex and we we're staying in one side. The other side appears to still be in the renovation process but there was not a single minute that any work there disturbed our quiet or relaxation. The neighborhood is in a bit of a transition with most of the homes either recently renovated or in the process. The work seems to be following a traditional theme. It is tasteful and lovely. The "main drag" through that part of town features local business and restaurants. It is probably much busier during the summer season but it was a  The location is very convenient to downtown Charleston, Sullivan's Island, and Isle of Palms.   

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Great Living Area For Reading or Watching a Game

The home itself holds a simple beauty. The decor is not overblown or obnoxious as you might find in many vacation homes. While the home is not huge, it was plenty big enough for our tight-knit group of five. 

In the living area there is cozy furniture and ample lamplight for an evening read. The window shades allow for a view of outside or privacy. There is a large television which we used to catch most of the Georgia game.  But most of the time there was spent reading, planning, or relaxing. 

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The kitchen boasts a large fridge and full sized stove and oven. Even with three teenage boys running around it was not crowded or small. We got a lot of use of it as we took our evening meals there. There is not much seating, only two seats at a small bar. But a picnic table with umbrella on the back patio made for pleasant dining in the nice weather we experienced.

There is a sizable pantry with a sliding door which slides out over the hall opening leading to the bath and bedrooms. This is an insignificant inconvenience in exchange for such a smart space saving design.   

The bath is small, as is the entire unit. But the use of a shower is a good optimization of space. You see shelving and a sink with vanity. Plush towels and tasteful decor are definitely a nice touch. Again, small and simple but adequate and realistic. 
The bottom sash of the window is frosted to offer privacy. But the window can also be opened to allow the fresh fall air to come if on a November evening.

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The bedrooms are comfortable and, as with the rest of the house, make a wise use of space. They are not overwhelmingly lavish. They go with they stylishly simple theme that we found throughout the home. While not large, we found plenty of room to get a good night's sleep each evening. As with the living area, there are lamplight and ceiling fans. The bedding is all soft and there are full sized pillows, as opposed to those silly things you find in some hotels these days. 

The outdoor areas offer a bit of home away from home. There is a small but adequate backyard where the boys got to enjoy some fresh air and at least one time throwing a ball around. I already mentioned the picnic table on the patio which we dined at a few times. There is a charcoal grill as well. On Saturday evening you could hear others along the street enjoying grilling and games - nothing bothersome or out of the way, just a friendly and festive neighborhood atmosphere. That seemed to enhance the backyard that evening.

The front yard is dominated by an oak tree surrounded by a mulched area. It is a welcome sight after a long day of touring the area. The front porch is screened in and offers some lovely vintage seating. It's a great spot of an evening of porch sitting. 

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Overall, it is a beautiful stop. We loved the simplicity, the comfort, even the closeness of it all was nice for a family holiday outing. This is an excellent choice for a small family or perhaps a couple. Comfortable and convenient.