This year’s group of showhouses by the Interior Design Society of Charlotte proved to be a remarkable collection of modern-inspired spaces. Located in The Preserve at Narrow Passage in Davidson, each of the homes exemplify Charlotte and the surrounding area’s rich interior design scene and demonstrates how modern can be portrayed in so many varying ways. While there have been many IDS showcase homes in the past—the most recent being twelve years ago—the 2020 iteration has been a massive project encapsulating two years with more than 150 volunteers, 3 builders, 45 designers, 4 charities, and a community of more than 150 sponsors and vendors.
Drawing inspiration from their travels abroad has become designers BERKELEY MINKHORST and KELLEY LENTINI’s calling card. The House of Nomad founders looked to one of their recent sourcing trips to Bali and South Africa to pull together this stunning lounge area. “This room was a perfect opportunity for us to showcase our love of home with our love of travel,” Mink - horst says. Sherwin-Williams Dark Night served as the foundation layer for pieces such as the Moroccan rugs that “we handselected on our last trip, as well as the custom drapery from The Shade Store—they had the perfect teal fabric to tie to the wall color!—and, lastly, our custom furniture [such as the bar cart] made in Bali and South Africa,” Lentini says. One of the most dramatic pieces, though, is the custom marbled wallcovering and fabric, a collaboration between the designers and Jill Seale.
The entryway of the Modern Manor home is a complete reflection of designer MAGGIE CRANDALL’s personal aesthetic. “I like a bright and open space with some edge and fun thrown into it,” she says. Fun came by way of a snakeskin-patterned Stark stair runner and wallpaper by Jennifer Latimer, which Crandall swapped out at the last minute for a more traditional option. The space is a balance of feminine and masculine, which the designer achieved by using a modern color palette of charcoal and black juxtaposed with pastels and blush pink. To create interest in such a small space, Crandall looked to wallcoverings on the ceiling by Romo and added molding details up the stairway. She finished the space with stunning oversized custom artwork by Amy Heywood.
For designer KARA COX, the powder room is a space that allows design risks to be taken. A bold, graphic mural wallpaper by Designers Guild in black, citron, and Cox’s signature blush pink complements the modern finishes throughout. The vanity console was designed by Cox for her new Quintana collection with Thompson Traders. With its rounded edges, simple brass piping, and modern legs, it is the centerpiece. “This space is fresh and dramatic all at the same time, and a true glamorous powder room,” she says. Cox added sophisticated accents such as the black-and-white encaustics by artist Amy Heywood and the custom Venetian-glass sconces by Louise Gaskill, which pull a touch of the citron green from the wallpaper through with a hint of color.
“As long as a design is pulled together and personalized with fluent color, clean lines, and no clutter, I can appreciate it,” says designer JODY KURTZ of Kathryn Lilly Interiors. Such was the case with this master bedroom design, in which Kurtz and designers DANA REBHUN and SAMANTHA HUMPHREYS drew inspiration from classic Scalamandre chinoiserie wallcovering dating back to the eighteenth century. To create an elegant, modern aesthetic, the designers complemented the chinoiserie panel with equally timeless pieces such as the hammered metal canopy bed and the carved pine chest by Mr. Brown. “The room has quiet confidence without being bland or boring,” Kurtz says. “There’s a sense of history the wall panels provide that will create conversations for years to come.”
When it comes to kitchen design, the KATHRYN LILLY INTERIORS team feels that all-white kitchens are overdone. This is exactly what led the designers to choose the bold, gray custom cabinetry by Andrews Bolanos of Schlabach Wood Design as the foundation for their design-home kitchen. Though the cabinetry was originally a moody green, the designers changed their plans overnight to appeal to more people. “This space is organically modern with an elegant twist,” Kurtz says. “It stops you in your tracks, just as it was intended to do.” One such showstopper: the modern hood, designed by fellow designer Kara Cox for Thompson Traders. “It is by far my favorite feature in the entire house,” Kurtz says. Porcelain slabs with a mitered edge, by Daltile, sit atop white oak-stained driftwood on the island for a modern, timeless contrast.
Designer BROOKE COLE’s bedroom retreat exemplifies modern elegance. She looked to local artist Windy O’Connor’s Cherry Blossoms wallpaper as inspiration for this suite’s overall design concept, describing it as “elegant and modern, but also serene, soothing, whimsical, and feminine.” Cole states, “I love juxtaposition in design, blending modern and traditional, mixing different design styles or eras, and, in the case of this space, the juxtaposition between the elegant (which can sometimes be interpreted as frilly) and the modern.” Cole loves to highlight local talent when possible, so she incorporated several pieces by local artisans, such as custom lamps and sconces made of vintage Murano glass by Louise Gaskill, fabric created by fine artists Alexis Walter and Windy O’Connor, and original artwork by artists Dusty Griffith and Brooke Knaus. The stunning four-foot, three-tier modern brass Halcyon chandelier from Circa Lighting encompasses the vaulted fourteen-foot ceiling space.
To design the family room in the Modern Manor showhouse, designer ANNE BURESH used artwork as the springboard for the color palette in this sophisticated space. Using a neutral foundation of ivory-white paint with a slight gray hue allowed the original artwork from Anne Neilson Fine Art Gallery and an abstract piece by artist Marcy Gregg to play center stage in the room’s overall aesthetic. The additional tribal elements such as the skull and horns and the African wooden beads add a cultural and well-traveled feel to the room, while more modern touches like the antique starburst mirror and the chandelier provide a layer of contemporary sophistication.
The traditional black-and-white farmhouse aesthetic fell flat when it came to inspiring designer MEREDITH BEREGOVSKI. “So instead of focusing solely on the theme of the house, I decided to focus on ‘showhouse’ instead,” she explains. That change in direction led Beregovski to draw inspiration from a striped fabric on a Highland House sofa. “The fabric is abundant in color with taupe, pale pink, a rich chocolate brown, and even a hint of vibrant green.” The designer kept the walls a neutral white so she could layer texture and additional color, like the bold hunter-green Schumacher fabric for the draperies and the Thibaut grasscloth for the bookcases. So as not to skew too traditional, however, Beregovski added modern touches throughout with pieces like the eye-catching Lucite-and-glass Highland House side table with gold accents and the chandelier by Arteriors.
“Designing the home office was all about keeping it simple, clean, and comfortable,” says designer HILL RONDERO. “It’s crisp and collected, layered texture with a neutral palette. Nothing distracting, which is perfect for working from home.” There’s an instant coziness to the space with its all-black walls and textural details such as the pale hide rugs and the pair of chairs by Four Hands swathed in a soft-cream boucle. “Interest always happens with juxtaposition,” Rondero says, nodding to the edgy, modern portrait photography by Neave Bozorgi against the organic details of the vintage driftwood sculpture and the bleached oak of the desk by CB2.
When it comes to design, NANCY PARRISH feels fashion and interiors go hand in hand. “They really drive each other,” she says. “They’re like the perfect mate.” In Parrish’s stunning powder room design, which she calls “bohemian eclectic,” the broad-brush strokes in the bold wallpaper by Reeta Ek were the foundation. Parrish complemented the wallcovering with an unexpected black-and-white pattern on the Roman shade, a whimsical Foo Dog tea towel, and the natural elements of the “mushroom” stool.
Sunrise and sunset are what inspired designer SARAH CATHERINE GARVIN to choose a color palette that felt warm and comforting. “The outdoor lanai was inspired by all the art our universe creates,” says Garvin, who incorporated subtle touches of nature-inspired accents throughout the space. The nickel-groove ceiling was designed with a pattern that envelopes the space in warmth and reflects the shape of the sun’s rays in abstract form. The waterfall fountain that was custom designed by Hull House Design and Garvin’s team and fabricated by Tyca Industries provides the calming sounds of water. And a suspended artwork mobile by sculpture artist Alexander Calder is reminiscent of the solar system. Garvin pulled these design elements together to create a sophisticated lounge area that feels urban and chic, yet casual and comfortable enough for everyday use.
One of designer SUSAN HILL’s mainstays is reclaimed wood, which she effortlessly and seamlessly blended in this sophisticated guest bedroom. “Using different reclaimed wood pieces, done in a modern way, easily lend themselves to a unique farmhouse aesthetic, especially when paired with more traditional fabrics,” Hill says. The designer normally begins the design process inspired by a fabric, but in this case, Hill was smitten with a chunky console table by Taracea that she’d seen at High Point Market. “I thought these substantial reclaimed wood-oak nightstands [custom designed by Stephen Torrence with Torrence Woodcraft] would be beautiful and provide a foundation for the rest of the space.” To soften the hard lines of the wood pieces, Hill layered a floral Thibaut fabric, a large buffalo-check print fabric, and a tweed headboard to the matte brass bed. The velvet pillows and custom lavender bolster pillow add a touch of feminine to balance the more masculine furniture items.
The moment you walk into the family room of this Modern Manor showhouse, your eyes are drawn directly to the dramatic fireplace. The Phillip Jeffries coffered-wood wallpaper was a major statement piece for the space, and designer ERIC ENNIS created it as such. “It provided a huge amount of visual interest,” he says. With every head turn, you find something new to catch your eye, which is thanks in part to Ennis’ use of texture throughout. The bold green leather-wrapped chairs with a channeled luxe fabric and the game table with a shagreen inlay top—not to mention the abundance of texture on the pillows and upholstery—create a cozy yet sophisticated vibe.
Vintage-inspired ’50s tile in a blush pink is what designer CAMERON JONES looked to as the springboard for his design of the guest bathroom. “It reminded me of modern bathrooms from the ’50s and ’60s, and I was curious how I could reinterpret that aesthetic to be relevant and fresh for today,” he explains. “Doing this space for the showhouse was a great opportunity to experiment and think a little broader, a chance to let loose!” The printed abstract butterfly-patterned wallpaper by Harlequin and the butterfly art created by Stephen Wilson pair well with the retro-style brass cabinet hardware and the plumbing fixtures, giving the room an edgy, midcentury modern vibe throughout.
As an avid traveler, designer STARR MILLER wanted to incorporate some of the design elements she’d often see while staying at a fine hotel, or, more specifically, a luxury ship. “From the beginning, we envisioned this home feeling like a resort that you never want to leave,” Miller explains. “For the master bedroom, I was looking for the built-in feel of a luxury yacht.” The wood paneling with a touch of shimmer in between the channel grooves was highlighted by the ethereal light fixture by Romanian artist Andreea Braescu. Full of whimsical floating porcelain ginkgo leaves, this bespoke chandelier speaks to the well-traveled homeowner who wants a unique touch. The aqua silk wallcovering is reminiscent of the ocean, while the chaise brings a curved, playful counterbalance to the stability of the headboard wall.
In a room that is mainly windows, designer ASHLEY DELAPP knew she had to make the most of the wall space she did have. She chose a vibrant, oversized floral-patterned wallpaper by Clarke & Clarke as the starting point for the dining room’s design and took advantage of the ceiling space by layering a textured grasscloth by York to create additional interest. “The room has huge windows that look out into nature, and I wanted the room to feel like a seamless extension of that,” she says. “It’s a light, airy space full of drama; there are lots of different places your eye can go.” This includes standout pieces like the custom dining table by Aronson Woodworks with its warm gray base, which DeLapp accented with pink paint that allows the striking wood grain to peek through.
When designers HADLEY QUISENBERRY and LISA BRITT were enlisted to design the powder room, the stunning Aronson Woodworks rose-gold finish on the custom vanity was already selected for the space. “The builder was interested in a dark, moody feel for the powder room,” says Quisenberry, who admits West Trade Interiors’ signature aesthetic is typically lighter and brighter. However, the designers were up for a design challenge. Using the vanity’s wood grain as inspiration for the room, they looked to Morgan Hunt to create the eye-catching woodland mural on the walls. Quisenberry and Britt then layered neutral hues and highlights of pearl complemented by gold-metallic accents, as seen in the suspended Currey & Company mirror and the pair of pendant lights, as well as in the Kallista vessel sink and faucet.
DOMINIQUE DELANEY had no trouble deciding on the aesthetic for her guest-bedroom design in this year’s showhouse. “Growing up with a grandfather who was an avid outdoorsman and a mother who rehabilitated wildlife, nature played an ever-present role in my childhood,” says the designer, who chose a modern, woodland vibe for the boy’s bedroom. DeLaney’s goal when designing a child’s room is to “marry the whimsy of childhood with a sophistication that can grow well beyond the toddler years.” DeLaney achieved this with the playful forest animals removable wallpaper by TimelessDecorations and blue trim accents and trim work, which served as the ideal backdrop for timeless pieces such as the Made Goods camel leather dresser and the classic spindle bed by Liberty Woodcraft. The custom swivel chair swathed in a Brunschwig & Fils Les Palmiers fabric with a rust velvet cushion by InsideOut Performance Fabrics is functional and durable enough to withstand tiny hands and feet.