Nathaniel Russell House- Charleston, SC

Charleston’s Nathaniel Russell house is perhaps the most impressive Federal style home in all the land. Graceful and elegant, it is a refined beauty with one of the most remarkable spiral staircases ever built.

Constructed in 1808 by an unknown architect, the house was commissioned by Nathaniel Russell. It features a symmetrical facade, with a four sided bay embellished with a white wrought iron balcony along the second floor. A second balcony is located above the grand eight panel front door, which is encased by fluted pilasters, and topped with an elliptical fanlight. It is a fitting entrance indeed, for a house filled with architectural treasures.

Consisting of three floors, with three main rooms on each floor, each level has a front rectangular room, a center oval room, and back square room. Features include elaborate plasterwork, curved walls, magnificent molding, and heart of pine floors. Connecting the floors are those spectacular stairs. A true work of art, they are a sinuous site to behold. Beyond breathtaking.

Soaring three stories, the free flying cantilevered staircase epitomizes grace. A magnificent design, it is heartbreaking the architect is unknown. It is absolute genius, and acts as a fabulous focal point. In all fairness, the oval dining room with turquoise wallpapered walls and cypress wainscoting is almost as elegant.

Upstairs, the apricot colored oval drawing room features elaborate plaster moldings covered with 24 karat gold leaf, curved entry doors painted to resemble tortoise shell on the interior, and curved mullioned mirrors. The fireplaces here are among the most ornate in Charleston, decorated in the Adams style.

Because two drawing rooms are better than one, the second floor also features a large rectangular room, for times when an oval feels too flashy. It features large windows surrounded by pilasters and overhanging entablatures, with elaborate gilded cornice molding above. It is yet another elegant escape, in a house filled with them.

The house remained in the Russell family until 1857, when it was sold to Robert Allston, governor of South Carolina. Following his death in 1870, it was sold to a religious order who operated a boarding school in the home until 1905, at which time it was converted back to a residence. After failing to sell in the 1950s, the Historic Charleston Foundation was formed to preserve the property. After raising $65,000 to purchase the house, it was opened to the public in 1955.