Decorating with Sea Island Sweet Grass Baskets

Beaufort SC is comprised of many sea islands, Cat Island,Coosa Island Fripp Island, Harbor Island and Lady's  Island..When in  Beaufort you become engulfed by the smell of salt air and sea breezes.sea grass, live oaks and lush green marsh grass.Whenever I leave for vacation and return,the smell  says"I'm home".
 Just a hop skip and a jump from my home there yet another island.  St.Helena Island. . It is an island rich in history,culture and  heritage.It is one known for it's Gullah  culture, slavery and haunting's.There is an African art form known as  Sweet Grass basket weaving, that can be dated back over 400 years . Sweet Grass baskets are made from sweet grass, palmetto leaves and pine needles They are also known as Low Country Coil Baskets. Originally used for work,  they are now , and have been considered for a very long time, works of art .. Women can still be seen weaving their baskets in front of the Gullah Grub restaurant, and are on display at the historical Penn Center.  For more information on St Helena Island and the Gullah culture please visit.www.penncenter.com.
 Today,We proudly display and decorate with sweet grass as mantel or hutch displays,  to hold seashells, linens, towels, make up, etc.we also use sisal, jute and sea grass  to add texture  to a room  to add warmth as well as being charming and functional. If you are ever in the Low country of Beaufort or  Charleston, pick up a piece of heritage, You will be glad you did!

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Charleston SC display




Penn Center



Sweet Grass Collection.

Sea grass



Tidy up a mud room





Store magazines, or leave them empty.



What a wall!



Bath towels look so pretty.



Nice wedding favor.



A beautiful coastal display.



A work of art




Store garden tools



Kitchen misc.

St.Helena. My friend got this photo as we were passing by.
Image sources: HGTV,apartment therapy, Home Living,Pottery Barn,Architectural Digest,Susan Smith.