HDD Charlotte Nov/Dec 2022 Issue

DISTINCTIVE, SIMPLE, AND ELEGANT - A FRESH LOOK IN A FAMILIAR SPACE

Dwell Style Interiors LLC was particularly proud of this kitchen renovation project. They were challenged with keeping the same floor plan and square footage but making it a more useful and functional space.

The gutting process ushered in new, space-saving cabinetry together with updated stainless-steel appliances. The design team partnered with Queen City Audio Video & Appliances to select the perfect KitchenAid 30“ gas range-microwave combo, dishwasher, and refrigerator.

This former compact kitchen space was given an open, airy feel and is now seamlessly integrated with the nearby spaces in the home.

Dwell Style Interiors LLC is a residential design firm serving South Charlotte and surrounding areas. Blending heirloom treasures with new products is how they achieve a “transitional classic” design for their clients.

Begin your design project at www.dwellstyleinteriors.com.

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Queen City Audio Video & Appliances is the best resource for all your appliance, electronics, and outdoor kitchen needs with over 70 brands to choose from. Our dedicated builder, customer service, and delivery teams have over a decade of experience with new builds and renovations. Feel confident that our experts can look at your blueprints and help you select the right appliances to fit your design and personal style.

VISIT QUEENCITYONLINE.COM TO LEARN MORE. SEVEN CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

MONDAY–SATURDAY: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | SUNDAY: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

DWELL

Our curated gift guide covers every aesthetic from the artist to the modernist. 29 DESIGN

When high-end design meets fine food, a transcendent dining experience emerges. 34 SCENE + SEEN

Review the latest industry events and the people who make them happen.

Ruth Runberg of R. Runberg Curiosities shares a vintage holiday table embracing jewel tones and sentimentality.

HOLIDAY STYLE

Founded by best friends Emily Slater and Lindsay Marko, A Signature Welcome offers beautifully packaged gifts with carefully curated items.

Classic character. Storied style. Timeless charm. www.dwellbycheryl.com charlotte, nc

AAs we move into the holiday season, often at breakneck speed, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed at the thought of hosting guests, buying gifts for every person on your list, or getting your home just-so for the holidays. We both find it hard sometimes to keep in mind the point of the occasions, as I'm sure you do, too. But the point is JOY.

Joy is at the center of every gathering with family and friends during the season. Joy is at the center of decorating your home for little ones, or for everyone. And joy is at the center of giving thoughtful gifts to those you love and those who deserve recognition. No matter how taxing, no matter how harried, our cups are filled with things we have to offer others. Even when you think you’re running on empty, there’s always a drop more, and then come those moments when you feel warmly the same joy you are giving to others. And suddenly, our cups are filled again. We created these pages with moments of gifting, hosting, and being together. Our Great Gatherings issue is brimming with peace, love, and joy that we hope will flow out to each and every one of you.

Miller and Anne Marie Ashley Co-Editors-in-Chief

Blake

FROM

ON THE COVER: Designer Mary Tobias Miller brings expansive down to cozy in this Linville, North Carolina, home (page 56). DUSTIN PECK

The separate bar at Supperland boasts a feminine feel that owners Brown and Tonidandel designed to be an unexpected delight in a more masculine concept space.

COME TOGETHER

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF DELICIOUS RESTAURANTS IN CHARLOTTE, BUT WHEN THE ATMOSPHERE IS DESIGNED WITH JUST AS MUCH INTENTION AND THOUGHTFULNESS AS THE MENU, A TRULY UNIQUE RESTAURANT CONCEPT BECOMES TRANSCENDENT.

PRODUCED BY ANNE MARIE ASHLEY AND BLAKE MILLER

Supperland

When husband and wife restaurateur team Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown walked into the vacant 1946-built church hall in Plaza Midwood that would become Supperland, they knew immediately they could create a one-of-a-kind dining experience in Charlotte. “Everyone inquires about the wall treatments in Supperland, and I love answering that ‘those are just the untouched walls,’” says Brown. Avid DIYers, the couple designed every inch of the space themselves, building tables in their garage, sourcing 120-year-old pews from an old church in Colorado, and leaving as much character as possible.

“Our vision was clear when we walked in. A church potluck where the community could gather and eat soul-comforting food, but with a lingering awe-inspired feel of a cathedral,” says Brown. Placing the kitchen on a raised plane was intentional, as if to glorify the wood-fired food and family-style service, and chandeliers were kept shallow so as not to impede the visual worship.

The warmth is palpable in Supperland, and every bit of it radiates from the nostalgic, feminine design and the sophisticated southern food that graces

dining tables. u

One-hundred-andtwenty-year-old

KENTY CHUNG

the

The plates and serveware were specially designed by Lou Rota of London and inspired by southern foliage, gardens, and insects to add a nostalgic, welcoming vibe to service.

Countertop globe lights along the chef’s bar were intended to liken the kitchen to a theater, with the wood-fire grill and perfectly plated food as the players.

church pews serve as booth seating in the center of Supperland, and include hymnals donated from a local church.

“WE WANTED EVERY SINGLE VISUAL TOUCH POINT TO ARTICULATE THE SAME STORY WE WERE TELLING WITH FOOD.”

—Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown

That’s Taking things up a notch.

The Crosstown® Workstation Sink

The stainless steel sink that accommodates a cutting board, colander and dish-drying station. Maximize usability and improve functionality with a minimal footprint.

The colorful pendant lights from Team Lighting by Barnlight provide a simple, industrial vibe, “but the variety of sizes and colors helps liven things up and make a statement over the lounge area,” says Castellow.

—Barrie Benson and Avery Castellow

Salted Melon

When Thomas Coker of Reid’s Fine Foods approached designers Barrie Benson and Avery Castellow about designing the interiors of a new restaurant and storefront concept, the duo jumped at the opportunity. The project would be a spinoff of Reid’s, and Benson had designed the interiors of both the SouthPark and the Uptown locations. “Thomas wanted it to be a younger, hipper sister to Reid’s,” says Castellow. “He wanted it to be fresh and vibrant—a casual space to grab groceries and breakfast but elevated enough for fun cocktails at night.”

Castellow and Benson collaborated with The Plaid Penguin and decided on a bold palette of coordinating blues along with orangey-coral color-blocked hues that drove the rest of the space’s design. “There’s a wave motif that runs throughout, a nod to the shape of a melon,” says Benson, noting that the same design detail was incorporated into the restaurant’s custom wallpaper and other architectural details. Those bold design moves coupled with artwork the designers sourced from emerging artists at SCAD and others around the country resulted in a warm, cozy, and uber-hip space. u

The designers sourced artwork from emerging artists at SCAD and commissioned a piece from an up-andcoming Californiabased artist.

Benson and Castellow were tasked with creating a younger, more hip space, so they began with a trio of colors, which inspired the rest of the space’s interior design.

“HE WANTED IT TO BE FRESH AND VIBRANT—A CASUAL SPACE TO GRAB GROCERIES AND BREAKFAST BUT ELEVATED ENOUGH FOR FUN COCKTAILS AT NIGHT.”

CHRIS EDWARDS

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS:

SLOANE ADLER; MINT MUSEUM AUXILIARY: NICHOLAS BOSSI

RUTH RUNBERG

TOP: Owners Lindsay Marko and Emily Slater.

BOTTOM: The Art of the Bar gift box is part of the new Holiday 2022 collection and includes items like a tea towel, a stoneware vase, and all-natural cocktail mix.

Gracious GIFTING

PRODUCED BY ANNE MARIE ASHLEY

Best friends Emily Slater and Lindsay Marko waxed poetic about their vision of starting a business together ever since their days at the University of Georgia. After full emersion in planning their own weddings, a business plan for wedding welcome gifts was hatched. With Marko’s design degree from Parsons and Slater’s experience as an editor with a luxury national wedding publication, they felt confident they had a niche.

Fast forward eight years, and their business, A Signature Welcome (ASW), has expanded to include corporate gifting, personal gifting, and wedding welcome gifts. “I think we always knew we wanted to expand, but we wanted it to happen organically,” explains Slater. “When the pandemic hit and weddings halted, we had to pivot to stay afloat, and the corporate industry was in a very unique place for us to enter.” With everyone quarantined in their homes, companies found new ways to express employee appreciation, and gifts through ASW’s unique branded options offered high-end luxury appeal.

In the same vein, as people searched for new ways to connect with close friends and family or brighten someone’s day during uncertain times, surprise gift boxes were born—beautifully packaged gifts with curated items that were shipped free nationwide. Personal gifting took off too, and Slater and Marko expanded their list of

Charlotte/Pineville, NC • Hickory, NC goodshomefurnishings.com

“ Where beautiful homes begin.”

All pre-curated gifts at ASW are hand-packaged and hand-wrapped with aesthetics front-of-mind.

—EMILY SLATER

“A new favorite coffee table book or a new scent for the powder room are warm touches they can sprinkle throughout the home,” says Slater. “Before any gift leaves our studio, our team asks: would we want it?” Whether you’re gifting to a family member or a few friends, a client, or your whole business team, ASW’s custom-designed or pre-curated boxes amp up not only the pampering this season, but the thoughtfulness, as well. u

2022 HOLIDAY COLLECTION

SEE THE FULL COLLECTION OF PRE-CURATED GIFTS AT ASIGNATUREWELCOME.COM

Gather

Give the foundations for gathering and kitchens.

luxury brands offered, covering everything from gourmet food and wellness kits to home goods and cooking, always gathering as many local items as possible.

“As gifting experts, we know you can never go wrong by showing thoughtful appreciation, no matter how big or small,” Slater says. “The wonderful thing about gifting is it still provides a moment to be unique; you don’t have to do it like everyone else. Our design team can help customers develop a full custom experience.”

ASW’s pre-curated gifts are convenient, yet thoughtful and luxe. Their Home Comforts gift, for example, layers on the cozy with specially selected taper candles and holders, a jar of matches, a throw blanket, a ceramic bowl, and a few snacks to keep you warm.

Home Comforts Layer on comfort with candles, a blanket, and snacks to share.

Morning Coffee Ground coffee, muffin and pancake mix, and a cane tray to serve them on.

Winter's Taste

This gift has all the gourmet winter flavors to put you in the holiday spirit.

“THE WONDERFUL THING ABOUT GIFTING IS IT STILL PROVIDES A MOMENT TO BE UNIQUE; YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.”

The Ayurvedic gift box is the ultimate self-care gift, complete with incense and pepita flaxseed balls.

Rose Gold Standard

A ROUGE-TINTED TAKE ON THE LUXE LENS OF GOLD.

PRODUCED BY ANNE MARIE ASHLEY WRITTEN BY CHRISTINA SPRATT SPENCER

The warm, enveloping, and ethereal glow of this coppery hue has a naturally grounding nature that inspires a refined take on repose. Fiery yet feminine, rose gold’s faceted versatility ranges from dainty and delicate with bashful flushes of blush to earthily bold in saturated terra cotta–tinged swaths of modernity. This cameo-cast neutral infuses a fresh and youthful breath that feels special, elegant, and a dash eccentric. Smoky and sultry cadet blues and grays strikingly offset the balmy gleam of this metallic-mused maverick; dainty ballet neutrals and petal pastels are gracefully soft and romantically lyrical when in unison; and saturated sage, marigold, and desert-toned neutrals reign in an earthy elegance when paired.

1. 17th Century Tapestry Pillow / $2,100 / maisonmaisondesign.com

2. Kate Spade for Visual Comfort Leighton Sconce / $579 / circalighting.com

3. Copper Trays / $150–$350 / reedsmythe.com

4. Yallah Sim Sim by Jackie Milad / inquire for price / socogallery.com

5. Ottoman Star Gilded Drop Earrings / $80 / store.metmuseum.org

6. Dash & Albert Paint Chip Rug / $2,368 for 9x12 / annieselke.com

7. Kiran Robe / $115 / matouk.com

8. Oliver Custom Knob / $85–$115 / modern-matter.com

This living room designed by Natalie Papier of Home Ec. combines the varied palette of rose gold with the grounding shades of green and blue.

PHOTO:

Crystal NAGEL

Designer Crystal Nagel is known for mixing traditional elements with fresh ideas, and her home-remodeling background gives her unique insight when helping clients plan their spaces. This kitchen is just one of many spaces Nagel has fully overhauled for her clients, and she shares a little background about the design concept.

“Valuable storage like the walk-in pantry, the coffee and appliance bar, and a paneled refrigerator give this kitchen clean lines and an uncluttered feel,” says Nagel. “This is a hip, young family, so we wanted the architecture to match; we raised the ceilings into the pitch of the roofline and added wood beams for a modern look.” The arched kitchen window allows for lots of natural light, so Nagel drew inspiration from the outdoors, mixing natural textures with wood cabinets, painted elements, and a handmade tile backsplash with Caesarstone Primordia countertops. “Giving each client a space that fits their lifestyle is our goal with every project,” she says.

1. Harvey Pendant / $1,625 / arteriorshome.com

2. JennAir Rise Range / $13,199 / jennair.com

3. Brizo Litze Pull-Down Faucet / $1,030 / brizo.com

4. Natural White Zellige Tile / $18.50 per square foot / riadtile.com

5. Drawer Pull / $15.39 / belwith-keeler.com

6. Teak Woven Leather Barstool / $559 / target.com

AUDRA

BENDER; LAURA SUMRAK

Experience the beauty of home, heritage, and all that makes us human. Explore the 2023 Colormix ® Forecast at swcolorforecast.com

DESIGN SYNC

TEXT BY BLAKE MILLER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS EDWARDS

The dining room received a dramatic facelift with the addition of the green silk grasscloth wallcovering by Donghia for Kravet coupled with high-gloss white on the ceiling and trim work.

OPPOSITE: Lucas installed a trio of framed custom Gracie panels on the wall, which pull in the other colors of the room. One of the homeowners’ existing antiques anchors the space.

A DESIGNER’S JOB is sometimes part interior expert, part mediator, often helping couples find a happy medium between differing individual styles. So, when Charlotte Lucas’s clients came to her with a request to marry a love for traditional design with a penchant for modernity, she was barely fazed. “The husband is Danish and leans more modern, but the wife is much more traditional, so a lot of my work was bridging the gap between those two styles and creating an interior that felt fresh and alive for their young family,” says Lucas.

Lucas went with high-gloss paint on the living room walls, which are adorned with an antique mirror and a stunning collection of heirloom china. OPPOSITE: Lucas wanted the wife's office to skew more southern traditional, so she used textured, natural grasscloth by Phillip Jeffries on the ceiling paired with green-blue walls.

BELOW AND RIGHT: Lucas was tasked with designing the nursery as a surprise gender reveal for the couple. So, she designed a little girl's nursery that could age with their daughter. In the bathroom, she opted for classic all-white finishes but added a pop of color and pattern with the addition of the window treatment.

Lucas’s ability to seamlessly combine the two styles was one of the reasons her clients hired her. “Charlotte is so versatile, good at pulling things together, and catering to her clients,” says the homeowner. “She was really diplomatic about the process, keeping some of the things that meant a lot to my husband, but also shedding some of the not-sogreat things.”

To start, though, the home needed updating throughout. “The house had a great floor plan and bones,” says Lucas, “but it was brown town and it felt very dark inside.” A renovation of the kitchen and primary bathroom set the wheels in motion, and the home began to modernize. Then Lucas started working on the entry. “The question we asked

was, ‘What do you want it to feel like when you walk through the front door? What’s the statement you want to make, and how does that transition into the dining room, then into the living room and so on,’” says the designer.

Lucas began with a gold-and-ivory floral wallpaper by Nina Campbell that covers the entire entry and the stairway. “We needed something that would make it feel different from the living and dining rooms, which open to the foyer,” says Lucas. “From that point, we wanted the dining room to feel moodier and darker; we wanted a more sophisticated experience in there.” The dark-green silk wallcovering by Donghia for Kravet coupled with a high-gloss white paint on the trim instantly elevates the dining room to elegant and stylish. Despite each room having its own color palette, all three transition cohesively.

That same smooth transition took place when blending her client’s styles. It was so smooth, in fact, that no one would ever guess it was the biggest hurdle in the project. In the dining room, Lucas used the husband’s collage of ship and

Brunschwig & Fils wallpaper inspired the design of the guest bedroom. The homeowners’ existing four-poster bed was updated with a new set of linens by Matouk and Biscuit Home, as well as the bolster in a Schumacher fabric with Samuel & Sons detail.

ocean landscape paintings, which are family heirlooms, as a focal point. “Never in a million years would I have thought it would work, but Charlotte was like, ‘Let’s just try it and see.’ And now I love it,” laughs the wife.

“I was a very intentional when joining the two styles,” says Lucas. “A lot of the projects we work on require a mixing of styles and time periods. It was fun to have a specific

requirement, his style and hers, combined with two different styles of antiques from around the world, and make everything work together in a way that made sense. There’s a fresh, modern-tiered style in this house that they didn’t have before.”

Looking back, it’s clear to the homeowners that Lucas nailed the assignment. “We weren’t sure if we could marry our two different styles, but Charlotte made it possible.”u

To add warmth to the classic all-white kitchen, Lucas brought in color via the window treatments and custom banquette fabric by Perennials in the breakfast area. A Saarinen pedestal table and leather chairs are from Design Within Reach.

OPPOSITE: To create a stunning entrance, Lucas wrapped the foyer in a Nina Campbell wallpaper. A bench by Vanguard in a traditional fabric by Aleta complements the design.

GROW BLOOM AND

TEXT BY ANNE MARIE ASHLEY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DUSTIN PECK

NESTLED IN THE BLUE Ridge Mountains are tiny towns that stem off switchback roads that wind their way throughout the area. Among those towns is Linville, North Carolina, a sleepy but beautiful pocket that often goes overlooked. But Linville offers a host of opportunities for family time with golf, hiking trails, fishing, skiing, skeet shooting, live music, local wineries, and unfettered views for stargazing by the fire.

Mary Tobias Miller’s client is familiar with Linville’s inherent charm, having grown up visiting her grandparents’ home there, sharing the space with aunts, uncles, and cousins throughout the years. When the homeowner brought her husband up to Linville for the first time, he fell in love with the area, as well. As an adult, the homeowner shared the family home with her sister, but when she and her husband married and blended their family of ten, she knew it was time to find a home of their own. A large one.

Fate would intervene, and the house adjacent to her family home came onto the market. The sheer size of the home, at 11,000 square feet, was overwhelming. In addition to the size, the two acres of land needed quite a bit of work, and the modern style of the home stuck out in the more traditional aesthetic of the mountain community. Still, the

Miller was tasked with making the vast great room feel intimate, so she created two seating areas with separate focal points. Here, custom Schumacher velvet-covered sofas by Abode Home are paired with Wesley Hall wing chairs covered in Clarence House plaid. Two leather Wesley Hall cocktail tables bring practicality. Roman shades are made from Misia Paris fabric.

The bed in the primary suite is upholstered in Cowtan & Tout’s malachite emerald fabric, and windows are draped in Romo Gardenia fabric. "This room is so special because it had a spot for the oversized sofa where the homeowner's dad proposed to her mother,” says Miller.

The homeowner’s mother’s antique silk table has a home in the entry. Above, three of the four paintings found at a Parisian flea market by her parents hang revitalized, depicting earth, air, fire, and water.

family needed at least eight separate bedrooms for their older children, and a home that size could be altered to accommodate them. The couple decided to make an offer and landed the home with little resistance. Renovations began immediately.

“The house was in great condition, but only had three actual bedrooms, and the laundry room resided in the attached garage,” recalls the homeowner. The young couple wanted to scale down the modernity of the home to match the community more closely while creating individual spaces for their eight children. The homeowner’s mother was a former antique dealer who owned a beloved shop in town for decades, so she had many heirlooms to incorporate into the design. They called on Miller to marry their modern home with their traditional tastes.

“I knew my clients wanted a colorful, fresh, young feel that spoke more ‘modern mountain’ and not so much true contemporary, with warm tones and stylish, rustic furniture,” says Miller. She designed the home with lots of wood, leather, and comfy, round edges to create a cozy feel within the large space. But before that, the team had to accommodate ten people comfortably. Contractor Andrew Roby was called in to oversee the significant adjustments.

“We reworked the layout to add three more bedrooms, creating five in the main house, with an additional one existing above the garage, and a large lower-level teen hangout,” explains the homeowner. The biggest engineering feat, however,

Charles Stewart bar stools in the large chef’s kitchen offer plenty of seating for the family of ten. Black granite counters with copper accents ground the space, while the antique breakfast table and chairs serve big meals. Windows are treated with a Schuyler Samperton fabric, and the lighting is by Visual Comfort.

The guest room palette boasts pops of turquoise and vermilion, with drapes in a Jasper fabric trimmed in a Houlès Galon braid swathing the windows. The settee is upholstered in a Nina Campbell fabric.

may have been the removal of a spiral staircase and the installation of a more traditional, straightforward stair. “It made all the difference. The new stair leads from the large family room down to the kid’s hangout room.”

Miller began her design by sifting through the homeowner’s family warehouse of antiques and art, pulling items that were must-haves and functional. “Period rooms are for museums,” muses Miller. “I like to mix styles, put traditional things in a modern setting and vice versa. I try to reinvent the wheel with every project.” While sifting, they discovered four large murals that belonged to the homeowner’s parents. Found at a farmers market in France and named in French—terre, lair, feu, and eau—the murals used to hang in the hotel her father owned more than a decade ago. But when they saw how perfect they

looked in the front entry of the home, the rest of the home’s design flowed out from the murals. “I love that we could give them new life,” says the homeowner.

New life seems to be the overarching theme of the home. A twelve-foot-long draper's table that belonged to the homeowner’s mother resides in the main hall, and the sofa that’s now in the primary suite is where her father asked her mother to marry him. Miller was able to re-use her client’s mother’s favorite curtains, altered to hang in her daughter’s bedroom. “They have some sun damage on them,” notes the homeowner, “but that’s what makes them more valuable to us; kind of like The Velveteen Rabbit.” These sentimental touches play a central role in Miller’s overall design, but modern elements like Missoni carpets scattered here and

The downstairs guest bedroom is known as Jane’s Room (the homeowner’s mother-in-law) and has a Lee Industries king bed upholstered in Empire Kiwi. The drapery is a Jim Thompson Poppy fabric.

The dining room is where the family gathers for more formal occasions. Reupholstered dining chairs in a modern cut-velvet stripe by Cowtan & Tout update the antique furnishings.

there create that seamless coupling of old and new for which she’s known.

The kitchen was designed with large gatherings in mind, complete with an oversized dining table, a fireplace, a TV, and several barstools. Dark cabinets were updated with light and bright paint, and the kitchen island was updated with a marble top. “We also installed new chandeliers and added a large brass sign that reads Edelweiss,” says the homeowner. “Many homeowners in Linville name their homes, and after much discussion with the kids, we chose Edelweiss after the song in The Sound of Music. Not only do we all love the movie, but we have a large family, and the song is about

a beautiful wildflower that only grows in the mountains. It felt like a perfect amalgamation of our family.”

After fresh paint throughout, the addition of a new laundry room and primary suite, more closets, and tweaked bedroom sizes, the home is a perfect reflection of the new owners. “It’s pure joy to have been able to bring life back into this house,” says the homeowner. “It seems to glow with appreciation. My husband and I often do our ‘walk of appreciation,’ where we grab a glass of wine, walk around the property, and discuss how grateful we are to have a sanctuary for our children. Then we make a toast to Edelweiss.” u

This sentimental couch where the homeowner’s parents got engaged is the centerpiece of the primary bedroom’s sitting area. The glass and brass cocktail table and ottomans are from Branch Home, and the curtains are done in Romo Gardenia fabric.

The sitting area in the great room has panoramic views of the homeowner’s property, which Miller highlights with floor-to-ceiling draperies. A custom sofa in a blue Kirby fabric and Wesley Hall wing chairs in a textured stripe make it cozy. Bennett Discoveries chests flank the fireplace, with lamps from Visual Comfort resting atop. A painting by Carol Bodiford hangs above the mantle.

SOCIAL HOUSE

TEXT BY BLAKE MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIE WILLIAMS STYLING BY SARAH CROSLAND

EERIN SPARKS never intended to be a social media influencer. In fact, in fall 2020, when she began to decorate the Myers Park home she shares with her husband, Will, all she really wanted to do was pull together a design board for each room. “I loved looking at other home decor Instagram accounts for inspiration,” she says. “I have a background in graphic design, so I started to create room schemes, and then I realized I could be building those on an account for other people to be inspired.”

She began the account humbly, never intending to create a following. She simply wanted to inspire others who may be decorating their own homes. As her feed began to grow, so did her followers: today she has nearly 34,000 followers on her Instagram account @byerinsparks. And her fans have inspired her as well; during her home’s renovation, which

THIS PAGE: This stunning charcuterie board by The Culture Shop in Plaza Midwood is perfect for any gathering. The cheese and wine shop, known for its colorful platters and locally sourced provisions, offers everything you need to elevate entertaining in your home.

OPPOSITE: A native Charlottean, social media influencer Erin Sparks and her husband, Will, love to host friends and family in their Myers Park home.

she and her husband oversaw themselves, she loved reading comments about the process. “I posted a lot of befores-andafters of our home and received such kind feedback,” she says. “People were so encouraging when I posted reels or stories of the progress. In general, the home design community online is very positive, which, of course, makes it fun to share.”

Since completing the renovation, she and Will, who is a chairman and professor at Queens University, love to host casual cocktails and dinner parties with family and friends. A Charlotte native, Sparks often invites her parents and her brother—all of whom live within walking distance—over

ABOVE AND RIGHT: Sparks, middle, and her friends gather in the formal living room. She and her husband, Will, often gather here for pre-dinner cocktails or wine.

For a warm, welcoming feel, Sparks wrapped the foyer in a York Wallcoverings grasscloth. She added a Lucite console by Caracole and mirror by Regina Andrew.

The original pass-through between the kitchen and study was an unused space, so Sparks took advantage of it, creating an informal breakfast nook by designing an upholstered tufted banquette. For an extra wow factor, she added wallpaper by Studio Four on the ceiling and a chandelier by Serena & Lily.

ABOVE AND RIGHT: The study is one of the Sparks's favorite places to have an early-morning cup of coffee or a pre-dinner drink before heading into Charlotte. Because the room is open to both the formal living room and the breakfast area and kitchen, Sparks wanted the space to stand out, so she chose a high-gloss Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore for the built-ins and walls for a dramatic effect.

for family dinners. “Most of the time, Will and my dad are doing the cooking,” laughs Sparks. But when the couple have friends over, most of their entertaining takes place around the newly renovated kitchen, in the nearby breakfast nook, or in the adjacent study. There, Will serves up his signature vodka gimlets while Sparks plays hostess.

The Sparks will be welcoming their first baby in January, and the nursery is already underway—a testament to a home being a work in progress. “We’ve really made this home into something we love,” she says. “It definitely took some finessing to bring it from our unimpressive first walk-through to where it is now, but it just keeps getting better and better.” u

The primary bathroom is serene in all white. Sparks outfitted the bright and airy space with a chandelier by Serena & Lily and a soaking tub by Victoria + Albert.

Sparks wanted the primary bedroom to be simple and white, so she opted for a bed by Caracole and chose bed linens by Pottery Barn for an added touch of color.

SEASONS OF CHANGE

IMPACT FINE DESIGN’S NEW SHOWROOM OFFERS CLIENTS A GREAT GATHERING SPACE TO PLAN THEIR PROJECTS.

WRITTEN BY BRANDY WOODS SNOW

Just as the meteorological seasons change, so do the seasons of life and business, shifting our focus, our needs, and our inten tions. Recently, Kristie Knorr, owner of IMPACT Fine Design, underwent one such transition when the South End property that housed her showroom and offices for more than a decade was sold. The unexpected need to relocate ended up being a true blessing, elevating her business and brand.

“We dug in, embraced the change, found an amazing new location, and used the move as an opportunity to consider how we use our space, organize our showroom effectively, and evaluate our displays,” says Knorr. “We also decided to rebrand, and the new name and logo better reflect our company image and the solid, experienced cabinet and closet designers on our team.”

LAURA SUMRAK

The new showroom, located in a character-filled historic building on South Mint Street in the Gold District of South End, was purposefully designed to be a space that inspires collaboration on residential-project planning—a great gathering space for customers to meet and collaborate with an experienced team. “We wanted to keep product lines together to make it easy to focus on options,” says Knorr. “There’s so much to touch and ‘play with’ in our space that it takes the guesswork out of the options under consideration. While we work with these products every day, it’s often a new experience for our customers, and we want to ensure they are very clear on what they’re buying.”

Knorr’s team keeps an eye on the hottest trends and attends industry trade shows and events.

Currently, statement hoods—available in metal, wood, and stucco—are in high demand and can add a punch of personality to any new kitchen design. Well-planned cabinetry provides a home for small appliances. Interior lighting is elevated to a new level of convenience with programmable Wi-Fi technology. And cabinet doors installed as entryways to the room behind (typically a working pantry) ensure a seamless and sleek aesthetic.

These trends, along with a range of timeless options, are easily accessible at IMPACT’s new showroom, where Knorr invites the interior design community and builders to meet with their customers for a firsthand experience when imagining their next project. She knows better than anyone that the seasons of change can bring great rewards. “Even if the idea of change is overwhelming, it can become a huge opportunity.” u

The IMPACT Fine Design process begins with a consultation and series of questions designed to understand how customers will utilize the space. This information is transformed into lifelike renderings, focusing not only on aesthetics but also functionality.

“For kitchen renovation planning, we focus heavily on traffic flow and working zones as well as eliminating counter clutter and maximizing storage options,” says Knorr. As the heart of the home, the kitchen is a prime gathering spot for family and friends during the holidays and all year long. For more information, contact IMPACT FINE DESIGN at 704-778-6814 or visit IMPACTDESIGNRESOURCES.COM

“THERE’S SO MUCH TO TOUCH AND ‘PLAY WITH’ IN OUR SPACE.”

—KRISTIE KNORR

MICHAEL BLEVINS; LAURA SUMRAK

SARA LYNN BRENNAN INTERIORS

TIMELESS TILE

BY BETH CONANT-KEIM

TILE. THE CHOICES ARE ENDLESS AND IT'S EASY TO FEEL OVERWHELMED.

I get it. But taking the time to find or create something special will give you years of happiness. Don’t rush the process. It’s all in the details.

Take this bathroom, for example. While a white subway tile is not necessarily unique, we used a handmade version with slightly irregular edges. I chose a black pencil tile to create a horizontal detail break and black grout to make the tile really stand out. In the shower, which is full of white penny tile, we added a black penny tile heart for an element of fun, creating a little whimsy in the otherwise sophisticated space. To ground all the white and black, a warm wood-toned cabinet was added, as well as black

quartzite counters. Mixing brass details and black-and-white color with the wood gives this space a timeless feel.

The two bathrooms in this home have one thing in common: gorgeous counter-to-ceiling tile. Both rooms include a dramatic pattern in simple palettes; one gray and white and the other black and white.

In this new build, we took a very simple cabinet configuration and added a big wow factor with tile. Extending the tile from the

counter up to the ceiling is a design element I use often; if this “backsplash” is skipped, it doesn’t have the same effect.

Lighting and mirrors are equally important to the overall design—but make sure you work closely with the installer to align them correctly, as you are mounting directly into tile and only have one chance to get it right.

I’m so thankful to have clients who love tile so much, and for awesome vendors like Palmetto Tile, who supplied it all. u

BETH CONANT-KEIM is the owner of LUCY AND COMPANY, a full-service interior design firm located at 2108 SOUTH BOULEVARD, SUITE 213. For more information, visit LUCYANDCOMPANY.COM or call 704-342-6655

"DON’T RUSH THE PROCESS. IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS.”

The experts at Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery are here to help create a home that’s as extraordinary as you are. Any project, any style, any dream—bring your inspiration to Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery. Visit build.com/ferguson to schedule your personalized showroom experience today.

Built on a foundation of integrity and trust, Cottingham Chalk has a long history of serving the Charlotte community. From the beginning, our focus has been on the people. Now, in our second generation of leadership, we are a family business more than ever. And when you hire a Cottingham Chalk broker, you can rest assured that you have the entire company in your corner.

HEATHER WOLKING ANNE WILLIAMS

LISA WARREN

THE TUCK TEAM

REBA HATFIELD

LUCY BUTLER

CAY CRAIG

BECKY MCGRATH TEAM

SARA ROCHE TEAM

LEIGH C. CORSO LINDA HENLEY

CHIP JETTON

HEATHER MONTGOMERY

LINDSAY REDFERN

LISA RUPP

KAREN WAGNER

THE HUNEYCUTT TEAM

DRESSED FOR SUCCESS

BY COURTNEY VAUGHN

YOUR HOME SHOULD BE AS FASHIONABLE AS YOUR CLOSET.

Why save your best looks for a night out on the town? Bring your fashion sensibilities into your home, especially into your kitchen, with a little help from Elkay. A home deliberately styled with color and modern lines is as welcome as a refined wardrobe. Functionality is a key factor in choosing kitchen sinks, faucets, and all the components that make a custom kitchen work at highest capacity. But homeowners should also consider how choosing different colors and forms will impart the

modern, transitional, or contemporary style that tells their story. Elkay has been known for product innovation in sink technology since its inception in 1920. But the company has also focused on making its sinks and fixtures key pieces of jewelry for the kitchen by developing new styles and finishes that optimize a curated look.

A sink is truly the utilitarian heart of the kitchen, and a workstation adds major functionality and style to the room. The Circuit Chef workstation, for example, is an entertainer’s dream. Customized inserts, such as cutting boards, colanders, and bottom grids, operate on two tiers and move effortlessly from meal prep to entertaining to cleanup. Elkay’s workstations also have inserts that enable homeowners

to chill wine in one section of the sink while holding an impromptu charcuterie board in another.

But it’s the modern lines and range of colors that enable homeowners to make a style statement. Classic stainless steel, smooth fireclay in white or matte gray, and the newest highperformance quartz colors of Arctic Fox white and Obsidian black, launching early next year, translate the language of each sink in a different way. The workstation’s inherent design versatility is eye-catching, while new colors blend well with popular honed concrete and matte countertop finishes.

Fixtures can also make a design statement. Elkay’s new Avado filtration faucet features clean lines and three finish choices of stainless, chrome, and matte black, providing functionality and customization.

It’s all about choosing how you want to dress your home for success. Innovations in functionality and design continue to reach the marketplace. For homeowners and designers who want to take advantage of new products in inspired colorways to customize and showcase their personal style, the sky is the limit.

u

ZURN ELKAY

COURTNEY VAUGHN is the regional residential lead sales representative at ELKAY. To learn more, visit ELKAY.COM or call 800-476-4106.

Cox Door is 35 years in the Charlotte market. We stand behind each and every door, install, service and preventative maintenance that we do. With great craftsmanship comes great responsibility. This is why we also stand behind the quality accessories that are part and parcel of these great doors. We fix, maintain, source and install any door or part that you need. From coils, to openers, advice of maintenance; call us and we will send our experts in the field to you.

Charlotte’s premier outdoor lighting company

SPOTLIGHT

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

HIDELL BROOKS GALLERY

Through December 16 hidellbrooks.com

Hidell Brooks Gallery is featuring new works by three abstract artists: Jean Alexander Frater, Mary Nelson Sinclair, and Brigid Watson. Each artist approaches her paintings from a different perspective, from tearing the canvas into strips and then weaving them back together to building up the surfaces with oil paints to create luscious texture. No matter their technique, the results are impactful.

AMERICAN MADE: PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURE FROM THE DEMELL JACOBSEN COLLECTION

MINT MUSEUM UPTOWN

Through December 24 mintmuseum.org

This exhibition surveys two centuries of American creativity. Though many of the objects from the DeMell Jacobsen collection have been on view at other museums, this is the first exhibition featuring a comprehensive compilation of works from the collection. Beginning with Colonial-era portraits and moving on to highlight the development of mid-nineteenth-century landscape painting, viewers will discover works depicting the United States from coast to coast. This exhibition also includes still lifes and genre scenes—two other types of paintings that became popular in the nineteenth century.

LAUREN LULOFF: GREEN WORLD

SOCO GALLERY

November 9–December 31 socogallery.com

A solo exhibition by artist Lauren Luloff, Green World presents thirteen new dyed silks created by the artist in 2022. Luloff dyes silk to create captivating environments stewed with rich colors, textures, and a sense of touch. Through painting and sewing, the artist collages together disparate elements whose friction and harmony coalesce to form a narrative. Luloff’s pieces are about endlessness, the everlasting flow of images, narratives, and color relationships.

CLOCKWISE

FROM TOP: ART BY LAUREN LULOFF; ART BY MARY NELSON SINCLAIR; ART BY JOHN FREDERICK KENSETT

Geoffrey Johnson, Park - Dusk I, 40x40, Oil on Canvas

From contemporary to traditional, and everything in between.

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