sheila paz

editorial work

Here, you'll find a collection of my work from LOCAL Life Magazine on Hilton Head Island, where I began as an intern before transitioning into a full-time role, as well as pieces from my time at the Carolina News & Reporter, created as part of my senior capstone.

LOCAL Life Magazine

As part of my role, I write for the home section and serve as the lead writer for recurring features including Room of the Month, Expert Advice, and Floral of the Month. For each piece, I collaborate with a client to develop content that informs and inspires our readers. Here are a few that are my favorites:

LOCAL Life •

Room of the Month: Where Memories Meet Modern Living in Sea Pines

Thoughtful craftsmanship and coastal sophistication breathe new life into this cherished family home in Sea Pines.


Story by Sheila Paz + Photos by Kit Carper


Creating a home that welcomes generations under one roof wasn’t just a wish — it was a necessity for the owner of this Sea Pines home. After 50 years of cherished memories, it was time to rebuild, but preserving the peace, comfort and timeless Lowcountry charm that had always defined the space was non-negotiable. To bring their vision...
LOCAL Life •

Transform your closet into closet goals

Inspiration board: Elevate your everyday routine with a luxurious dressing space.


Story by Sheila Paz


Your closet should be more than just a place to store clothes — it should be a space that inspires you every time you step inside. This stunning closet project from Closets by Design is the perfect blend of organization and style, allowing the owners to showcase their favorite pieces while maximizing functionality. Whether you want to declutter, display or add a touch of luxury, Closets by...
LOCAL Life •

Floral of the Month: Poppy Explosion

Add some art to your home with floral design


Story by Sheila Paz + Photo by Ruthe Ritterbeck


Kim Epley, artistic director at The Studio at Farmer Blue — a 12-acre, cut-flower farm in Seabrook — captures movement and color in this month’s striking floral arrangement. Showcasing the beauty of a single cultivar, this design radiates energy and joy, much like the month of May. Delicate Icelandic poppies, with their rich hues, celebrate the start of the summer season.
LOCAL Life •

Room of the month: A sleek, custom-built fireplace defines this living room in Palmetto Bluff

Whether it’s the soft glow on a crisp autumn evening or the visual anchor in a beautifully curated space, a fireplace offers both literal and figurative warmth. In this Palmetto Bluff living room, the custom-built fireplace does exactly that, embodying form and function in a way that elevates the entire atmosphere of the home.


Masterfully crafted by Derek Fox of Calhoun Concrete, the fireplace takes the concept of a tra...
LOCAL Life •

Floral of the Month: A Fresh-Cut Love Story in Bloom

Bring the romance with a floral arrangement that blossoms with love. Kim Epley, artistic director at The Studio at Farmer Blue, poured her passion and creativity into crafting this heartfelt masterpiece, using blooms cut fresh from their 12-acre cut flower farm in Seabrook. Her ideal February arrangement captures the season’s spirit, filling the air with love through its vibrant hues, fragrant petals and thoughtful design — a...
LOCAL Life | Hilton Head Island & Bluffton •

Expert Advice: Mastering Pattern Play with Tile & Flooring

Patterned tile and flooring are making a bold comeback, injecting fresh energy into kitchens, living rooms, powder rooms, and even outdoor spaces. Once seen as a daring design choice, they are now a go-to for adding character, movement, and charm to any home. David Cribb of Lifestyle Flooring shares expert tips on how to embrace this trend with confidence — ensuring a balanced, sop...
LOCAL Life •

This Palmetto Bluff living room proves that bold choices make for stunning spaces

Confidence in your vision is the secret ingredient to a home that truly feels like you. The owner of this Palmetto Bluff living room knew she wanted a space that reflected her personality — distinctive, inspired and free from the expected coastal aesthetic. To bring that vision to life, she hired interior designer Leslie Trenta, owner of Marsh on the May and Leslie Trenta Designs, who helped transform the spac...
LOCAL Life •

This customized Windmill Harbour kitchen was built for more than cooking

This bright and inviting kitchen in Windmill Harbour is the ultimate gathering spot for friends and family. Designed with ingenious reconfiguration and practical details, Frank Corn and Nancy Schmitz, ASID of Signature Closets of the Low Country, created an open layout that blends style and functionality, resulting in the perfect space for cooking and entertaining.


The homeowner’s goal was to have a customized kitchen where multiple cooks could work...

In addition to writing home features, I regularly pitch story ideas that align with each issue’s monthly theme. I enjoy creating pieces that highlight local flavor, spark curiosity, and connect with readers in a meaningful way. Here are a few of my favorites:

LOCAL Life •

Horsepower for Healing

The soft crunch of hooves on gravel, the warm breath of
a horse against your hand and the gentle nudge of a curious muzzle — these quiet moments are part of the magic happening at Heroes on Horseback. For more than 20 years this local nonprofit has used equine therapy to help children with autism, veterans battling PTSD and people facing emotional and physical challenges. By connecting with horses, participants build confidence, improve communication and find calm in ways
that traditional methods often struggle to provide. We spoke with Bob Lee, executive director of Heroes on Horseback, to learn more about the impact of this unique therapy.
LOCAL Life •

The Sport of Kings: How Polo Found Its Place in the Lowcountry | LOCAL Life | Hilton Head Island & Bluffton

How a bold vision, a dusty field and a few horse-loving dreamers brought polo to the Lowcountry.


Story by Sheila Paz + Photography by Kathy Hickling


You’re living the Lowcountry dream: sun-soaked days, salty breezes and the gentle hum of golf carts. But even paradise, as it turns out, craves a little pomp and thunder. Something timeless. Something with hooves.


That “something” trotted into the region in 1974 when Dr. Sandy Termotto and three friends brought polo, the sport of kings, to...
LOCAL Life •

A look inside an extraordinary car garage In Bluffton

Step into Ron Nelson’s automotive sanctuary, where nostalgia meets car aficionado dreams. Since moving to Bluffton in 1990, Nelson has curated a garage that’s more time capsule than storage, where memories are painted on walls and tales are told through metal and rubber.

Ron’s fervor for cars goes back to cherished memories with his father. Their bond grew deeper beneath the hoods of various cars. One such memory hai...
LOCAL Life •

Family dessert recipes passed down through three generations

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than by baking cherished, time-honored treats that fill the kitchen with warmth and nostalgia. One of my family’s most prized heirlooms is a recipe book compiled by my great-aunt Cathy, simply titled Cate’s Kitchen. Passed down through three generations, this book has been a cornerstone of our holiday and family gatherings, guiding us through festive meals and creating lasting memories. The story began in t...
LOCAL Life •

The new rules of tipping in restaurants and everyday life

With the rise of digital point-of-sale systems, the act of tipping has extended far beyond traditional settings like restaurants and salons. Now, from coffee shops to takeout counters, customers are frequently faced with tipping prompts that seem to be everywhere. This growing phenomenon, often referred to as “tipping fatigue,” is leaving many consumers feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. To dive deeper into this trend, we spoke with Alan Wolf, president of...
LOCAL Life •

A sensory adventure with coffee cupping

Slurping may not be the first thing that comes to mind when tasting coffee, but slurping is a must when participating in a coffee tasting, better known as coffee cupping. Tasting coffee goes beyond brewing a coffee from your Keurig or ordering at your local coffee shop. It is a multi-sensory journey that can teach the average coffee drinker more about coffee profiles and how to be more observant in their daily lives. From a professional standpoint, co...
LOCAL Life •

A juicy guide to making your own fresh-pressed juices

To eat or to drink your fruits and vegetables: that is the question. If you are looking for an alternative to chewing your fruits and vegetables, consider juicing. Juicing involves squeezing, grinding or pressing fresh fruits and vegetables into a juice form, allowing quick access to nutrients. We chatted with Leslie Rohland, owner and founder of The Juice Hive in Bluffton, to extract the benefits of juicing.Juicing is a convenient method for enjoyi...
LOCAL Life •

Innovative ways to repurpose your produce leftovers

Before you toss your kitchen scraps into the trash, consider this: those peels, stems and leaves could have a remarkable second act. In a world striving for sustainability, the seemingly unwanted parts of your produce offer a treasure trove of unconventional uses.
Carrot top pesto 

Don’t discard those vibrant carrot tops. Their parsley-like flavor, with subtle carrot undertones and a hint of bitterness, is ideal for an inventive take...
LOCAL Life •

Swimming 101: Helpful tips to enhance your time in the water

Dive into the refreshing waters of the Lowcountry, where swimming is one of the most popular outdoor activities during the summer months, whether in a pool or the ocean. We spoke with Hilton Head Christian Academy graduate and United States Swimming National Championship qualifier Jack Ussery to explore the intricacies of this invigorating sport. Jack, who has been swimming since he was about five years old, finds his favorite part of swimming is the...
LOCAL Life •

A comparative look at South Carolina’s regional home styles

South Carolina’s diverse landscapes, stretching from the serene seaside to the rugged mountains, have given rise to a variety of distinctive home styles. Each style is crafted to accommodate the region’s natural elements and rich cultural influences. We spoke with architects and builders from each region to gain deeper insight into what makes these home styles so distinctive. From the practical yet beautiful raised homes of the Lowcountry, design...

Carolina News & Reporter

Carolina News & Reporter •

“The Event” is a fashion showcase with edge

“The Event” is a fall and winter fashion showcase featuring three local designers and two out-of-state designers. The showcase is set for Saturday.

“The Event” is hosted by Nori Noir, owner and designer of Internet Crush. Noir was in Los Angeles but came to Columbia to establish a brand in a new market. “The Event” plays a part in building that brand and creating a spotlight for a new avenue for “edgy” fashion in Columbia...