MOD Society Magazine - Triad January/February 2023

A MOMENT IN TIME

Greensboro, High Point and Winston-Salem’s Curated Lifestyle & Design Magazine

EDITOR from the

Happy New Year, #marvelouslyMOD readers! I’m thrilled to ring in 2023 with another gorgeous issue of MOD Society, and I know you will love all the goodies we have in store for you this year.

First off, I am so excited to take you inside our featured home, Ayrshire, which is owned by the family of High Point Realtor Smedes Lindner. Built in 1935, it was one of the first homes in Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club, and it still embodies all the Art Deco-era glamor and style all these years later.

This issue also kicks off a new feature highlighting amazing homes and aspirational work of some of the biggest designers from around the country. To start out, we take you to one of the dreamiest design destinations around, Palm Springs, California, to tour one of the city’s stunning mid-century modern homes.

Next, we introduce you to three women who are making a difference in the Triad through philanthropy. Kerrie Orrell Ellison, Megan Oglesby and Shelley Holden work tirelessly to improve the lives of others and create opportunities for their communities. We chatted with them about why giving back is so important, how they chose the causes they’re most passionate about and what they hope their work accomplishes for the people of the Triad.

In this issue’s Book Club feature, we chat with National Book Award winner Jason Mott, who shares the inspiration behind his celebrated novel, Hell of a Book. The North Carolina author explains how his experiences on his first book tour helped spark his latest novel’s commentary on living as a Black person in America.

We also catch up with Tonya Morris, owner of Abba Design, who harnessed an entrepreneurial spirit to become an in-demand floral designer and event planner.

With winter fully upon us, Clothes Whisperer Maribeth Geraci helps us choose the right coat to stay warm and stylish throughout the season. And Points of View columnist Lisa Johnson has the table set for you, sharing some of her top picks for hosting stylish dinner parties.

Finally, in Society Sightings, we have your invitation to the nuptials of Monkee’s of High Point’s Molly Keenan. Her romantic ceremony and reception are just the things to get you in the Valentine’s Day spirit.

As we embark on this fresh year, I’m looking forward to all the wonderful stories we have planned for you in upcoming issues. Until then, stay warm, dear readers, and we’ll see you in March!

Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S LETTER

A new year is here, and our editor is excited to share all the fresh and fun stories we have in store to kick off 2023.

A MOMENT IN TIME

Built in 1935 and preserved in its original state, Ayrshire in Greensboro’s Sedgefield Country Club is a bastion of European and Art Deco design. We take you inside its hallowed halls for a tour with a member of the family that has called the mansion home for more than eight decades.

POINTS OF VIEW

Columnist Lisa Johnson shows us how to set a table that steals the show with place settings guaranteed to impress your guests.

A PLACE IN THE SUN

Palm Springs, California, is known as a haven for mid-century modern design. We take you there to tour Hi-Sun, one of the city’s stunning vintage homes on display during the annual Modernism Week celebration.

LIVING ALTRUISTICALLY

Philanthropists Megan Oglesby, Shelley Holden and Kerrie Orrell Ellison have made giving back to their communities a lifelong pursuit. They share which causes are dearest to their hearts and why philanthropy is their passion.

CLOTHES WHISPERER

Winter is fully upon us, and Maribeth Geraci has tips for finding the right coat to stay warm and stylish all season long. Plus, she offers advice on maintaining your outerwear in the off-season.

HELL OF A WRITER

National Book Award-winning writer and North Carolinian

Jason Mott explains the inspiration behind his celebrated novel, Hell of a Book. And he shares how traveling the country as an author helped him better understand the Black experience in America.

AN ENTREPRENURIAL SPIRIT

Learn how Tonya Morris turned a home business making wreaths and bows into one of the Triad’s premier floral design and event planning operations, Abba Design.

SOCIETY SIGHTINGS

We have your invitation to the romantic nuptials of Monkee’s of High Point’s Molly Keenan.

ASK THE BUILDER

Interested in building a custom home? Finding the right builder can make a difference.

IN TIME A MOMENT

Picture it: The 1970s, Sedgefield Country Club, the height of the Greater Greensboro Open golf tournament. Music and laughter lilt out of the open doors and windows of an imposing Cotswold Tudor-style brick-and-stone manse situated alongside the rolling green of the golf course.

Inside, glasses clink and revelers nosh on a veritable smorgasbord spread across an expansive mahogany dining table, a Baccarat crystal chandelier shining above. Beneath the buffet table, two little girls sit, taking in the action as they dine on lemon chess pies.

One of those little girls was High Point Realtor Smedes Lindner. Smedes and her sister grew up in this house, as did their father, Jere Ayers. Her grandparents, Nathan and Nell Ayers, built the stately 10,000-square-foot home, known as Ayrshire, in 1935. At the time, it was one of only a couple of houses in Sedgefield. And today it stands as one of the oldest remaining homes in the neighborhood still owned by the same family.

The home has been carefully preserved over the years, with very few changes made to protect the architectural detail and craftsmanship evident throughout the structure. And no detail, no matter how tiny or seemingly insignificant, was overlooked in the planning and building of the home. Smedes credits her grandmother and her great-uncle, Sanford Ayers, the architect who designed the home, for creating the kind of timelessly elegant structure that could endure for more than eight decades.

“This house was very much my grandmother’s vision,” she says. “My grandfather had two brothers who were both architects — one was more traditional, so he designed this house, and the other one was more modern, so he designed the pool house.”

Smedes says her grandmother, who was the daughter of hosiery mill baron J. Hampton Adams and grew up in the High Point Italian Renaissance mansion that is now the J.H. Adams Inn, loved the Art Deco design style of her era. That love is evident throughout the home in custom details such as the scalloped metal covers of radiators along the walls of the grand spiral staircase and the geometric designs in the plaster moldings.

“All the radiators, those moldings — there are blueprints for all of it,” Smedes says. “My great-uncle the architect drew everything — every detail was planned.”

For the massive wood beams that crisscross the ceiling in the second-floor office and the downstairs sitting room, Smedes’ great-uncle found another connection to incorporate into the home.

“The wood was from a grist mill in Randolph County from the early 1800s that was actually owned by the caretaker’s family at one point,” she says. “When it was taken down, they used some of the wood for those beams.”

Those sturdy wood beams contrast beautifully with the creamy white plaster walls, installed with a technique that gives them a distinctive, almost wavylooking texture.

“The walls are thick — they’re lath and plaster,” Smedes says. “They layered the plaster in a way that while it was setting up, they could press it in with their hands for all the walls to have this texture.”

Europe served as a major source of inspiration for Ayrshire, as well, and that went beyond the Tudor styling of the structure itself. Smedes’ grandparents traveled extensively throughout Europe to outfit the interior of their home, sourcing high-end furnishings such as an 18th-century console and a side chair thought to be from the court of French kings. And while those trips were usually fun, things began to change as the 1930s waned, particularly in Europe.

“My grandparents traveled Europe, and it was right before everything got terrible in World War II,” Smedes says.

“My grandmother was on a boat with my grandfather and his brother, and Mussolini was coming in. They’d been traveling and shipping items back, and they had to flee. They were Americans abroad, so it wasn’t the same as being an Italian during that time, but it was still scary.”

Most of those pieces are still in the home today, adding a sense of bygone glamor to the rooms. Glittering 1930s crystal chandeliers add panache to bedrooms and bathrooms. Ornate bronze sconces cast a glow in the wide front hall. A set of 18th-century equestrian prints hang in the staircase that winds up inside the turret, a nod to the formal hunts that once took place on the grounds.

As the years wore on, Smedes’ grandparents enlisted the services of renowned Greensboro interior designer Otto Zenke, who also operated offices in Palm Beach, Florida, and London. Otto selected a number of the furnishings still in the home, as well as rugs and wallpapers. And Smedes says his talents went beyond simply picking out the right piece for a room.

“He was great about knocking off things,” she says. “If you had one original chair and needed two, he could make you another one to match.”

During the 1960s, Smedes’ grandmother passed away, and her grandfather remarried and relocated to a different home. Her newlywed parents, Jere and Elsa, moved into the Sedgefield house, where they raised Smedes and her sister until they left for college. And while the house is probably one of the finest examples of architectural craftsmanship of its era, and filled with priceless antiques, Smedes says the family always treated it as a home to be lived in rather than a museum.

“There were always kids and dogs. I think at one point we had 15 dogs, though not all of them were house dogs, but there were always dogs everywhere,” she says. “Even though it was this big, grand house, they always wanted it to live like a home. And for the most part, things were not off limits when we were growing up.”

And the home wasn’t off limits to guests, either. Smedes says her parents hosted parties every year for the Greater Greensboro Open. Their chic soirees drew everyone from local luminaries to famous faces in town for the tournament.

“It was wild — you had huge crowds all the way down the course, and my parents would have multiple parties, so everything would be opened up,” she says, recalling the festive atmosphere during the tournament. “There were all kinds of people who came through — Johnny Cash was once there. You had movie stars and famous golfers and everyone was dressed to the nines the whole time. We had a huge buffet in the dining room, and it was a big party for the entire week.”

During their time in Ayrshire, Smedes’ parents brought in interior designer John May to give the home a refresh. He helped the family restore the oak paneling in the formal living room — which had been painted at some point — while giving a slightly less formal feel to rooms such as the library, which became a gathering spot.

“It’s one of the most-used rooms of the house,” Smedes says. “We watch TV and light a fire and sleep on the couch — it’s the cozy room.”

Updates on the home also included converting a sun porch into a room that became hospitality central — the bar. Adjacent to the formal living room, the bar serves as a casual place to entertain, as well as a trophy room for Jere and Elsa’s big-game hunts.

“My parents went to Africa several times — they’re big hunters,” Smedes says. “My dad got the sable and the kudu and the waterbuck, and my mom got the bigger leopard and the water buffalo — she’s an amazing shot.”

Nowadays, Ayrshire is busiest during holidays and special occasions. But stepping inside its halls, which haven’t changed much in the decades since her parents and grandparents lived there, Smedes feels a sense of home. That feeling brought her back here years ago after her divorce, when she and her small children lived in Ayrshire with her parents. And she’s grateful her children were able to also enjoy the comfort of growing up in this place so deeply tied to their family.

“To have them live with my parents in this house as little kids for a while was really nice,” she says. “I’m glad they got to have that experience, too.”

Regarding the Home...

FLORAL

ARRANGEMENTS: Randy McManus Designs

Featured Home Photos

Cover Bar

Pages 14-15 Dining Room

Page 16 Formal Living Room

Page 17 Entryway

Pages 18-19 Library

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief yourMODsociety.com Triad.MODsocietyMagazine #marvelouslyMOD MOD

Page 20 Reading Nook

Page 21 Child’s Bedroom (top) Primary Bathroom (bottom) Page 22 Office

POINTS OF VIEW

Dinner parties are making a comeback, and there’s a return to intimate dinners. People sitting around a table sharing a meal and an experience is magical. There’s something beautiful about coming together for a dinner and a well-appointed table complete with lovely linens, china, glassware and flatware that always strengthens an elegant setting. Supporting pieces, such as chargers, napkin rings and place cards play an important role in ensuring your table will shine!

PRO TIP #1

Hand-blown colored glass becomes the jewel of the table. Vintage-inspired, yet refined and modern.

PRO TIP #2

Pulling double duty — a sterling silver bud vase that also holds a pretty place card for a personal touch.

Richard Ginori china from Italy shines in this beautiful place setting, and the Buccellatti sterling silver adds wonderful elegance. Lalique and vintage stemware combine for a twist on a classic.

Estelle colored stemware shows off the pattern in this lovely place setting filled with organic materials and textures. Vietri flatware is perfectly paired with the bamboo reed placemat.

Pickard green charger is paired with Pickard Nancy by Charlotte Moss, dinner plate on an octagonal two-sided placemat and lovely Corte linens, all available at The Shop on Blair. Italian stemware and bamboo flatware adds the perfect touch to this luncheon or casual dinner look.

Christian Dior Casablanca china is paired with sterling silver-and-wood flatware and Baccarat Messina stemmed wine glasses. A Kim Seybert beaded placemat, embroidered napkins and bamboo knife holder complete this elegant setting.

Hermes Carnets d’Equateur Panther salad plate shines on this malachite dinner plate. Vintage platinum band stemware adds an interesting and complementary finishing touch to this tres chic look.

PRO TIP #3

A knife rest is used to hold a used knife — such a gracious way to save your beautiful linens.

Custom embroidered linens add an extra level of charm to this setting. Vintage glass dinner plate with Farahnaz by Haviland china, William Yeoward crystal and June salt dish are the perfect combination.

Lisa Johnson and Company and The Shop on Blair provides timeless design, one-of-a-kind objects and fine art blending antique and contemporary style to create lovely and interesting spaces. lisajohnsonco

A PLACE IN

photography by patrick ketchum

Nestled amid rugged peaks in California’s Sonoran Desert, Palm Springs exudes a chic sophistication that feels of another era. That’s probably because the city is home to one of America’s best-preserved concentrations of mid-century modern architecture.

During the era between the 1940s and 1970s, some of the nation’s most talented young architects came to Palm Springs, interpreting the sleek design style of the day with a twist that came to be known as “desert modernism.” This interpretation took the clean, minimalist lines mid-century modern style is known for and tweaked the look to accommodate an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. In desert modernism, rooflines are often flat or butterfly-wing v-shaped, and floor plans are open with plenty of windows and sliding glass doors that flood the home with natural light.

photo by patrick ketchum

photo by patrick ketchum

One of the most beautiful examples of this style is the home known as Hi-Sun. Designed by Charles Du Bois and built by the Alexander Construction Company in 1963 as the model home for the Las Palmas neighborhood’s Summit Estates development, the home is now the personal residence of Kevin Kemper and Howard Hawkes of H3K Home+Design.

Kevin and Howard renovated the home to reflect their personal style while preserving the home’s Hawaiian flair and other original mid-century modern features such as the stone fireplace in the living room. The designers added new surfaces and refreshes throughout interior

and exterior areas of the four-bedroom, three-bath home and resort-like poolside area, complete with outdoor kitchen. Modernism Week sponsors Bang & Olufsen, Brizo, California Closets, Dunn-Edwards, Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery, Flor, JennAir and Willis contributed to this project.

Hi-Sun will be among a spate of homes open to the public for tours during Palm Springs’ Modernism Week, Feb. 1626, 2023. For more details about Modernism Week and other homes on display, visit modernismweek.com.

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

photo by patrick ketchum

LIVING ALTRUISTICALLY

For some, the season of giving lasts far longer than a month or two of the year. They see giving back as a calling, and offer their time, money and attention to making the community better for all. Through fundraising, leading nonprofit organizations or volunteering, these philanthropists live the spirit of giving all year long.

This issue, we highlight three women who exemplify that philanthropic ideal in the Triad. In Greensboro, Kerrie Orrell Ellison has devoted herself to helping others by serving on the board of Family Service of the Piedmont and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), as well as supporting animal charities such as Triad Independent Cat Rescue. Most recently, she helped to raise a record amount as chair of JDRF’s 2022 Piedmont Triad Hope Soars Gala.

In Winston-Salem, Shelley Holden learned from her parents early on the value of giving back and found the tools and connections to serve on a greater scale through the Junior League. Among her many philanthropic pursuits, she serves on the foundation board of the UNC School of the Arts and as chair of the $15 million capital campaign for the new Kaleideum Children’s Museum, set to open in 2024.

And in High Point, Megan Oglesby helped lead the charge to revitalize her hometown’s downtown through her work as executive director of the Earl and Kathryn Congdon Foundation, among other philanthropic efforts. Her work outside the foundation has helped bring a major league soccer team to High Point while also making the city a better place for all citizens to live.

We recently caught up with the three women to find out what drives their dedication to give back, what causes they’re most passionate about and what they hope to accomplish with their work.

Kerrie Orrell Ellison GREENSBORO

What drew you to philanthropic work?

I worked really hard in my life, but I feel like I had a lot of people who have stepped up to help me throughout my life. And without those people and their philanthropic hearts, I don’t know that I would have been as successful as I’ve been. So for me, the right thing to do to live my best life is to give back to the community that has given so much to me.

Why is JDRF such an important cause to you?

I’m a type one diabetic, and as an adult, I can manage it pretty well, and I’m pretty healthy. But then I think of the babies that come into this world, and at four months, six months, a year, four years, being diagnosed with type one. Growing up’s hard enough, and then you throw in trying to manage diabetes on a daily basis — it’s unnecessary roughness. So, if we could find a cure for these children, that’s what’s most important.

What has been one of the most meaningful moments of your philanthropic work?

I took a lot of pride in the work that I put into the JDRF auction last year, and I was grateful for the support from friends, family and the community, who stepped up to help me reach some pretty lofty goals. But another special moment happened because my family has sponsored another family through Family Service of the Piedmont for the last four years so they can have a nice Christmas. Last year when I reached out to my person at Family Services and she reached out to the family, the mom and her kids are doing great. And she said, “We really have appreciated your support and you’ve helped us so much, so we feel you should help another family.”

What does helping others mean to you?

I realized a long time ago that I am a servant. I am at my best when I am in service of others. Helping others fills my soul and helps me feel like a better human being.

Shelley Holden WINSTON-SALEM

What drew you to philanthropic work?

I learned charitable giving from my family first and foremost. I also believe to whom much is given, much is expected. And I know as clichéd as that sounds, I think I’ve been blessed with a lot of opportunities in my life, and it’s been great to be able to give back.

Much of your work focuses on children and families. Why is that so important to you?

When families are strong, that makes the community stronger. Through so many opportunities for giving back, whether it’s a museum, a school, or some of the services that we provide in Winston-Salem, you’re helping families and children succeed. And that helps everyone.

What’s the most rewarding thing about your work?

Not only has it been rewarding for me to see things such as the Kaleideum happen but the relationships that I formed have also been valuable. I’ve met people I would not have met in my everyday world. I’ve met a diverse group of people and made relationships with those people. And I’ve learned so much from other people.

What does helping others mean to you?

It’s a way of living out my faith. Lots of people have helped me in different ways along the way in my life, and I want to be able to share that and help other people. And I want to teach my children to do that. It’s important to be a role model for my children because I learned from my parents.

Megan Oglesby

HIGH POINT

What drew you to philanthropic work?

I was raised to give back. I volunteered a lot growing up. As a kid, I would go with my mom on what we called the bread runs, which was going to get the extra food that Starbucks or Food Lion had, and we would take it to Open Door Ministry. And then officially, I started with the Earl and Kathryn Congdon Family Foundation in 2018.

What does your work with the foundation entail?

The foundation really empowered me to get highly involved in the community. That way we have a broader understanding of what’s going on so that when we get a grant request, we can know what that looks like from an ecosystem perspective, and how it impacts other work and other things that are happening.

We try to make sure that in everything we do, we’re helping make individuals’ lives better and making our whole community better. We want to make sure that all boats rise with the tide, and that some don’t get anchored down, or we plug the holes in the boats.

Why is it so important to have women leaders in philanthropy?

In the philanthropic community, representation matters, and different perspectives are really important, especially when trying to solve multifaceted and systematic issues. You really need everybody’s perspective around the table to make sure that nobody’s voice is left out. And women play a large role in our community, and they bring an intimate understanding of the community’s needs.

What does helping others mean to you?

I know I’m privileged, but it is a privilege to be able to do this work, help others and make other people’s lives better. It’s really fun to be able to give a grant, and it’s really hard to say no. But when we can say yes, and we can help make the lives of others better, it’s really exciting. More than anything, it’s just an honor to be able to help others.

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

CLOTHES WHISPERER

Coat fashion is not front of mind for most southerners. Our weather makes coats almost a wardrobe afterthought. However, they are considered a wardrobe essential, so they should at least be pulled out and looked at each season. If we do not replace them, we should at least look for moth holes.

I believe coats can elevate an outfit. Sometimes updating your outerwear is just the thing to make you look more modern and chic. Coats have come a long way, and they aren’t just for function anymore.

This winter season is no exception. Take the puffer phenomenon. Once just for skiing, now stylish brands such as Moncler and Balenciaga are making puffers serious fashion statements. With today’s puffers, the variety of quilting designs are virtually endless.

Because real fur has lost favor, the plush fakes now available look so good they will blow your mind. The teddy bear coat is one of my favorites in this category. The style is stroller- or waist-length, usually snaps closed and is often available in bright, unusual colors.

Leather jackets and coats have been a favorite for many years, and this season, it’s actually the redo of the leather trench that’s trending. Printed coats in animal print or a simpler houndstooth or check are among the top coat trends, as well.

So when the weather turns colder, you may want to consider a coat update to your wardrobe. Coats have a long shelf life — especially in the South — and they are a bigger investment, so choose wisely. Look for edgy, but not too trendy — the suggestions above are a good place to start your search.

Here’s to a good chill in the air — enough for a coat!

– Maribeth Geraci, DressCode Style www.dresscodestyle.us

BESTSELLING AUTHOR, JASON MOTT

HELL OF A WRITER

Before he published his first novel, before that book was adapted into a television show, before he won the National Book Award, Jason Mott was simply a kid who loved reading.

Growing up in eastern North Carolina, Jason fell in love with books at a young age thanks to a mother who prioritized reading. At age 14, he read Grendel, a novel written by John Gardner from the perspective of the monster from the epic, Beowulf. The book did more than simply entertain teenage Jason — it made him realize his true calling.

“It was really powerful, and one of those life-changing moments,” he says. “When I finished reading it, the first thought I had was, ‘This is amazing, and I would love to make someone else feel the way I’m feeling right now. I think I want to be a writer.’”

Jason graduated from UNC Wilmington with a bachelor’s degree in fiction and a master’s in poetry. While he worked a day job at Verizon, he wrote in his spare time, eventually completing his debut novel, The Returned, which was published in 2013. Shortly thereafter, the book was adapted into the ABC television series Resurrection, which aired from 2014-2015.

And while that success allowed him to pursue writing full-time, Jason says having his debut become such a hit came with a range of sometimes unexpected emotions. “You have this image of having the big book that does well and finds a home, and you just connect with it — that’s really what it’s about,” he says. “I had all of that happen very suddenly. But it was also very frenetic and kind of overwhelming. I think people fail to explain just how much comes with that type of success.”

Jason followed The Returned with The Wonder of All Things in 2014 and The Crossing in 2018. As he approached writing his fourth novel, Jason tapped into some of the emotions he felt after his debut, along with experiences from his book tour.

“I went on a book tour and was on the road for months and months and months,” he says. “It was a very busy, frenetic, overwhelming experience. But also funny and strange, and I knew I wanted to write a story about an author on a book tour.”

He pitched the idea to his agent and editor, both of whom passed. Though discouraged, Jason still felt determined to see this idea through. He found the inspiration to make the book work after the death of Freddie Gray at the hands of Baltimore police officers. Through conversations with a friend living in Baltimore during the protests following Gray’s death, Jason saw a way to weave the narratives of being a writer with being a Black man in America.

“That eventually evolved into this discussion with both of us talking about our lives as Black men in America, and all the things that came along with that, chronicling a lifetime of worries and fears and anxieties,” Jason says. “Eventually, I just decided to mix together all those thoughts on the Black experience with all the comedy of the book tour stuff.”

“One of the biggest takeaways is simply the notion that the American experience is not any one set thing and that the Black American experience is not any one set thing,” says Jason.

NATIONAL

And Hell of a Book was born. The novel is told from two perspectives, one of a nameless narrator who is an author on tour and the other of a young Black boy named Soot. Soot lives in rural North Carolina and struggles with being bullied on the school bus, in part because of how he looks. “The book wants to do so much in terms of all of the different types of discussions it’s trying to have and the perspectives it wants to give credence to,” Jason says. “And for me, that particular story just worked better with the split narrative. It allowed me to create a different resonance and a different scope.”

A third character, simply known as The Kid is a possibly imaginary child who appears to the author while on his tour. Jason says this character was important to give the author someone to have difficult conversations with as he engages on what is otherwise a solitary tour.

“I wanted The Kid to be this place where the author could have certain types of conversations,” he says. “And the character of the author needed those conversations as much as The Kid needed to have them. So the two characters created a really unique dynamic and allowed both of them to seek what they were searching for.”

Hell of a Book debuted in 2021 to rave reviews and a host of awards, including the Joyce Carol Oates Prize, the Aspen Words Literary Prize and most notably, the National Book Award for Fiction. Earning such acclaim has been gratifying for Jason, and he hopes those accolades will bring more readers to this story and a better understanding of life for Black Americans.

“One of the biggest takeaways is simply the notion that the American experience is not any one set thing and that the Black American experience is not any one set thing,” he says. “I think the voice of Black America gets reduced down to the holy trifecta of stories which is the slave narrative, the civil rights narrative and the inner city coming-of-age narrative.

“

Hell of a Book wants to talk about these very serious topics, these things that are very pertinent and very persistent in our culture, but at the same time to say that these things can be discussed in a different way, and they can be approached differently.”

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

an entrepreneurial Spirit

From the humble start of selling

wreaths and bows, Tonya Morris never thought the future would hold what it does today. When she started her wreath and bow business in 2009, she was also working a full-time job, but the strong urge to become an entrepreneur kept calling.

Shortly after starting the business, a friend asked her to help with the flowers and planning for her wedding. Tonya quickly realized designing event spaces and helping brides plan their dream wedding was “her life calling.” And from there ABBA Design started to bloom.

“The planning part just comes naturally to me,” she says. “And the flower part — I guess it is just a God-given talent, because I have no formal training. As time passes, you just grow and your style develops.”

Over time, the business grew from Tonya working alone out of her home to managing a team from their storefront in downtown Greensboro. Her schedule grew to dozens of weddings each year, along with corporate events such as meetings and holiday parties, as well as smaller personal gatherings such as bridal and baby showers.

Then in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to all of the events. Suddenly, Tonya and her team had to pivot and find a way to stay busy during quarantine.

“That was challenging for everybody, but it allowed us to add different services to the business that I’ve always wanted to offer,” she says. “So as bad as it was, it also allowed us to expand into different areas.” A few of those areas are floral deliveries, holiday decorating and smallscapes.

ABBA began offering what Tonya called “porch deliveries,” small floral arrangements people could order for themselves or others to be left on the porch as a way to brighten their day during the pandemic.

“Since we’re a boutique florist, we don’t keep flowers on hand,” she says. “If somebody orders something from us, we get it fresh the day of, and the arrangements that we’re sending seem to last longer.”

The “porch deliveries” became so popular that ABBA added a floral subscription service for homes and businesses. And whether it’s a single bouquet or a full wedding design, for Tonya, the work she does is much more than just a creative outlet or a means of making money. It’s about the people.

“It’s more about the security of our staff, the relationship that you build with the client and the people who support us,” she says. “It’s super special. It’s more than just a floral delivery option or flowers for an event.”

–

Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

SOCIETY SIGHTINGS

photography by aesthetic images

Harris-Keenan Wedding

In 2019, Molly Harris and Matt Keenan were set to be introduced by mutual friends, but life and plans got in the way. They finally met on St. Patrick’s Day that year, and it was truly their lucky day.

And on Aug. 27, 2022, Molly and Matt married in a 6 o’clock ceremony at the bride’s church, Emerywood Baptist in High Point. Bright white orchids and blue-and-pink florals by Grassy Knoll added a colorful touch to the sanctuary. The bride wore a modern-yet-timeless gown by Louvienne.

Dinner and dancing followed at the reception at High Point Country Club, where vibrant florals and a little late-afternoon rain created a picture-perfect atmosphere. The bride and groom toasted with vintage, etched coupe glasses the bride’s parents used at their wedding.

Guests left voice messages for the couple on a rotary phone provided by After The Tone and danced the night away to Atlanta’s Perfect 10 Band. Late-night snacks and a sparkler sendoff made for the perfect end to a perfect evening.

Groomsmen

Matt Keenan

Bridesmaids

Bridal party

The ceremony

Mr. & Mrs. Keenan

Proud father

Q: A:

Ask the Builder

When it comes to custom-home building, it’s all about finding the right partner. Yes, before you choose a lot or search for floorplans, you need to determine who you’ll be working with for the next 12 to 24 months. Choosing the right builder for you and your project will determine much of your home-building experience.

The best way to start the process is to research builders in your area. In addition to browsing social media and company websites, parade homes and open houses are a great way to find high-quality builders near you.

At the same time, it’s helpful to gather inspiration images from Houzz and Pinterest to define the architectural styles and finishes you like most. Do you envision a home with craftsman details, a modern farmhouse vibe or French country influences? Are your needs more functional or fashion-driven? As you interview building partners, show them your favorite ideas and ask to see similar projects they’ve built.

When you’ve narrowed down your list of potential building partners, it’s time for a personal meeting. In some ways, interviewing a custom-home builder is like a first date. You want to find out as much as you can about the other person while getting to know their personality and character. If you aren’t feeling a connection at this early stage, it will be more difficult to work together later when tough decisions need to be made. Take your time during this period and ask as many questions as possible.

For many people, the idea of building a custom home feels daunting and stressful. Every project has its ups and downs, but the value of clear communication, reliable cost estimates and timely schedule monitoring cannot be overstated. The best way to ensure the success of your project is by working with the right partner. Your choice of builder, and the relationship you have with the team building your home, will make all the difference in the integrity of your new home and your home-building experience.

Susan Mowery is Vice President of Building Dimensions Inc. in Oak Ridge. For the last 23 years she and her husband Paul and their BDI team have crafted beautiful, distinctive luxury homes in the Piedmont Triad while delivering an exceptional experience. Susan is also the immediate past president of the Greensboro Builders Association.

This is a great question and one we are frequently asked. First of all, congratulations! This is an exciting time, and you’ve probably been dreaming and planning this day for a while.

We’re ready to build our dream house but don’t know where to start. What’s the first step in building a custom home?