Good Morning Lacquered Lifers! It is always the most wonderful feeling when you are flipping through a design magazine and you come across something that you absolutely love, and that is so familiar. Such was the case when I came across jewelry designer Janet Porcher Gregg’s 18th century Charleston cottage in this month’s issue of House Beautiful. I wont lie, I purchased the magazine because Gregg’s home was on the cover, and was eager to see what the crew at HB made of one of my favorite places in Charleston. 

Janet is a dear dear friend of mine. She is one of the first people I met when I moved to Charleston (for the first time) in 2007 straight out of college. I moved here to intern at Drayton Hall, but as it paid nothing, I also worked as Janet’s assistant. That working relationship was one of the most inspiring I have ever had, (not surprising when you see the photos of her cottage), and as a result she has remained a close friend. In fact, I credit Janet Gregg with introducing me to the wonders of paint and DIY, and often credit her with the founding of Lacquered Life. Needless to say an inspirational person in my life. 

I have spent many a wonderful evening in that cottage – cocktails, dinner – always the BEST time. Janet has a knack for entertaining that I don’t believe is something that can be learned. I have met most of my favorite people in Charleston over dinner or cocktails at Janet’s, always with a martini or cosmo in my hand, the other crunching on cornichons that are consistently part of her bountiful cocktail platters. So let’s raise a glass to Janet Porcher Gregg, and her one of a kind cottage. 

Photos via House Beautiful, for more photos and an interview click here.