In Town Living...


Post submitted by KSKC Project Design Manager McGregor Jordan.
To learn more about McGregor, click here.




In Town Living...the Past Future

Above - vintage photo of King Street

When you are planning for your future, especially when real estate is involved, long term trends should be a very important consideration. Nobody wants to buy a home in a future ghetto or design a space that is destined to be outdated in a few years. So here are my two cents on a major trend I see for the future of Charleston…PEOPLE ARE MOVING BACK IN TOWN!

As gas prices rise and people become generally more conscious of their carbon footprints and energy consumption, so rises the desire to live nearer the heart of town. No longer do you need a car to shop, or commute, and you won’t even need a treadmill to go for a walk. This has been a national trend for a while, especially since gas prices hit $4.50/gallon two summers ago, but here in Charleston we have more reason to expect this trend to really take off. We have critical mass on our side! FYI – critical mass is that point at which enough people get on board with an idea that the idea takes on a life of its own and begins to spread under its own power.

Let me explain how this works for us here in Charleston. As more people move downtown, or at least closer to it, more downtown business can be sustained. As more people move in and more business continue to open we eventually reach a point at which you can fulfill all your daily needs without being forced to leave the part of town in which you live. As more people bear witness to this type of lifestyle the trend really takes on a life of its own. We have certainly reached this critical mass point here. If you keep your eye open it is evident in almost every part of downtown – just look at the diversity of businesses, reemergence of corner stores, abundance of entertainment and recreation, density of interesting people walking the sidewalks, empty houses being restored, empty lots being developed, etc. etc.

So how does this affect your decisions? Impact your path through life? Well here are a few ideas...

I would consider planning a home in a part of town with higher density, and design your home to accommodate an increase in density in the coming years. If you are building or renovating seek out designers and architects who understand and emphasize efficient use of space, and energy efficiency. Consider lots and home sizes that are slightly smaller than that fantasy mansion you dreamed of as a child {click here to read recent post "The Incredible Shrinking House"}. Perhaps that will give you a better idea of what your real fantasy home might look like. After all the best home for you and your family might not be that same old home concept that has been advertised to us for so many years….

Slideshow Photos above are courtesy of George Holt & Andrew Gould, Design Principles at Downtown Charleston design firm "New World Byzantine". This urban infill development combines advancements in efficient planning, innovative technologies, historic renovations, and new construction projects. Click Here to read more about the neighborhood project & to see additional photos.

KSKC to Host High Cotton Chef Ramon Taimanglo



King Street Kitchen Company welcomes Ramon Taimanglo, Chef de Cuisine at High Cotton - one of Historic Downtown Charleston's most recognized dining destinations. Having attended the Johnson & Wales Culinary Arts Institute in Charleston, Ramon returns to his culinary home after mastering his skills in kitchens across the country - including a position as Executive Sous Chef under the celebrated Chef Bob Kinkead in Washington, D.C. We are excited to see what kitchen secrets Ramon will share....okay yes - our tummies are excited too! But can you blame them?

This installment of our monthly cooking demos proved to be popular looooong before the actual event. The demo quickly booked prior to even sending out our typical official announcement. However, in order to allow those that were not able to book their reservation, we are releasing our typically reserved media passes to the public. Please click the "get tickets" link below to get your name on the list ASAP.

KSKC Chef's Kitchen Demo
543 King Street - Upper King Design District
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
6 - 8 (ish)pm
$20 per guest
*All Proceeds Donated to Louie's Kids*

Click below for easy & secure registration:


Charleston Cooks & Thermador Event!



Maverick Southern Kitchens and Thermador home appliances will be hosting an Open House at the Charleston Cooks - Maverick Kitchen Store on Saturday July 17th from 2 - 5 pm. Charleston Cooks' demonstration studio has just been outfitted with beautiful new Thermador appliances. Be sure to stop by for some good food, wine tasting, and to register for some door prizes!!!

Charleston Cooks Showroom
194 East Bay Street
Charleston, SC
843-722-1212

Design on Tap Summer Clearance Sale!!!

Our friends at Design on Tap are having their Summer Display & Overstock Sale!!!! When we received the e-mail with the list of items available we were sure that they had made some serious typo's on the pricing - but no, we're talking serious deals. Most items are around 90% off of list price!


Here's one of our favorite items offered on their Sale List:

Duravit Sundeck Airbath
{includes airbath, deck cushions, & 3-sided furniture surround}
List Price: $ 11,000
Sale Price: $ 999 !!!!!!!!!







For a full list of what's available, be sure to contact Design on Tap directly. Contact information is listed on their website or e-mail Ashley at ashleyhyer@creggercompany.com.

The Incredible Shrinking House...


So this is not necessarily "new" news, but rather confirmation of what has been suspected for a while. As reported by "Custom Home Magazine", recent surveys conducted by the American Institute of Architects indicate an increasing trend in more compact homes with increased attention to detail and construction quality.

If you'd like to read further, be sure to check the online article out by clicking here.

My first thought - sounds like "Bye Bye McMansions!" {"Let's hope so" says the downtown architect hanging out at the KSKC office this afternoon}

Charleston Home Sales Highest in 3 Years


Just read a veeeewy intawesting article by The Post & Courier. It seems that Charleston, SC's June home sales exceeded 1,000 which is the highest transaction count in nearly three years. Although the median home price dropped about 4% (I actually would have guessed more) - this news becomes particularly interesting & much sweeter when you compare Charleston's year-to-date sales to the rest of the country. Nationally sales have increased this year by 16% - sounds good right? Well CHARLESTON'S year-to-date home sales increased a whopping 31%!!!!! That's almost twice the national average!

So here's my first question - buy, sell, or both?

My second question, or statement I guess.... LET'S RENOVATE!!!! WHEEEE!!!!

Click here to read the full article on The Post & Courier's website.

KSKC Friends Named Charleston's Most Influential!!!


We would like to congratulate all of the talented Design Professionals that were recently featured in the Summer 2010 issue of Charleston Home + Design magazine. Each year this local periodical recognizes a select group of lowcountry talent as Charleston's Most Influential Home & Design Professionals and every year you are sure to see familiar faces that have been long standing contributors to our industry along side the fresh new talent that keeps us on our toes. This year King Street Kitchen Company was listed by many of our industry peers in the "Where They Shop" section - an honor that we are EXTREMELY grateful for. Be sure to pick up a copy of the magazine {complimentary copies available at the KSKC showroom}.


Phillip Smith & his expert team have long been regarded among the front runners in the low-country's amazingly talented pool of general contractors. KSKC has collaborated closely with both Phillip Smith General Contractor, Inc. and one of last year's award recipients, architect Steve Herlong with his amazing team of designers, over the past few years, so we speak from experience when we say that this recognition is well deserved. Try to find something out of place on one of his job sites - go ahead, I dare ya!


Oh, how we love Julie!!! We have had the great privilege of working with Julie Fox Braddock, owner of Fox Interiors, on an amazing Mt. Pleasant renovation project that is nearing completion. Not only has Julie been a joy to be around, her creativity is seemingly endless. This project has also allowed us the opportunity to work with another of Charleston's most respected General Contractors, RS Custom Homes.

Go Anita!!! Anita King, owner of Ink Architecture LLC, has been a friend of KSKC for several years now. We appreciate all of the amazing support that she has shown over the past few years and look forward to many collaborations in the future. I'm ready for some more house shaped cookies Anita!!!