Curating this year’s Home & Design issue is always a reminder of just how much creativity lives in our region. From visionary designers to masterful builders, Charlotte continues to redefine what beautiful, functional living looks like. The following selections spotlight a single standout space from each team. These are moments of craftsmanship and imagination that we hope inspire surprise, and invite you to see home in a new way. Ultimately, you might even find just the right home builders in Charlotte NC to help you start your own dream project.
Andrew Roby
Photo: Dustin Peck
This kitchen does everything right. It’s timeless, inviting, and thoughtfully tailored for the family’s everyday life and for their effortless entertaining. Additionally, the kitchen features smart storage and clearly defined zones for both cooking and prep work.
Arcadia Homes
Photo: MB Productions
This modern kitchen features clean lines and a minimalist palette that creates a sense of calm and harmony. Furthermore, the uncluttered aesthetic allows light to flow freely, transforming the space into an airy and sophisticated centerpiece of the home. Kris Franz served as the interior designer.
Arch11
Photo: James Florio
Arch11’s striking modern home is both an art vessel and a light-filled sculpture. In fact, it playfully demonstrates the intimate connection between art and modern architecture. One of the team’s primary goals was to design a home that was mindfully integrated into the surrounding historic neighborhood. At the same time, they wanted to maximize the tight urban lot to create light-filled, highly livable spaces. All in all, seamless indoor–outdoor living allows the owners’ plentiful room for entertaining and alfresco dining.
Artistic Interior Design
Photo: Laura Sumrak
This modern-rustic home was designed from the ground up with the client’s lifestyle at the forefront. The richly textured living room is no exception. Specifically, Artistic Interior Design ensured the space maximized natural light, views, and a balance of function and comfort. This space, just like the rest of the home, feels intentional, warm, and highly personalized. Kendra Surface served as the stylist and the drapery fabricator was Interior Couture of the Carolinas.
Augusta Homes
Photo: Laura Sumrak
In collaboration with Amy Lee, owner of Artistic Interior Design, the project vision was to completely reimagine this kitchen as the heart of the owners’ home—an elevated, family-centered space that allows lake views and was designed for gathering and cooking. A large double island and overlaid waterfall seating peninsula anchors the room, offering expansive seating for casual dining while creating various natural workspaces where the entire family can cook together.
Boon & Company
Photo: The Carolina Dream House
For those who love wine, there may be no better sight than opening the door to a dedicated, custom area made to preserve all of the homeowners’ best bottles. Whether you’re an oenophile too or not, Boon and Company know how to create unique homes that match each client’s personal tastes.
Castelletto Homes
Rendering: Castelletto Homes
This custom home, set to break ground in 2026 with combined efforts from Dapper Development and Castelletto owner Sarah Pfeffer, is a gentle balance of modern and timeless. Designed as an oasis for a growing young family, the 5400 foot house will also feature a backyard and poolscape perfect for entertaining.
Grand Living Homes
Photo: SkyCam Digital
This home is a masterclass in detail, hand-selected finishes and intentional luxury. Architecture, craftsmanship, and elite vendors converge for an elevated living experience. The kitchen pairs Charlotte-based Moravian Cabinets with professional-grade Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances. Furthermore, Mann Finishing Carpentry brought museum-level trim work and detailing and Universal Stone’s quartz countertops provide natural beauty and durability.
Grande Custom Builders
Photo: Michael Blevins
This 4541-square-foot home masterfully merges sophistication and functionality, making it perfectly suited for modern families. A cool neutral paint scheme brings forth a soothing and elegant atmosphere, and subtle pops of gold details add sophistication. In summary, walking into a home has never looked better.
Homestyles Interior Design
Photo: Serena Apostal
This brand new custom home in Lake Norman was part of a full-service design project. Homestyles Interior Design was responsible for all the builder selections inside and out, with the goal for the exterior being timeless elegance. This is evidenced in everything from the front door to the exterior lighting, pool, and the choice of shingles. The house was built by custom home builder in Charlotte NC Simonini.
JLayton Interiors
Photo: Michael Blevins
Layton Campbell elevated this living area with a beautiful blend of European style meets contemporary lifestyle with a focus on clean and functional design. One of his guiding efforts was to give this home the atmosphere of light contrasting with warm, dark accents to punctuate its architectural details all the while preserving a welcoming modern aesthetic. Kori Bolles was the stylist and the home was built by Arcadia Custom Homes.
Johnston Brothers Homes
Photo: Matthew Benham Photography
This exterior features a mix of painted brick, board and batten and rich wood tones to create contrast and depth. Johnston Brothers, a new construction home builder, carefully constructed the home to ensure long term durability and a clean, cohesive look. The project was completed with Crystal Nagel Design, Linden Creek Charlotte and CMC Construction.
Jones & Hedges Custom Builders
Photo: Mekenzie Loli
In combination with interior designer Lucy & Company and architect Miller Nicholson Designer, this stunning entryway showcases all that builder Jones & Hedges does best. There’s nothing like a good first impression, and walking into this home leaves you with one you won’t soon forget.
Kingswood Custom Homes
Photo: Emily Followill
From Kingswood, this beautiful home manages to strike a refined balance between rustic warmth and modern precision. Both the exterior and interior are defined by rich earth tones, rugged natural stone, and the soft, warm character of white oak. Aaron Cote served as the architect and McCann Custom Interiors led the design.
Lakemist Homes
Photo: Dustin Simms
This four bedroom, four and a half bathroom house is a spacious summer palace. There’s ample space for anything that a warm weather retreat or all-the-time lake home might need. This great room is the perfect example of that. For example, after spending all day playing outside, cozy up by this statement piece of a fireplace.
Lisa Sherry Interieurs
Photo: Stacey Van Berkel
From designer Lisa Sherry comes this ethereal primary bedroom, an intimate retreat right at home. A wall of floor-to-ceiling windows make the room feel even more spacious and welcoming. Part of a fresh, new construction project in a historic neighborhood, the clients came to Lisa Sherry for a beautiful balance of classic and modern.
Lucy and Company
Photo: Mekenzie Loli
Designer Beth Keim’s client came to her wanting two opposing offices where there had once been a formal dining room and sitting room. For the entry foyer, Beth chose a wallpaper that was light and airy. Working with Tuan Lee of 2Dash, she came up with a way to sandwich the paper between glass, flipping the pattern on the back side for a unique touch. A gloss ceiling and eye-catching sconces finish the look.
MBI Builders
Photo: Paul Sherar of Real Boone Studios
This stunning Reynolds Parkway home near Blowing Rock showcases all MBI does best. Built into and around this sprawling home are ample outdoor spaces to take maximum advantage of the views and beautiful western North Carolina weather. Both the exterior and interior of the house incorporate stone, walnut colored wood, black accents, and glass.
New Life Building Supplies
Photo: SkyCam Digital
With this organic, modern kitchen, New Life’s gorgeous cabinetry is on full display. Specifically, clean lines and functional design come together with the warmth and texture of natural materials, including stone and natural oak. The designer for the project was Kris Leake.
New South Home
Photo: Laura Sumrak
Dressed in a custom mural by Paul Montgomery of The Mural Source, this open living and dining space was designed by New South owner Melissa Lee as the heart of the home. In short, it’s an inviting setting for gathering and entertaining with an intentional mix of textures and materials. The property operates as an Airbnb. As a result, every room was carefully designed for entertaining and also for leaving a lasting impression on each new guest.
ReVision Design
Photo: Dustin and Susie Peck
For ReVision Design’s team, the primary goal of the project was to create a larger, more open kitchen anchored by a dramatic design statement, while also introducing a laundry room with expanded storage. Jeremy Lanier served as Lead Designer, Dara Barber as Senior Project Developer, Seth Alexander was the Project Manager, and Mike Cuzzo was the Site Superintendent.
Tri-Square Builders
Photo: Alexander South NC
A dramatic black-and-white checkered floor sets a bold, graphic foundation for this airy foyer, where warm wood stair treads and sculptural iron balusters introduce balance and refinement. Framed by soft gray walls and an open view into a light-filled dining room beyond, the space feels both architectural and inviting.
