Design

The Charlee on Canon: Designing a New Kind of Boutique Stay in Charleston

In Charleston’s lively Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood, The Charlee on Cannon invites guests into what the team calls “a haven of warmth, tranquility, and rejuvenation.” Designed to merge the polish of a boutique hotel with the comfort of a private rental, the project delivers an experience that feels both personal and elevated, where every detail balances calm retreat and urban energy.

Crafting Comfort That Performs

From the start, the design team focused on translating a poetic vision into a space that feels both restorative and resilient. Inside, soft color palettes, natural textures, and layered lighting set a serene tone, while bolder architectural gestures and curated art connect guests to Charleston’s creative pulse. Each rowhome and suite carries its own personality, yet the craftsmanship and materiality, expressed through tilework, wood tones, and lighting, unify the property as a cohesive whole.

That aesthetic harmony is matched by performance-level durability. Every material was carefully selected for its longevity, featuring commercial-grade upholstery, performance fabrics, and high-durability finishes that withstand constant guest turnover without compromising their sense of luxury. “Durability is key,” the team explains. “But you never want a space to feel commercial.” The result is interiors that deliver on both hospitality-grade function and residential warmth, a model increasingly sought after in boutique design.

Arden Pendant
Designing for Connection and Ease

The Charlee’s hybrid model, full-sized kitchens and living areas paired with hotel-style bathrooms and service, caters to travelers who crave flexibility without sacrificing design. Larger rowhomes, which can accommodate up to 15 guests, require particular attention to ensure a seamless flow and adequate privacy. Open kitchens and living rooms encourage connection, while bedrooms and baths offer calm, tucked-away retreats. Soundproofing, lighting levels, and thoughtful furniture layouts all contribute to the sense of effortless comfort.

Across every unit, the goal was to achieve intuitive usability paired with visual interest, creating hospitality spaces that function as beautifully as they photograph.

Meshelle Pendant, Havana Wall Sconce
Illuminating the Experience

Lighting became one of the project’s most powerful design tools, shaping not only the mood but the guest experience itself. In private suites, soft, dimmable layers create a sense of ease and intimacy. In communal spaces, sculptural pendants and chandeliers bring energy and character, acting as visual anchors within open layouts.

The design team paired statement fixtures with discreet, functional sources, recessed cans, under-cabinet strips, and sconces to achieve a balance of drama and practicality. Bathrooms feature crisp, even illumination for functionality, while bedrooms favor warmer pools of light to encourage rest.

This thoughtful approach mirrors a broader movement in boutique hospitality: treating light as both aesthetic signature and operational necessity. At The Charlee, lighting isn’t just a finishing touch, it’s a storytelling device that guides the guest’s emotional rhythm from morning to night.

Naida Wal Sconce

The Takeaway: Where Story Meets Specification

Guests describe The Charlee as a “wow moment” — a space that feels simultaneously curated and welcoming. For designers working in hospitality and contract environments, the project is a case study in balance: high style with high performance, individuality with cohesion, atmosphere with utility.

It’s proof that when lighting, materiality, and flow work in harmony, design can do more than impress, it can transform how people feel in a space.