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10 Lessons Learned from Patricia Altschul’s Open House Tour
The Southern Charm matriarch opened up the doors to her grand Charleston home.
Built in the 1800s, Patricia Altschul’s home is impossible to ignore. Chock full of history and insanely over-the-top details, the Charleston home dominates nearly every Southern Charm scene it's in, despite being in the background. Whether you’re taken aback by the sheer size of manse (and those columns!) or the matriarch herself, you’re likely like us… always wanting more!
Luckily, Open House’s Sarah Gore stopped by Patricia’s home recently and got a full tour, which we happened to catch. Dishing on everything from her favorite room (which just so happens to be outdoors) to the color that soothes her the most (it’s blue, y’all), Patricia did not hold back, and we soaked up every second of the tour.
In case you missed it, here are our 10 favorite tidbits we learned, that you’ll want to know as well.
1. Every Piece in Her Home Has a Backstory.
Even the umbrella holder! “Mario Ballato was my decorator, and we got this from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s sale.”
2. Formerly, the House Was a Public Property.
“It used to be the library for 30 years here in Charleston!” Patricia dished. And as a result, it took more than three months to get her floors back up to snuff and painted with gorgeous geometric patterns.
3. About Those Marble Walls...
They’re faux! Yep, that’s paint made to look like marble walls.
4. What’s a Morning Room, You Ask?
“This is where a woman in the 19th century would come in the morning and she would plan her day,” explained Patricia.
5. It’s Always 5 O’Clock at Chez Patricia.
“You’ll discovered that there are three bars just on this floor — because honey, you’re down south!”
6. It’s Not Your Standard Gallery Wall.
Lining the walls of her circular staircase, Patricia has dozens of framed silhouette portraits.
7. FYI: We All Have Drawing Rooms.
When asked by Gore what exactly is a drawing room, Patricia clarified this for all of us. “It’s a living room, it just sounds better to say drawing room,” she joked. “And in this case, it’s a double drawing room.”
8. Suddenly We’re Considering “Apple Green” Paint Hues.
The backdrop of many a Southern Charm get-together, Patricia’s drawing room has bold, bright green walls. “You might think the color is a bit strange, it’s called apple green, but it’s very cheery and it looks good day, night, cloudy.”
9. What’s the Key to a Good Party?
Oh, this is an easy one for Charleston’s chief entertainer: “Expensive liquor and lots of it!” she pronounced.
10. Just Don’t Call It a Porch
When Gore comments on Patricia’s “porch,” the grand dame is quick to correct her. “In Charleston we call it a piazza,” she explained, adding, “I think this is arguably the best room in the house.” We couldn’t agree more!
