If you are looking for a place that feels like home, and ENVELOPES you in beautiful greenery and earthiness, you just found it. This is an upstairs carriage house converted into an apartment behind a beautiful house in the highly desirable Shandon area of Columbia near Devine Street. It has a private entrance, set in the most WONDERFUL beautiful garden (award winning actually) that unfolds with wonder and combines thoughtful intent with the beauty of natures chaos. The host who lives in the main house, "Bubba" Cromer may be one of the best human beings you will ever have the pleasure to meet. You are afforded all the privacy you desire, he never intrudes, but is there if you need ANYTHING. His hospitality is 5 star, his humor will have you laughing your ass off, little things like him leaving a bunch of his amazing marinated boiled peanuts dropped off as "hey, left these for you guys" will leave you speechless and craving more. Inside, the property is literally, in ways, a combination of a kids tree house with lots of memories, combined with an adults sensibility of homey shabby chic (but not in a negative way at all; an eclectic mix of old and new, but not really shabby at all, and the space just feels comfortable and right. The bed is FANTASTIC, the art deco lights, handblown glass crystal birds in a rusted cage mobile on the veranda, big overstuffed pillows and hanging chair with foot rest, combined with fine art along with amateur paintings, shows the love of time and history reflecting a life well lived. Again, in short, it feels like home right away. We have throughly enjoyed our stay, loved getting to know Bubba a little (and his beautiful puppy Queen Boudicia too), and can't say enough good about how pleasurable this stay has been! We leave with amazing memories sitting in rocking chairs on the veranda with Ivy and greenery surrounding us, drinking wine and snacking on the boiled peanuts, listening to owls, soaking in the beautiful nights. The back elevated deck off the bedroom looking out into the garden is magical at well, and a great place for coffee in the morning.
Don't let this little gem pass you by! Thanks Bubba for a great time! We will certainly be back with any luck at all.