Originally built in 1853 by Sara Smith, Charleston Townhouse is one of four rowhouses that warehoused goods smuggled through the Union blockade during the Civil War. Workstead’s renovation of the unique property draws on this storied past without recreating or romanticizing it. After stabilizing the structure and weaving new mechanical systems through the house, Workstead oversaw a painstaking restoration of original doors, windows, stairs, and flooring. The layout prioritizes the historic architecture unless present-day conditions demanded thoughtful intervention. Rather than open the first floor entirely, for example, we created a floor-to-ceiling mahogany storage element that opens to both the dining room and kitchen. This modern approach to traditional Charleston homes’ library shelving maintains separateness between rooms while providing both rooms with enough storage for the contemporary homeowner.