DESIGNERS AT HOME &
Designer Anna Applegate curates a timeless, collected look in her Raleigh home.
designer Kate Anlyan.
ABIGAIL JACKSON
Three North Carolina designers invite us into one of the most precious rooms in their home: the nursery.
Designer Grey Joyner reveals her favorite jewel-tone pattern: malachite.
Designer Jess Borrelli pours her heart into designing her sister’s Raleigh home.
Sip a craft cocktail at The Parlor, a new speakeasy-style lounge inside Trig Modern.
Check out this autumn's latest personal touches and newest book releases.
t the end of the day, we’re all truly connected to each other. It’s easy to forget the humanness amid the illusion that Instagram and other social media platforms provide. But when we have the opportunity to take a deeper dive into someone through stories, personal spaces behind closed doors, and the sharing of treasured collections, it allows us to relate to one another in a way that can be authentic and satisfying. That relatability is what spreads more love and warmth into the world, and every time we feature someone’s personal home, this is our goal. It’s amplified when we get to showcase the private spaces that belong to the talented people behind so much of the content we share in HD&D—the designers who live and work nearby. Our annual Designers at Home issue reinforces the concept that we are all approachable. We all share different talents with the world. And we all have a unique story to tell.
So, from precious nurseries to quiet corners of the home, and from our favorite alma maters to latest products from our favorite local celebrities, we have filled these pages with connections, hoping you’ll take them and spread the love.
Blake Miller and Anne Marie Ashley Co-Editors-in-Chief
on the cover
Designer Anna Applegate creates a layered and collected aesthetic in every corner of her home (page 38).
Publisher
Michael Kooiman
Associate Publisher
Oonagh Murray
SALES
Advertising and Marketing Consultant
Sue Mooney
EDITORIAL
Co-Editors-in-Chief
Anne Marie Ashley
Blake Miller
Associate Editor Karin Simoneau
DESIGN
Art Director
Lindsay Richards
PRODUCTION
Production Coordinator
Shelley Kemper
Ad Support
Stacy Long
Writers
Maria Masters
Lee Rhodes
Brandy Woods Snow
Dana W. Todd
Photography
Abigail Jackson
Cat Wilborne
THE CENTERPIECE
Baby Makes THREE
Carolina designers discuss creating one of the most special rooms in their home: the nursery.
Text by Anne Marie Ashley
"A glider is an absolute must," says House of Nomad designer Kelley Lentini of this chair in her son Romer's nursery. Glider: Nurture &. Side table: Noir. Wallpaper: Etsy.
KELLEY LENTINI / HOUSE OF NOMAD
When her little boy, Romer, was on the way, House of Nomad co-owner and designer Kelley Lentini knew she wanted a nursery to reflect the love of travel she and her husband had fostered between them. “I lived abroad in London for a time, my husband and I lived in Shanghai in our twenties, and we’ve traveled southeast Asia and Japan extensively,” explains Lentini. “I wanted to transfer that feeling of wanderlust and playfulness into the nursery while still creating a soothing space for both the baby and me.” The Spoonflower wallpaper by Sveta Aho gave Lentini “a Dr. Seussian feel” of waves alongside a Japanese style of art, and with her love of all things coastal, it was the first piece she chose for the nursery. “When I found this paper, it felt right to go in this direction,” she says.
Wanting something to ground the blue wallcovering, Lentini moved in the direction of warm earth tones and landed on a rug that “brought a retro and sunset vibe.”
From there, various finds on travels, as well as pieces from her husband’s online children’s store, Nurture &, wove themselves into the rest of the design.
“As much as this room is for your child, as a mom, you will spend so much time in here, so it’s just as much for you too,” says Lentini. “I cared less about trends and more about what brings calm and joy to both Romer and me.”
it reminded her of Japanese artistic waves.
The well-traveled couple wanted a sense of wanderlust in the nursery, which Lentini layered with finds from her travels. The crib is from Nurture &.
Lentini grounded all the blue with earth tones and warm woods, like this dresser from Four Hands.
Lentini chose this Spoonflower wallpaper by Sveta Aho because
KELLEY'S MUST-HAVES
SNOO Bassinet
Hush Travel Sound Machine
Powered Glider from Nurture &
MA ALLEN / MA ALLEN INTERIORS
Baby made six for interior designer MA Allen and her family when Fielding, her youngest of four, was born. Those who follow the renovation and design of her family home, Lakestone, may have seen that she converted her downstairs guest room into the nursery for her son. As a guest room, Allen had swathed the walls in Pierre Frey’s Pommes de Pin wallpaper and painted the trim and doors in Benjamin Moore’s Buxton Blue. “As fate would have it, this combo would become a perfect pairing for a baby boy nursery,” Allen says.
As with each of her children, Allen used the same crib in her youngest son’s room and designed around it. For comfort of mom (and baby, too), Allen added a duc duc indi platform bed, which she says is “easy to assemble and a modern solution that can seamlessly blend into any design style.” To balance the modern pieces, she added some vintage wood and rattan items along with a geometric rug by Kit Kemp for Annie Selke. And, finally, a swivel glider was a must, covered in Cowtan & Tout’s Indian Summer fabric. Commissioned art and layers of accessories complete the nursery, including a piece by local Raleigh artist Ellen Hathaway above the changing table and a collage by Clarence Deaton above the crib.
MA'S MUST-HAVES
ANNA ROUTH BARZIN; PINK CHICKEN; DOONA; WELL & WONDER
The Pierre Frey wallpaper and Benjamin Moore trim paint that were in her guest room perfectly transitioned into Allen's son's nursery.
Vintage wood and rattan pieces were added to balance the modernity of the nursery, like this bookcase flanked by her favorite giraffe from Anthropologie.
The changing table that can covert to a dresser is a must in Allen's eyes, and this one from duc duc pairs perfectly with local artwork by Ellen Hathaway.
The Nesting Box Set by Pink Chicken
Doona Stroller
Orignal Art (Piece by Clarence Deaton)
The 135-year-old heritage design house Schumacher is proud to have opened its doors to a brand-new luxury shopping boutique for design lovers and a to-the-trade showroom for interior designers in the heart of Dilworth. Be sure to stop in and visit Charlotte’s go-to source for home accessories, furniture, and a whole lot more!
DOMINIQUE DELANEY
/ DOMINIQUE DELANEY INTERIOR DESIGN
“As an interior designer, I’ve worked on every space inside a home, but a child’s room holds a special place,” says Dominique DeLaney. “Charlotte is my third child, and I knew I wanted to create that special feeling for her—that space that sparks whimsy, playfulness, and joy.”
After sorting through “what felt like hundreds of wallpaper samples,” DeLaney instantly fell in love with a beautiful handwoven butterfly grasscloth from Caitlin McGauley. “Her designs evoke such a fun and whimsical feeling that I knew it was the one,” she adds. She reupholstered the glider she previously used in her son’s room in Peter Dunham’s Isfahan fabric, which pulled all the elements of the nursery together.
“The old saying ‘babies don’t keep’ rings true, so it was important to prioritize the nursery’s other elements to grow with Charlotte,” DeLaney says. The family crib easily made its way into Charlotte’s room and doubles as a toddler bed, and the Made Goods lacquered grasscloth changing table transitions into a dresser for older children.
“I want to nurture a love for reading in my kids, so I had to have a bookcase in the nursery,” explains DeLaney. “I love this étagère from Wildwood; I had it custom painted in Benjamin Moore’s Atmosphere to match the nursery’s trim for a fun pop of color.” A longtime fan of Monica Ajenjo, DeLaney commissioned one of her bow pieces and loves the iridescence and light it brings to the nursery. “It is a true work of artistry, and I love that Charlotte now has an original piece she can keep forever.”
DOMINIQUE'S MUST-HAVES
Storage was key in this smaller nursery. Two of DeLaney's favorite options are baskets and the keepsake trunks from Petite Keep.
DeLaney and her newborn, Charlotte, sit in her favorite glider, reupholstered in a Peter Dunham fabric.
Heirloom Brush & Comb Set
Keepsake Trunk from Petite Keep
Hermès Avalon Baby Blanket
The butterfly grasscloth by Caitlin McGauley was "the one," and it gave the nursery the whimsical feel DeLaney was after.
Let Home for Entertaining be your partner in cultivating beautiful, joyful experiences. Our retail space in the heart of Downtown Cary offers some of the most unique entertaining pieces in the area. Home for Entertaining also offers curated events, classes and workshops that allow you to come in, gather with friends and learn the art of entertaining by experiencing it firsthand.
the
Designer Grey Joyner loves an ultra-luxe moment and shows us why rich malachite is a gem to work with.
I FIND THE RICH HUES and swirling pattern of malachite mesmerizing. The swirls make the color look in-motion, and when I want to bring luxury or elegance to a space, this hue adds dimension. As a plus, the green tones look amazing on any skin tone, so it’s also a great fashion choice. Often associated with growth and joy, implementing this tone into your home is a wonderful way to welcome people. When designing, I love to pair malachite with a multitude of colors, including yellow, blue, and orange.
1. Oskan Moon Bag / $990 / us.isabelmarant.com 2. Aliita Deco Rombo Ring / $1,245 / mytheresa.com 3. Hermitage Malachite Wallcovering / to the trade / scalamandre. com 4. Stone Box / to the trade / globalviews.com 5. Jade Bench / to the trade / madegoods.com 6. Aquazzura Capri Tassel Heels / $836 / mytheresa.com 7. Reelwind Sneakers / $195 / autry-usa.com 8. Charger / Cake Plate / $215 / l-objet.com
Meet
Designer Grey Joyner, Grey Joyner Interiors
Favorite style Modern Bohemian
Why this color Rich & Luxe
Favorite pick Capri Tassel Heels
SISTER, SISTER
Designer Jess Borrelli reimagines her sister’s traditional Colonial into a fun, feminine space.
Text by Maria Masters | Photography by Cat Nguyen | Styling by GTHRd by HD
Jess expanded the kitchen to include a breakfast nook and coffee bar. The cabinets also hold the family’s collection of board games. Cabinets: Kemper. Chandelier: Anthropologie. Dining table: ModShop. Dining chairs: Ikea.
Jenny Finet didn’t see the inside of her home until after she’d purchased it. It was the height of the real estate market in 2022, and Jenny—who was living in Ohio at the time—had been outbid on five homes, including a few houses where she’d offered
significantly more than the asking price. “It was wild,” she says.
So, when her current home came on the market, she offered on it sight unseen. Once inside, however, it was clear she had work to do. The early 90s home had an outdated design and an awkward layout, including a long hallway separating the kitchen from the breakfast nook; but far from being daunted by the prospect of a major redesign, Jenny was excited to dive in. With designer Jess Borrelli as her sister, she felt confident it could be done.
Jenny’s husband passed away from cancer in the spring of 2020, and the pull toward family brought her to Raleigh with her nine-year-old daughter and eleven-year-old son in tow. She wanted a fresh start for all of them, and their home was the ideal place to start.
“It was the first house she’d bought by herself,” says Jess Borrelli of her sister, “and we really wanted to show her personality.” Closer to family now, having a space to entertain became top of the list for the sisters. To that end, Jess transformed the formal dining room into a lounge and record room, complete with dark floral wallpaper and
Jess transformed the original formal dining room into a music room, where Jenny listens to records—everything from Americana to Fleetwood Mac. The intimate seating arrangement creates a space for conversation.
The entryway doubles as a piano room, where a framed photo of
was
learn how to
Chandelier: Regina Andrew. Moose head: E&E. Coffee table: Paysage Home. Chairs: Ikea.
Jenny’s late husband hangs. “One of Jenny’s goals
to
play the piano when she moved here,” says Jess. Piano: Yamaha. Wallpaper: Allan Funk’s Wallpapers.
In the kitchen, the sisters played with a juxtaposition of jewel-toned colors and geometric patterns for a fun, whimsical effect. “I wanted her to be happy when she walked in there,” says Jess. Cabinets: Kemper. Countertops: Mogastone. Range: Kucht.
Backsplash: TileBar.
To accommodate her nephew’s request for something “funky and weird,” Jess wrapped the walls in faux-brick and graffiti-inspired wallpaper and commissioned a custom-built desk that displays his collection of video games. Brick wallpaper: Arthouse. Graffiti wallpaper: Wallpaper4beginners on Etsy.
an eclectic ostrich feather chandelier by Regina Andrew. A faux gold-painted deer from E&E served as design inspiration for the room, while a set of Ikea chairs are perfect for conversation. “I go in there with my girlfriends and drink wine and listen to records,” says Jenny. “I had free reign to go bold and feminine.”
In the kitchen, the awkward hallway was knocked down in favor of a coffee bar, connecting it with the breakfast nook for better flow. A geometric backsplash and a green Kucht oven with black marble countertops made the space pop. “We wanted the kitchen to feel happy when you walk in and not chaotic,” says Jess.
Even the children grew to embrace the design process, getting to design their own rooms to make the process wwof moving just a little easier. Jess created an Insta-ready room for her niece and a funky graffiti-inspired room for her nephew.
“She has an impeccable sense of style,” Jenny says of her designer sister, attributing their smooth transition to her gentle help. “I value her opinion so much, and I’m just so grateful to have someone like her.”
Jess incorporated paintings from Jenny’s travels to Japan and France. “We kept the pink and girly theme going in here,” says Jess. Bed: Bernhardt. Lamps: Regina Andrew. Rattan chairs: Vintage.
WITH a TWIST
Enjoy an engaging shopping experience in the heart of Raleigh—with a twist of cocktails.
Text by Karin Simoneau
SLIDE INTO A COZY SEAT, order a craft cocktail, and appreciate a curated collection of interiors at The Parlor, a speakeasy-style lounge nestled inside Trig Modern, Raleigh’s midcentury-modern furniture boutique.
Blending timeless design with modern aesthetics while also creating an immersive shopping experience, The Parlor provides a space to relax and imagine how textures, furniture, and accessories could feel in your own space. “Guests can come in, have a drink, and wander the showroom. They aren’t shopping; they are living in a space that could be crafted to be their own,” says Ryan Riek, who owns Trig Modern along with his brother Justin.
The brothers, who acquired the furniture store in 2023, yearned to marry design and hospitality with fine furnishings. “Our purpose has been to build upon its
foundation and propel the brand forward by expanding our inventory with new furniture from esteemed brands, enhancing the customer experience, and engaging with our community,” says Riek. An extension of their hospitality background, The Parlor was an occasion to “evolve the traditional furniture shopping experience into something different.”
The bar itself is exquisite, made of hand-fluted sapele hardwood from the African rainforest and built by Carolina Design & Construction. “When you sit at the bar and appreciate the design, sip on a handcrafted cocktail, and listen to great music, you have this opportunity to dream about the space you could create for yourself,” says Riek.
Looking to the future, the brothers plan to expand on the intersection of hospitality meets retail on a homefurnishing level. Says Riek, “We love providing an immersive experience in our showroom and want to focus on developing strong relationships not just with our designers, but with our shoppers and the whole community.”
Designed by owner Ryan Riek, the bar is made of hand-fluted sapele hardwood from the African rainforest.
The Throne Bench by artist Ryan Dart sits pretty in the Trig Modern showroom.
Personal Preference
Sometimes the smallest details in a home speak the loudest about the owners. And these new releases are worth a thousand words.
Produced
by Anne Marie Ashley
1 Lover
North Carolina's Natalie Papier releases her new interior design book this fall. A gorgeous challenge to conventional wisdom, Start with the Art urges readers to begin their design journey with the most emotive piece of the puzzle—the art. Alongside beautiful images of inspiration, she fills her pages with useful nuggets on where to shop for affordable art, favorite galleries and museums, and favorite local artists, easing your journey into becoming an art-lover. homeecop.com
2 Go Gingerly
John Derian is known for his attention to detail in decoupage pieces that add luxury and interest to homes across the world. His new collection of Ginger Jar lamps is no exception, each piece handmade in his studio in New York. Five designs of collaged paper under handblown glass create a line of truly unique and intricate lamps that light the way for a statement-making moment. johnderian.com
3 Ave Regina
The queen of lighting, Regina Andrew, releases a new line of fixtures this summer, with some pieces debuting in stores later this fall. Pulling inspiration from historic homes and sixties nostalgia, the new designs combine the best of midcentury modern with contemporary trends and materials. reginaandrew.com
4 Table, Set, Match
Belgian design label Serax has invited artistic expression through tableware in their latest collaborations with designers like Marni and chef Yotam Ottolenghi. One-of-akind tableware in a myriad of patterns brings a world of combinations to your fingertips. Hand-illustrated porcelain pieces from Marni mark the Italian fashion label’s arrival to the world of interiors, heralding a zing of quirky elegance, while Ottolenghi’s Feast Collection, designed in tandem by Ottolenghi and Italian artist Ivo Bisignano, brings colorful, joyful vibes to breaking bread. serax.com
5 Personality Plus
For such an unassuming party piece, the cocktail napkin has an epic following. From clandestine notes to lipstick stains, this little piece of paper has run the gamut of functionality, but a new collection from luxury tableware brand Âme Atendre takes the storied napkin to keepsake territory. Removing clichés in favor of sentiment and tacky colors in favor of muted tones, each set proffers something to think about alongside a personal touch. ameatendre.com
OCTOBER 7 TH & 8 TH , 2024
carolina inn, chapel hill
Design Matters is a series of events celebrating design while raising funds for UNC Children’s Hospital.
Please join us for lectures, a tablescape showcase, and a pop-up shop.
TICKETED EVENTS
KEYNOTE LUNCHEON SET THE TABLE
October 7th
Luncheon + Design Presentation featuring Associate Vice President at Schumacher Tori Mellott
October 7th & 8th
Inspired Tablescapes, Art & Floral Show
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
POP-UP SHOP
October 7th
Featuring 18 curated vendors, 20% of sales will benefit the Fitch Family Comprehensive Pediatric Rehab Program at UNC Children’s Hospital
LECTURE & TEA
October 8th
Featuring Interior Designer and Lifestyle Expert Beth Webb
Proudly sporting pops of University of Wisconsin–Madison red, this bunk room in the capital city is perfect for families or friends traveling together.
Nestled on the banks of the River Cam in Cambridge, U.K., and featuring unmatched views, this Graduate is inspired by centuries of rich traditions and academic life.
Graduate's newest location in Palo Alto, California, just steps away from Stanford, has a popular rooftop bar and creative interiors full of nostalgia.
STOMPING GROUNDS
This
college football season, grab the fam and support your alma mater in ultra-luxe style.
Text by Anne Marie Ashley
THE GRADUATE HOTELS have an almost cult-like following, which makes so much sense given that its fan base also loyally supports the schools in all of the chain’s various locations: college towns across the United States and England, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, all the way to Oxford, United Kingdom, and a bevy of sites in between. The difference may lie in the alums’ and fans’ dedication to excellent design as well.
In towns like Ann Arbor, Michigan, Eugene, Oregon, and Charlottesville, Virginia, Graduate Hotels has acquired dedicated guests through its uniquely beautiful and quirky-themed trappings of a boutique hotel wrapped in the ultra-convenience of a modern chain. And with Hilton’s acquisition of the brand earlier this year, the collection will not only expand globally, but will also enjoy Hilton Honors programs, expanded branding, and a wider audience. Auburn, Alabama, and Dallas, Texas, are the latest locations set to open later this fall and early next year.
Each Graduate hotel is steeped in local history, charm, and nostalgia, thoughtfully designed to reflect the character of its local university while elevating the concept of school spirit to an adult-level appreciation— things like sophisticated patterns, hand-stitched throw pillows, interesting local books, luxury toiletries, and even connecting bunk-bedrooms for families with children. And while it’s perfect for game days, reunions, graduations, and campus visits, with nearly a quarter of global travelers expected to get away for concerts, sporting events, and other one-of-a-kind, local experiences this year, many of which are happening in secondary markets anchored by universities, Hilton is eager to take the brand to a whole new level.
Fish Gotta Swim, Birds Gotta Fly
5 POINTS GALLERY | SEPTEMBER 19–OCTOBER 12
Fish Gotta Swim, Birds Gotta Fly features new works by artist Susan Woodson, who invites you into a whimsical world where peaceful fish and sassy birds come to life through her vibrant acrylic paintings. With a playful use of color and creative marks, she captures her love of nature in a way that is both fun and intriguing. Woodson’s work is infused with a sense of humor that delights viewers, offering a fresh and engaging perspective on familiar creatures. Opening reception and meet the artist on September 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 5pointsgallery.com
Refuge: Needing, Seeking, Creating Shelter
21C MUSEUM HOTEL DURHAM | THROUGH MAY 2025
Featuring eighty works by more than forty artists from all around the world, this exhibition investigates the search for refuge: how, why, and where people need, seek, and create shelter. It highlights the causes, consequences, and experiences of migration, both sought and forced. Works by artists including Margarita Cabrera, Arleene Correa Valencia, Hew Locke, Richard Mosse, Nick Cave, Alfredo Jaar, Dinh Q. Lê, Glenda León, and Mohau Modisakeng combine realism and fantasy, the mythical and the mundane, in images and objects that narrate a range of migration stories highlighting our shared vulnerability. 21cmuseumhotels.com
Venice and the Ottoman Empire
NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ART | SEPTEMBER 28–JANUARY 5, 2025
Through a rich body of works reflecting both Venetian and Ottoman origins, Venice and the Ottoman Empire documents interactions between the two rival Mediterranean states across multiple cultural arenas—political, diplomatic, economic, artistic, technological, and culinary. Featuring more than 130 works in a broad range of media, the exhibition draws from the vast collections of Venice’s storied civic museums, as well as the NCMA’s own extensive holdings of Venetian art. Highlights include paintings by Jacobello del Fiore, Vittore Carpaccio, and Gentile Bellini, as well as luxury Venetian and Ottoman goods including textiles, ceramics, metalwork objects, glassware, armor, books, and leatherware. ncartmuseum.org
INTERIORS
Applegate transformed the original dining room into a sitting room—or “brown room,” as she calls it. “We wanted a cozy place to come and read or chat, with no TV,” she says. Plaid chairs: Union Camp Collective. Chair fabric: Osborne & Little. Wing chair fabric: Schumacher.
CHARM Vintage
DESIGNER ANNA APPLEGATE HAS SPENT MORE THAN A DECADE CAREFULLY CURATING HER RALEIGH HOME.
TEXT BY MARIA MASTERS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABIGAIL JACKSON
A HOME IS NEVER REALLY DONE.
"I don't think a house is ever really finished, because as you travel and go different places, you collect things that remind you of a place or a season of life," says designer Anna Applegate, left. "And letting your house evolve keeps it interesting."
At least that’s designer Anna Applegate’s motto. “I’m always changing little things here and there, just because of the nature of my job,” she says. “I feel like the house is constantly evolving in little ways.”
Applegate and her husband, Ryan, purchased their home in 2012, when they had an eighteen-month-old son and another baby on the way. Initially, it wasn’t much to look at. The house hadn’t been updated since the 1970s; it still had the original blue shag carpets, popcorn ceilings, and built-in wall intercoms. But when the couple saw that it was located at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, they knew it would be the perfect home to raise a family. “I was able to see past the seventies vibe and knew I’d be able to make it functional for our family,” she says.
The renovation commenced immediately. First on the docket was ripping out the shag carpets, which were replaced with oak floors. The couple also widened the kitchen by removing the wall that separated it from the family room, and added a screened porch to the back of the home, complete with a wood-burning fireplace.
Once the major construction work was finished, Applegate began creating a layered, collected look in each
of the rooms, taking inspiration from vintage artwork and furniture that she sourced from antique stores, both local and global. A floral Schumacher-print armchair formed the inspiration for the sitting room, and in the dining room, a pair of dark floral curtains—which Applegate found at an antique store in Paris, Virginia, while on an anniversary trip—served as the jumping-off point.
“One of my favorite parts of the job is going out and exploring antique stores,” she says. “I’m always out there looking for items for my clients, and sometimes I’ll buy something with a client in mind but end up keeping it because I love it too much.”
To Applegate, function is just as important as form. The formal dining room not only hosts holiday dinner parties, but also doubles as an office and homework area for her and her three sons. “We use it every day when one of us works from home or the boys are doing their homework,” she says. She also turned the downstairs bedroom into a game room for her three sons—which was the only time she had to negotiate with her family on design matters. “They wanted leather reclining chairs with cup holders, but we settled on a sectional,” she laughs.
Creative differences aside, the designer’s family is featured prominently throughout the home. Seashells, which remind Applegate of the many family vacations that are spent at the beach, are featured in nearly every room of the home, along with oil portraits of her sons by local artists. One particularly special painting features Applegate’s three sons jumping off the dock at her parents’ home near the shore. “It’s a personal piece that reminded us of our boys at this age, and being at the beach,” she says. “It’s probably my favorite piece in the house.”
For Applegate, though, the work will never be complete—and that’s part of the appeal. “I don’t think a house is ever really finished, because as you travel and go different places, you collect things that remind you of a place or a season of life,” she says. “And letting your house evolve keeps it interesting.”
It helps, too, that everything in Applegate’s home evokes a happy memory or positive emotion. “I start with things I love and build from there.”
As the only woman in a
a
family of five, Applegate designed the entryway to be a distinctly feminine space. “I wanted to do something
little different from the blues and greens in our house,” she says. Wallpaper: Phillip Jeffries. Ceiling wallpaper: Osborne & Little. Lamp: Fish Lane. Lampshade: Penny Morrison.
“I START WITH THINGS I LOVE AND BUILD FROM THERE.”
The layered, collected look in the family room appeals to Applegate’s design aesthetic. The room serves as the main gathering space in the house. Art: David Shingler. Drapery fabric: Lee Jofa. Sofa: Lee Industries. Leather chair: Ferrell Mittman.
Applegate’s family— including their dog, Slim—spends most of their time in the family room. The built-in bookshelves, which were original to the home, showcase Applegate’s collection of design books and paintings.
Chair: Lee Industries. Chair fabric: McLaurin & Piercy. Bench fabric: Larsen.
“My house is a bit like a laboratory, where I can experiment and have a little more freedom than I would with a client,” she says, noting the zebra-print wallpaper in the powder room. Wallpaper:
Scalamandre. Rug: Oushak.
LEFT: Applegate expanded the home to accommodate their growing family of three boys. “We wanted some outdoor space, but we wanted it to feel like it was an extension of our house,” she says. Rocker: Pigfish Lane. TOP RIGHT: A neighbor gifted Applegate the piano, which takes center stage in the living room. “I loved the midcentury feel of it,” she says. “It went with the vibe of the house.” Hand-painted screen: Hunt & Gather. Sconces: Estate sale.
or playing games with their friends, they spend time reading in their shared bedroom.
TOP
BOTTOM: When Applegate’s two oldest boys aren’t watching TV
Beds: The Green Chair Project. Lamps: Pigfish Lane.
While the formal dining room plays host to the occasional holiday or dinner party, it functions as more of a home office for the family, affording them a bright, open space to work, read, and connect one-on-one. Rug: Nashville Rug Gallery. Chair fabric: Lee Jofa. Antique Biedermeier cabinet: Hunt & Gather. Chandelier: Visual Comfort.
MODERNIST GEM
“I’d be lying if I said there haven’t been four iterations of this room in the eighteen months it’s been complete!” says
Anlyan of the living room. The pink sofa, given to them by neighbors in California, was custom made, and Anlyan recovered it in pink velvet from Fabricut. Coffee table: Baker Furniture.
Rug: Crate & Barrel. Side table: Vignelli Cube by Heller. Art: Anlyan's mother.
DESIGNER KATE ANLYAN TAKES A CUE FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNERS AND WRITES A LOVE LETTER TO HERSELF.
Text by Anne Marie Ashley | Photography by Abigail Jackson
Anlyan's husband challenged her to find an inexpensive wallpaper. "I found one I love and think looks so expensive even though it is cheap!" explains Anlyan of this paper in the mudroom, which doubles as a home office. Wallpaper: Twillery Co. Chair: Knoll. Rug: Vintage.
The most well-known of the six Sedaris children, author David Sedaris and his sister Amy, an actress, author, and comedian, grew up in the family home in Durham (their family story told through David’s eyes in his New York Times bestseller Me Talk Pretty One Day). The youngest sibling, Paul Sedaris, still lives in the Triangle and, incidentally, after Anlyan and her husband moved in, they hired him and his business, Sedaris Hardwood Floors, to refurbish the floors.
“Honestly, we were pretty naïve when we first walked through the home,” recalls Anlyan. “It was such a cool home, and we made a checklist of things we planned to do, as if we had a bottomless bank account.” But reality set in quickly, and the couple realized that although they had a gem, there was a significant amount of work that had to be done.
The home had sat empty for a few years after the Sedarises’s father moved into assisted living. “The kitchen didn’t even have appliances, and we had to cook off of a hot plate for six months,” the designer says. “There was wood paneling, orange Formica countertops, linoleum floors, some cork walls, and dark wood cabinets, not to mention some pests.”
hen Kate Anlyan, owner of Yasu Home, and her husband Steve decided to move back home from California in 2021, the market in Durham was chaotic. Their real estate agent, Todd Hancock, “the guru of modernist homes,” as Anlyan puts it, showed them countless properties, many of which they lost during bidding wars. “The timeline from when a home hit the market to when people began bidding on it was, like, two seconds,” laughs Anlyan. “So when he showed us photos of this home before it was even listed, we offered immediately.”
Happily, the offer was accepted, and only after a long back-and-forth process and a hefty due diligence did the pair discover they had landed a true original Raleigh modernist gem. “It turns out the home was being sold by the Sedaris estate,” says Anlyan. “Being Greek in Raleigh, we almost felt like we knew the Sedarises, so to land their family home after such a search process was pretty surreal.”
The goal was to preserve the character of the home but bring it up-to-date with a brighter appeal. The design has been a process, and Anlyan surveys herself every time she moves through the home. “My personal style is so dictated by my mood,” she explains. “I can see the places where I was more reserved because I was nervous about how much work the home needed, and then where I was more comfortable and felt like ‘I got this.’ Every room for me has a little bit of a story.” The kitchen, for example, was the first room Anlyan worked on, and, as such, is minimal and all white, which was all she could muster, she says. But later, she incorporated the oversized Moroccan pendants, which add boldness to the space. “I can see the journey from restrained to breathing here,” she says.
By Christmas of 2023, the couple truly began to feel at home. “I have done a lot of work on myself, on this project, personally and as a designer,” says Anlyan. “So much was happening in my life when we bought it that this home was a little bit of a love note to myself.” She says each room holds a good laugh or a solid cry; each bathroom has a particular design challenge she faced. “I worked around the original pink tile in the hall bathroom. I can remember being excited about it instead of overwhelmed. And it was my favorite room. Until I moved on to the next,” she admits.
Ultimately, Anlyan’s experience with her famous modernist home has solidified her trust in herself. “I have always relied on my intuition as a designer, and I know that it will lead me to a place that will all connect in the end,” she says. “As long as I’m guided by what feels fun and exciting, the rest will follow.”
“Like the living room, this bedroom came together without one overarching plan,” says Anlyan. “The wood paneling is something I did recently for a client’s den. We really loved the instant coziness, so we added it to our bedroom as well.” Bed linens:
and HKLIVING.
Ikea, Aloka,
Sconces: Hudson Valley. Art: Prints from Feels So Good. Ottomans: Arsh's Fine Rugs.
Moroccan pendants mark the moment Anlyan felt like she had breathing room in their renovation process. Barstools fabric: Maxwell Fabrics. Wood flooring: Sedaris Hardwood Floors.
The journey from overwhelmed to relief is one that Anlyan can feel whenever she is in her kitchen. Countertops: Triton Stone, fabricated by Diamond Stoneworks. Appliances: Distinctive Kitchens & Appliance World.
The other side of the living room boasts a reading corner by the bookshelf, complete with an iconic Eames chair for ultimate comfort. Art: Various, including Peggi Kroll Roberts, Sullivan Anlyan (Anlyan's sister), and Mark Beldan. Pillow: St. Frank. Rug: Crate & Barrel.
ABOVE: The sitting area in the owner’s suite started with a few pieces that Anlyan loved, and then “evolved from there.” Pendant: Dante Ferraro. Sofa: Urban Outfitters. Slipper chairs: Union Camp Collective. Slipper chair fabric: Kit Kemp for Christopher Farr. Rug: Rush House. BELOW LEFT: Anlyan decided to work around the original pink tile in the guest bathroom—a challenge she was excited about. Eventually, it became one of her favorite rooms. Sink: Custom. Wallpaper: Mitchell Black by Forbes Masters. Pendants: Etsy. BELOW RIGHT: “I had seen a concept I liked on a tabletop years ago and knew I wanted to use it for our bathroom,” says Anlyan of the owner’s bathroom. Shower tile: TileBar. Floor tile: MSI Surfaces.
Natural elements and reclaimed wood pair with bi-folding doors to bring the outdoors in. Lighting: Currey & Company. Console: Rail & Stile. Sofa, chairs, and coffee table: The MT Company. Millwork: Raleigh Reclaimed.
An eclectic mix of styles, finishes, and textures finds harmony in this stunning Raleigh home.
Balanced
Text by Brandy Woods Snow
Photography by Abigail Jackson
"I didn't follow any set rules in designing this home," says designer Lori Mosacto, right. "We made choices that worked best for our family and spoke to our personalities instead."
When Lori Moscato and her husband Rob relocated
to their second home during Covid lockdown, they gained a little space on the shores of their lakefront property—and a lot of perspective. That’s when her husband approached her with a loaded question: Where did their future lie?
“Our primary home in a master-planned golf-course community in Raleigh didn’t have the land nor the privacy we’d come to cherish. Having the space and seclusion of the lake home was something we wanted to duplicate with our primary residence, so I wanted to find a couple of acres in the city to build our dream home,” says Moscato, owner of Casual Elegance Designs. “He agreed and told me to go find it.”
Finding the ideal property—two-plus acres just north of I-540—was no easy task given the scarcity of land in Wake County. They looked at several properties, but with most options having little acreage, privacy, or space between neighboring homes, they found nothing strikingly different from what they already had. That was until Moscato stumbled upon a unique property that checked all their boxes.
“It was a gem of a lot down a gated private road in an established HOA with only three total properties,” says Moscato. “The lot was already engineered for a house, and the tree-laden land was secluded from the adjacent homes.”
There were a few must-haves: bringing the outdoors in, ensuring the home could grow with them as a family of four, creating an open floor plan conducive to entertaining, and utilizing a mix of natural materials and finishes throughout. Moscato partnered with Tony Frazier of Frazier Home Design and Al Newton of RA Newton Custom Homes to bring her vision to life.
The glass bi-folding doors in the family room and kitchen were the jumping-off point of the design. When opened, they create a “vanishing wall” feature allowing for uninhibited flow between the interior rooms and the spacious patio. The outdoors-in feature inspired the home’s warm earth-tone
palette and integration of natural stones and reclaimed woods throughout. The covered patio features retractable screens and vinyl planks with recessed heaters to accommodate fourseason living, and within a few easy steps opens to a Hamptonsinspired green turf that runs right to the pool’s coping.
The layout, complete with full downstairs owner’s and guest suites, enables the family to grow with the home gracefully. An upstairs laundry room devoted to the kids and a downstairs laundry inside the owner’s closet allows for maximum convenience, and the open floor plan makes maneuverability and maintenance a breeze.
Moscato invested heavily in natural, sustainable materials. The reclaimed white-oak flooring, sourced locally, was stained black and affixed on the family room’s ceiling. Large rustic beams, repurposed from an Ohio barn, are mounted in a unique “x” formation, conceptualized by Moscato. The home’s modern-prairie exterior is warmed by stone and wood accents, while custom walnut shelving, doors, and a mantle provide soft refinement in the interior.
Aesthetically, Moscato ditched a this-or-that ideal and embraced a what-feels-right mantra instead, blending finishes, textures, materials, and styles seamlessly into a comprehensive design. The home features soapstone, porcelain, quartzite, reclaimed oak, and walnut throughout, accented by a blend of textiles, including leather, velvet, linen, and cork, and hardware finishes in acrylic, chrome, matte black, and satin brass. The home’s color palette—a blend of earthy and jewel tones against rich black and white—creates a down-to-earth elegance.
Nowhere is this elegance in mixing and matching better seen than in the kitchen, where glass, five-piece, and slab-front doors mingle on inset and European-framed cabinetry with both stained and painted finishes. The blend of elements—a little rustic, a little classic, a little posh, and a little modern— perfectly combine to create a lot of beauty.
For Moscato, the finished design proves the best rule of thumb in home decor is being open to blurring the lines. “I didn’t follow any set rules in designing this home. We made choices that worked best for our family and spoke to our personalities instead,” says Moscato. “The result is a welllived home that works really nicely for our family, today and in the future.”
With its waterfalled reclaimed-oak hardwoods, the staircase gets edgy with an organic-hued runner that softens its presence. Floors: Raleigh Reclaimed. Light: Currey & Company. Carpet: Stanton.
This dining room proves that an earthy color palette and live-edge table can look refined rather than rustic. Table: Raleigh Reclaimed. Lighting: Currey & Company. Wine cellar: Clark Hall Doors.
The scullery beyond doubles as a workhorse space with extra storage for a refrigerator while its tall mosaic backsplash discreetly conceals larger appliances. Door: Raleigh Reclaimed. Cabinetry: California Closets. Countertops: MARVA.
With layers of cabinetry styles, finishes, and colors, food isn’t the only thing cooking in this kitchen. Hood: LuxeMark Company. Hardware: R. Jacobs Fine Plumbing & Hardware. Countertops: MARVA. Cabinetry: 3C Cabinetry. Lighting: Currey & Company.
Fresh and preppy, blue-and-green accents pop against a white backdrop. Window treatments: Spoonflower. Bedding: Laura Park Designs and Pottery Barn. Furniture: Lexington.
Unexpected tile pairings and matte black fixtures prove this bath has earned its stripes. Tile: Byrd Tile Distributors. Hardware: Wilkinson Supply.
A perfect example of Moscato’s inclination to mix the old with the new, this reclaimed vintage credenza was relacquered and paired with a striking traditional urn with feathers for a pop of color. Furniture refurbishment: Rail & Stile. Sconces: Currey & Company.
With an expansive wall of windows, the view outside of the owner’s suite is as beautiful as its cozy interior. Bed: MT Company. Lighting: Currey & Company. Sideboard: Currey & Company. Nightstands: Phillips Scott.
Fun wallpaper brings pizzazz to a classic black, white, and gold palette in the powder room. Wallpaper: Spoonflower. Faucets: Delta, Wilkinson Supply Company. Countertops: MARVA.
A family owned luxury design-build firm, Old North State Landscape Development, Inc., crafts creative high-end outdoor living spaces that elevate everyday life in your own private resort.
Transform the exterior landscape of your home with our team of highly skilled designers, project managers, craftsmen, and builders. We are a custom general contractor in the Triangle area specializing in turn-key services from design to installation of pools, cabanas, hardscapes, and landscapes. You can expect exceptional service with a focus on quality, attention to detail, superior standards, and customer satisfaction throughout the entire experience of your project. Once completely built, we can even transition your property to our landscape maintenance department to care for your investment.
Contact Old North State today and partner with us to join the family and begin the journey!
Real Estate SPOTLIGHT
Specializing in showcasing beautiful properties, real estate brokers and developers present stunning homes, attract potential buyers, and highlight unique features. The following pages feature some of the Triangle’s best in the industry.
The Sheri Hagerty Group
For over twenty years, The Sheri Hagerty Group has been artfully uniting extraordinary properties with extraordinary lives all across the Triangle. Sheri believes that luxury is a level of service, not only a price point. Sheri and her team’s combined comprehensive understanding of Triangle trends and developments gives their clients a unique advantage in evaluating their options and making informed decisions. The Sheri Hagerty Group is nationally recognized in the top 1.5 percent of all REALTORS® and is ranked locally as one of the top ten small teams.
Blue Heron Signature Homes
An award winning custom home builder in the Triangle area, Blue Heron Signature Homes is dedicated to building their clients the luxury home they've dreamed of. Our attention to detail, experience and commitment to excellence speaks through in our craftsmanship, communication, and dedication. With a strong foundation of trust, integrity and experience in the luxury market, Blue Heron Signature Homes values each aspect of the home building process. Our clients are the heart-beat of what we do, day in and day out. We believe a custom home should leave you truly inspired. The home building process should remain exhilarating, personal and enjoyable while our team of architects, designers and construction personnel make a breathtaking vision come to life. Our goals run parallel with our mission: build the life you want to live, through excellence.
Sanctuary at Lake Wheeler
The Sanctuary at Lake Wheeler is an exclusive community that blends secluded living with accessibility. Here, life is framed by leafy canopies and the serenity of nature, yet you’re never far from the pulse of downtown Raleigh. This stunning community, located near the heart of the rapidly expanding tech hub of the South, is the ideal fit for the luxury homeowner. Just five minutes outside of downtown Raleigh, Sanctuary at Lake Wheeler is near the NC Farmers Market, the gorgeous Dorothea Dix Park and famous sunflower fields, the outdoor performance venue Red Hat Amphitheater, and so much more—all while only requiring county taxes.
2024 PARADE OF HOMES | SEPT 28–29 | OCT 4–6 | OCT 11–13
Norwood Ridge
Raleigh’s most desirable address, Norwood Ridge, is a gated community offering stunning custom home opportunities from 2.5 million. Come find the perfect place to build your dream home in a setting where serenity and luxury converge. Nestled in the heart of prestigious North Raleigh, Norwood Ridge delivers an exclusive lifestyle that places you just minutes from all the great food, shopping, and activities the Triangle has to offer. Spanning thirty-eight acres of elevated terrain, surrounded by the privacy of nature, and safely located within a gated community, Norwood Ridge is the perfect place to call home. Let one of our three carefully selected award-winning builders craft the luxury estate to fit your needs.
Bost Custom Homes • Blue Heron Signature Homes • KJ Construction Building & Remodeling
Grand Highland Estates
PRIVATE | GATED | LUXURY
The moment you enter the grand gated entrance, you are welcomed by rolling hills, gently winding roads, and beautiful vistas. Grand Highland Estates was thoughtfully planned to preserve the land’s natural beauty and provide the elements you need for a life of beauty, tranquility, privacy, and luxury. The individually crafted homes, built by a team of award-winning builders, are designed to blend with today’s modern lifestyles for the best in relaxation, entertaining, work, play, and connection. With spacious living areas, gourmet kitchens, lavish baths, and high-end finishes, you’ll experience luxury in every detail.
Homes from $1.6 Million to $3 Million+ | Sales and Marketing By Morgan Womble Group + Compass
Wexford Reserve
Wexford Reserve is set in a prime location and offers a serene environment with beautiful landscapes and a host of amenities. The community is designed to provide residents with a luxurious lifestyle, custom spacious homes, and convenient access to nearby Wake Forest. Wexford Reserve is the perfect place to live for those who value comfort, convenience, and style.
RESOURCES
The Power of Home
The Green Chair Project gives furniture a second life and families a second chance.
Text by Lee Rhodes
Celebrate (and shop) at The Green Chair Project's annual fundraiser. This year's event, Chairity: Celebrating Home, kicks off September 18 and runs through September 20.
FOR
THE GREEN
CHAIR PROJECT
(TGCP) of Wake County, the desire to change lives is the bedrock of their nonprofit. This storied organization provides furnishings and household essentials to those facing the challenges of homelessness, crisis, or disaster, as their mission is to equip individuals and families with the items necessary to create a nurturing environment and a new beginning.
This year’s event, Chairity: Celebrating Home, will feature living spaces that are designed around top home furnishing products and curated by innovative and creative local interior designers. Attendees can stroll through stunning spaces and enjoy vignettes filled with furnishings, fabrics, rugs, lighting, and unique accessories. All items are available for purchase, with all proceeds benefiting TGCP.
“The Green Chair Project is very grateful to those in the community who support us financially and with furniture essentials that we put directly into the hands of families who are transitioning from homelessness, crisis, or disaster,” says CEO Rae Marie Czuhai. “Supporting our Chairity event provides us with the resources needed to supply families with essentials of home.”
The Green Chair Project has seen a historic evolution since its humble, grassroots beginning. And for cofounders Jackie Craig and Beth Smoot, it’s deeply personal. Years ago, they realized that they had friends, family, and co-workers who had extra furniture and household items that were no longer needed but still in good condition. The project started out of a church closet and has grown to the 32,000-square-foot space it uses today. It partners with more than one hundred local agencies, schools, and nonprofits to provide essential
“
” Supporting our Chairity event provides us with the resources needed to supply families with essentials of home.
—Rae Marie Czuhai, CEO
furnishings to families moving into stable housing within the community.
This year’s Chairity Event kicks off with a Premier Party for sponsors and designers on September 18, while the ticketed shopping event, which is open to the public, takes place on September 19 and 20 at the organization’s facility on Capital Boulevard in Raleigh. On the 19th, Home for Entertaining will be sharing ideas for elevating your tablescape by mixing and matching glassware, dishware, and fabrics so that your tabletop shines. The next morning, local artist Karen Scott will paint an original piece and share simple instructional techniques with would-be artists.
In a nod to its name, twelve chair designers have selected chairs from TGCP’s inventory and reimagined them. These chairs will be auctioned off during the event. Individual designers creatively customize these chairs, just as different designers customize their collections of distinctive furniture, versatile home decor, inspired lighting, and one-of-a-kind artwork and accessories for attendees to savor, bid on, and purchase in the showcase. Celebrate all things home decor to shine the light on TGCP’s important mission: furnishings homes, changing lives.
To learn more and purchase tickets to the event, please visit thegreenchair.org.
RESOURCES
Modern Swan
This coastal renovation takes a home from ugly duckling to modern swan.
Text by Dana W. Todd
The team at Bardi Designs are masters of turnkey luxury interior design, elevating residences with custom touches and an infusion of comfort, quality, and sophistication.
AFTER LIVING in their Fort Lauderdale ranchstyle home since the 1970s, a Florida couple decided it was time for a complete renovation. Located in the “Old Florida” family community of Sea Ranch Lakes within Lauderdale by the Sea, the home has expansive views of the Intracoastal Waterway from the backyard, of which, unfortunately, it didn’t take advantage. The dated Tuscan style was crying for a refresh. The retired homeowners wished to age in place in their waterfront home, but realized every part of it needed to be touched by a contractor and designer to uncover the modest dwelling’s possibilities.
The homeowners tapped Raleigh-based Betsy Bardi of Bardi Designs to develop a new concept for the home: a clean, modern, and light design that would properly show off water views and increase functionality in each room so they could use their home to its fullest potential as they continued to age. “This home could be described as the worst home in the best location in this luxury gated community,” Bardi says. “Our goal was to provide the look they wanted through high-quality furnishings, soothing colors, and top-of-the-line finishes.”
“
” We work diligently to provide high-end interior design that dazzles when executed.
—Betsy Bardi
Bardi started in the kitchen, where she removed walls to open it up to both the dining room and living room, making it easier to maneuver throughout the spaces. She worked with a custom cabinetry designer to create new storage solutions in light wood and white high-gloss finishes in the kitchen, all three bathrooms, and the study. Creamy white, lightly veined waterfall quartz countertops, a metallic gold-and-white geometric tile backsplash behind the beverage center, and brass chandeliers in the kitchen set the tone for the rest of the home. Water views informed the color palette of white, gray-blue, and soft greens, which designer Lynne Garguilo of Bardi Designs amplified when selecting furnishings and bedding. The entire design team coordinated out-of-state deliveries and flawlessly accessorized the home.
Exterior changes modernized the curb appeal. All windows and doors were replaced, including a dated front bay window, which was changed to a recessed picture window. Reconstruction of the front entrance created a more navigable step-down and included a new door design that dramatically changed the home’s appearance, setting the tone for the modern elegance inside. A wall of sliding glass doors along the back of the home opened up views of the Intracoastal Waterway and added an in-out flow.
Whether the project is in North Carolina or in another state, Bardi and her design team deliver creative solutions via thoughtfully curated interiors. Bardi states, “We work diligently to provide high-end interior design that dazzles when executed, emphasizing high quality and the homeowner’s authentic personality.”
The Art Authority
The Centerpiece gallery hosts the Oil Painters of America’s annual exhibition in Raleigh this fall.
Text by Dana W. Todd
One of Raleigh's best-kept secrets, The Centerpiece is a comprehensive source for fine art, including art sales, custom framing, installation, and workshops.
JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
WITH STRONG TIES in both the local and international art communities, The Centerpiece owner Wendy Kesterson and gallery manager Kathleen Deep have developed a reputation as authorities on highquality fine art. From celebrated North Carolina artists to internationally acclaimed artists, The Centerpiece showcases both contemporary and traditional paintings, glass art, and sculptures in its 4,000-square-foot gallery. Kesterson and Deep have curated an art collection from their solid relationships with artists who are the best at their craft.
With such extensive connections in the art world, it’s no surprise that the prestigious Oil Painters of America (OPA) chose The Centerpiece as its location-of-choice to host the 2024 Eastern Regional Exhibition, which takes place from October 11 to November 8, with an opening reception October 11 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show assembles one hundred of the association’s finest representational oil paintings, with a juried process to award cash and
“
” The Centerpiece is incredibly pleased to be hosting this exhibition.
—Kathleen Deep
merchandise prizes to the paintings that show the highest quality in draftsmanship, color, and composition.
“The Centerpiece is incredibly pleased to be hosting this exhibition. Viewers can expect stellar mark-making techniques along with gorgeous color and use of light from more than one hundred artists, with subjects including pets and people, lush florals and landscapes, interiors, still life, figures, and more,” says Deep.
Kesterson encourages her local customer base to take advantage of this unique opportunity to see and support the best oil painters in the country. She says, “There are really five main reasons we enjoy and buy art. First, there is always an emotional connection with a piece of art. It may spark a memory or create a bond with a new artist. Second, art that we choose is usually pleasing to our eyes and often is the finishing touch that completes a room. Third, sometimes we choose artwork as a gift because we know someone who will appreciate that particular piece. Fourth, collectors find financial value in pieces they purchase. And, lastly, true art aficionados simply buy art for their love of art and the feelings it stirs.”
Whatever their motivation for purchasing art, The Centerpiece wants to help people source and purchase artwork that speaks to them and their specific design style. The staff’s intimate industry knowledge connects buyers and sellers of local and international art. Homeowners, collectors, and designers also can take advantage of the staff’s expertise in handmade framing, custom mirrors, in-home art consultations and installations, workshops for aspiring painters, and regular exhibitions.
Kesterson adds, “Our love of art touches every part of our lives. We hope the synergy with The Centerpiece staff spills over into the lives of our cherished homeowner-collectors.”
Contact The Centerpiece at 919-870-5342 or visit thecenterpiece.com.
Super Power
ANYONE WHO HAS tried to select new furniture and style a room knows it’s a task that is easier said than done. But reimagining a room is a superpower of Furnish’s interior designers. One of the tools in our kit is a mood board, which helps our homeowners envision a new look for their space. Mood boards remove the guesswork of how a room will look when new furnishings are installed. They give our homeowners peace of mind knowing that the new design will be just what they want when everything is in place! The best part about working with Furnish’s designers is that our services are always completely complimentary.
Text by Julianne Hughes, Interior Designer at Furnish
INNER SANCTUARY
Julianne Hughes
Contributor
Here’s an example of a mood board that re-envisions a living room as a feminine, garden-inspired space full of whimsical touches and pops of vibrant colors. A Belladonna rug from Loloi in a vibrant pink colorway jumpstarts the design and provides inspiration for the rest of the room’s furnishings. The focal point in the new living room is a jewel-toned teal Somerset sofa from Norwalk Furniture. Lighter pieces such as the fantastical concrete mushroom sculpture, creamy white marble Zion coffee tables, and Italian-inspired solid marble Arum end tables from Four Hands balance the bold colors of the rug and sofa and keep the room from being heavy. After incorporating side chairs like the Greenwich chair, covered in both leather and fabric, and the curved profile of the Rondo swivel chair in an animal print, the room begins to come together. A faux succulent arrangement and an impressionistic wallcovering complete the room. Brass tabletop sculptures add elegance while Uttermost lamps provide a glow that warms the space.
“Mood boards remove the guesswork of how a room will look when new furnishings are installed.”
Furnishing a room is not really about buying furniture; it’s about fulfilling a vision of comfort and function. Mood boards provide homeowners with the vision they may not have, removing the speculation about choosing the right fabrics and colors based on small swatches. Furnish’s designers are happy to create custom boards for homeowners, revise them based on feedback, and present them with floor plans that show furniture sizing—all part of our complimentary services.
Furnish was conceived as an alternative to traditional furniture stores, where buying furniture can be overwhelming, confusing, and filled with pressure. We believe that walking acres of showroom in search of inspiration (with a salesman at your heels) is not the way it should work, and have devised a new way for homeowners to shop a wide range of manufacturers’ products—with just the right amount of design assistance along the way.
Learn more at furnishnc.com or visit the store at 8724 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh.
Let the Celebrations Begin
Text by Megan Bradley and Jackie Serany, Home for Entertaining
THE SEASON of entertaining is almost upon us. This fall, our thoughts begin to turn toward the events that we are going to host for family and friends and how we want to decorate and structure our gatherings and parties. The experts at Home for Entertaining offer their advice on how to prepare the kitchen and dining room now for holiday entertaining.
Designate separate areas for cooking and beverages. Separation between food and drink areas improves the flow of party guests as they mingle throughout your home. A built-in bar is ideal for staging a beverage center, but it’s not necessary. You can improvise by wheeling a bar cart to one side of the kitchen or into an adjacent living room or dining room. A small perimeter countertop that is in a remote spot in the kitchen also works.
Invest in quality everyday table settings. Add specialty serving dishes, utensils, florals, and linens to everyday china to make each event special with a unique feel. Home
MIX AND MINGLE
Megan Bradley and Jackie Serany Contributors
for Entertaining’s retail market offers a revolving mix of platters, serving bowls, placemats, place cards, napkins, and table runners. And we always carry a wide assortment of dinnerware brands to match any look you want for a gathering. Some dinnerware options are handmade, some are modeled after antique place settings, and all are artisan-crafted.
Incorporate the old with the new. Mixing antique pieces with modern finds provides a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Antiques have a layer of patina that is impossible to replicate on new accessories. Vintage brass candlesticks, for example, warm up a simple, glazed white dinnerware place setting. Mixing family heirlooms with new purchases is a fun way to decorate and a wonderful way to stretch the budget.
Keep the centerpiece simple. It’s worth investing in one eye-catching vessel to serve as the centerpiece on a table. Add greenery for a simplistic, natural style, or take it to a more formal level by asking a florist to design an arrangement for your special container. Intersperse small accessories, such as petite candles and bud vases, on the tablescape to impart a different style for each event. Layering the design with different heights, depths, and textures adds visual interest to the table.
" Entertaining doesn’t need to be ornate or expensive to be effective and fun.”
Most of all, remember that entertaining doesn’t need to be ornate or expensive to be effective and fun. We’d love to help you source both vintage and newly crafted decorations and dinnerware in Home for Entertaining’s downtown Cary retail market, located in the heart of the historic district. Make your celebratory holiday events special by checking off a few pre-planning to-dos now, so when the time comes, entertaining will be effortless.
David Payne
Contributor
Sensory Gardening
Text by David Payne, Owner of Home & Garden Landscapes
THE LAND around your home is an opportune place to engage with the five senses. While the sight of colorful flowers is an expected part of that experience, we can cultivate a pleasing landscape by leaning into some of the other senses. The smell, touch, and sound of foliage and garden art add to our enjoyment of the yard. Evergreens are a classic way to inject the highly desired aromas that make a landscape so enticing. Consider the heady apricot scent of the tiny white flowers that cover
the osmanthus trees that anchor a home’s foundational plantings. Their fragrance follows as you wander throughout the yard in the fall and spring. The citrusy scent of a daphne shrub and the strong floral fragrance of a gardenia are welcome smells in any Southern garden. The butter-yellow blossoms of a Carolina jessamine clamoring up a trellis emit a sweet scent during the warm months. Aromatic herbs offer beauty and pleasing smells that also can be tasteful additions to meals. For this part of
OUTDOOR OASIS
the garden, consider rosemary, lemon verbena, mint, and lavender in raised beds that are accessible. The open air ensures nothing is too overpowering.
The sense of touch is often overlooked in a landscape. A soft, velvety lamb’s ear is fun for both children and adults. Brushing against wispy perennial grasses as you walk on a smooth stone garden path or a crunchy gravel pathway is a soothing experience. The feel of water from a fountain or a small, rocky stream is a tactile sensation.
There are many options for adding sound to the yard. Winds rustle through the fronds of pink muhly, little bunny, and maiden and Mexican feather grass, whose grass tips also provide visual interest throughout the seasons. Windmill palm fronds dance and crinkle in the breeze. A small grove of bamboo emits a relaxing background noise when the wind passes through it. The waxy coating of a Skylands Oriental spruce tree can serve as both a touchpoint and a graceful visual focus in a planned landscape. A tinkling wind chime adds a light sound that is hard to achieve any other way; a cascading water feature adds enjoyment and masks unwelcome noises such as street traffic or a neighbor’s air conditioning unit; and a bubbling basin of water provides the same effect. Birds chirping and splashing in a bird bath are other welcome auditory distractions.
Consult a landscaping professional to choose the appropriate plants that can thrive in a sensory garden in our area. A yard that stimulates the senses engages, delights, and rewards homeowners each time they spend a few minutes outdoors.
“The smell, touch, and sound of foliage and garden art add to our enjoyment of the yard.”
1. SOUSMARINE wallpaper by Evelyn Henson
“I love Evelyn’s art, and this charming wallpaper adds a coastal feel to any space. It’s so whimsical and fun!”
2. The Umstead Hotel & Spa
“The Umstead is the ultimate destination from anywhere, but, as a Triangle staycation, it truly feels a world away. The new renovations to the spa up the perfection of an already sublime experience.”
3. Laura Park Melamine Salad Bowls
“From dining al fresco to days on the boat, Laura Park’s melamine is one of my favorite summer go-tos. Durable, beautiful, and easy to wash, it’s my favorite way to keep Laura's beautiful art with me on the go.”
Meet Kristy Harvey
KRISTY HARVEY may be extraordinary at writing fiction, but the New York Times best-selling author also has an incredible eye for design. The author of A Happier Life and her mother, Beth Woodson, teamed up to create popular blog Design Chic, which covers all things interior-design inspiration. “Interior design and writing have one major thing in common: They both take something blank and turn it into a beautiful story.” she says. When she’s not on a book tour (she just wrapped up a twenty-three-city tour this summer), Harvey is busy writing, playing tennis, and spending time on the water with her husband and son at their home in Beaufort, North Carolina. Here’s what she’s crushing on this fall.
4. Cabana Set Plus by Paravel
“As someone who does a lot of traveling for work, the best luggage is an absolute necessity. My new Paravel carry-on and totes allowed me to pack for five or six days at a time during a flying-heavy book tour without ever having to check a bag. It’s a miracle!”
5. The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin
“Emily’s latest pageturner is the ultimate summer read by one of the greats! College friends reunite against a gorgeous Capri backdrop to have new adventures and heal old wounds. I can’t stop talking about it.”
6. House of MBR Caftan
“House of MBR caftans by artist Michelle Bradley Richardson are breezy, bright, and positively perfect for summer.”
18-20
Chairity, our signature fundraising event, brings together the home furnishings design community in an amazing three-day ticketed event. Shoppers can immerse themselves in design inspiration through 15 beautifully curated living spaces featuring furniture, artwork, and home accessories — all available for sale during the event, while also bidding on 12 fabulous, reimagined chairs. Come mix and mingle with designers and artists at Chairity 2024 and help us raise awareness and resources to support our mission of furnishing homes and changing lives. Visit our website www.thegreenchair.org/chairity or scan
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