A Thoughtful Thanksgiving by Land and Sea
Year in and year out-that particular Thanksgiving day, the two self-sufficiently showcase positive awareness among themselves in nature and sustainability while enjoying.
Greatest is the togetherness-underlines Claire-“the space you have created for the sense that they are part of something bigger-something beautiful that has to remain beautiful and lasting.” And surely, their get-together is the exact reflection of it. The dining table illumined by the locally sourced florals, candles made from renewable soybean wax, reflects their support for local artisans and eco-friendly practices.
A Meal Fit for Thanksgiving by Land and Sea
Really, what the Westons did to kick-start their holidays was a get-together at their home. This house has been on the records since the 18th century and attracts the eyes of its beholders with the colonial style combined with its beauty. The warm exposed brick walls are covered by wood beams recovered from other sources and the whole home boasts of sustainable designs, all of which are testimonies to the history preserved by this couple but made future-ready and user-friendly.
“Oh, Thanksgiving brings with it togetherness,” Claire says. “And a space where people feel part of something larger-something beautiful that has to remain beautiful and lasting.” And they are truly perfect examples of that. The dining table, with locally sourced flowers and candles crafted from renewable soy wax, is testament to their ideology of local sourcing while carrying out eco-friendly practices.
That, the Westons are hosting, is an experience, not just a meal. Claire-the daughter of an advocate of sustainable design-were everything about the evening said to create interconnectedness to space, people, and earth whenever they entertain.
A dinner served in this spacious dining room is presided over by an antique table made of reclaimed oak. The Westons do not stop their dedication to sustainable materials just within the crossing over from this room to everything else in it-from organic cotton on the table to locally sourced ceramics to hold each course. “I love integrating pieces that have history,” Claire goes on to say. “Each bowl, every plate has a story-whether it’s made by a local artisan or has been passed down through generations.”
Intentional Creation of Space
The couple’s phenomenal residence reflects a mix of traditional southern charm and contemporary mindsets. Claire, who is a professional in interior design, sourced local artisans and architects to convert the space into an environment-friendly, aesthetically-perfect restoration. “We have reclaimed wood; low-VOC paints as well as elements that are both beautiful and sustainable,” she mentioned.
The home wears the Weston-family ideals. One very favorite thing in the house within wet bars is a chic and functional wet bar made of upcycled wood and fitted with sustainable finishes. “It’s about not just what looks good but what feels good,” explains Claire. Sipping cocktails, that’s what the friends enjoy doing in this beautiful space – perfect for being equal parts pretty and purposeful.
Sustainable loving gifting
The Westons took care of every detail to make their guests feel, this Thanksgiving, magic in reality. Instead of the mugs they received as part of the normal holiday favors, each guest received a hand-made ceramic mug made by a local artisan with love and care. Specifically designed for the event, the mugs represented both hospitality and sustainability by coming from those who had actually made them. Wonderful, exquisite detail of each mug made them different from all the others as the contributions from each guest would also be.
“It is important to me that the gifts we give are values aligned,” says Claire. “I like knowing that when guests leave, they take something with them that is not just beautiful but has a story behind it. It is a small piece of the celebration they can carry with them.”
During the transition from dinner to cocktails, Westons shared the time with their nearest and dearest for a private boat trip across the Charleston harbor. They sailed on The Nautilus, a beautiful, solar-powered, sustainable boat, so even their downtime, they felt, coincided with nature.
“We wanted to make sure that even when we were having our fun, we were also thinking about our footprint,” Oliver states. He was always an advocate for eco-sensible boating. Guests soaked up the peace of the water and the beauty of Charleston’s skyline while sipping Champagne and nibbling on locally-focused canapes as the sun sank into the horizon.
Book Title: A Night to Remember
The evening finally drew to an end, and with it came the return home of the Westons to their courtyard beautifully lit with flickering outdoor candles that melted in the chilly breeze of Charleston. The guests could linger outside under bright stars, savoring the dessert or rather the memory of it-a local pecan pie served in biodegradable cups-while recounting their memorable moments of the evening.
More than earning a living as hoteliers, Claire and Oliver Weston have become custodians of a fine, sustainable future. Indeed, their entire effort-from sustainable interior design choices to the local, eco-friendly gifts they bestow upon their guests-reflects a lifestyle that so value luxury and responsibility. For them, a hosting is not only a matter of luxury-a value, but it would always be experiencing that brings honor to the earth, community, and loved ones alike.
User Experience: Mixing Beauty with Sustainability
The products in the Westons’ home-every one in their path from carefully selecting-for-beauty to choosing-sustainably-create an atmosphere that indeed felt luxurious yet responsible. From reclaimed wood furniture to handmade ceramics, eco-friendly candles, no item is without a story of carefully thought out craft against sustainability.
To try and replicate this for themselves, the Westons recommend the patronage of local artisans with a commitment to ethical making and use of sustainably harvested materials. Claire added: “also keeping in mind pieces that serve more than one function-while well made and earth friendly,” to last and view of beauty. “Invest in pieces that tell a story and that you will cherish for years to come,” she advises. “It’s not just about creating a beautiful home; it’s about creating a home that is you and what you stand for.”
By mixing sustainable practices with thoughtful design, Claire and Oliver Weston create a whole new benchmark for entertaining. Holidays become not just a time of gathering but a celebration of natural beauty, craftsmanship of artisans, and people behind making each moment memorable.