QC Exclusive No. 56 - 2019 - Issue 2 - The Home And Design Issue

TH E QU I N TESSEN TI A L CH A R LOTTE LU X U RY M AGA ZI N E

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Did you notice this secret door? | p. 164

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No. 56 | March 2019

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NO. 56 / MARCH 2019

The Exclusives

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Simple Elegance This stately Patrick Lewis interior is colorful and classic

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Custom-Made Pike Properties brings their A-game on this custom spec

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A Home Of Their Own Functional design in this New Old retreat

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A Cotswold Modern Classic Strickland Building Group marries innovation and elegance

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A Thoughtful Refresh A stylish family home facelift from Amy Vermillion Interiors This photo and our cover photo taken by Brie Williams are featured in an Amy Vermillion interior design project entitled "A Thoughtful Refresh" on p. 164.

THE DEPA RTMEN TS

71 THE CULTURE ARTS, STYLE, AND WELLNESS

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Altered By Art Kristle Parchman of Kristle Studio talks artistic style Mozart Requiem Charlotte Symphony's spring performance

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Charlotte's Style Guy Hade Robinson, Jr. elevates Southern style The Season Of Renewal Rejuvenate at JoBrent Austin- Diehl's popular SouthPark MedSpa, Infinity.

Up In The Air The skyline photography of Lewis Norman

THE SPREAD FOOD AND DRINK

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Cocktails In The Sky Libations at Uptown's new lounge Nuvolé

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Southern Fare And Flare New roots in an old Belmont house

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Not Just Coffee's Chicken Liver Pate Brunch done the indulgent way

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Fin & Fino's Baked Oysters A classic at the new Uptown eatery

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QC Social's Flagship Cocktail The lounge's mainstay is creatively tasty

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La Belle Helene's Cocktail Their delicious French-American Parade

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56 “You can see that we are becoming more of a progressive fashion city with a strong Southern flair.”

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THE DEPA RTMEN TS

128 THE FOLIO HOME AND DESIGN

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Breathe New Life Gray Walker shares insight on her design techniques Live In Art The roots of JJ Barja's Elite Design Group King Edison Pendant A uniquely beautiful piece from Curated

THE EXPLORED

Metropolitan Elegance A stunning space from Onyx Interiors A Powder Room With Punch A Dipped Interiors design Farmhouse Porch A Vinyet Architecture project we love

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TRAVEL AND SPORTING

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Room With A View The French Quarter Inn, located in the heart of the Holy City is the perfect blend of glamour and hospitality

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Linville Known for its Blue Ridge surroundings, stunning waterfall, and amazing gorges, Linville is an Appalachian town unlike any other

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Wild Coasts of the Carolinas A trip to the Historic ACE Basin

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122 94 “Weaving your story into your home means using pieces that you’ve collected.”

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THE NOTE

No. 56

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ur second issue of 2019, QC Exclusive's Home Issue, is one of our readers' favorites for good reason: It's full of design inspiration from the area's most talented designers, builders, and industry vendors. This year we have forty pages dedicated to five gorgeous—but very different—featured homes, ranging from a rustic farmhouse, to a traditionally elegant estate, to a contemporary cottage and more. Renowned designers like Amy Vermillion and Patrick Lewis are represented. Also gracing the pages of this popular issue is our annual Home Guide featuring some of the best and brightest purveyors in the industry. Outside of the home and design industry, per usual you can find some very interesting Q&As in our The Culture section and read about some delectable food and beverages in The Spread. For those ready to hit the road, in our The Explored section you will find three great travel destinations in the Carolinas you've got to check out soon. And check back in a month for our next issue featuring more destinations—local and national­—in our annual travel edition. Until then, cheers!

Sincerely, Jon-Paul Grice, Editor | Brett Barter, Publisher

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CONTACT US FEEDBACK We welcome your feedback—both positive and negative—and believe it is very valuable in our constant pursuit to be better as a publication. We encourage all of our readers to contact us with any critiques, compliments, or questions by email at info@qcexclusive.com.

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TAKE CONTROL

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THE EV EN TIST

f eb/m a r c h 2 0 1 9

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Opens March 8, 2019 Shain Gallery Braitman Show Shain Gallery will present Andy Braitman with an opening Friday, March 8 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

A nationally recognized artist, Andy Braitman's work can be found in galleries throughout the United States. In addition to his 40 years of success as a painter, he also owns a teaching studio in Charlotte, NC. The school started with one adult and one teen class, and has grown to include a teaching and support staff for approximately 100 students and exhibiting artists.

Andy has been, and remains, a seminal figure in the Charlotte arts scene. shaingallery.com

MARCH 2019 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 31

The Eventist // Feb/March 2019 EDITOR’S CHOICE

Till 2.28.2019 | Hodges Taylor presents Tom Stanley: en route to here | hodgestaylor.com | Photo provided by Hodges Taylor

2.15.19 Lessons in Remembering Lessons in Remembering is Ty Nathan Clarke’s latest body of work at Sozo Gallery. Visit the gallery for the opening event to witness memories forged through color, texture, and line that tease the viewer with thoughts of time, place, and uncertainty. sozogallery.com 2.22.19 - 2.23.19 Charlotte Symphony presents Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty Let NextGen conductor Joseph Young lead you through a program of realism

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and fantasy. Aaron Copland’s Billy the Kid Suite and Michael Daughtery’s Trail of Tears illustrate the strength and brutality of the American West before Tchaikovsky’s whimsical score leaves you in a fantasy. blumenthalarts.org 2.23.19 Essential Oils Join “The Essential Oil Lady” and Holistic Health Coach Jennifer Tremblay in learning how to choose and use essential oils to support your health and wellness at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. dsbg.org

3.1.19 - 3.3.19 Home & Garden Show The Southern Spring Home & Garden Show will be held in the Park Expo and Conference Center. There will be a sampling of wine and gourmet foods, the opportunity to meet celebrities, and dozens of garden and home vendors and tables. Ty Pennington from “Trading Spaces” will be speaking and sharing ideas. charlottespringhomeandgardenshow.com 3.8.19 - 3.9.19 Harry Potter in Concert This lively concert will feature the Charlotte Symphony performing the

Christy Kinard

Shain Gallery | 2823 Selwyn Avenue, Suite K | Charlotte NC 28209 704-334-7744 | www.shaingallery.com

The Eventist // Feb/March 2019 EDITOR’S CHOICE

3.27.19 - 5.10.2019 | Soco Gallery presents Holly Coulis: New Works | soco-gallery.com | Photo provided by Soco Gallery

movie’s original score along to a high definition screening of the beloved Harry Potter film. Tickets for this event start at $55. charlottesymphony.org 3.8.19 - 3.9.19 Historic South End Food Tour This food tour will consist of six culinary stops in Historic South End including breweries, restaurants, shops, and wine bars. Key employers from each establishment will be able to talk to attendees and tell their stories. Alcohol pairings and samples will be available at each stop. historicsouthend.com

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3.10.19 Art of Reading Public Tour The Mint Museum Randolph presents a discussion and gallery tour relating to the award-winning story A Single Shard.

Author Linda Sue Park will discuss her story about a Korean orphan with a fascination with pottery, and attendees will walk through the gallery and discuss works of art that relate to the story. mintmuseum.org 3.15.19 Paper Mountain Opening Reception The Elder Gallery presents the opening of their new exhibition Paper Mountain.

Paper Mountain highlights humans’ effect on the environment, nature, and landscape. Artists Jessica Singerman and Martha Armstrong will display paintings to tell this story, and a paper mountain will be constructed in the gallery along with a sky projection. eldergalleryclt.com 3.15.19 - 3.16.19 Charlotte Symphony 's Mahler 1 With its use of symphonic poetry and spellbinding imagination, Mahler's titanic First Symphony changed the genre forever. Maestro Warren-Green returns to the podium to lead the next

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The Eventist // Feb/March 2019

step in our Mahler journey. This is a performance you won't want to miss. charlottesymphony.org 3.15.19 SlamCharlotte Poetry Slam Blumenthal Performing Arts' monthly poetry slams are hosted by SlamCharlotte, Charlotte’s own two time national championship team of spoken word poetry (2007 & 2008).

SlamCharlotte strives to promote poetic growth, help enhance live performance skills, and increase camaraderie among the poets and the community through the monthly slam competitions. SlamCharlotte’s current Slammaster, Bluz, is the 13th ranked individual poet in the world. blumenthalarts.org 3.15.19 - 3.17.19 Orchid Show 2019 Orchids will be in full bloom and ready to be marveled upon at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden's Orchid Show. With recognition from the American Orchid Society, this show allows attendees to view and purchase these springtime flowers. dsbg.org 3.16.19 Color Me Green 5K Trail Run The U.S. National Whitewater Center hosts the annual green race of Charlotte. Racers will run through the USNWC trails and finish the race doused in green dye in celebration of Saint Patrick's Day. After the race there will be yoga, live music, and the river will turn green. usnwc.org 3.19.19 - 3.24.19 Dear Evan Hansen Dear Evan Hansen has struck a chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post who says Dear Evan Hansen is “one of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” The New York Times calls it “a gut-punching, breathtaking knockout of a musical.”

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The Eventist // Feb/March 2019

NBC Nightly News declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond.” blumenthalarts.org 3.22.19 John Mellencamp Beloved American rockstar John Mellencamp will be performing his new album “Other People’s Stuff” along with many of his greatest hits at Ovens Auditorium. Tickets start at $42. ovensauditorium.com

OPEN THROUGH AUG 18, 2019 Mint Museum Uptown | MintMuseum.org

Exhibition organized by The Mint Museum. Generous support provided by Colville Capital.

IMAGE Loris Cecchini. Lost in Steps (greenpepperpowderscape), 2005, Lambda print on Plexiglas.

Gift of the Heather and Tony Podesta Collection. 2013.68.1

3.22.19 - 3.23.19 Best of Rodgers and Hammerstein The hills are alive for this program celebrating the musical catalog of Rodgers and Hammerstein. You'll hear hits including "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" from The Sound of Music to "Shall We Dance?" from The King and I, "Some Enchanted Evening" from South Pacific, "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel, and so much more. charlottesymphony.org 3.23.19 The Orchestra Olympics The Orchestra Olympics performance explores the personalities of various instruments as it sprints through an Olympic array of events including the low note limbo, the fast note dash, and the marathon. charlottesymphony.org 3.26.19 The Trail Of Big Cats Join award-winning National Geographic photographer Steve Winter for a thrilling journey into the world of big cats. From trekking high in India’s Himalaya in search of rare snow leopards and stalking the elusive jaguar through Latin American jungles to chronicling the nocturnal activities of the “American lion” or cougar, this determined explorer ventures far and wide to come face to face with his subjects. This is no easy task. Since many big cat species

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Robert Motherwell M o n o ty p e s

March 16 - April 27, 2019

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noun a single, unique print created by the direct transfer of paint or ink applied to a glass or metal plate onto paper.

A catalogue accompanies the exhibition.

Celebrating 35 Years

UNTITLED 1974, 1974, Monotype; Etching Ink on Paper, 29 3/8 x 23 3/8 inches

625 South Sharon Amity Road Charlotte, NC 28211 704-365-3000 gallery@jeraldmelberg.com www.jeraldmelberg.com M-F 10-6 Sat 10-4

MARCH 2019 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 39

The Eventist // Feb/March 2019 are in danger of extinction, they have good reason to avoid humans. blumenthalarts.org 3.29.19 - 3.30.19 Dvorak Violin Concerto Leading an evening of intensity and passion, Dudamel-conducting fellow Gemma New directs Avery Fisher recipient Paul Huang on Dvořák's dramatic and only violin concerto. Written at the peak of Brahms's creativity, his Third Symphony ends the program on a richly passionate note. charlottesymphony.org 3.30.19 Dancing with the stars of charlotte for the pink house Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte to Benefit the Pink House has it all. The excitement, the glitz, the fancy footwork, and an important cause. Local stars, paired with professional dancers, perform ballroom dance numbers that are scored by judges from the competitive dance world while audience members vote for their favorite star by making donations to Carolina Breast Friends. Each dollar donated is equivalent to one vote. WBTV's Molly Grantham and a celebrity guest will emcee the show. At the end of the night, a mirror ball trophy is given to the top fundraiser, the biggest crowd pleaser, and the highest-scoring dancer. blumenthalarts.org

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3.30.19 Mint on the Dot Stop by during your visit at Mint Museum Uptown or Mint Museum Randolph for a 10-minute art chat in the Mint Museum Galleries. Mint on the Dot! art chats are offered every Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoon. Look for the “Mint on the Dot!” signs on the gallery floor! Free with museum admission. mintmuseum.org

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T H E C U LT U R E

A R T S , S T Y L E , A N D W E L L N ES S

Altered by Art Kristle Parchman of Kristle Studio talks to us about her artistic style, her transition from abstract to portraiture pieces, and the inspiration that travel lends to her artwork. words ERICA BEACHUM

portraits JAMEY PRICE

MARCH 2019 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 43

The Culture // Musings

K

Kristle Parchman, of Kristle Studio, is from northern Texas but relocated to Charlotte after visiting her mother who had just moved to the area. She applied for a job in the Charlotte area and, luckily, was offered the position.

“It was a time of transition for me, both professionally and personally,” she recalls. “And it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”

She worked there for five years before deciding to pursue art full-time. She studied digital marketing at Texas Tech University and also took courses in studio art. After graduating, she worked in Digital Marketing until 2018 when she began her art business. She paints between eight to ten hours on a given day, including weekends if she is working on an upcoming series. Because of her dedication to her practice, she has been able to develop and define her craft, which allows her to precisely express her visions.

How did you get into art?

I have been an artist for as long as I can remember. In elementary school, I would color all over everything, like walls and lockers... thank goodness I never got in real trouble. In high school, my art teacher asked me to submit a painting to a national art competition. I ended up winning the grand prize for a painting of a little boy looking up at a yellow ribbon. That painting was hung in the Congress Building.

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“My work touches on the interrelations of culture, history, and memory. I capture moments that feel slightly familiar yet foreign.”

The Culture // Musings

“I believe there’s an excited anticipation that comes with planning a trip or an event, and it musters up all kinds of feelings and emotions.

I portray this feeling in my painting—a feeling that can’t be said with words.”

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How has your artistic style changed over the years?

My artwork today is a lot like my early work, but I changed my style in-between. Ten years ago I was doing a lot of figure studies, then six to eight years ago I got into abstracts and started doing commissions. I am much more comfortable with my figure paintings, and I have gotten a lot looser in my style over the last couple of years. I still use vibrant, bold colors and some of the same pouring techniques as I did in my abstracts, but I am more intentional, disciplined, and strategic with my use of color now.

What have you learned since you started painting your abstract and portraiture pieces?

Portraiture has re-taught me a lot about color, whereas a lot of abstract work is connected and configured by way of nature and natural light. It tends to work when artists use those same layering principles to build an amazing piece.

The Culture // Musings

“I use vibrant, bold colors and some of the same pouring techniques as I did in my abstracts, but I am more intentional, disciplined, and strategic with my use of color now.”

Your work alludes to a life of travel and various cultural influences. Between familiar and foreign subjects which do you prefer to paint and why?

I believe there’s an excited anticipation that comes with planning a trip or an event, and it musters up all kinds of feelings and emotions. I portray this feeling in my painting; it’s a feeling that can’t be described with words. They are dramatically positioned to communicate the memory of a vacation journey mixed with dreamlike images that go beyond memory of a “happy place.” info kristlestudio.com / @kristlestudio

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The Culture // Marquee

Mozart Requiem

B

Charlotte Symphony's spring performance is sure to please. words ERICA BEACHUM

photos courtesy CHARLOTTE SYMPHONY

Belk Theater is happy to host Mozart Requiem, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s final piece. April 12 and April 13, 2019, the show is being performed at 7:30 pm. This spring, Charlotte Symphony Music Director Christopher Warren-Green will be conducting the performance; Currently in his ninth season with the Charlotte Symohony Orchestra, Warren-Green works extensively across America and Europe. This show will be a part of a series the maestro is conducting as a celebration of Charlotte with the music of royal occasions.

Mozart had been seen as a musical prodigy since he was a young child. At age six, he and his sister had performed for noblemen

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and from that point his musical career took off. He began traveling, writing music across all genres, and creating a name for himself. According to historians, for this piece, Mozart was approached by a mysterious stranger claiming their client wanted a requiem from the writer. The composer's pay was dependent on the understanding that he must not inquire about who the unknown person was representing. Due to Mozart’s declining health, he was unable to complete the song before dying and so his pupil at the time, Franz Sussmayr, completed and re-wrote it. Although this Requiem was not finished solely by Mozart, it stands as a stunning piece of his long and lasting legacy.

The Culture // Creative

L

Up In The Air Lewis Norman on his landscape photography, and his fascination with capturing fleeting moments through the lens. words MARY ELIZABETH MYRICK photos LEWIS NORMAN / portraits JAMEY PRICE

Lewis Norman has a knack for freezing the most fleeting of moments; a flash of lightning, a plane gliding over the Charlotte skyline, or the rising moon above the Queen City. Originally from Lenoir, with stints in Raleigh, Asheville, and Charlotte, Norman resides today in Fort Mill with his wife. Believe it or not, photography isn’t his full-time gig by a long shot; he works in the Performance Improvement department at Atrium Health.

Even more surprising, Norman has no formal training, and he only began his photography pursuit a couple of years ago. As a

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child, he fondly remembers being mesmerized by the photographs in National Geographic, but he never really explored photography on his own. After winning a camera at a work conference, he decided to wander around the Asheville area, his home at the time, and photograph whatever caught his attention. “I had friends tell me I had a natural eye for it. The positive feedback made me want to go out and try new things,” Norman explained.

Early on, Norman realized the power of sharing his art through social media and today, Norman has quite a following

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The Culture // Creative

“I chose the trial-and-error route for a few years with little research. It’s been fun to see the progression of my work and those ‘Aha!’ moments when something clicks.” on his Instagram account, @normthestorm5. At present, Norman uses a Nikon D5500 to create his work and edits through the Lightroom app. But, he attributes the beginnings of his editing education to his iPhone 4s.

“I started messing with the different filters and editing options on Instagram. I chose the trial-and-error route for a few years with little research. It’s been fun to see the progression of my work and those ‘Aha!’ moments when something clicks.”

The majority of his portfolio consists of skylines and airplanes, but Norman’s favorite thing to shoot is undoubtedly lightning. “It’s a major rush; I love how every bolt is different. I’ve had a couple of close encounters that made me jump, but I always shoot from inside a parking deck or covered area unless it’s really far away,” Lewis noted.

The key to capturing those bright bolts or speeding planes?

Patience, Lewis says. “Enjoy the experience and don’t worry if you don’t get a shot that session. Keep plugging away and it will happen."

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After his recent move to Fort Mill, Norman is excited to begin working in a new area. Specifically, he hopes to continue his work with weather photography, particularly in rural areas during the summertime. Additionally, within the next year, Norman plans to ideally make a trip to the Great Plains to engage in storm chasing, supervised by a National Geographic guide for safety precautions since he hasn’t photographed tornadoes in the past.

In the future, Norman looks forward to continue reveling in the energizing, yet relaxing, qualities of his subject matter. Particularly, he is working toward improving his website, with a goal of selling his prints and selling his portrait packages. Until then? Norman will keep doing what he loves: sharing to his Instagram, investigating the unpredictability of photography, and moving towards the storm. info lewisnorman.com @normthestorm5

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The Culture // Style

Charlotte's Style Guy Hade Robinson, Jr. elevates Southern style one outfit at a time.

M words BRYAN CRUTCHFIELD photos JAMEY PRICE

“Since Charlotte is becoming a global city with so many transplants, you can see that we are becoming more of a progressive fashion city with a strong Southern flair.”

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Most people assume that they know a thing or two about style: It’s a defining characteristic for many, and a way to set yourself apart, embracing the looks and fits that are your own. Or, of course, conversely, you can use fashion to make yourself fit in to a certain niche and crowd. It’s no wonder so many take pride in how they go about defining personal style. With that in mind, it’s no small feat that Hade E. Robinson, Jr. has earned a title like the “The Charlotte Style Guy.” Robinson is synonymous with Charlotte fashion: He’s acted as a contributor for the style section of dozens of publications and has hosted several events and seminars centered around the industry. He now manages a personal stylist team as a Styling Sales Manager at Nordstrom in SouthPark. He also has been featured multiple times on Charlotte Today, where he appears to give helpful fashion pointers to a broad audience.

Robinson is certainly making his way around the fashion industry, and he even has ties to the Miss America pageant—Hade has done some judging for Miss Pageland and Miss Chesterfield County, which were both preliminaries to the Miss South Carolina pageant. It appears that Robinson has achieved what most people strive for: transforming a passion into a fulfilling career.

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The Culture // Style

How would you describe your own personal style?

My personal style is “classic-traditional” luxury, if I had to give it a name. I’m not big on wearing many trendy looks, since I like to get longevity out of my clothes. If I invest in a great Tom Ford look (my favorite designer), I want to wear it for years to come and still look current, especially when buying true designer items, which I think everyone at some point in their life invests in.

How did you build your own brand to where it is today?

This is something that has truly come full-circle for me. But building a brand is something an individual like me really won’t have any control of — and I know that sounds a little strange, but to me a true “brand” is what the public perception of you or your company is. It all started for me with my early involvement as a contributor to QC Exclusive with their first issue in fall of 2011, as well as my work with Charlotte Urban Home, and doing a feature with the Charlotte Observer

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when the new Style section was re-introduced several years back. All of those things led to me getting a call from NBC and the Charlotte Today Show, which I’ve been a regular style contributor for four years.

Is Charlotte style different from what we’d traditionally think of as “Southern style”?

Since Charlotte is becoming a global city with so many transplants, literally from all over — you can see that we are becoming more of a “progressive fashion city,” still with that strong Southern flair and influence. We need to thank our transplants for the forward style. One thing about our influx of Northerners is that they have always loved using a personal stylist for everything, but true Southerners are now using personal stylists a lot more, and that has become a “must have” in their daily life. I’m just glad people are aware of the true value of having their own personal stylist.

The Culture // Style

Do you have any style tips for our readers?

I have one basic tip for each. Men should invest in a great suit (gray or navy). This will give you many options for whatever occasion or event you may have. Women should invest in the right foundations. Most women are wearing the wrong sizes for basic items, due to body or lifestyle changes. A woman should be fitted at least every six months as confirmation.

Then, the one big mistake all shoppers make is buying something just because it’s on sale. People buy sale items because they are a good price, but they may not actually work in your current wardrobe.

the sales floor as a salesperson in men’s tailored clothing, and over the years, I took roles from being a personal shopper to the men’s clothing manager which led me to become the personal stylist manager for both men and women. My day-to-day is never the same, but thank goodness I have a very strong team to keep our office humming. I focus on teaching and coaching sales to 250-plus sales people on the SouthPark team at the store, along with driving all planned events, and making sure all our customers are getting the in-store experience they have become accustomed to. But I always have time to see a handful of personal clients every week, too.

Tell us about your work in the style industry.

I have been with Nordstrom almost 15 years. I started out on

info

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hade@carolinastyleguy.com / carolinastyleguide.com / @cltstyleguy

The Culture // Wellness

The Season of Renewal words ELEANOR MERRELL photos JAMEY PRICE

Rejuvenate at JoBrent AustinDiehl's popular SouthPark MedSpa, Infinity.

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O

One of the most beautiful characteristics of the season of renewal is how very many different ways the spirit of a new year can manifest — not just from person to person, but also from year to year. It’s comforting to remember that each year we will have a new opportunity to reset, to reflect on how we can improve, and to question whether our priorities need to be realigned, as though we needn’t be locked into any one version of ourselves.

JoBrent Austin-Diehl is one Charlottean who knows well the joy that can be found in rejuvenation and reinvention. As the owner of Charlotte’s Infinity Medspa + Wellness, Austin-Diehl is part of a team that, she says, “strive(s) to help people reach their full potential inside and out.”

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The Culture // Wellness

“Everything we do is customized for the client and his or her individual needs.”

Austin-Diehl’s own professional journey is one of reinvention, as well. A native of North Carolina, Austin-Diehl, for many years, worked as an environmental lobbyist for a publicly traded waste firm. Austin-Diehl, like so many others, lead a very fast paced life. As a result, Austin-Diehl realized it was time for a change and found her passion for beauty and wellness.

So many of us do not realize the impact stress can have on the body, skin, and overall health.

“When our clients leave Infinity feeling better about themselves than they did when they walked in, I know we have done our job.”

Austin-Diehl is committed to helping her clients not just look and feel like their best selves, but also to do so using the least invasive methods possible. “With today’s science and technology, there are so many non-invasive options to prevent the appearance of aging as well as the symptoms of ‘feeling old,’” she explains.

The Culture // Wellness

Owner JoBrent AustinDiehl with her husband William Kase Diehl III. (Bottom) JoBrent AustinDiehl and Felipe Edmiston are dance partners in the upcoming Carolina Breast Friends' Dancing with the Stars event in March to benefit the Pink House.

“When our clients leave Infinity feeling better than they did when they walked in, I’ve done my job.”

Infinity MedSpa offers a range of services and procedures, both preventative and corrective, from facials and waxing to Botox and fillers and even the latest in laser technology.

The key to Austin-Diehl’s consistently satisfied client base is open and individualized care. ”My team believes in building relationships,” she explains.

“They are very honest with their clients and do not try to sell them things they do not need or that are not right for them. Everything we do is customized for the client and their individual needs.”

This is a particularly important approach insofar as clients’ needs can vary wildly where skincare and injectables are concerned. Additionally, technology advances so rapidly in the industry that today’s best approach may be different from when the client last visited Infinity.

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The Culture // Wellness

Clients’ perception of individualized care leads to a second critical component of service at Infinity: trust. “As a consumer you need to feel comfortable and be able to ask questions with the person providing the service,” Austin-Diehl says. To foster that feeling, Austin-Diehl spends time with her clients, as well as time in the community, serving on nonprofit committees, donating silent auction items to various charities, and participating in the Carolina Breast Friends' Dancing with the Stars.

For anyone (men and women of all ages alike) who aims to prioritize better beauty habits this year, Austin-Diehl has some words of wisdom: “Just as the saying goes, ‘don’t wait until it’s broken to fix it’ — prevention is key. The best results develop from doing the right thing over a period of time, not all at once.” info infinitymedspaandwellness.com @infinitymedspaandwellness

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FOOD AND DRINK

Cocktails In The Sky Delicious libations and bites at Uptown's new rooftop lounge, Nuvolé words MEAGAN SHAPIRO photos JAMEY PRICE

MARCH 2019 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 71

The Spread // Lounge

N

Nuvole Rooftop Twenty Two’s namesake comes from the Italian word for clouds, and it doesn’t take a lot to figure out why. At twentytwo stories up, with a full view of the Charlotte skyline, your head truly does feel like it's in the clouds at the Queen City’s newest afterwork hot spot.

Nuvole opened its doors in fall 2018 after a summer of high anticipation. The lounge is serving up premier cocktails, like the citrus-y Overcast cocktail, and what they call “upscale comfort food.” The menu is full of favorites, like sliders and cheese plates, but also incorporates a sophisticated twist by adding in luxuries like tartare, prime rib, and lobster.

This dining experience, the latest project the McKibbon Hospitality Group has produced, was created with the goal of becoming the premier gathering place for visitors and locals alike to mix and mingle.

It was created by John McKibbon himself and Paul Picarazzi of Vision Ventures. McKibbon and Picarazzi have also consulted with Chef Roy Darling, their executive chef who built his career helming the Westin Boston Waterfront restaurant. With a prime location, stunning views, and a gallery of impressive local artists adorning the restaurant's walls,

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TOP PHOTO COURTESY OF NUVOLE

The Spread // Lounge

they are confident this up-and-coming rooftop bar will quickly find its niche in Charlotte’s nightlife scene.

To add to this already elite team, the kitchen staff behind their exquisite menu is headed by Executive Chef Roy Darling.

Darling is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with a Certificate of Accomplishment in Asian Cuisine.

He attributes his style and flair to his Jamaican heritage, as well as spending time living on Martha’s Vineyard. These influences are particularly evident in the menu’s savory crab cakes and lobster club slider entrees. The kitchen plans on changing the menu slightly to go with the changing of the seasons, but the ultimate goal is to keep shared plates their signature. “By focusing on shareable plates, we hope to provide an atmosphere that allows guests to really stay and enjoy each other’s company,” Mckibbon explains.

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The Spread // Lounge Adding to Nuvole’s chic uniqueness is their next door penthouse suite available for rent as part of the AC Hotel.

This 1,350 square foot space boasts two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living space, and the same breathtaking view of Charlotte’s skyline as its restaurant counterpart. Nuvole envisioned this space as the go-to venue for entertaining groups of people for one-of-akind party experiences.

Whether you’re entering the city for a night on the town, or on your way out after a long day at the office, make sure you linger in Uptown to check out Nuvole Rooftop Twenty Two —bonus points if you make it in time for the sunset. info nuvole22.com / @nuvole22

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The Spread // Tastemaker

Southern Fare and Flare

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Restaurateur Chad Hutcheson plants new roots in an old Belmont house words ELEANOR MERRELL photos JAMEY PRICE

Nestled near the shoreline of Lake Wylie and neighboring the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, the McLean House, previously known as Seven Oaks, occupies a uniquely beautiful setting, one that befits its status as a historical building.

Diving into the wave of development that has swept through the Lake Wylie region, the McLean House underwent renovations in 2014 that equipped the building to offer a restaurant on the bottom floor of the house.

The restaurant, named Seven Oaks Cafe, opened spring of 2018 under the watchful gaze of owner Chad Hutcheson, who is also the proprietor of a popular downtown Belmont restaurant called The String Bean. Hutcheson has designed a quaint, laid-back, indooroutdoor space where he can host Lowcountry boils and dish out lighter Southern fare for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.

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Artisanal The Spread // Tastemaker

“Growing up on a farm, I never knew anything other than getting vegetables and herbs from what we grew!”

Are you originally from the Charlotte area and if not how did you get here?

My wife, Katy, and I are from a small town in Georgia, where we were high school sweethearts. I moved to Charlotte in 2000 after attending graduate school at Appalachian State and then moved to Belmont in 2005.

Why did you choose the McLean House as the site of your new restaurant, and how does the building’s history and location affect the restaurant’s atmosphere?

My friend Steven Hinshaw, who was also the McLean developer, first introduced the idea. His eagerness to preserve the history of the house and my restaurant experience has provided a great partnership.

When making changes to the building, which is a typical 1850’s farmhouse with tall ceilings and a large front porch, Steven and I tried to embrace the Southern charm of the house while adding modern, eclectic touches. This mix of old and new is exemplified by our bar, which was custom-built using wood removed from the Belmont Chronicle Mill.

It’s more than a showroom.

It’s a feast for the senses.

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The Spread // Tastemaker

“All of our dishes have a Southern flare and are made with simple, high-quality ingredients.”

You’ve taken advantage of the sprawling property surrounding the McLean House by planting a garden, from which you pick many of the ingredients in your recipes. Why did you decide to grow your own herbs and vegetables?

Growing up on a farm, I never knew anything other than getting vegetables and herbs from what we grew!

Although we don’t source everything at Seven Oaks from our garden, we use as much as we can in our entrees, because, as any chef or customer will tell you, fresh is better.

Tell us about the food served at Seven Oaks.

What are some of your favorite dishes?

Initially, our concept was to be more of a true café and focus on simple, quick dishes for breakfast and lunch. Customer feedback has pushed us to focus more on lunch and a recently launched dinner menu.

All of our dishes have a Southern flare and are made with simple, high-quality ingredients.

We source locally as often as possible and make most components of our entrees from scratch.

One of my favorite sandwiches is our pesto and portobello hoagie for lunch, but for dinner, you have to try the braised short rib rigatoni!

In what ways do you hope to see Seven Oaks evolve over time?

Since opening, we have responded to many evolving challenges. We’ve altered our offerings to accommodate customer preferences. We’ve adjusted our menu to better match the capabilities of our kitchen. And we’ve been experimenting with different events, including a Lowcountry boil that takes over our lawn every Friday with live music and family games. We look forward to hosting more events this year and to expanding our menu with more seasonal options.

info sevenoakscafe.com / @sevenoakscafe

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The Spread // Plated

NOT J UST COF F EE'S

Chicken Liver Pate words SUNNY HUBLER / photo JAMEY PRICE

I’ll be honest — I’m not from the South, and so the words “chicken liver” have never been on the tip of my tongue when it comes to ordering off a menu. But Not Just Coffee hadn’t steered me wrong yet, so when the convincing barista behind the counter assured me I’d like this take on the classic dish, I decided to give it a go. Oh, how wrong I was to prematurely judge this dish by the anatomical ick-factor. The chicken liver pâté at the full-menu Dilworth location comes served on a crusty sourdough, topped with a briney bite of cornichons and house-pickled onions and carrots. It’s all drizzled with rosemary olive oil for salty, bread-y goodness... no matter the name by which it goes.

— info — notjust.coffee / @notjustcoffee / @notjustcoffeedilworth

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The Spread // Plated

FIN & FINO'S

Baked Oysters words COREY MILLER photo THE PL AID PENGUIN

Fin & Fino’s lengthy raw menu boasts one of the largest and most varied selections of oysters in the Queen City. The list offers up bivalves from more coastlines than we can keep track of, with a rotating daily selection of at least twelve. It’s always a treat, but this Uptown kitchen knows better than to shy away from the specialty oyster dishes… or the

classics. Their baked oyster dish is a prime example, delivering all the hallmarks of a great seafood starter: Half-shells, blanketed in a rich butter sauce and bread crumbs, are subjected to a swift broil and then garnished with parsley and lemon. Start with a cocktail and some kind of oyster plate, and finish strong with the day’s freshest catch.

— info — finandfino.com / @finandfino

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E V I S U L C X E C Q

@

Charlotte's luxury lifestyle in print, online, and on social media.

Subscribe to the print at qcexclusive.com

The Spread // Poured

Q C S O C I A L'S

Flagship Cocktail words COREY MILLER photo JAMEY PRICE

The lounge’s flagship drink channels the mode of thought behind the whole QC Social concept, which in turn channels some of Biggie Smalls’ most quoted lyrics: It Was All a Dream. No one responsible for this trendsetting new private club thought their endeavors would ever come to fruition.

In this particular cocktail, Woodford Reserve melds with Berto Vermouth and Luxardo Elixir, making for a pretty sweet blend. It’s a Manhattan-style beverage, yeah, but like everything at QC Social, it blurs borders. It’s pretty stiff, too — just juicy enough that this take on the classic libation could feel right at home in Smalls’ native Brooklyn. The dream is real.

— info — qcslounge.com @qcs_lounge

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The Spread // Poured

L A B E L L E H E L E N E 'S

French-American Parade words COREY MILLER / photo JAMEY PRICE

Uptown Charlotte’s French brasserie, La Belle Helene has quickly become known for its food and its decidedly sophisticated interior. But once you’re inside, it’s that mile-long bar — and the libations it produces — that’ll stick with you. One of our favorites so far, the French-American Parade, doesn’t do anything particularly new, but it does pour a tried-and-true combination with flair.

St. Germain is one of my favorite liquors, and that’s really the only reason I’m okay with the elderflow-

ery stuff making its way into the holiest of cocktail recipes. These days, the so-called “Elder Fashioned” seems to be nearing classic drink status itself, and for good reason. La Belle Helene’s rendition starts with the classic St. Germain and bourbon base, but trades out the angostura for a pepper and genmaicha syrup.

Lemongrass and lemon replace the usual citrus. Top that off with the requisite soda water and a garnish of color-shifting dried hibiscus, and you’ve got one of the prettiest spins on the drink I’ve seen.

info labellehelenerestaurant.com / @labellehelenenc

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H O M E A N D D ES I G N

T H E F OL IO

Breathe New Life Gray Walker shares insight on Gray Walker her interior design techniques.

The well-traveled duo behind House of Nomad brings worldly design to Charlottewords ERICA BEACHUM portraits JAMEY PRICE

photos of spaces ERICA MARK words COREY MILLER photos LAURA SUMRAK

MARCH 2019 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 93

The Folio // Foundation

describe your design services?

I primarily work on entire homes, but I do work on single rooms when my schedule allows. I am very involved with the architects, builders, craftspeople, and landscape architects on my projects. The larger projects require a much broader thought process, and that is what I truly love. I travel with my clients on buying trips for things that make their individual homes unique. I basically become part of a few people's daily routines for a couple of years so I have things that are in start-up and high gear at all times.

“I believe you should surround your family with things that are personal to them.

Weaving your story into your home means using pieces that you’ve collected.”

Styling a home includes telling the story of who the client is, as an owner and as a person. The interior embodies everything from where the client grew up, to who the family is, and what brought the person to where he/she is now.

Gray Walker embraces all of these questions (and more) when it comes to interior design, using techniques she’s perfected over the course of a twenty-year business career.

Her passion flows through all aspects of her life, and she brings her signature to each project by mixing cool modern and collected heritage in all her designs.

After her years of schooling (an Art History degree from the University of Georgia and an Interior Design degree from Winthrop University), good friends brought Gray to the bustling city of Charlotte, where she has remained since. Gray is the sole owner of her self-named Gray Walker Interiors, a role that’s allowed her to become very familiar with all the rules of interior design… and with how and when to break them. We talked with Gray inside her own (very stylish) home to get the inside scoop on Gray Walker Interiors and her work throughout the Charlotte area.

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What tips do you have for integrating different patterns and elements without overwhelming a space?

Make pointed decisions. The fabrics, paintings, rugs, and styles of furniture in each space work together to create a whole. It’s all about making strong decisions and selecting the pieces to create your tension. A simple way to look at it is placing a super modern painting over a Louis XVI chest and tossing a leopard rug beneath it all. Boom! That’s juxtaposition using three moods.

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The Folio // Foundation

Which artists influence or inspire you and your work?

I must start with Elsie de Wolfe for her whimsical use of antiques and penchant for bringing in the outdoors. I marvel at the trailblazing eccentricity of Rose Cumming. She used lots of mirrors, metallic wallpapers, and animal prints that really bring serious glamour to rooms, and these are some of the pillars of my work. I can then bounce over to designers like Sister Parrish and Bunny Williams who I think are the masters of no-nonsense, comfortable chic. Billy Baldwin and David Hicks are also on my speed dial for inspiration.

You have the quote, “I weave in memories and stories from my clients’ lives” displayed on your website. How do you actually do that in practice?

During the first meeting with a client, I wander through their home, listening to them talk to me about their belongings. My eye always gravitates to a few key pieces they own. By the end of that meeting, I know which pieces I want to be focal pieces, and usually I know where they will work best for the new design.

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I believe you should surround your family with things that are personal to them. Weaving your story into your home means using pieces that you’ve collected or things that have been inherited... Family portraits, pieces of silver, a special painting, antique furniture, anything that is specific to you and your family because they tell the story of who you are.

How does Charlotte, and the style here, influence your design work?

I have been so lucky to work in the Charlotte community since I started the business way back in 1998. I am so thankful to live here; it’s a city that has been very kind to me! I have worked with some of the best architects and landscape designers in the industry. Charlotte is a hotbed of talent with a market that is equally vibrant, and I can’t wait to see what the next ten years bring because I am ready for anything. info graywalkerinteriors.com / @graywinteriors

Kitchen by Kelly Caron Designs, ASID Photography by Anne

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The Folio // Profile LEFT: photo by KYO H. NAM. RIGHT: photos by KENAN G. SWAIM

Live In Art The roots of JJ Barja's Elite Design Group and what's next for the company.

W words MEAGAN SHAPIRO portraits KYO H. NAM

photos of homes JOE PURVIS and KENAN G. SWAIM

What started out as a whim fifteen years ago has quickly become the force behind some of the most beautiful homes Charlotte has to offer. Elite Design Group, under the leadership of owner JJ Barja, is a humble group, more inclined to have their heads down working than to be shouting their accomplishments.

For that reason alone, it’s possible you have yet to hear of Elite Design Group… but we can almost guarantee you’ve noticed their work. It’s hard not to be in awe when you drive past a house designed by the talent at EDG. Since their inception in 2003, the company has consistently designed some the most stunning pieces of architecture in the area. With their guiding principle to

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help clients “live in art” in mind, stepping into one of their finished products feels quite a bit like walking into a masterpiece.

Barja, a no-nonsense, drawing-obsessed architectural designer, received no formal drawing or design training. I’d consider JJ Barja “self-taught,” but he quickly eschews the notion, telling us instead that he credits not himself but every one of his mentors as teachers. Those mentors are comprised of an impressive lineup of designers, builders, and clients he has worked with throughout the years. He insists every project brings a new lesson and a kind of expertise he can apply to future works.

The Folio // Profile TOP ROW: photos by Joe Purvis. BOTTOM ROW: photos by Kenan G. Swaim

“I have always been an artist ever since I was born.

I like to say I was born with a pencil in my hand.”

Barja started his career at a local Charlotte design firm before taking the plunge and striking out on his own. He set out to break away from the traditional business model from the start, and focused on hiring a crew not as his employees but rather as “teammates” for him and for the company. JJ, less interested in being a boss than he was (and is) on focusing on his work, felt that this model created an aligned atmosphere within the company where everyone could focus foremost on forming client relationships and cultivating a love for designing.

“I like to stay fluid with it,” JJ tells us. “I like the beauty in differences.”

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With an office located in Mint Hill, the team builds all over the region, although their focus has been in the Lake Norman area. Trends come and go, Barja says, and as for right now, he observes that “most people don't do formality, rather they want more casual houses and want every room to have a purpose and not just be for show. But there is still a love for classic architecture with some modern touches.”

Today, Elite Design Group tackles an array of genres, from English Tudors to Modern Mediterraneans to a unique Modern Prairie-style estate perched on the shores of Lake Norman. Their biggest (literally) project to date came in the form of a collaboration with builder Ted Thompson

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The Folio // Profile and designer Scott Carpenter, where the trio managed to pull together a sweeping 30,000 square foot mansion for NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin in Cornelius. The huge mid-century modern marvel boasts everything from a full-sized indoor basketball court and a bowling alley, to a sleek slate tiled pool area with lakeside views.

When it comes to process, right from the start, Barja brings a sketch pad with him and starts designing a home with the client in the first minutes of the face-to-face initial consultation. That’s everything Barja wanted: An intimate experience between designer and client to open the doors to one’s dream home.

“It’s a collaborative effort between me and the clients,” JJ says. “They might not be able to draw, but I’ve realized that they’re the ones with the vision. I’ll bring the sketch pad and we’ll start sketching out a house in the first minute... That’s the only way I know how to do it.” info

photo by Kenan G. Swaim

elitedesigngroup.com / @elitedesignsgroupnc

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The Folio // Statement Piece

The King Edison Pendant at Curated words SUNNY HUBLER photo courtesy REACHING QUIET

Any lighting fixture can brighten up a room, but it takes a special sort of light to ensure your focus won’t stray to anything else. The King Edison Lamp from Mineheart, implemented here by Charlotte's Curated by Reaching Quiet, is composed of a miniature brass chandelier encased in a hand-blown glass shade. The small scale of the chandelier within the piece creates a whimsical aura that

immediately warms up a home’s space. “It carries a surrealist attitude that cannot be found with any other lamp,” Nat Lancaster of Reaching Quiet explains. “The iconic idea of a brass chandelier, shrunk to fit wonderfully in the palm of your hand, is sure to produce wonder.” If you’re looking for a subtle way to add a vintage feel to any room, this piece is up to the job — and then some.

— info — curatedclt.com / @curated_by_reachingquiet

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The Folio // Vignette

Metropolitan Elegance words MARY ELIZABETH MYRICK photo JOEL LASSITER

Located just off of the pool deck level of the tenth floor, the Avenue Sky Lounge in Uptown Charlotte is a space designed by Summer Tubridy to adapt from day to night.

The Charlotte-based interior designer and founder of Onyx Interiors specializes in classic, timeless design in both her commercial and residential projects. A color palette of soft grays, taupes, and whites is contrasted with darker pieces throughout, like the structured armchairs and unobtrusive dining table seating.

A combination of textures adds a richness to the living area; the distressed wood plank hardwood from Milliken Flooring and the lighter stains of the wood-legged stools and entertainment center converse with the marble and stone

tabletops of both the coffee and dining table. Graphic elements throughout act in dichotomy with the clean lines and structured pieces of this space; printed pillows add depth to solid-colored furniture, and the bold, bookmatched stone wallpaper from Eykon Source Wallcovering adds a vibrancy amidst simplicity.

Houseplants provide hints of color and natural life throughout, supplying warmth alongside touches of antique brass lighting fixtures. With a layout choreographed to be both intimate and lively, the living space creates an ideal environment for both relaxing and entertaining. Stunning views of the Charlotte skyline are abundant, and this lounge by Onyx Interiors is an invitation to luxury.

— info — onyx-interiors.com / @onyx_interiors

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Showroom Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am – 6pm Saturday, 10am – 4pm Sunday, Closed

704.926.6000 • dcihomeresource.com • 1300 South Boulevard • Suite C • Charlotte, NC 28203 Custom Cabinets | Appliances | Plumbing Fixtures | Tile | Countertops

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The Folio // Vignette

A Powder Room with Punch words ELEANOR MERRELL photo LAURA SUMRAK

In 2009, two young professionals met, became fast friends, and then combined their talents to create Dipped Interiors, a style-forward boutique and studio that offers interior design, renovation, and new construction services.

In November, Dipped Interiors invigorated a Ballantyne bathroom for a client who “wanted a jewel box powder room reminiscent of the boutique hotels where she stays while traveling with her family,” according to co-founder Vicky Little. Timeless pieces, a black-and-white color scheme, and heaps of “wow factor” were musts for the client, resulting in a powder room that has plenty of pizzazz.

Although bold design elements are traditionally avoided in powder rooms (the room’s typically small size can easily feel

overwhelming or shrunken when filled by pieces with too much character), the capable hands of the Dipped Interiors designers crafted a space brimming with wow factor that’s just restrained enough.

A stunning “Queen of Spain” wallcovering, installed by the talented folks at Carolina Wallcovering, is the defining feature of this powder room. The white pedestal sink, sleek but simple faucet, and elegant mirror outfitting the space are fit for a queen, but not so novelty as to detract from the wallcovering. Understated additions, like muted cut flowers and custom prints featuring monarch-themed quotes from the client’s favorite television show Game of Thrones, make this beautiful space personal.

— vendors — Schumacher | Carolina Wallcovering | Kohler Memoirs | SHEWOLF Design Studio

— info — dippedinteriors.com / @dippedinteriors

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Inspired by the You have a vision for your project. How it looks, how it feels and most importantly, how it reflects your style.

At Windsor Windows & Doors, we’re passionate about your vision and it’s our mission to produce high-quality windows and doors that exceed your expectations. Countless style options, expert craftsmanship and high-performance technology – if you can dream it, we can build it. From new construction to renovation and replacement, Windsor can bring your vision to life. Just imagine what you can do...

Visit ImagineWithWindsor.com to see performance information, hardware and glass options, and download our product guide.

The Folio // Vignette

A Farmhouse Porch words SUNNY HUBLER photos IVAN CONOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Vinyet Architecture is a unique organization creating even more unique homes: As a collaborative studio producing commercial and residential architecture all over the Carolinas one of their guiding missions, under the principle designers Myles Alexander and Justin Smith, is to create architectural designs that are environmentally and fiscally responsible.

This expansive modern farmhouse is located in Brook Bend Farm of Rock Hill, SC. The porch, like the rest of the

home, gives a nod to the equestrian arts and is characterized by heavy wood detailing and the use of salvaged beams. The mantel beam here is hand-hewn from a barn in Dublin, OH, and the coffee table is an old grist mill pulley that the owners found in Asheville, NC. The planters at the end are made from old 4 board horse fencing on the farm, which was replaced and then reused. It’s a beautiful space from which to enter the home, take in the view, or simply relax at the end of a long day.

— info — vin-yet.com / @vinyetarchitecture

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karenkettlerdesign.com

luxur y kitchens and bathrooms

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T H E E X PL OR E D

T R AV E L A N D S P O R T I N G

Room With A View The French Quarter Inn, located in the heart of the Holy City, is the perfect blend of glamour and hospitality. words JP GRICE photos courtesy FRENCH QUARTER INN

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The Explored // Weekender

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With architecture as old as the nation itself, Charleston is a destination known for its sheer beauty.

Iconic places like The Battery and Rainbow Row along with nooks and crannies of design found on random alleyways throughout the city are a true testament to Charleston's intrigue. The place is a natural gem as well — Southern palmettos line the cobblestone streets, Spanish Moss blankets the centuries-old oak tree canopies, and bright green spartina grass add pops of color to the waters that surround the peninsula that is Charleston proper.

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This coastal town is known for its shopping, cuisine, culture, and spirit — an energy that you can especially feel when staying at The French Quarter Inn. This intimate boutique hotel tucked away on Church Street is just right around the corner from Charleston’s famous open-air market. Here at the heart of the city, one can truly feel the unique Lowcountry essence of the city — character that you can't find anywhere else in the country.

The French Quarter Inn has the panache you’d expect from a place in such a stand out location. The luxury

The Explored // Weekender

experience happens as soon as you check-in and get to enjoy your free glass of champagne. The comfort and hominess of this place can't be experienced even at your actual home.

Unless of course, you’re accustomed to someone baking you cookies and bringing them up to your room every night fresh with milk.

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With a traditional, home-baroque interior, the French Quarter Inn is a masterclass in glamour. The rooms combine a taste of the hotel’s genteel past with modern amenities. Guests can expect the finest in decor from custom upholstered furnishings to luxurious European linens, Italian marble vanities, and more. The service is also notable, consistently ranked as one

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The Explored // Weekender of the best in the South based on its hospitality.

Add breakfast in bed, a wine and cheese reception, and complimentary bikes and you’ve got the complete package.

The French Quarter Inn’s location is one of its most potent selling points. Staying here gives you complete access to the quintessential Holy City adventure. History buffs, shopping enthusiasts, and foodies can rejoice because world-class culture is all just a short walk or bike ride away.

Those looking to explore the history of the city have so many options. Within a mile walk of the hotel, guests can see the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, Hibernian Hall, St. Philips Church, Saint Michael’s Church, The Calhoun Mansion, William Washington House, Rainbow Row, The Battery, and views of Fort Sumter.

Shopping enthusiasts can start by taking a stroll down Market Street to see the work of hundreds of vendors at the Historic Charleston City Market, then make their way to the King Street Fashion District for the cutest boutiques and haberdasheries, as well as the world’s biggest brands.

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Experience tranquility.

Now booking for 2019 at www.TheSwag.com.

800-789-7672 | Stay@TheSwag.com | 2300 Swag Road • Waynesville, N.C.

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The Explored // Weekender

Indeed a gourmand’s paradise, Charleston has a massive selection of hip, high-end dining experiences. There’s Renzo, a beautifully designed trattoria with a cult following. Chef Evan Gaudreau brings variety and pioneering taste with his takes on classic Italian and Italian-American dishes. It’s only ten minutes away from the French Quarter Inn, just like Tu, which is an eclectic restaurant that offers dishes from around the world ranging from lamb with freekah to sauerkraut scallion pancakes. Classics like High Cotton, Slightly North of Broad, Hank’s Seafood, and FIG are all close options too.

The best part, after all the shopping and dining is done and you get back to your room at the French Quarter Inn, fresh linens from your turndown service will feel divine, and the pillow you’ve chosen from the French Quarter’s carefully maintained pillow menu guarantee a good night’s sleep. Whether you’re in the mood to tour historical houses, shop King Street, or eat the best Lowcountry fare money can buy, Charleston is the place to do it and The French Quarter Inn is your basecamp for this wonderful Southern experience. info fqicharleston.com @fqicharlestonsc

864.304.3670 c e l l a rs s o u t h . com

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The Ultimate Boutique Experience

The Ivey’s Hotel Lobby

Library Lounge

City View Room

charlotte’s Newest luxury, boutique hotel

Located in the Historic Ivey’s Building Right in the Heart of Center City

127 North tryoN | charlotte, Nc theiveyshotel.com

704.228.1111

The Explored // Carolina Town

Linville Known for its Blue Ridge surroundings, stunning waterfalls, and amazing gorges, Linville is an Appalachian town unlike any other. words MARY ELIZABETH MYRICK photos JAMEY PRICE

At its very core, Linville is true Appalachia. It’s the home of seasonally-evolving beauty with breathtaking hikes, good eats, mountain brews, and locals who have a story to share.

Situated in Avery County in North Carolina, Linville is a quaint town comprised of remarkable gorges, waterfalls, hikes, and abounding nature.

Established as a town in 1883, Linville, once called Clay, or sometimes Porcelain, was named such after William and John Linville. Designed by Samuel T. Kelsey of Kansas, the East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad, also known as the Tweetsie, once ran through the town from 1916 to 1940 until flooding destroyed the tracks and the initial route was redirected.

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With natural wonders in abundance, Linville Falls is acclaimed as the most popular waterfall in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The waterfall itself has three tiers which pour into Linville Gorge, another notorious spot to see — known as the “Grand Canyon of the Southern Appalachians.” Three trails wind through the Gorge with views of the Falls, including the more moderate Plunge Basin Trail and challenging Gorge Trail.

Nearby Linville are countless other beautiful hikes and views along the Blue Ridge Parkway; Grandfather Mountain is a short drive away, and popular lookouts along the Parkway include Rough Ridge, Wiseman’s View, and Julian Price Park.

After a long day of hiking and exploring, there is nothing better than the classic southern eats that are served up at Old Hamp-

Storey Home : 1235 East Boulevard:Suite A : Charlotte, NC 28203 www.storeyhomedesign.com : 704-496-9902

The Explored // Carolina Town

ton Store and BBQ. With local performers and live music frequenting the evenings, it’s a place to hear the music of the mountains while digging into their homemade cornbread collard and bacon sliders or blueberry jam biscuits, not to mention staple favorites such as pulled pork, coleslaw, black-eyed pea salad, and Brunswick stew.

To taste some of the local wines of the region, the Linville Falls Winery has a beautiful, Tuscan-style tasting room and wine tastings available every day. Sometimes, food trucks also make an appearance at the winery, alongside occasional local musicians. For local brews, numerous spots such as Beech Mountain Brewing Company, Blind Squirrel Brewery, and Flat Top Mountain Brewery offer a wide range of craft beers to choose from.

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The Explored // Carolina Town

For a spot to stay, play, and dine, check into the Eseeola Lodge at the Linville Golf Club. The room packages at the Lodge are simultaneously luxurious and cozy, inviting and warm. Alongside their featured golf course, there are ample opportunities to enjoy recreation, such as tennis, croquet, a dazzling swimming pool, sporting clays, fly fishing lessons, and canoeing and paddle boarding.

For those hoping to take a break indoors, the spa at the Lodge offers a range of services from day packages to facials, massages, and more. Additionally, dining at the Lodge is a culinary experience; with a four-course meal in the evenings, the crab and trout, gnocchi primavera, and filet mignon are sumptuous. Meanwhile, the Lodge’s more casual dining option, The Red Fox Tavern, offers equally tempting choices such as lobster mac and cheese or pimento cheese tater tots.

With generous outdoor charm and enduring Blue Ridge Roots, Linville is the epitome of an oldfashioned Carolina town. The home-cooked dishes, bountiful opportunities for exploration, and live regional music continue to define the town’s surviving sense of classic Appalachian identity.

Jerry Ball playing piano

for The March of Dimes hoisted

above the Square by a crane.

Circa early 1950’s.

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The Explored // Adventure

T

Wild Coasts of the Carolinas A Trip to the Historic ACE Basin words WILHEM DIEHL photos JAMEY PRICE

The ACE Basin is many things, but foremost it is an acronym. The Ashepoo, Combahee, and Edisto rivers compose the gathered namesake and sizeable estuary that is the ACE basin. Tucked in between Charleston, Beaufort, and Colleton, the ACE Basin is close enough to town to grab a drink after a big day of exploring, but secluded enough to allow you to easily feel wrapped up in rivers, beaches, and fields for a day.

At some points, it feels as though the ACE Basin has been plucked out of time and delivered right into our century. The Spanish moss that wafts off of the mighty oaks, stretched out in rows upon rows from the tall plantation homes, indicate a time past but an ecosystem still flourishing. Through a series of fortunate events for this basin, residents have always desired it remain preserved, and so it has. The basin may not have been the estuary it is now had it not been for the campaign for its protection, led by the ACE Basin Project, which successfully conserved 217,000 acres of coastal plain, cementing itself as the largest estuary on the East Coast.

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The Explored // Adventure

You may not be able to cover all those acres in one day without some seriously sore feet, but you can certainly make a dent if you hit the right spots. If you want to see the intertwining of history and ecology, find your way to the Westvaco Nature Trail in Jacksonboro. This trail will bring you past highly diverse plant and wildlife, while also meandering across the old King’s Highway that once ferried the plantations products northward.

If you’d like to get deeper into the lower wetlands of the basin, slip over to the Great Swamp Sanctuary, which is much more accessible than it may sound. The network of boardwalks over this 842 acre section allows you to get as close to the wetland as

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possible, but still have a relaxing hike. One path in particular follows the Colonial-era Charleston to Savannah Stagecoach road, which has slipped back into the gentle grip of the ecosystem— though not without leaving a few hints.

Just three and a half hours south of Charlotte, the basin offers a corridor of the Carolina coastline that is unique in its history and its composition, delivering an experience authentic to the true nature of the early Carolinas. The life and biodiversity will surely leave an impression on any visitor, just as it did on the many generations who have passed through this area and felt compelled to preserve it.

The Exclusives

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Simple Elegance — Patrick Lewis Interiors teams up with Alair Homes, Don Duffy, and Susan Dudley Design to create an elegant, classic space. words SUNNY HUBLER photos MICHAEL BLEVINS

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The Exclusives

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Patrick Lewis has always had a love of interiors; In New York City, he was a textile designer and later also a designer for a high-end bedding line. Then, in Charlotte, he began to design interiors for several show homes, and worked as a designer with Circa Interiors. Today, his approach with his self-titled Patrick Lewis Interiors is characterized by a “less is more” philosophy and an effortless elegance that Lewis pulls through each of his designs.

“Every piece in a room can’t be the most dramatic. Some pieces and accessories need to play more of a modest, supporting role that, when paired together with everything in the room, adds up to a complete look.”

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The Exclusives

This Charlotte project embodies that intent: Lewis’ design was driven by solid colors, and often ones that are neutral. He also lightened up each space for a home that’s airy, livable, and inviting. The house, at 5,000 square feet, has three bedrooms, three and a half baths, and four unique living spaces. The cohesive look is one full of a type of relaxed elegance that Lewis has perfected, while the home’s functionality is designed first and foremost for family living. Don Duffy Architecture, Alair Homes, and Susan Dudley Design helped bring this project, completed over the span of one year, to fruition.

The design itself was achieved in collaboration between Lewis and the client.

“I like to do my initial meetings with clients in their homes so that I can see what they like, and watch how they live and use a space on a day-to-day basis,” Lewis explains.

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The Exclusives

“Today, I use less of everything— less colors, accessories, and furniture.”

The main living room, for example, was carefully designed for entertaining large gatherings; watching football and playing bridge; it was a space the client needed to be able to use actively even though they wanted a refined look.

“Today, I use less of everything—less colors, accessories, and furniture—than I did 15 or 20 years ago.”

The kitchen, with cabinetry made by the 100-year-old Goodman Millwork, is clean and white with gold details—classic, simple, but usable for every member of the family. It’s an open and accessible space, with functional, stylish details.

The home also boasts a sweeping outdoor living space—a pool with a large poolhouse that is also an ideal part of the home for entertaining. info patricklewisinteriors.com / @patricklewisinteriors

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The Exclusives

Custom Made — Pike Properties brings a new face to Charlotte with their custom spec builds. words SUNNY HUBLER photos JOE PURVIS

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The Exclusives

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Anthony Moore and Matt Connolly have created something special: They own and operate Pike Properties, a one-of-a-kind custom spec builder in Charlotte. Connolly and Moore were both exposed to the construction industry at an early age from their respective families, and then started working in the industry later as “flippers”— buying, remodeling, and reselling. From that experience, they were able to create the infrastructure needed to run a successful business. Alongside their team, today Pike creates all the project designs and finished products themselves with no outside influence from clients.

“What sets us apart is that we do not build to suit,” Moore explains. “It’s important to us to carry through the entire theme of a home from start to finish. It’s our opportunity to flex our creativity and share our art.”

Their projects are, as you can imagine, highly unique and each is influenced every step of the way by the two men behind the brand. This Cotswold home, at 5,664 square feet with five beds, five baths, a bonus room, loft, and craft room, is no exception. From lot acquisition to the resale closing stage, this was a 13-month project that resulted in a dream home unlike any other in the region.

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The Exclusives

“Each year, we select one of our projects and we don’t hold anything back—It’s fun to stretch our creative and construction execution capabilities.”

This home does what Pike Properties always strives to do: bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary. The combination of ultra-clean, contemporary lines alongside the layout and coziness associated with a traditional home has become a company signature.

When it comes to a Pike Properties home, it’s all in the details; the carefully planned intricacies combine to make a space that’s truly special. Their aim, with the Cotswold

home, was to foster a creative interior design blended with a well-thought-out floor plan and to execute all the little details that turn a house into home.

“Without a doubt, one of our objectives when designing this home was to showcase what we are capable of as a builder,” Moore says. “Each year, we select one of our projects and we don’t hold anything back—It’s fun to stretch our creative and construction execution capabilities.”

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The Exclusives

“It’s important to us to carry through the entire theme of a home from start to finish. It’s our opportunity to flex our creativity and share our art.”

The white oak flooring throughout the house uses an eco-friendly Rubio finish, and the home was painted with a toneon-tone look, using Benjamin Moore White Dove on the trim and Benjamin Moore Dove Wing on the wall. Visual Comfort lighting fixtures can be found throughout, many of which are brass.

To achieve that same design goal in the kitchen, the team balanced out the metal by including natural wood elements.

The white oak stained hood and floating shelves help bring warmth to the space, and a contemporary flair.

Much of the planning time was spent focusing on a cohesive design with one unified theme throughout, and the home also was intended to emphasize functionality and smart use of space. The overall look of sophisticated elegance is one that’s timeless, the perfect backdrop against which the clients can create and enjoy their lives. info pikeproperties.com @pikeproperties

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The Exclusives

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photo this page BRIE WILLIAMS

A Home of Their Own Functional design in this South Carolina retreat. words ELEANOR MERRELL

photo this page JOE PURVIS

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The Exclusives

“Our family spends the most time together in our kitchen, so it was important to me to have a space that encouraged our kids to sit and talk a little longer.”

M

Mary Ludemann, founder of New Old, relied heavily on one simple yet critical principle when designing her very own new home in Fort Mill, South Carolina: “I feel really strongly that you should design for your lifestyle, rather than adjust your lifestyle around your design.” This mantra informed each one of the 5,500 square feet that comprise the Ludemann’s eclectic residence, which she designed for and shares with her family.

photo opposite page JOE PURVIS | photo this page BRIE WILLIAMS

Each room in the house has its own personality, often inspired by the person who uses it most. For example, Mary crafted the study for her husband, Troy, an avid outdoorsman, and the resulting design evokes a modern mountain lodge through mounted antlers, brass hardware embossed with bear prints, hand-carved duck decoys, and an earth tone color palette. A framed photo of a bear who Troy encountered during a fishing expedition in the Grand Tetons further personalizes the decor.

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The Exclusives

Originally, Mary and Troy dreamed of a coffered ceiling for this space, but topography challenges threw a metaphorical wrench in the plan and forced the Ludemann team to invent a workaround.

“The ceiling is actually the real exposed floor joists and tongue and groove sub-flooring of the room upstairs,” explains Mary. By using western red cedar to frame the ceiling and rerouting the electrical, mechanical, and plumbing rough-ins, the Ludemanns were able not only to gain an extra

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foot of room height, but also showcase an authentic exposed beam ceiling.

Other rustic elements, like reclaimed oak and shiplap walls, pepper the home.

“We have two large dogs and two busy kids,” explains Mary. “I need walls and cabinets and flooring that can hold up to heavy use!”

The couple integrated a number of reclaimed materials into their decor and design, trusting that their intentionally weathered appearance

photo this spread MICHAEL BLEVINS

“As much as we might like to, we don’t live in a museum, and at this stage of our lives, it’s best to create with elements that are timeless both in design and purpose.”

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The Exclusives

“I feel really strongly that you should design for your lifestyle, rather than adjust your lifestyle around your design.”

would help hide wear-and-tear that naturally arises from a family-oriented lifestyle.

The kitchen is yet another space where design meets function.

“Our family spends the most time together in our kitchen, so it was important to me to have a space that encouraged our kids to sit and talk a little longer.”

Living and cooking realms meld in the Ludemanns’ kitchen, where armchairs and a cozy fireplace nook abutt countertops and kitchen appliances, as do old and new, sophisticated and familiar. “Interweaving clean lines and texture like the marble countertops and oversized windows was critical in balancing the more rustic elements to keep the space current,” says Mary.

The Ludemanns, whose professional schedules rarely allow for long vacations, needed their residence to also feel like a retreat, which led to the creation of their idyllic back yard, where a swimming pool sparkles between a spacious carriage house garage and picture-perfect woodlands. An outdoor entertaining space, replete with fireplace and Oakville Stone detailing, bridges indoor and outdoor spaces and equips the Ludemanns both for stylish fair-weather entertaining and family time.

“As much as we might like to, we don’t live in a museum, and at this stage of our lives, it’s best to create with elements that are timeless both in design and purpose,” says Mary, and so she has, crafting a space at once perfectly suited to her family’s needs and aesthetically stunning.

— info — newold.com / @newoldcustomhomes

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photos this spread BRIE WILLIAMS or courtesy NEW OLD

The Exclusives

A Cotswold Modern Classic — Strickland Building Group marries innovation and sophisticated classic design for a home that upholds Charlotte style. words SUNNY HUBLER photos MICHAEL BLEVINS

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The Exclusives

“When the correct balance between form and function is achieved, that’s a successful project.”

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The face of the Charlotte skyline is changing rapidly, and alongside it, residential design is, too. Kelly Strickland, of Strickland Building Group, is one of the forces pushing design forward in the Queen City, by focusing his efforts on high-end construction and renovation. Strickland himself is a second generation Charlotte home builder, passionate about building in the very area where he grew up. Now, at eighteen years in, Kelly says it was always clear to him that a profession in residential building and real estate was where his life’s work lay.

This modern classic new build in the Cotswold area demonstrates what Strickland does best: The home combines innovation and industry trends with time-honored design principles, resulting in a home meant to stand the test of time. The home also embodies the neutral color palette paired with strong architectural statements that have become Strickland Building Group’s signature.

The home stands at 4,200 square feet, with three bedrooms, four and a half baths, and six living and entertaining areas.

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The Exclusives

The goal, decided upon between Strickland and his clients, was to have an open floor plan with an intentional use of space. The clients wanted room enough to serve their lifestyle without leftover, surplus square footage. The home also needed to be filled with natural light to allow for the property views that include a veranda and pool.

Greg Perry, of Greg Perry Design, led the design plans while Missy Luczak Smith styled the interior. From start to

finish, including the pool, the project took just shy of a year to actualize. Today, it stands in all its unique glory, with a light-drenched reading room that showcases the homeowner’s most special art and artifacts, an inviting outdoor area, modern touches like the plaster detailing and lighting fixtures, interior windows that offer views of various rooms, and even a powder room that can be discovered by way of a hidden door.

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The Exclusives

The furnishings, from the rugs to the array of modern and classic seating choices to the artwork, are a collection of things the homeowners had and loved already alongside pieces that were specially designed and selected for this new build.

All together, it’s a liveable space that’s undeniably sophisticated, timeless but on trend, and

manages to fit seamlessly into the Cotswold neighborhood while still helping push the design principles of the area one step further.

“When the correct balance between form and function is achieved,” Strickland says, “ it results in a home where the client can enjoy their lifestyle and can know the design will stand the test of time—to me, that’s a successful project.”

— info — stricklandbuilding.com / @stricklandbuildinggroup

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The Exclusives

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A Thoughtful Refresh — A family home facelift from talented interior designer Amy Vermillion. words ELEANOR MERRELL photos BRIE WILLIAMS

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Amy Vermillion, of Amy Vermillion Interiors, always relishes a renovation challenge, particularly when the end product can improve her clients’ residential experience as vastly as she did with the completion of this five bedroom, 4,900-squarefoot Charlotte home.

“When I first met the clients, they told me how unhappy they were with the overall floor plan,” says Vermillion. In lieu of a foyer, a massive double-flying staircase greeted guests as they entered the house. The staircase not only hogged at-

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tention, but also space, resulting in cramped, dark rooms and fractured traffic flow.

As originally constructed, the house also failed to fully capitalize on the beautiful five acres of woodland and panoramic scenes that surrounded its walls. Vermillion and her clients recognized the value of these views and set out to integrate them into the remodeled structure and design of the home.

The first order of business was to remove the original staircase, thereby making space for changes to the foyer, kitchen,

The Exclusives

“I was originally called in to do some drapery and furniture in the living room. Three years later, and we have a completely new house!”

dining, and living rooms, many of which would facilitate an open layout on the first floor. “With more open spaces, the clients can entertain easily and yet still have rooms with specific function,” explains Vermillion, who had identified easy gathering with children, grandchildren, and friends as one of her clients’ top priorities.

The kitchen lacked countertop and storage spaces, housed outdated appliances, and had an inconveniently planted island between the chef and the refrigerator. Vermillion improved functionality of the island work space, added storage, updated appliances, and dismantled the walls that sequestered this room from the more social spaces around it.

“The updated kitchen overlooks the sunroom and dining room, allowing these empty nesters to cook for and entertain their children and grandchildren without being removed from the action,“ explains Vermillion. Vermillion’s team also gave the counters, backsplashes, light fixtures, and cabinetry a major facelift, installing honed quartzite and adding a custom hood made of zinc and aged brass as the focal point.

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The Exclusives

Although the Vermillion team designed and executed staggering improvements to many areas of this home, Vermillion’s favorite space is the children’s playroom, located on the second floor. To make this space more kid-friendly, Vermillion removed a platform stair that had been inviting playtime disaster, and built out a treehouse hideaway, featuring a rope ladder and lofted

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nook. The treehouse hideaway fits nicely into the custom mural painted by Lisa and Toby Autry, which covers the walls of this room and depicts wildlife native to the marshes near the clients’ primary residence.

The amount of time required to complete the remodel underscores what a massive undertaking this project was. “These

are the kind of projects that spark a designer’s passion,” says Vermillion. “Since the property is so incredible, we knew that a complete renovation would be worth it.” Yet, Vermillion acknowledges that, as happy as she is with the finished product, “a project cannot be considered a success unless the client is thrilled with the result, too.”

With a thoughtful and complete refresh like this from Vermillion, it’d be hard to believe that the clients and their home guests could be anything less. info amyvermillon.com / @amyvermillioninteriors

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Direct European Imports ANTIQUES GARDEN ARCHITECTURAL

H

antiques

4115 Monroe Road | Charlotte, NC 28205 | 704.333.3138 handsantiques.com

handsantiques2018

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

TH E HOM E & DESIGN GU I DE Our annual guide features talented Charlotte professionals who can help transform your house into the home of your dreams.

FEATURING: ACQUISITIONS INTERIORS / ALAIR HOMES / BIRD DECORATIVE HARDWARE & BATH CASE DESIGN/REMODELING / CELLARS SOUTH / JACLYN EHRLICH INTERIORS COTSWOLD MARKETPLACE / CHELSEA BUILDING GROUP / HOUSE OF NOMAD REACHING QUIET / LEVANTINA / SHEEDY WATTS DESIGN

PHOTO OF A GERRARD BUILDERS CUSTOM HOME BY JOE PURVIS / www.gerrardbuilders.com

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

FURNITURE & DESIGN

ACQUISITIONS INTERIORS Charlotte, NC

F

or over 20 years, Acquisitions has been Charlotte’s premier source for fine furniture, European antiques, lighting, accessories, and interior design for the home. They offer furnishings from the top manufacturers in the industry and maintain a wide selection of inventory from which to choose.

They also offer an exclusive line of painted Italian reproduction chests, side tables, beds, and other pieces.

All of their upholstery can be custom ordered to fit your exact specification in creating a specific color scheme or style in your space. The store receives shipments of antiques throughout the year and new inventory weekly.

2212

Hawkins

St.

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Charlotte,

NC

•

704.334. 2478

•

Acquisitions is happy to offer complete interior design services. Their talented designers take great pride in creating comfortable, relevant, and timeless designs for your home and lifestyle, and they believe in creating a harmonious blend of old and new. Antique pieces give designs the foundation needed from which to create layered and textured spaces. Whether you need a single room enhancement or a complete home makeover, Acquisitions is happy to collaborate with you on your next project. Ask about their simple and easy consultation process. Stop by today and take a look at all that Acquisitions has to offer.

@acqcharlotte

•

acquisitionsinteriors.com

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

HOME BUILDER

ALAIR HOMES

Charlotte, NC

A

lair Homes is an award-winning custom home building and renovation company owned and operated by Duane Johns and Roger Ketchum. By providing both design and build solutions, they control the process from beginning to end, helping individuals and families enjoy happier, healthier, more productive and more comfortable lifestyles.

Their philosophy is simple: Be completely unified with each client with the goal of achieving an incredible product, on time and on budget. Johns and Ketchum believe that in order to do this you must have complete transparency, thorough planning before starting construction, and truly superior management systems for accountability and follow up.

3926

Miriam

Dr.

•

Charlotte,

NC

It’s an open book policy with Alair. Budgets, trade quotes, trade contracts, material costs, product markups—absolutely everything is available to all parties involved.

What they see is what you see.

Each project begins in their exclusive proprietary Client ControlTM project management system. With this easy-to-use software, clients have access to real-time accounting updates, schedules, selections, sub trade communications, project specs, sub trade quotes, and project galleries.

By working with only the best architects, designers, suppliers, and trade partners for over 20 years in the Charlotte market, they have created a long list of extremely satisfied clients and lasting relationships.

•

704.332.3733

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@alairhomescharlotte

•

alairhomes.com

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SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

HARDWARE

BIRD DECORATIVE HARDWARE Charlotte, NC

D

esigning and selecting the fixtures for your new home or remodel should be a joyful and inspired process. The team at Bird Decorative Hardware & Bath strives to provide this unique experience. Their extensive product mix offers varied price points and design aesthetics for their clients to explore.

Their newly designed South End showroom features a broad range of door and cabinet hardware and decorative plumbing fixtures.

Bird Hardware is proud to represent premier brands such as Waterworks, Dornbracht, Classic Brass, The Galley, Rocky Mountain Hardware, and many more. They have the largest cabinet hardware selection in our region which facilitates their mission to find the right fit for your style and function.

2228 Hawkins St.

•

Charlotte, NC

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• 704.344.9955

•

The talented team at Bird Charlotte consists of: Katy Leischner, Branch Manager; Danielle Gorum and Stephen Daniels, Design Consultants; and Aniya Funderburk, Sales Support. They are passionate in delivering expert knowledge of their products combined with the strongest sense of service for their clients. Their team has an extensive background of hardware knowledge, decorative plumbing experience, and interior design insight to deliver custom solutions to their clients as they make selections for their projects. Bird's individualized service will be there as you personalize exterior and interior doors, plumbing fixtures, bath accessories, and cabinet hardware for any application. Whether new construction or remodeling, Bird Hardware will passionately address all your needs.

@birddecorativehardwareclt

•

birddecorativehardware.com

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

DESIGN/REMODELING

CASE DESIGN / REMODELING

Charlotte, NC

F

ounded in 2005 by CEO and President Brad Little, with top-notch craftsmen and designers in mind, Case Design/Remodeling now serves as one of Charlotte’s most awarded and reputable residential design, building, and remodeling firms.

At Case, the sacredness of the word home is rooted deeply — where each client’s vision is approached individually. From project development to intentional design, each step is taken with one goal in mind: turning a space into a home.

“Our people love what they do, and they love why they do it. Every member of our team is here because they want

3421 - M St. Vardell Ln

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to be, and it makes a difference in the client experience,” says Brad.

With thorough planning and deliberate execution, Case believes a solid timeline is absolutely critical, so clients can truly trust in the process.

While each client’s vision is essential, Case allows their clients to sit back and relax as they provide turnkey design, remodeling, and construction services and take care of every detail.

“Remodeling, like life, can be challenging. We don’t pretend that we have a magic formula for making it easy, but we have lots of experience, and people working with you that care and approach every project with a solutions-based mindset.”

Charlotte, NC

• 704.759.3920

•

DESIGN/REMODELING

@casedesigncharlotte

•

casecharlotte.com

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SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

WINE CELL ARS

CELLARS SOUTH The Southeast

T

he rich taste and sweet aroma of a perfectly aged wine pairs with any occasion, from dinner parties to movie nights. As one of the top wine cellar installation companies in Charlotte, Cellars South understands the elegant versatility of the drink: That’s why they’ve spent years creating the beautiful wine cellars in homes throughout the area.

“Some people try to build their own climate controlled wine cellar to save on cost, not realizing how critical it is that the proper steps are taken to ensure a tight seal of the room or proposed space," notes owner Karen Simmons. “There is a science to building out a climatecontrolled cellar, as well as choosing the

1140

Woodruff

Road

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Suite

106

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Greenville,

SC

•

right wine racking. We receive 2-3 calls every year from homeowners asking us to fix issues due to an improper build out.”

With the right technology, wine cellars can go in nearly any room, acting as an art display wherever they’re placed.

“The hottest trend has been a transitional look,” notes Simmons, “a cross between traditional and contemporary.

To carry this, many of our designs incorporate frameless glass across the front.”

Cellars South constructs cellars of all kinds, from small reach-in units to full basement build outs. With Cellars South, you’ll get a space that keeps your wine in the perfect climate and makes a stunning statement in your home.

864.304.3670

•

cellarssouth.com

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

INTERIOR DESIGNER

JACLYN EHRLICH Charlotte, NC

F

ocusing on residential design in the Charlotte area, Jaclyn Ehrlich utilizes her keen eye for style and color to provide beautifully unique spaces for her clients. After many creative and artistic endeavors from New York City to the Queen City, the busy mother of four found a love for interior design and opened her own design firm.

Her personal design style is cultivated from her travels around the world; namely the white, clean spaces of the Mediterranean and the feel, charm, and history of European country estates. She appreciates neat lines, natural materials, and amazing architecture. Jaclyn says, “Having

2820 Selwyn Avenue

Photos by Chris Edwards

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a love and appreciation for many styles allows me to tap into what my clients really want — spaces that reflect them, their personality, and things they love.”

Helping clients find and define their style is rewarding and essential to Jaclyn’s creative process.

Ehrlich’s personal favorite projects occur when her clients allow her creative freedom to express her visions for them. Being a specialist in top level, full service project management and high-end project design, Jaclyn considers her designs with great intention.

She prides herself in the ability to take care of all the client’s details, resulting in an amazing finished space.

Charlotte, NC

• 704.989.7160

•

@jaclynehrlich_interiors

•

jaclynehrlich.com

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SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

HOME DECOR

COTSWOLD MARKETPLACE Charlotte, NC

W

ith a unique multi-vendor business model concentrated on home decor and design, Cotswold Marketplace is a home decor store and design center that acts as a staple for the Charlotte area. This 8,000 square foot space consists of 60-plus local interior designers, on-trend merchants, and talented Charlotte artists and makers, all gathered under one roof to sell their carefully selected home goods.

The store’s diverse pieces are presented in ever-changing vignettes that move from modern to traditional. The store is designed to be a “one-stop-shop” for all decor needs. Customers can look no further than Cotswold Marketplace to build an entire room from scratch with custom upholstery,

200 N. Sharon Amity Road

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•

Charlotte, NC

• 704.365.3331

•

bedding, lighting, rugs, and more.

The mother and daughter team of Kate Vandiver Leary and Melissa Vandiver started with a dream, and resulted in success. They pride themselves on having a talented staff who all feel like a family, and whose collective expertise never ceases to amaze customers. The staff will listen to a customer's needs, make suggestions, and create a positive atmosphere for everyone, resulting in an upbeat shopping environment. “Folks will come shop and say that Cotswold Marketplace is their happy place,” Melissa says. Cotswold Marketplace has everything that one might need when decorating their home with their positivity, talented staff, and unique vendors.

@cotswoldmkt

•

cotswoldmarketplace.com

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

HOME BUILDER

CHELSEA BUILDING GROUP Matthews, NC

C

helsea Building Group, a residential builder headquartered in Matthews, doesn’t do status quo. CBG homes are precisely designed, superior technologically and structurally, and always a step ahead on detail. Their practices in energy efficiency have led to them earning the best Home Energy Rating System (HERS) numbers in the Carolinas.

CBG builds both custom homes and planned communities. According to Hank and Sherri Ralston, who recently built their custom home, “[CBG] absolutely met and exceeded our expectations. Chelsea listened and built exactly what we asked for. They did a great job designing a house that fit in the neighborhood, on the

property and looked like it’d been here for awhile... We appreciated the solid construction, high-quality materials used and the extra steps they took for sound insulation which made our home quiet and peaceful.”

CBG’s planned homes incorporate this same first-rate construction. An example is ReAlta, a contemporary 20-home CBG community nestled into Sherwood Forest off Rama Road. ReAlta is Charlotte’s first solar community, and its model home won a Silver Award in the 2017 Parade of Homes.

This builder brings a unique and fresh perspective to create homes that allow you to “live exceptionally.”

131 Matthews Station Suite 2A • Matthews, NC • 980-220-3455 • @chelseabuildinggroup • chelseabuildinggroup.com

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SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

INTERIOR DESIGNER

HOUSE OF NOMAD Charlotte, NC

A

ll the best things come in twos. Interior designers are no exception, and the duo behind Charlotte’s full-service design studio based in South End, Berkeley Minkhorst and Kelley Lentini, are living, breathing (and laughing) examples of that fact. Together, they are House of Nomad. House of Nomad was founded on the idea that travel fosters the best kind of creativity. They bring a fresh approach to interior design by designing authentic, inspired spaces at the intersection of the love of home and the love of travel.

“Travel keeps us curious and creative,” Berkeley says, “in this sort of mindset of the inspired traveler.” But that mindset

isn’t all they bring back. Textiles and other finds distinct to various cultures also make their way back to CLT. HON travels the world sourcing unique pieces that speak to them for their clients and their online shop. Next on the list — Bali.

Berkeley and Kelley want to make interior design approachable, engaging — and most importantly, fun — for their clients. “We specialize in creating contemporary, eclectic, global spaces that tell your story, where you’ve been and where you want to go. Because as much as we love bringing inspiring travel into pretty houses, at the end of the day, we know that we don’t live there — you do,” Kelley says.

2108 South Boulevard, Suite 115 • Charlotte, NC • 980. 237.6799 • @houseofnomaddesign • houseofnomaddesign.com

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SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

DESIGN / BUILD

REACHING QUIET Charlotte, NC

S

ince 2001, Reaching Quiet has been a prominent force in the design and artisan community, heading up the design-build component for local favorites like Stagioni, Barrington’s, 5Church Charlotte and Charleston, Nan & Byron’s, Nikko, Twenty-Two, Foxcroft Wine Company, and Embassy Suites at Ayrsley, as well as residential projects across the US. RQ made their mark with ingenuitive use of highly refined concrete products, the creation of bespoke residential interiors, as well as sinks, bars, wall claddings

1449 S. Church St. Suite B

•

and other custom products for commercial projects throughout the US. Recently, Rock Solid Artisans, another local artisan concrete company has joined RQ and greatly increased its capacity and offerings.

Reaching Quiet’s trademark is collaboration with other designers to fabricate and install artisan products with mixed materials, such as concrete, wood, and steel. The team takes pride in helping to bring other designers’ vision to reality.

The showroom is located in South End on the corner of Summit and Church Streets.

Charlotte, NC

•

704.377.6304

•

@reachingquietdesign

•

reachingquiet.com

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SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

STONE

LEVANTINA STONE CENTER Charlotte, NC

L

evantina has been synonymous with innovation and quality in the natural stone industry for more than 50 years. The multinational company, of Spanish origin, owns and operates numerous quarries globally. They also operate the distribution of their leading product, Crema Marfil. They bring many of the world’s finest, most unique stones to Charlotte, including quartzite, marble, granite, soapstone, onyx, limestone, and travertine. Along with natural stone slabs, Levantina is very excited about their new porcelain slab collection Techlam® Top by Levantina.

With a range of five colors inspired by classic natural stones, Techlam® Top countertops are beautiful, versatile, and easy to maintain.

Today, Levantina offers the design community and homeowners alike a one-of-akind stone selection experience in its contemporary showroom and state-of-the-art warehouse. Operating upon the premise that “picking your own slab is like picking a piece of artwork,” Levantina’s public showroom is designed so visitors can learn the origins of the products, how they were made, and what they will look like in an interior space.

With the company vertically integrated, from the quarry to distribution, Levantina not only produces and sells natural stone, but also provides solutions to market demands and trends.

5032 Sirona Drive, Suite 500 • Charlotte, NC • 980.939.0174 • ig: @levantinausa • fb: @levantinausacharlotte •

184 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • MARCH 2019

levantina.com

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

SHEEDY WATTS DESIGN

Charlotte, NC

D

esigning a house is one thing: Plenty of builders can get a standard blueprint and find the right subcontractors.

But designing a home is something else entirely. Good home design doesn’t come from a stack of cookie-cutter blueprints.

It comes from a collaboration between the designer and homeowner. When clients work with Sheedy Watts Design, they work with a residential design studio dedicated to bringing their unique vision to life.

“Our best feedback,” says Ray Sheedy, “has been from clients who say we have listened to their ideas and incorporated them creatively into the design of a project.”

1501 E. 7th Street, Suite 5

•

Sheedy Watts Design draws from 25 years of residential design experience.

They’ve taken on a wide range of projects in the Charlotte area, from new construction design to whole-home remodeling.

“Our work encompasses all scales of home design,” says Cale Watts. “We use a collaborative team approach to every design, and we include the client’s input at every stage of the process.”

Whether they’re remodeling a 50s-era house in Myers Park or designing a contemporary home in Charleston, Sheedy Watts Design always puts client satisfaction first. You can trust Sheedy Watts to design a house you’ll love to call home.

Charlotte, NC

• 704.763. 2219

•

@sheedywatts

•

sheedywatts.com

MARCH 2019 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 185

IN DEX AGM Imports................................................. 97 Alair Custom Homes ..................................75 Amina Rubinacci ..........................................24 Arcadia Custom Homes ..............................51 Arthur Rutenberg Homes .........................79 Ascent Uptown ............................................21 Ashley J Design ............................................26 Bedside Manor ............................................95 Blackhawk Hardware ...............................83 Blue Azalea ...............................................102 Blue Ridge Mountain Club .....................115 Blue Waters Construction .....................12 Bruce Julian ...............................................126 Cadenza Granite & Marble ......................70 Carolina Dental ........................................63 Cellars South ..........................................120 Classic Attic ...............................................68 Classica Homes ...........................................10 Copain ............................................................73 Cope & Stick .................................................89 Cotswold MarketPlace ...........................57 Cottingham Chalk ....................................53 Couture Knots ...........................................112 Delectables by Holly ................................40 Design Centers International ..............107 Diamonds Direct ........................Back Cover Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery ..........36 Donald Haack Diamonds .........................23 Draper Place ................................................41

Dwell Nova ....................................................6 Eastover Capital Management ..............48 Elder Gallery .............................................39 Elite Design Group ...................................129 Elizabeth Bruns Jewelers ........................17 Fahrenheit..................................................... 8 Gerrard Builders .......................................42 Grande Custom Builders ........................30 Grandfather Homes ..................................47 H & S Antiques ............................................172 Hilton ............................................................40 Infinity MedSpa and Wellness ...............59 Insight Automation ...................................29 Inspire ............................................................37 Isabella .......................................................103 Jerald Melberg Gallery ...........................39 Karen Kettler design ................................111 Kauffman & Co. ...........................................131 Kingswood Custom Homes ......................27 Lake Norman Realty ...................................45 Land Rover Charlotte ...............................19 Levantina ......................................................77 Lucy and company .......................................99 Majestic Bath ..............................................92 McDevitt Agency .........................................14 Metropolis Branding ................................91 Mint Museum ...............................................38 Myron Greer ................................................111 Nestlewood Realty ...................................49

Be our guest.

Plan your next getaway, and experience a fun-filled stay packed with amazing amenities, including complimentary access to the Charlotte Athletic Club, as well as fine dining and much more!

704-377-0400 • omnihotels.com/charlotte

186 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • MARCH 2019

New Life Building Supplies ....................69 Novel Montford Park ..............................25 Oasis Outdoors .........................................125 Omni Hotels & Resorts ...........................186 Pam Harrington Exclusives ....................117 Paragon Bank ...............................................61 Pavillon ......................................................120 Pink Hanger .................................................38 Premier Sotheby’s ........................................4 QC Kinetix .....................................................67 RK Motors Charlotte ..............................28 Reaching Quiet ............................................85 Robyn Branch Design .............................105 Rug Culture ................................................120 Scott Russo ...............................................107 Shain Gallery ..............................................33 Shea Homes .................................................65 Simonini ........................................................55 Storey Home ...............................................123 Subzero-Wolf .............................................81 Technocom.................................................. 119 The Ivey’s Hotel ........................................121 The Queen’s Cup Steeplechase ............35 The Sporting Gent ....................................187 The Swag ......................................................119 The Waterman ..............................................76 Windsor Jewelers ........................................2 Windsor Windows ....................................109

You bring the sophistication, we’ll add the rugged.

APPAREL | FLY GOODS | FIELD GEAR | ACCESSORIES 2 8 4 8 S E L W Y N A V E . C L T | T H E S P O R T I N G G E N T. C O M

4521 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211

(704) 532-9041

OfďŹ cial Jeweler of the Carolina Panthers

www.diamondsdirect.com