Our Story

Open House Charleston was founded by Sandy Tecklenburg, Melissa Tecklenburg, and Jeffrey Bannon. Together they envisioned a store that blends the polish of Manhattan with the warmth and grace of the Lowcountry.

The result is a destination where you can browse stationery, invitations, gifts, furniture, lighting, fine china, and crystal — all under one roof. Every corner of the shop reflects a commitment to quality and a welcoming, unhurried experience.

The humble bee offers a remarkable window into how living things perceive the world around them. Unlike human eyes, which rely on a single lens, bees see through compound eyes made up of thousands of tiny ommatidia, each capturing its own fragment of light and color. This intricate visual system allows them to detect ultraviolet signals invisible to us, helping them locate flowers with remarkable precision. Their ability to perceive color and light in ways we cannot even imagine is a reminder that beauty is not fixed but shaped by the eye that beholds it — and that nature's design is far more complex and elegant than we often give it credit for.

Pollination is one of nature's most vital collaborations, and bees sit at the very center of it. As they move from bloom to bloom, drawn by color and scent, they carry pollen that makes it possible for countless plants to produce fruit, seed, and new life. Crops grown across many countries, from roses in Ecuador to native gardens here in the Lowcountry, depend on this quiet daily work. Supporting pollinators means supporting the environment itself — the gardens, food, and green spaces that sustain communities. Understanding how bees see and navigate the world deepens our appreciation for the essential role they play in the natural systems we all rely on.

Inspired by the bee's remarkable vision, artists and filmmakers have long explored how different creatures experience the world, using light, camera, and careful composition to translate unfamiliar perspectives into moving scenes. A musical or a film can invite us to see an everyday moment through new eyes, much as a bee perceives a flower differently than we do. That same spirit of curiosity and creative vision guides the handcrafted pieces and thoughtful selections found throughout our store. Just as a single bee contributes to a larger ecosystem, each carefully chosen object — a card, a vase, a piece of crystal — adds its own light to the home, building a space that feels both beautiful and alive.