Story by Micaela Arnett / September 19, 2024
Awendaw is home to those who love slow, Southern living. Surrounded by Francis Marion National Forest and Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, the community is a scenic escape from the City of Charleston. This little cottage is no different and is called home by Zuma’s co-founder, Elyse Witt.
“We love the adventure of international sourcing,” Elyse says. Her adventurous spirit and interest in expanding Zuma’s product variety leads to endless home redesigns. “I like to test things out in my own home and it helps us decide what to bring more of into the store,” Elyse says.
Her home’s interior style is rustic, natural, and earthy. She loves neutrals but also appreciates a pop of color. The mix of new and vintage Turkish rugs ground the spaces with colorful textures and set the scene for her furnishings of natural materials. Key products sourced from the showroom for Elyse’s home include hand-made rugs in various sizes to establish different domains. “Light wear on these vintage rugs enhances their character,” Elyse says adding, “It’s amazing to see how all of our pieces work together.”
Olive jars add a sense of rusticity to the design scheme. Custom pillows made of Turkish textiles accent her seating spaces. Vintage breadboards decorate the tabletop with old-world charm.
A carved Soapstone basin treated with a stone sealer allows this porous natural material to be used as the guest bathroom sink.
On the patio, a recent Turkish furniture find sits in a cozy corner almost auditioning for a permanent spot in the showroom.
For more information, call Zuma at (843) 452-1117 or visit zumaimports.com.
