What makes a home?
Everyone we meet, from the builder to the architect, the interior designer to the landscaper, seems to have a different opinion on the matter. Maybe home is the lovably cramped nook that entices us to linger, or the open, spacious floor plan that streamlines liveability and encourages movement. It could be the sheer utility of a room, those little design touches that make a space imminently usable. Often, we’re told, it’s something as simple as the right choice of lighting fixture.
More often than not, though, we’re told that you make the home. No matter the talent behind a property, it’s the client who hires that talent who ends up defining the space. Charlotte is full of design firms and architectural masters who want nothing more than to turn your dreams—however reserved or outlandish—into reality, but it’s up to you to call on them. And when you do, you need to know what you want.
If this is the year for you, if it’s finally time for that exciting and (and slightly daunting) home upheaval, well, you may want some help ideating. In this section, we’ve got you covered—with a little help from our some of our favorite Charlotte designers and other people in the industry, of course.
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Barrie Benson
This dramatic Barrie Benson library, from the Charlotte home of Chandra and Jimmie Johnson, is at once bold and restful. The deep color, a custom lacquer paint, is complemented by softer touches, like the art and fireplace, to create a retreat that’s far more stylish than most. The rug is from Charlotte Rug Gallery, the art above the mantle is Cy Twombly, the drapery is ALT for Living with Samuel & Sons trim, and the sconces on either side of the fireplace are vintage Charlotte Perriand.
Photo By Chris Edwards
Katie Emmons Design
Katie Emmons created this Myers Park space to incorporate a love of the outdoors and hunting with a refined, elegant style and serene personality. To achieve this, she had local artists create original artwork and used elements of layering to give the space warmth. “We played with color as well as texture to add interest and contrast, Emmons explains. The artist shown is Amy Sullivan and Lita Gatlin sketched and painted watercolors of other animals.
Photo by Tri Groups Studio
Ruard Veltman Architecture
This Bald Head Island home fully embraces its location. In this living space, especially, Ruard Veltman Architecture and Veltman Wood Interiors manage to bring the North Carolina coast indoors. A series of tonal hues and contrasting textures evoke the grainy sands and elusive waves of the island. Raw antique oak beams intersect smooth surfaces, while sheer drapes and and a sand-colored Holly Hunt sofa make for a warm, beachy welcome. Soft fabrics and a silky oushak from Charlotte Rug Gallery are juxtaposed with organic furnishings that reflect the tactile nature of the environment.
Photo by Michael Blevins
Georgia Street Design
This sweeping formal living room space was completed in Eastover in August of 2017. Designer Meredith Beregovski tells us the sofa is Baker, the chairs McGuire, the ceiling wallpaper is Schumacher faux bois sand shimmer, the light fixture is Arteriors, and the lamps are Visual Comfort.
Photo by Christina Hussey
