Charlotte & The Carolinas

Crafting Family Harmony and Nostalgia Through Thoughtful Design

 Charlotte wardrobe stylist Catherine Horgan tapped Lisa Sherry to design her Myers Mark townhome. Get a peek inside the runway-ready home now.

M aggie Crandall, the talented mind behind Crandall Haus , is known for her signature design style: fresh, transitional, and bold. Her most recent creation, the Columbine Project, exemplifies her commitment to creating spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional, especially when designing for a vibrant family. The Columbine Project, named after the charming street it graces, was a vision brought to life by a client who shared Crandall’s passion for fresh designs with eye-catching twists. "The client reached out to me for the project, and it sounded like we were both a good fit for each other and had a similar design aesthetic," Crandall recalls. "She definitely wanted a more modern look for the house, but also fitting into the neighborhood.” With two young children of her own, Crandall's design ethos is firmly rooted in the art of crafting spaces that transcend aesthetics and prioritize functionality. In the case of the Columbine Project, the practical aspects of daily life took center stage while also making sure that beauty harmonizes with functionality. "With the client having a family of three young kids and a pet," Crandall notes, "we had to be mindful of every design choice. From durable fabrics that can withstand daily life to seating placements that enhance the flow of the home.” This dedication to functional beauty extends to the heart of Crandall's design philosophy, which includes collaborating with local artisans and integrating custom work. "Working with local vendors and artisans allows us to bring a unique, personal touch to every project," she emphasizes. "This project, for example, presented us with the opportunity to work with local craftsman Josh Utsey , who crafted a seven-foot round dining table — a piece that would be difficult to find elsewhere. This type of collaboration enables us to create one-of-a-kind pieces that perfectly complement the vision of our clients." The specific vision for this home included striking blacks and elegant golds, as can be seen from the modern dining room. Among the many bespoke elements of the stunning residence, the prominent use of black and gold accents emerges as a defining aspect of the design journey. As Crandall explains, "The client's love for black and gold obviously played a role in shaping our design. To honor her vision, we created a striking black dining room adorned with intricate gold detailing.” While the predominant color palette is indeed captivating, it’s because of Crandall's expert touch that introduced texture and variety to prevent the space from feeling monotonous. Different shades of black, an array of patterns, and artful wallpaper selections brought depth to the design. "To add visual interest," Crandall says, "we introduced different textures, patterns, a lot of wallpaper and various shades of gray and white, even exploring different tones of black." However, the house also warmly embraces the occasional pop of color; the powder room, for instance, boasts shades of pink and blue, adding a playful touch while maintaining the overarching aesthetic. Moreover, the project's lighting choices are equally unforgettable. The fixtures featured in the project were chosen to enhance the ambiance of each room while adding a touch of artistry to the space. Crandall underscores the importance of lighting, saying, "Lighting is an important element for most clients, and for this project, she envisioned lighting that becomes focal points throughout the house."​​ One can easily appreciate this intention through fixtures like the enchanting glass bubble chandelier and the stunning golden six-light fixture, which not only illuminate the rooms but also infuse them with a touch of artistic allure. The Columbine Project demonstrates Crandall Haus’ fresh, transitional, and bold design philosophy, proving that interior design is not merely about creating beautiful spaces but also about crafting environments that celebrate the unique stories of the individuals who call them home. In this project, beauty harmonizes with purpose, and functionality dances with aesthetics.

The creative duo and their spirited approach to life, home, and design.

Photography by Laura Sumrak Interior Designer Amy Lee owner of the design firm Artistic Interiors transforms an old world lake home into a current day stunner. We had the opportunity to speak with Amy on her approach and aesthetics. WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE ASPECTS OF THIS HOME? Seeing the transformation from the dated, old world lake home to a more functional, modern and vibrant lake home was truly exciting. I love every aspect of this home, but the study is one of my favorite rooms. The walls and custom cabinetry are painted black and accents of saddle brown and cream create a truly unique room that feels amazing to sit down in and have a drink or watch tv. The use of fun papers and patterns also brought a more fun, yet sophisticated aesthetic to the home. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECT? WAS THERE A THEME? We were able to completely gut the majority of this home and give it a total transformation. At the beginning the goal or theme of the home was to create a modern, rustic aesthetic. With time and as the project unfolded, I started to bring in more specific design elements that really spoke to the personality of my clients. I was told “alcohol and fire” were best used to describe our fun loving, creative homeowners and with that bit of flare, the final design theme was created. HOW DO YOU BEGIN THE DESIGN PROCESS? All my projects begin by sitting down with the client and getting to know who they are and how they tick. I pride myself on being able to really get within my client’s psyche and not only see but feel what they’re hoping to achieve. The design layout, floor plan design and interior architec- ture details come next and from that a vision for the entire space begins to unfold. WHAT DESIGN TRENDS ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR 2023? A nod to more natural colors and materials with warmer colors and natural stones like marbles and limestones making a comeback. I’m also excited to see a strong trend in furnishings with a geometric spin, lots of new concepts that I’ve never seen hit the market before, or reinvented styles from the 60s and 70s that bring character and flair into a space.  HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR OWN DIVERSE STYLE WITH THAT OF THE CLIENTS? My client’s style lays the foundation for the design project. Rather than having one “look” I enjoy creating unique and diverse designs for each of my clients. While all my projects have a simple, yet sophisticated theme to them, they’re all custom tailored to the client. This keeps my job fun and exciting and I’m never bored creating the same look repeatedly.

SHED WINTER DULLNESS WITH A SELECTION OF BRIGHTENING LASERS AND TREATMENTS AT H/K/B COSMETIC SURGERY IN THE HEART OF CHARLOTTE.

Pops of unexpected color, unique shapes, and moody wallpaper add to the modern flair of this three-story home.