QC Exclusive No. 48 - 2018 - Issue 3 - Westward Bound

T H E Q U I N T ES S EN T I A L C H A R LOT T E M AG A Z I N E

Westward Bound Blue Ridge adventures, High Country resorts, and a photo essay of the American West.

The mountains are calling.

Plus! Our Annual Carolina Travel Guide

no . 48 • apr 2018

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The Exclusives W E S T WA R D B O U N D

140 Into the Man-made wilds Kyo H. Nam’s 50 Days. Me. Alone. goes urban with Part II

148 The Mountains Are Calling Eight Blue Ridge destinations for the adventurous

158 High Country Hospitality Where to stay in the Blue Ridge and what to do while you’re there

168 The American West Charlotte photographers share images from their travels westward

Photo by Jamey Price

THE DEPA RTMEN TS

42 THE CULTURE ARTS, STYLE, AND WELLNESS

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Art For The 21st Century Thomas Schmidt on his ceramics and 3D prints Spring Works Hope Muir brings more new talent to the Ballet Glamour And Romance The style of Oscar de la Renta comes to The Mint

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Gâteau Cara Jorgenson’s baking company

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Not Just Coffee Plates and libations in Dilworth

Homegrown The hands-on family who launched Clean Juice

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FOOD AND DRINK

A More Perfect Union Lincoln’s Haberdashery by Michael Shortino

The Pink Hanger A boutique for the quintessential Charlottean

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THE SPREAD 69

Cut From The Same Cloth Lauren Remesi’s ready-to-wear fashion

“Fashion is such an attainable daily experience now.”

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Dot Dot Dot’s Charcuterie Plate Meats at the Park Road speakeasy

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O-Ku’s Kiwi Roll Delicious sushi at the South End staple

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Angeline’s Negroni A bittersweet ode to tradition at Kimpton

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Zeppelin’s Edison A bourbon-y experiment in South End

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THE DEPA RTMEN TS

114 THE FOLIO HOME AND DESIGN

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A Modern Reflection Contemporary design with Greg Perry Rosewood Co Custom hardwood tables from Janine Bithel A Farmhouse kitchen Bright and rustic from the good folks at New Old

The Focal Point Donna Livingston Designs’ eye-catching breakfast nook Celtic Charm A modern woodlands cottage in The Sanctuary

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THE EXPLORED TRAVEL AND SPORTING

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Blackberry Farm Luxury accommodations, world-class food, and a rustic aesthetic at Blackberry Farm

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In the Valle What to see, eat, drink, and do in Valle Crucis

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A Charlotte Tradition On April 28, experience the thrill of the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase

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“Proper design is timeless.”

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Neutral, but with feeling House of Nomad does neutral right

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THE NOTE

Westward Bound The first time I saw the Appalachian Mountains I was seventeen. I drove from the Piedmont of North Carolina to the trailhead of the Profile Trail at the bottom of Grandfather Mountain.

The last forty-five minutes of that drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Highway 105 blew me away. That feeling of awe only grew as I started my hike at the Profile Trail’s parking lot towards Calloway Peak.

I was used to taking walks in Weymouth Woods, a small, flat, wellgroomed nature preserve in Southern Pines. I wasn’t used to hiking up—literally up thousands of feet—or amongst cliffs or along peaks, and I had never seen anything like the seemingly endless views that you get at the top.

I spent four days on that mountain exploring. I saw the swinging bridge in early morning fog, climbed the “chutesand-ladders” on the Grandfather Trail, and saw the sun set over McRae Peak from Attic’s Window. I would hike halfway down to Shanty Springs daily for water, eat canned food and snacks, and camp under a small tarp—and the stars—in a new spot every night.

The mountain was so big, so different, so freeing. The whole experience made me feel like I was Lewis or Clark: The opportunities to wander and explore were endless.

It’s been nearly twenty years since that trip and I still feel that way about the Blue Ridge. It’s just an enchanting place. Now that spring is here, I would encourage you to hit the road and head west because wonder and adventure await.

Sincerely, Jon-Paul Grice, Editor Publisher Brett Barter (left) and Editor JP Grice (right)

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C H A R LOT T E · C H A R L E STO N World Class Living

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OUR TEAM PUBLISHER Brett Barter EDITOR Jon-Paul Grice SALES Ashley Carlini Kathleen Hands EDITORIAL Sunny Hubler Corey Miller EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Liza Carrasquillo Chanahra Fletcher Denise Lorraine Davis Jessica Moore CREATIVE Stephen Philpott PHOTOGRAPHY Jamey Price PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTORS Kyo H.Nam Joe Purvis

CONNECT @QCExclusive

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FIRENZE COLLECTION

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THE EV EN TIST

APRIL 2018

EDITOR’S CHOICE

Through 5.11.18 Shara Hughes At Soco Gallery SOCO Gallery is pleased to present their latest exhibit, running from March 21 - May 11. The gallery will welcome the work of artist Shara Hughes. Born in Atlanta in 1981, Hughes lives and works in Brooklyn, New York where she has gained a respectable following and is displayed in some of the city’s most prestigious museums and galleries. soco-gallery.com

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The Eventist // April 2018 EDITOR’S CHOICE

4/29/18 - 7/29/18 | The Glamour and Romance of Oscar de la Renta | mintmuseum.org | Photo provided by Mint Museum

4.4.18 Art of Reading Public Tour Participate in a discussion about Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and then take a docent-led tour of the Portals to the Past: British Ceramics exhibition at the Mint Museum Randolph. mintmuseum.org

4.6.18 Charlotte Ballet’s Rite of Spring Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Charlotte Ballet present a collaboration of students and professionals as they take the stage to present two of Stravinsky's striking compositions. charlottesymphony.org

4.6.18 Mint to Move Cultural Dance Night Cultural Dance Night is celebrating the independence of Paraguay and Cuba to reflect commUNITY through music, dancing, art, and cultural appreciation. mintmuseum.org

4.7.18 The Book Of Moron This satire cuts with a clever intelligent edge. Robert Dubac’s The Book Of Moron is a hilarious joy ride over the potholed highways of cultural hypocrisy. charlottesymphony.org

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4.10.18 New South for the New Southerner: Talking About Soul Food Sara Franklin discusses her new UNC Press book Edna Lewis: At the Table with an American Original. museumofthenewsouth.org 4.12.18 Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art The Elder Gallery of Contemporary Art premiers its newest exhibit Plein Air En Provence, featuring Mary Erickson and friends’ work, as they traveled around Provence, France. eldergalleryclt.com

435 South Tryon Street, Suite 110 Charlotte, NC 28202 704.373.1464 @thenewgalleryofmodernart @NGMACharlotte @thenewgallery

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Stephen Wilson “History Has It’s Eyes On You”, 2018.

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The Eventist // April 2018 EDITOR’S CHOICE

3/22/18 - 6/2/18 | Vicente Hernandez: Viajes | lacaprojects.com | Photo courtesy of Laca Projects

4.18.18 - 4.21.18 The Marriage of Figaro A frisky count, his neglected wife, the object of his desire and her weary-butcunning fiancé create chaos. operacarolina.org

4.20.18 Icon: The 2018 Gala Contribute to a great cause and join The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art for its annual fundraiser gala. bechtler.org

4.19.18 - 4.22.18 Tuck Fest Tuck Fest is a multi-day festival that celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through competitions, demos, and live music at the USNWC. Shakey Graves, The Wood Brothers, Deer Tick and more renowned bands will play this year. tuckfest.org

4.20.18 Mr. Tambourine Man: Poems of Bob Dylan Join The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra presentation of American composer John Corigliano’s Grammy-award winning Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems of Bob Dylan. charlottesymphony.org

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4.26.18 - 4.28.18 Charlotte Ballet’s Spring Works Energy and discovery abound with the introduction of three new choreographers, including former Charlotte Ballet dancer Bryan Arias. charlotteballet.org 4.27.18 - 4.28.18 Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 Pianist Kirill Gerstein plays Brahms’ intensely emotional Piano Concerto No. 1, with works by Bartok and Ligeti. A preconcert talk will be held at the Founders Room in Fouders Hall. charlottesymphony.org

WOLF KAHN A 50 Year Survey March 17 - May 12, 2018

An exhibition honoring this venerable American artist. Featuring paintings and pastels from 1967 to 2017

625 South Sharon Amity Road Charlotte, NC 28211 704-365-3000 gallery@jeraldmelberg.com www.jeraldmelberg.com M-F 10-6 Sat 10-4

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A R T S , S T Y L E , A N D W E L L N ES S

T H E C U LT U R E

Art for the 21st Century Thomas Schmidt on his ceramics, 3D prints, and starting an art-based recycling project in China. words SUNNY HUBLER

photos courtesy THOMAS SCHMIDT portraits JAMEY PRICE

Thomas Schmidt wears a lot of hats: He’s a working artist, the designer and co-founder of a project called Recycle China, and he is an Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary 3D Studio and Digital Fabrication at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Schmidt’s art is contemporary and eye-catching; he renders beautiful designs driven by his lasting fascination with exploring new technology and different digital fabrication methods. He explains that his interest in ceramics first started with a love of nature.

“I spent a lot of time hiking in the Rockies as a kid, and when I took my first ceramics class years later, it was the ability to explore some semblance of geologic events on my table top that really excited me,” he explains. “I was lucky to be inspired by the natural environment and landscape at a young age, and on some level that sense of discovery continues to drive me today.”

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The Culture // Musings

S

Schmidt attended Loyola University in Chicago, then trained at Alfred University in western New York State before accepting a job at The Alfred/CAFA Ceramic Design for Industry Program in Beijing. The experience of working in China, a place uniquely bound with “such profound ceramics traditions,” changed Schmidt’s path forever. But first, let’s start at the beginning.

How did you first get into sculpting and playing with 3D forms?

While my initial focus was primarily ceramics, I was fortunate to get some early exposure to printmaking and graphic arts which would become more prominent in my later work.

Tell us more about 3D scanning.

I take dozens of pictures of a subject from different angles and use software to stitch them together into a three-dimensional mesh. Once I have this mesh, it can be altered and manipulated and then brought back into a physical space through 3D printing or other fabrication methods. The whole shift from real space into a virtual space and back again is one that I think is worth exploring: It relates so closely to how we are increasingly experiencing the world around us as we operate and communicate on screens and then shift into personal contact with one another.

Do you have a favorite technique, or one that you’ve been using recently?

I am constantly trying to keep things fresh in the studio, and I have found that learning new techniques and processes is a great way to do that. Right now, it is the use of computer-aided design and fabrication that has kept me pretty consumed. I love being able to explore and experiment in a digital space before bringing ideas into physical space. In ceramics, there is this element of excitement that one gets from working at length on a piece and then anticipating the final reveal when you open the kiln. In some ways, working with 3D printers or other digital fabrication tools has that same element of surprise: You can plan for weeks but the idea remains abstract until it is manifested in physical space. Of course, it wouldn’t be as exciting if you didn’t get a complete failure now and again.

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“I love being able to explore and experiment in a digital space before bringing ideas into physical space.”

Christy Kinard & Kim Schuessler

Christy Kinard Blue Vase Bouquet 48x48 Mixed Media on Panel

Kim Schuessler Love Life, Smile Big 61X46 Mixed Media on Canvas

SiSterS Show

OPening ReCePtiOn: APRiL 27 Meet the ARtiStS

Christy Kinard Spring Signature Bouquet 60X48 Mixed Media on Panel

Kim Schuessler Love Life, Start Moving 57X40 Mixed Media on Canvas

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The Culture // Musings

“What you often find is that that there is an incredibly messy, alchemic, and often flawed process that results in the intentional and seemingly perfect outcome that makes it onto the gallery wall.”

Who are the major inspirations for your art?

In recent years, I have been especially inspired by installation artists whose work draws attention to perception, with works exploring color, light and materiality, like Do Ho Suh, Olafur Eliasson and Tara Donovan. When it comes to more direct influences though, I had some pretty impactful teachers and mentors over the years, such as the ceramic sculptor Ruth Duckworth who I worked for as a studio assistant for a few years before she passed away in 2009.

You mention on your website this idea of taking samples of material moments and then reconstructing or distorting them which leads to something akin to the “shift from experience to memory.” This reminds me of writing fiction, where many authors say that they use old experiences to create new truths, or “lie to tell the truth.”

I love this idea, and it makes me want to get a reading list from you! The idea of lying to tell the truth is right on. In many ways, contemporary artists are operating as some combination of scientist, set-designer, and illusionist. We often conduct experiments, and in many cases the results are highly orchestrated to evoke a certain feeling or thought.

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The Culture // Musings called Design Society. This amazing place was developed in partnership with the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

One of the cool things about this project is that we collaborated across continents with Jeffrey and the Design Society in China, the designer of the Sam Jacob Studio based in London, and myself based here in Charlotte.

What you often find is that that there is an incredibly messy, alchemic and often flawed process that results in the intentional and seemingly perfect outcome that makes it onto the gallery wall.

Tell us more about your continued work in China, like the Recycled China project you co-founded.

Some of my favorite memories in China were while visiting the city of Jingdezhen. This city has a history of producing remarkable pottery for nearly 2000 years, and the entire city still revolves around clay. The most exciting recent project has been to work with a new design gallery and educational venue in China

Finally, you’re also a professor. When did you get involved with UNCC? I have been working at the College of Art and Architecture at UNC Charlotte since the Fall of 2013. I love teaching here. Besides having an awesome, motivated, and diverse student body, this is a research university, meaning that the school really encourages and supports faculty work. With backing from the school, I have had the opportunity to work collaboratively with my incredible visual art colleagues here in my department as well as faculty in architecture. This cross-pollination between fields is what makes this a very progressive school and one of the reasons why UNC Charlotte is the fastest growing university within the UNC system.

You can see Thomas’s work on display at Hodges Taylor gallery with an exhibition opening in September 2018. info thomasschmidt.org / recycledchina.com / hodgestaylor.com

Art Gallery • Basal Coffee • Event Venue • Artist Studios

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The Culture // Marquee

Charlotte Ballet’s Spring Works The conclusion of Hope Muir’s first season brings even more new talent to the Ballet. words COREY MILLER

Artistic Director Hope Muir’s first season in Charlotte started off with fanfare, and it looks like the remainder of this season at Charlotte Ballet is shaping up to be something truly unique: This year, Spring Works is filled with choreographic talent entirely new to Charlotte and, in one case, entirely new to North America.

First, acclaimed choreographer Helen Pickett will be reprising her captivating pas de deux Tsukiyo. A true veteran of the art, Pickett has set over 35 works on companies across the US and Europe in just the last 12 years. The American choreographer, who has performed with William Forsythe’s Ballet Frankfurt and Wooster Group theater company, makes her Charlotte debut this spring.

On the other end of the spectrum is Filipe Portugal, an up-and-coming choreographer who will be making his

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photos JEFF CRAVOTTA

The Culture // Marquee

REGISTER NOW FOR 2018 MINT SUMMER ART CAMPS Young artists from ages 3-18 engage with inspiring art from around the world, and create their own masterpieces in the art studios.

MINTMUSEUM.ORG/SUMMERCAMPS

North American choreographic debut with Spring Works. Portugal has danced with National Ballet of Portugal as a corps de ballet member, coryphe, and principal dancer, and with Ballet Zurich as both a soloist and a principle.

Rounding out the new talent is Bryan Arias, a former Charlotte Ballet dancer who Artistic Director Hope Muir considers one of the most promising emerging choreographers today. Born in Puerto Rico, Arias lived in New York City for many years, where he received his formal training. As a choreographer, he has created works for Hubbard Street 2, Netherlands Dance Theater 2, Ballet Vorpommern, and The Scottish Ballet.

The performance, staged at 7:30 on the evenings of April 26, 27, and 28, will close with the return of Ohad Naharin’s Minus 16. info charlotteballet.org

Mint Museum Randolph | 704.337.2000

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The Quintessential

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The Culture // Exhibited

The Glamour And Romance The style of Oscar de la Renta comes to The Mint Museum

words SUNNY HUBLER photos courtesy THE MINT MUSEUM

“Fashion design is like kinetic sculpture, and leading couturiers are like master architects who build with fabric and applied elements using the body as armature.”

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The Mint Museum Randolph is bringing the fashion and style of Oscar de la Renta to Charlotte.

The curators and event coordinators are hard at work to present an exhibition of fashion designs by de la Renta, organized in close collaboration with the House of Oscar de la Renta and the designer’s family.

The exhibition is being curated by André Leon Talley, the former American editor-at-large for Vogue and a lifelong friend of de la Renta. It contains fashions made during the span of the famed designer’s career in Spain, Paris, and New York.

The Mint hosted the late designer for a fashion show fundraiser organized by the Mint Museum Auxiliary in 2011. This show, which will run from April to July, is part of the larger Year of Fashion show, a three-exhibition series that began in 2017.

The series serves to celebrate an art form the Mint has collected for more than 40 years.

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The Culture // Exhibited

Weston M. Andress, the chairman of the Mint’s Board of Trustees, declared the Year of Fashion to 400 attendees at the sold-out Coveted Couture gala in 2017, an annual fundraising event permanently devoted to celebrating the Mint’s collection, conservation, study, and exhibition of fashions both historic and contemporary.

“Fashion design is like kinetic sculpture, and leading couturiers are like master architects who

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build with fabric and applied elements using the body as armature,” said Annie Carlano, Senior Curator of Craft, Design, & Fashion at the Mint. “Our relationship with fashion is both universal and personal; fashion reflects the times we live in and who we are.” info mintmuseum.org @themintmuseum

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The Culture // Handmade

“I had a story to tell and wanted to do it through clothing.”

L

Cut From The Same Cloth

Lauren Remesi weaves together a ready-to-wear fashion provisioner for the South. words SUNNY HUBLER

photos JAMEY PRICE

Lauren Remesi loves to sew. It’s an ancient art, really, even if it seems today more like a DIY skill that less and less people actually have. But for Remesi, sewing is a creative outlet that allowed her to create something entirely her own: hand-stitched clothing. Today, she’s taken that fascination one step further and created a stylish Concord-based (and soon to be Atlanta-based) clothing business, Cut From The Same Cloth.

Remesi, a Charlotte resident for nearly two decades, started CFSC in 2011, doing only custom orders. After a few years, she says her creative side “got the best of her”, and she expanded, focusing more intently on launching mini seasonal collections.

“I had a story to tell and wanted to do it through clothing,” she explains simply.

By 2014, CFSC became what it is today: regularly released limited seasonal collections, carefully curated and created by Remesi. She stepped out of the studio to answer a few questions about launching the business, local style, and how she first taught herself to sew.

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The Culture // Handmade

How did you learn to sew?

Since I was a little girl, I have always been drawn to fashion.

I would spend countless hours creating and laying out looks with my Barbie’s clothes. I have always paid close attention to what people put on their bodies and how it helped create who they were or wanted to be. I was fortunate enough to attend Northwest School of the Arts, which had an apparel design and costume design program—I learned the basics and then some.

Over the years I played around with garment construction here and there, but it wasn’t until 2011 that I began to teach myself pattern drafting and more advanced techniques. I bought a lot of textbooks on pattern drafting and just buried my head. It takes a lot of dedication, motivation, and drive to teach yourself, so I don’t want to make this sound easy-peasy... There have been a lot of mistakes and all-nighters trying to complete something, but I learn from that, grow, and move on. I am a bit of an epistemophile, so I will never stop learning new things or ways I can refine my work.

What is the story behind the name?

The name Cut From The Same Cloth was used as an oxymoron. By definition, the phrase means that two things are alike.

When I started this business I was working with custom orders

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so I felt it very approbate to say “no two things are cut from the same cloth.” It also made sense to me because my items are not manufactured. I hand-make every piece.

What’s your favorite part about your work?

One of the most gratifying aspects of what I do is seeing my vision come to life. There is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that go into taking something that’s 2D or in some cases just a thought and making it into a wearable garment. The other joy I get out of work is connecting with my customers and taking the time to get to know them.

What’s a typical day at work like for you?

My day is typically a bit chaotic—it’s never really the same.

I will start my days off on my social media platforms, reading art blogs for morning inspiration and checking emails.

Then, depending on the day’s demand, I will either be fulfilling retail and wholesale orders, working on inventory for an upcoming pop-up, or starting a new collection. There’s a lot of work and time that goes into it all. My day doesn’t really stop, I just take a pause or two. I am fortunate for work out of my home studio which allows some form of balance to be a mother as well.

The Culture // Handmade

What (or who) are your major fashion/style influences?

I have always been in awe of people who own their own style and look comfortable and effortless in what they wear.

I also love people who wear things for no one other than themselves. Growing up, I was (and still am) obsessed with the bohemian and rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.

With social media, we have style influencers a-plenty, and I appreciate that it has given us a wide variety of style that highlights independent designers and brands like myself. For me, I find most inspiration in art. When it comes to creating a new collection sometimes a simple fabric or pattern of a fabric can bring inspiration as well.

How would you describe Charlotte’s style? Do you bring that into your design decisions?

I definitely think Charlotte’s style is evolving. I feel like we have small pockets of different styles which has definitely changed since I’ve been there. I feel like my business brings a different variety to Charlotte fashion, but I don’t design with Charlotte in mind, rather with a certain type of woman in mind.

How would you describe your own personal style?

I am pretty eclectic. I like to dress based off my mood, and any inspiration I have. I tend to be attracted to things that are different or unique. I also gravitate to things that are bohemian and whimsical, with just a little splash of rock ‘n’ roll. info cutfromsamecloth.com @cutfromsamecloth

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The Culture // Style

The Pink Hanger A boutique made with the quintessential Charlottean in mind words SUNNY HUBLER

The Pink Hanger is a staple of Charlotte’s burgeoning style scene, a fashion-forward, contemporary boutique nestled in the Cotswald neighborhood.

It’s a bright, airy space with wood floors and racks of brightly colored clothes against the walls. If it looks cozy, that’s because it is in fact something of a second home and haven for owner Whitney Avishar.

Whitney is a force, and the type of shop owner you hope for when stepping inside a locally-owned business: She’s bubbly and involved, present for each customer who steps inside, and, naturally, she clearly knows more than a thing or two about women’s clothing. That’s what lights Whitney up—helping her clients, and spreading her fashion expertise wide and far.

“The best compliments I’ve gotten throughout the years are from customers who self-admittedly hate

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photos JAMEY PRICE

shopping and trying on clothes, but love it when they come to us,” Whitney says. “We genuinely love putting together outfits for people and helping them find their style.”

Whitney, who grew up on the west coast of Florida, moved to Charlotte with her husband after college.

Both had careers in the banking world. In many ways, Avishar has been witness to some of Charlotte’s biggest moments, watching it evolve over the past two decades: “It was such a different city back then,” she muses.

Choosing to leave corporate America and open up The Pink Hanger allowed Avishar to add to the fabric of the city herself at an opportune moment.

Avishar answered some of our biggest questions about everything from business ownership to fashion and style influencers.

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The Culture // Style

Have you always loved clothing and fashion?

Yes! I grew up the child of parents who were in the retail/ buying world, so I have many memories of sitting in on vendor meetings at a young age. When I opened The Pink Hanger ten years ago, I saw a need for a boutique where the primary focus was customer service and making each person feel valued. My family has always had a very entrepreneurial spirit so they really encouraged me and helped give me the confidence to make it happen.

Tell us about the process of starting the business.

When we first opened the doors in 2007, I had two employees and my hubby was one of them (laughs). I worked seven days a week, and never wanted a customer to come in the store and not get my personal attention. It was such an amazing time and I loved every minute of it. Now that I have two young kids, I’m only here three days a week. It’s still my first baby, so I try to give it as much love as I can, but I am super lucky to have an incredible team of women who help me run the store.

I literally couldn’t do this without them.

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What inspired the name “The Pink Hanger”?

I wish this answer was more exciting! It was kind of a gut reaction; my hubby and I had a very clean, masculine inspired home at the time and I just wanted a girly outlet. I envisioned blush pink walls and pink hangers for the clothing, and that was it!

How has the shop evolved over the years?

When we opened, we had no idea who our customer would be.

We had a little bit of every trend and also a wide range of prices.

I loved discovering new designers and introducing them to our city. Sometimes the risk paid off, and other times it was a bit of “well, that wasn’t well received!”. The recession hit about six months after we opened our doors. A lot of our fellow boutiques were closing up shop and it terrified me. We regrouped, focused on a few core brands that had history and staying power, and then also searched out lines that were a lower price point so our customers wouldn’t feel guilty about shopping. Once Charlotte and the economy recovered, we were in a great position to pull in higher-end designers again and expand our breadth into shoes and other accessories we hadn’t carried previously.

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The Culture // Style

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How would you describe the fashion scene in Charlotte?

I love how far we’ve come in terms of the fashion scene here. I’m constantly inspired by the street style I see and even by my fellow mommies at carpool! I think women in the South tend to take fashion very seriously. Even if they are not ready for the edgiest, most-trendy styles on the runway, they are always focused on what is new for the season and how they can incorporate it. We love having our customers ask us what we are seeing at market and what new styles they can anticipate. I think the blogging scene here has really contributed to that. There are so many fantastic local bloggers who are making fashion a part of the daily conversation.

Fashion moves so quickly—where do you get inspiration from?

Fashion is such an attainable daily experience now. I love looking up outfit inspirations on Pinterest, perusing blogger feeds on Instagram, watching live feeds of fashion shows….you can almost go into over-exposure from all the options! Some of my favorite fashion influencers are Arielle Charnas (Something Navy) & Leandra Cohen (Man Repeller).

As Charlotte continues to expand, where do you see The Pink Hanger in the next few years?

For now we are going to stay a onelocation store. Our biggest focus is on our customers, and I don’t want to dilute our product, so to speak. I see us updating the store, but staying true to our customers and the community that has supported us for the past 10 years. info pinkhangeronline.com @pinkhangercharlotte

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APR 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 61

The Culture // Wellness

Homegrown

W The hands-on family who launched Clean Juice for a healthier community words SUNNY HUBLER photos JAMEY PRICE

When Kat and Landon Eckles started Clean Juice in 2014, brightly-colored fresh smoothies and pressed green drinks hadn’t quite hit the Charlotte area with full force.

If you’re into this sort of thing, you know this already—many a Charlottean was anxiously awaiting. Starting a little after 2008, small shops offering healthy bites, from bowls to superfood lattes, popped up on corners everywhere in full force across major cities like L.A. and New York, but they had yet to become easily accessible across the Queen City.

The Eckles had what began as a simple concept driven by a worthy goal before they even moved to North Carolina: They knew they wanted to provide their community with organic, healthy options. That seed became, a few short years later, a booming business with an impressive 93 locations (in development or open) across 13 U.S. states. The married duo had found what Charlotte was waiting for. Their flagship store sits in Huntersville’s Birkdale Village, and remains a favorite destination for Lake Norman residents looking to grab a quick healthy meal or snack. The shop itself is small and warm, with a large counter where you can watch the “juiceristas” hard at work, topping smoothie bowls with sliced fruit, or stuffing leafy greens into a whirring metal juicer. It’s a breakfast eatery, an after-workout pick-me-up, and an anytime snack spot.

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“We knew we wanted the mission of Clean Juice to be providing the best possible ingredients for health and wellness.”

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The Culture // Wellness

“Birkdale is our special baby,” Kat smiles.Kat and Landon are hands-on at the shop still today, where regulars often recognize them, and stop them to chat and swap health tips.

“It was one of the easiest business decisions we ever made... Birkdale has a very special place in our hearts, and the Lake Norman community and guests were so supportive and welcoming to us. Very few places nationwide have the special charm and intangibles that Birkdale has.”

The two owners joined us to talk juicing, wellness, business ownership, and family.

How did Clean Juice, the original in Huntersville, first start?

Kat: During the time Landon was starting his career, I really began to be fascinated with wellness and learning everything I could about health. We knew we wanted to move south already, and Landon’s business background paired with my deep dive into the importance of an organic, plant-based diet. That was really the perfect recipe for this venture. We made the

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decision, to move to Lake Norman and open a juice bar, in 24-hours flat, and it was the best choice we’ve ever made. We love everything about this area.

Where did the inspiration come from for a juice bar, and why the emphasis on organic ingredients?

Landon: We spent a lot of time in New York City and watched the juice industry really grow and boom. We knew that we had a desire to have access to clean, organic eating while on-the-go, and figured people outside of markets like NYC and LA were craving it as well. Organic was a non-negotiable: We believe when you are grabbing a juice or smoothie, you’re doing so with the intention of choosing health and to do the best thing possible for your body. Most of the fruits and vegetables that are mainstays in juices and smoothies are among the most pesticide-sprayed (berries, spinach, kale, etc.). We knew we wanted the mission of Clean Juice to be providing the best possible ingredients for health and wellness, so, organic it was.

Has this business changed at all from its inception? You all have spread way beyond North Carolina now!

Kat: Although the business, of course, has evolved since that first store, we’ve tried to maintain the special magic that made Birkdale such a powerhouse, as well as to stay true to our roots. We have added a few things to our menu like a toast line, oat bowls, activated charcoal-based products, and, in 2018, we will launch a few warm beverages like golden milk and matcha.

Some people are a little intimidated by ordering “health food” like smoothies and juices—how do you work around that?

Kat: We know it can be overwhelming to take in our menu (and attempt to pronounce acai) if you are unfamiliar with the products we serve, so our menu is designed to reach every customer possible. There are sweeter, more palatefriendly drinks to start with, and then more green-heavy options. It’s so awe-

The Culture // Wellness some to see our guests transform their health right before our eyes. We also wanted our juice bar to have a ‘family feel’, instead of a ‘sexy’ or ‘hipster’ feel... We really believe our products can be enjoyed by the masses, not just by a niche.

Ok, tell us your secret: You two have five kids and are running this rapidly growing business.

Kat: Landon is an incredible leader and manager of people and it was easy for me to see that he was the easy choice for CEO. I work full-time for Clean Juice, but my first priority is always to be the best mom I can be. I need the flexibility to be involved with school drop-offs, field trips, sick days and other special mommy moments. My business strengths lie in branding and strategic oversight, so I’m the Chief Visionary Officer. That said, we share an office and work every day together, so we both have a hand in all decisions.

Tell us about the decision to franchise. What’s next?

Kat: We didn’t set out wanting to franchise Clean Juice, but from the day we opened, we were asked multiple times a day about it. I was very protective of the brand, so we were both hesitant.

But, of course, it ultimately changed everything for us. Clean Juice grew exponentially faster than we could have grown otherwise. There is an enormous amount of responsibility and pressure that comes with being a franchisor, but we are learning a lot and feel blessed to be provided with the opportunity. As for what’s next, we really try to keep an open-mind about how the brand can stay current and fill a need in the market. We are thinking about adding grab-and-go food products in mid-2018 and are always looking at market trends and fun ways to move Clean Juice forward. info cleanjuice.com @clean.juice

BAR R I N GTON’ S ~

~

Est. Est.

2000

Est.

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2009

2014

FOOD AND DRINK

T H E S PR E A D

A More Perfect Union Michael Shortino’s new chef-driven grocery, Lincoln’s Haberdashery, wants to be a good neighbor. words COREY MILLER photos JAMEY PRICE

APR 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 69

The Spread // Eatery

“This is pretty much how I open a restaurant. I basically just live there for a few months.

So if there’s something people don’t like, I’m the one to blame. It’s all on me.”

L

Lincoln’s Haberdashery isn’t a haberdashery. It’s also not a bottle shop or a café or an ice cream parlor or a wine store. But it offers most everything those places do, and then some.

This latest venture from Sicilian-American Chef and restaurateur Michael Shortino, Lincoln’s, is a lot of things, and there’s nothing quite like it in the area. And that’s the point. Shortino, whose wildly popular ramen house, Futo Buta, serves this same community, wanted Lincoln’s Haberdashery to be something new.

Fittingly housed within a 1920s Lance factory, the hip new spot on South Boulevard can best be described as a fast-casual grocery, though even that’s a bit of a pigeonhole. It’s also a kind of country store, but Italian-style deli sandwiches are served on fresh bread baked in-house, alongside a full coffee bar serving Pure Intentions coffee, craft beer on tap, and far more wine than I’ve ever seen in one of those old retailers. There’s even a morning menu, which— with delights like the Darning Egg (shirred egg, Benton’s bacon, creamed potato, chive, and sea salt with house toast) and the Sticky Biscuit (Shortino’s infamous rosemary cheddar biscuit, local ham, and wildflower honey butter)— might be the standout. Lincoln’s is trying to do more than just one thing well, and it miraculously succeeds.

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The Spread // Eatery

“The key to Futo Buta’s success was making my own noodles. I knew that, if I was going to do sandwiches, I had to make my own bread.”

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“It was important to me that Lincoln’s be here,” Shortino explains, “specifically in this neighborhood—where I live. I want to provide things that this neighborhood doesn’t have. I’m Sicilian, and this is the food that I grew up on. It’s stuff I like to eat. And coffee, for example… HEX and Not Just Coffee are excellent, but they’re not within walking distance of my home. I want people to walk here and bike here. More than anything, this is a neighborhood spot.”

To make that kind of gathering spot work, though, you need something to bring the neighborhood together. That’s where the bread comes in: These Italian country loaves are at the heart of the whole concept.

“The key to Futo Buta’s success was making my own noodles,” Shortino says.

“I knew that, if I was going to do sandwiches, I had to make my own bread.”

It’s in the lovably traditional Italian bread soup, and in the authentic Italian crunch of every sammie. It makes for incredible toast in the morning. It will be the centerpiece of the forthcoming evening menu. And of course it’s damn good with any of the wines offered.

Producing literal tons of bread is no easy thing, though—especially if you’re not, strictly speaking, a baker by trade. It’s taken some work, that’s for sure.

Shortino made his own starter, mixing flour and water with his hands. He let it sit, feeding it every day for three months. Now, all the breads served at Lincoln’s Haberdashery are one dough, made by the chef’s own hands. His new labor of love is time-consuming, to say the least.

The Spread // Eatery “We don’t use a proof box, “Shortino says of his process. “It’s all-natural proofing. So whatever temperature it is outside, that’s what temperature it is in the kitchen. If it’s freezing out, the bread takes eight hours to proof. If it’s 70 degrees out and humid the next day, it proofs in two hours. If you’re not there to get it, you’ve wasted a whole day’s worth of work.”

Suffice it to say, Michael Shortino is missing some sleep. But that’s by choice.

“This is pretty much how I open a restaurant,” he laughs. “I basically just live there for a few months. So if there’s something people don’t like, I’m the one to blame. It’s all on me.”

And it’s precisely this kind of integrity and personal accountability that will make Lincoln’s Haberdashery the localized haunt he wants it to be.

It’s exactly what his neighborhood was missing—just more evidence that the creatives in our city are getting pretty good at filling voids. The light

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The Spread // Eatery

“I want people to walk here and bike here. More than anything, this is a neighborhood spot.” rail needed ramen, even if we didn’t know it. The little European village needs a bakery. Small town America needs its country store. And it looks like South End needs Michael Shortino… as well as his optimistic ideas about togetherness.

Indeed, the chef makes no bones about the political nature of using Lincoln as a figurehead. He’s a hero to the country: He shouldn’t be controversial, Shortino says, but neither should inclusivity.

“I feel like there’s a lot of, well, exclusion going on in our country right now, and I want to stick a thumb in the eye of some of that. Lincoln’s Haberdashery is nothing if not inclusive.” info lincolnshaberdashery.com @lincolnshaberdashery

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The Spread // Artisanal

Gâteau Cara Jorgenson’s baking company has already left a mark on the Charlotte bakery scene. words SUNNY HUBLER photos JAMEY PRICE

“The fun part of being so small and new is that we can still experiment and customers don’t get mad.”

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Cara Jorgensen had always been a restless child. When she was younger, her boundless energy would get her into trouble—be it at school or at home—but in her mind, she was just constantly looking toward her next adventure. At 22 years old, that next adventure came in the form of a new business: Gâteau—the French word for “cake.”

Using the same energy that once exasperated her teachers, Jorgensen took what was once a hobby and dove headfirst into the pastry world, teaching herself new techniques and learning the ins and outs of business as she went.

Now 24, Jorgensen and the Gâteau Baking Company have found a home in Charlotte’s 7th Street Market. Blending the elegance of high-end designs with bright colors and flavors, the bakery already has a unique, signature style. Jorgensen’s cookie-inspired cupcakes, donut glazes, and custom cakes have all become local favorites. Still, if there’s one thing the bakery refuses to do, it’s stop the innovation.

“The fun part of being so small and new,” says Jorgensen, “is that we can still experiment and customers don’t get mad that the items they’ve loved for years and years are different. We’re so young that our clients are really awesome about letting us grow into bigger and better products.”

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The Spread // Artisanal

“I firmly believe that if you pour into your community, your community will be there to pour back into you.”

Jorgensen focuses on supplying vegan options and sourcing local ingredients from the very neighbors that stop in to buy her pastries and on giving back to the community that supports her.

Since 2015, the Gâteau Baking Company has donated over $10,000 to local non-profits. Employees are encouraged to volunteer with paid time-off to do so, and Jorgensen herself puts in six to ten hours of volunteer work per week.

“I firmly believe that if you pour into your community, your community will be there to pour back into you,” states Jorgensen.

“Without support from people in Charlotte, we wouldn’t be able to sustain. So why shouldn’t we help sustain Charlotte?”

Stop by to taste their Triple Cocoa and Unbirthday cupcakes, or pick up a batch of Lemon Almond Sugar cookies to go along with a seasonal pie. With future plans to expand into new locations, Jorgensen and the Gâteau Baking Company can count on Charlotte’s support for years to come. info gateaubaking.co / @gateaubaking

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The Spread // Eatery

Not Just Coffee words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos JAMEY PRICE

When coffee connoisseurs Miracle and James Yoder first opened their flagship Charlotte location, Not Just Coffee intended to help customers look beyond the cup.

They didn’t just serve a steaming hot latte (or espresso, or tea); they served a drink backed by ethically-sourced ingredients and local partnerships, a drink backed by hundreds of spilled cups and burned hands as baristas learned to create that perfect taste. With innovative equipment and techniques, Not Just Coffee truly offers more in terms of experience and taste than the average coffee shop.

Starting with its Dilworth location, Not Just Coffee is adding to its eclectic name with the addition of a full cocktail menu and all-new food selections.

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“Adding cocktails to Not Just Coffee is something that I’ve been wanting to do,” notes James. “We wanted to keep it really simple and we didn’t want to get so crazy-focused on elaborate drinks, but we wanted to bring in that element of really well-done cocktails.”

Among those well-done cocktails are the house’s signature drinks, like their sweet Amaro Mule, their coffee-based Adrenaline Rush, and their aptly-named What’s the Dill. Rounding out those signature creations is the classics menu, complete with the full flavors of beloved

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The Spread // Tastemaker

drinks like the Tom Collins, the Daquiri, and the Brandy Old Fashioned. Each drink is made with highquality ingredients, fresh garnishes, and the same attention and care that goes into their coffee. Topping off their drink selections with a curated wine list, Not Just Coffee’s new menu has something for everyone.

Leading the charge into new culinary territory is head chef Carmen Fisher, a Johnson and Wales graduate with over 10 years of experience in the food industry.

After joining the company at the Packard location and learning the ins and outs of every coffee profile, Carmen ultimately made her way back into the kitchen to create their Dilworth menu.

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The Spread // Tastemaker

“We started with food at Packard,” says James, “and I think that was us kind of dipping our toes in the water to try food…Then we did a test kitchen, and Carmen made a bunch of dishes, and everything she brought out was a hit right away. We barely had to tweak anything.”

Under Carmen’s direction, Not Just Coffee expanded upon Packard’s breakfast menu and added a full afternoon and evening menu, as well as some bar snack options, like Spiced Candied Nuts or a Charcuterie Board. The new menu also features fresh salads, flatbreads, and even Galician-Style Octopus.

Whether it’s cocktails or pasta salad, Not Just Coffee’s new menu items have the same care and expertise behind them that’s behind every cup of coffee. To go along with their new creations, Not Just Coffee has extended their Dilworth hours to 9 p.m. weekdays and 10 p.m. weekends, with the possibility of expanding further as demand dictates. info notjust.coffee / @notjustcoffee

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The Spread // Plated

Dot Dot Dot’s Charcuterie Plate words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photo KYO H. NAM

A visit to Dot Dot Dot is like a visit to the 1920s; there’s an air of glamour to match the feeling of enjoying a one-time forbidden night of fun.

At Dot Dot Dot, classic cocktails are elevated with quality ingredients and 21st century twists. Not to be overlooked, their culinary menu boasts that same commitment to quality and ingenuity, and nowhere is that more apparent than with their Cheese and Charcuterie Plate.

Dot Dot Dot takes this simple platter to a new, delicious level with its artisanal cheeses and cured meats plated alongside their fresh signature mustard and grilled baguettes. The tasteful charcuterie journey continues down the serving board to a piece of locally-sourced, golden honeycomb, and ends with a mixed spread of olives and pickles. Order a Cheese and Charcuterie Plate the next time you get your favorite Dot Dot Dot cocktail, and sample the sweet honeycomb and salty savory meats for yourself. info dotdotdotcharlotte.com @dotdotdotclt

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The Spread // Plated

O-Ku’s Kiwi Roll words SUNNY HUBLER

O-Ku has nearly perfected the sushi game.

By offering up some of the freshest fish in the city and the most skilled chefs, the Charleston-original hotspot has become the place to post up at the sushi bar to take in the show.

The sushi experts, friendly and engaging, plate their dishes beautifully, with a variety of surprisingly unique ingredients in the always-

evolving rolls. The Kiwi Kani roll is an O-Ku signature—built off of buttery crab and avocado, it’s a little bit sweet from the thick slices of colorful fruit, and, when finished with black tobiko roe, gets a pop of balancing salty flavor. It’s light, summery, and refreshing, a roll meant for deep devotees and newbies alike.

Get your chopsticks out.

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90 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • APR 2018

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The Spread // Poured

Angeline’s Negroni words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photo JAMEY PRICE

Located on the ground floor of the new Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel is Angeline’s, an Italian-inspired restaurant that mixes local Southern ingredients with the techniques and dishes of Northern Italy. Balancing the restaurant’s cuisine is their bar menu, created by lead mixologist Henry Schmulling. By also drawing inspiration from Italy, Angeline’s drinks feature classic combinations and cocktails to match their classic menu.

Available both shaken and stirred, the Negroni is one such cocktail: Stirred, the drink features gin, Campari, and Rosso Vermouth. The gin adds a crisp kick of flavor to the simple drink, while

the Rosso Vermouth adds a hint of bitterness balanced by the liquor’s natural sweetness. Bringing everything together, the Campari enhances the drink’s bitter-sweetness and dyes it a beautiful shade of deep red.

The Negroni at Angeline’s replaces the gin with Prosecco, an Italian white wine that keeps the dryness of the gin while adding a refreshing twist to the classic drink. Perfect for both those who enjoy the strong flavors of a traditional cocktail and for those who like a sweeter combination, the Negroni stands tall as one of Angeline’s best drinks.

info angelinescharlotte.com / @angelinescharlotte

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The Spread // Poured

Zeppelin’s Edison words COREY MILLER photo JAMEY PRICE

According to Zeppelin’s menu, the Old Fashioned was given its name in the 1880s. Naturally, the Victorian-themed restaurant had to include a riff on this most classic of cocktails in their list of remixes. While the drink does appear on the menu in its original form, Zeppelin’s switch-up for The Edison bears little resemblance to the combination popular-

ized in the 19th century. This science experiment is bourbon, cashew-infused sorghum, barrel-aged bitters, and spiced cherry—all combined in a rocks glass and cold-smoked with cherry bark. Yeah, Ryan Hart and his bar crew actually keep cherry bark on hand. It looks (and tastes) like something out of an alternative history, and that’s kind of the point.

info zeppelinsouthend.com / @zeppelinclt

94 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • APR 2018

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A Modern Reflection Greg Perry and his team bring Charlotte into a new age of design with their embrace of modern homes. words SUNNY HUBLER portraits JAMEY PRICE photos of spaces MICHAEL BLEVINS

APR 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 97

The Folio // Foundation

“Proper design is timeless.”

There are few people who can truly say they’ve grown up to be exactly what they said they’d be as a child, but Greg Perry is one of those rarities who can. Ever since he could pick up a crayon and put it to paper, Perry’s been drawing cars, ships, buildings, and, most frequently of all, homes. At age seven, he designed his first full floor plan, complete with elevations and measurements, and it was more than apparent exactly what he wanted to do with his life.

Today, with over fifteen years of career architectural design experience under his belt, Perry continues to live out his dream in Charlotte, blending imagination with the needs and wants of clients to create their dream homes.

“I wanted to be in a region and city that had architectural history and appreciation,” says Perry about his decision to work in the Queen City.

“Charlotte has such a fantastic mix of people. It’s an exciting time to be here with the emergence of uptown, the art scene, and the cultural enhancements found in other world-class cities.”

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The Folio // Foundation

“We must respect proven principles and adapt to modern living patterns.”

As the design industry in Charlotte continues to grow, Perry is excited to grow along with it. Maybe you’ve seen his designs already: multiple homes in Myers Park and other areas of North Carolina that bring in elements of France, England, and other countries. His homes are completely unique, and his careful execution of every project is a nod to his desire to update Charlotte while also staying true to its roots.

With the team’s new addition of Bryson Allen Thomas, a design consultant devoted to Southern architecture, Perry is taking even more strides at combining modern work with Charlotte’s traditional Southern homes.

“Proper design is timeless,” notes Perry. “How a well-designed home feels to a person has never changed…Architecture is a reflection of the times, so coming into the modern age we must respect proven principles and adapt to modern living patterns. The trick is to create spaces that will always be relevant and appealing.”

Much of Perry’s design materials are locally-sourced, but some he imports from across the world, special ordered just for a client’s particular request. By following his natural instincts and asking highly detailed questions, Perry can consistently create a space that serves their lifestyle and personal aesthetic.

Whether it’s a modern twist on an old Southern home or the flair of European style, Greg Perry’s experience and versatility means Charlotte neighborhoods are getting even prettier. info gregperrydesign.com / @gregperrydesign

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The Folio // Crafted

RS WD

Rosewood co How Janine Bithell of Rosewood co found herself building custom hardwood tables. words CHANAHRA FLETCHER photos by LINDSEY PLEVYAK and JAMEY PRICE

Janine Bithell of Rosewood co is transforming the design market, one table at a time. Born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina, Janine grew up with design in mind. Her father was her home’s personal handyman, and through closely working with him and observing his woodwork projects around the house, her confidence in her own ability to create was fostered.

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The Folio // Crafted

“I believe our spaces that we do life in should inspire us. We use clothing to showcase our personality and taste; the homes we live in should provide that same sense of expression and being known.”

When her childhood love for design turned into an adult need for furniture, she ran up against what many of us do at a certain age: the restricting budget of a college student.

With limited options, Janine traveled home from Dallas and, with her father, started designing and building a dining room table for her college apartment. This moment marked the birth of Rosewood co—or at least the initial idea behind it. In the following days of convening around her then-finished, nowbeloved table with friends and family, Janine realized that making tables—and seeing the product of working hard with her hands every day—was what she loved to do.

From there, Rosewood co’s custom hardwood tables took off. What started as a hobby for herself, her friends, and her family led to Janine moving back home to Charlotte and launching the business. Now, Bithell works mainly on unique commissioned pieces for clients and interior designers across the city, and is also an official local maker for West Elm. In the same way the clothing we all wear showcases our personal style and unique personalities, it’s Janine’s mission to create innovative pieces that inspire us and boast the same sense of self-expression in a home.

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The Folio // Crafted

And the best thing about Rosewood co? Through her business, Janine Bithell is dedicated to giving back to her community. A firm believer in tithing, Janine also has initiated a “10 percent” policy for Rosewood Interiors, through which the business donates a portion of its proceeds to local charities, such as The Church of God’s Children’s Home of North Carolina.

For custom orders or to find out more about putting a Rosewood co table in your space, visit rswd.co. You can find her work in Durham, Greensboro, and Charlotte. info rswd.co @rswd_co

1235 East Boulevard:Suite A Charlotte, NC 28205 www.storeyhomedesign.com 704-496-9902

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Furniture | Decor | Rugs

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10- 5 • Now open Sunday 1-5 129 Southside Dr, Charlotte, NC 28217 | (704) 523-3163 | thefurnitureconnector.com | @furnitureconnector

The Folio // Vignette

A Farmhouse Kitchen words SUNNY HUBLER photo BRIE WILLIAMS

New Old Custom Homes, lead by founder Mary Ludemann, is known for reflecting personal style in a balanced and beautiful way. This Myers Park kitchen is no exception. Completed in 2016, the design was intended to evoke a warm, Lowcountry farmhouse. The homeowners had fallen in love with the Ann Sacks backsplash tile many years prior so the rest of the kitchen was developed around that force. The kitchen was also designed for functionality, so there is a vast amount of

storage, including a custom pantry. The pantry includes floorto-ceiling shelving, as well as additional cabinets, countertops, and floating shelves to provide a home for the clients’ collected generational dishware pieces. The cabinetry, in Benjamin Moore Simply White, was matched to the interior trim for a more cohesive, custom look. The hardwood flooring and pendant lighting finish the space off to give it a uniquely polished, warm feel.

info newold.com / @newoldcustomhomes DETAILS Hardware/Pulls Pottery Barn’s Boulevard 6” pull and matching knobs in Brass finish. Thermador Ferguson. Backsplash Tile Ann Sacks—Nottingham Field Tile in Honeycomb 4x4” pattern in color “Veil.” Countertops Bianco Avian Marble from AGM Imports and Cadenza. Pendant Lights Restoration Hardware. Hardwood Flooring European Oak Wide Plank by Greyne Company.

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The Folio // Vignette

Neutral, but with Feeling words COREY MILLER photo LAURA SUMRAK

House of Nomad is a design firm that believes in sophistication through texture—if this Myers Park project is any indication, that is. The aesthetic achieved in the front-of-house sitting area is emblematic of the remainder of the home’s transitional style: purposeful nods to the historic neighborhood, shaken up with youthful, contemporary elements. Minimalistic pops of color, namely the fiddle-leaf fig tree in the corner, break up the neutrality without sacrificing the cleanness of the space.

House of Nomad began with a neutral base, adding in some abstract character with the art and Kelly Wearstler pillows. There’s an idea of brassiness about the space, too, with elements like the metallic Global Views coffee table, a Kate Spade lamp, and that oh-so-circular mirror. Intrinsically formal in nature but not stuffy (thanks in large part to the contemporary furniture shapes), House of Nomad’s sitting room somehow manages to act as a place for entertaining and a calming retreat.

info houseofnomaddesign.com / @houseofnomaddesign DETAILS Pillows Kelly Wearstler. Chairs Four Hands. Coffee Table Global Views. Rug Loloi. Side Table Gabby. Table Lamp Kate Spade.

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The Folio // Vignette

The Focal Point words SUNNY HUBLER photo DUSTIN PECK

Charlotte-based interior designer Donna Livingston of Donna Livingston Design is known for the fresh look, clean lines, and classic style she brings to her interiors.

This Maryland Avenue project embodies that, resulting in a warm, inviting space to enrich the clients’ lives.

The breakfast room and bar ended up as focal point of the entire house; it’s accessible, livable, and stylish. Natural light saturates the breakfast room and highlights the natural elements of wood and linen. Livingston removed the original window blinds to reveal beautiful windows hiding behind, and she also created a new cozy seating solution, with

a built-in window bench and an array of soft throw pillows.

The aim was to design an area that could be dramatically more inviting than a typical table and chairs setup. Plus, it provided the added feature of storage below.

What Livingston turned into a bar was previously an empty nook off of the kitchen. Livingston and her team began by updating architectural details, like removing the old arched entryways to give the space a more modern look, completed by the grasscloth accent wall. To achieve an inviting space for people to gather, she used built-in cabinetry, marble countertops, wood floating shelves, and linen counter stools.

info dlivingstondesign.com / @donnalivingstoninteriors DETAILS Accessories BD Jeffries and Isabella. Bench Cushion and Pillows DLI. Grasscloth Phillip Jeffries. Bar Stools Charles Sterwart Company.

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The Folio // Blueprint

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Celtic Charm A woodlands cottage with a modern twist, nestled in The Sanctuary. words DENISE LORRAINE DAVIS photo METROPOLIS ICONIC SHOTS

Clay and Elaine Cavanaugh were quite happy raising two young children on Pawley’s Island when reality hit them.

“We realized we needed to move to a good school district and be close to extracurricular activities,” explained Clay.

When they received an offer to move out of their beach house in 30 days, the journey to relocate started in earnest.

In their search, the Cavanaughs added additional criteria: Clay’s International business, JEC Aseptics, Inc., required frequent weekly air travel so a commutable distance to the airport was critical. Elaine wanted to be closer to family and to her brother, Gary Hamill, who is the Director and Head Coach of Men’s Soccer at Wingate. These priorities led them to investigate communities in Waxhaw and Weddington at first.

It wasn’t until they veered a little more north and set their eyes on The Sanctuary, that the big picture plan became selfevident. They were going to build a custom home, and they were going to build it there.

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The Folio // Blueprint Buddy Edwards, President of Lynn Luxury Homes

“We did not know what we were getting into, but the decision was driven by what we saw possible in The Sanctuary. The extreme privacy, space, and tranquility of the lots here are what nailed it for us. We were going to be surrounded by forest and yet only 10 minutes from the airport. You cannot find anything like this in Mecklenburg County,” added Clay.

“We are one of Charlotte’s best-kept secrets, I guess you could say,” explained Ron Shaw, Architectural Control Committee Chairman for The Sanctuary. “Our lots are between 2 to 13 acres with an average of 5 acres, which only costs $200K. These generous lot sizes allow for more unique architectural expressions, and we currently have homes under construction that range from 4,000 to 30,000 square feet within these types of land parcels.”

From the start, the Cavanaughs’ approach to envisioning their custom home was wrapped up in personal experiences and memories they wished to have around them to hold on to. Elaine grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland and sometimes felt homesick. Clay remembers finding the Irish the “most hospitable” folk in his travels.

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“Complete strangers would take me in, let me sleep in their barns and hang out in their neighborhood pubs,” recalled Clay. “The Irish are just like Southerners. They give you that warm feeling, you know?”

That is exactly the feeling they experienced when they met Buddy Edwards of Lynn Luxury Homes.

“Buddy was key to helping us find the right lot and understand what could be accomplished on this hilly swath of land,” explained Clay. “He walked us deep down inside almost to our creek and gave us a vision as we looked back up. He is a laid-back younger guy.

Honestly, we just clicked. I knew he was going to help me rather than tell me what to do. What I thought was going to be a transactional, business type of relationship turned into a friendship.

He is down-to-earth and genuinely worries about how happy you’re going to be. That personality and conviction resonated with us.”

Buddy introduced the couple to Jim Phelps of Jim Phelps Collections and the drawings began.

Clay underscored that they are not your typical custom homeowner: “We viewed this project as our twenty-year home. We didn’t want something

The Folio // Blueprint

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“We viewed this project as our twenty-year home. We didn’t want something fancy and elaborate. We wanted mountain resort-style comfort and views with a sense of warmth and belonging the way we have experienced in Ireland before.” fancy and elaborate. We wanted mountain resort-style comfort and views with a sense of warmth and belonging the way we have experienced in Ireland before.”

Their finished home is 7,200 square feet with four bedrooms, four and a half baths and two two-car attached garages. As one approaches the driveway, the view of the home nestled deep down into their fiveacre property is simply breathtaking.

“There were massive trees that we wanted to preserve during the clearing process. Some close to 80 feet tall. So it was practically a surgical procedure to accomplish this without compromising the end goal,” remembers Buddy Edwards of Lynn Luxury Homes.

The driveway from the road to the front door extends close to 400 feet in length, so it isn’t hard for a lay person to imagine the steep mountain-like challenges the construction team faced daily.

“Imagine the weight of cranes, concrete, steel beams and lumber deliveries to this job site!” Buddy smiles.

“We spent a lot of time just tending the maintenance of the construction drive to keep all our delivery drivers safe and happy.”

There is no doubt this project required a talented builder. “We have great builders in the Carolinas and the best ones are in our guild at The Sanctuary,” explained Ron Shaw. “They all stand out, but with regard to communication and attention to details, Buddy is among the best. Communication and follow-up is a big deal to the board here. Our biggest focus is the quality of the homes being constructed here, which is a continuing process requiring ongoing follow-through with us.”

To this point, Clay Cavanaugh added with a laugh: “When we were going through this, I spoke more to Buddy than my wife!”

The most standout design feature of the home is without a doubt the windowed wall of the 20-footceiling dining room facing out to the sloping hill.

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The Folio // Blueprint

Other memorable touches: The stained shiplap cedar exterior siding complimented by a sandy faced weathered brick; a three-story open stairwell, and uninterrupted weathered white oak beams that were reclaimed from an abandoned timber trestle railroad bridge in South Carolina.

But wait, no proper Irish-inspired home is complete without a pub. Well, that is how Clay felt: “Every day is St. Patrick’s Day here. My wife grew up in a pub-style life, and I cannot exist without it. I put my foot down as far as the budget goes: Don’t touch the budget for the pub!”

The pub needed to be heavily wooded with a dark atmosphere when candle-lit; mimicking the dark and dingy, old and worn pubs of Ireland.

As if all things Irish hadn’t been thought of, the Cavanaughs had one more touch: the kitchen cabinets. All ‘regular’ cabinet stains did not look unique enough for their liking, when they passed a book cabinet into another display room. A pair of green bookends lay perched on the shelf caught his eye: “See this green? Stain our cabinets this color!”

For more info on Lynn Luxury Homes visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lynnluxuryhomes. info lynnluxuryhomes.com / @lynnluxuryhomes metropolisiconicshots.com / @metropolisiconicshots

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T R AV E L A N D S P O R T I N G

T H E E X PL OR E D

Blackberry Farm Luxury accommodations, world-class food, and a rustic aesthetic make Blackberry Farm the perfect destination for an old-fashioned escape. words LIZA CARRASQUILLO photos courtesy BLACKBERRY FARM

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The Explored // Weekender

B

Blackberry Farm is the sort of place that makes jaws drop upon arrival. It’s the kind where would-be guests read the descriptions, shrug their shoulders, and take a drive through the Great Smoky Mountains to see it for themselves. The 4,200-acre estate, nestled within the highlands of the mountains and overlooking the misty valley below, will surpass every expectation they have.

Named in the 1930s by a Chicago couple searching for the perfect area for their dream home, Blackberry Farm has been one of the Great Smoky Mountains’ best-kept secrets for decades. Turned over to the Beall family in 1976, the property was renovated and opened as a six-room inn to realize their dream of sharing great food and a great view with new friends. The farm has since grown and now encompasses luxury accommodations of all types, from their Historic and Estate Rooms in the main resort to their cozy cottages and family-sized houses in their small, secluded neighborhoods.

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The Explored // Weekender

To match the beauty and homey feeling of the farm’s accommodations, the cuisine takes fresh, Southern flavors and melds fine dining with good old-fashioned comfort food. Enjoy a classic biscuits and gravy breakfast or a filling seasonal sandwich for lunch at the farm’s Main House, then head over to The Barn or The Dogwood for a gourmet dinner. For those looking for traditional mountain flavors and hard-tested recipes handed down since the farm’s conception, The Barn’s Foothills Cuisine is for you.

If you want a more creative twist on traditional flavors, The Dogwood’s everchanging menu and inventive cocktail program will be just what they’re looking for. All eateries use fresh, seasonal ingredients, most of which are grown right at Blackberry Farm. Whatever the farm can’t provide, the local farmers

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THE UMSTEAD.COM | CARY, NC | 866.877.4141

The Explored // Weekender do, ensuring that every plate that passes through their kitchens contains the freshest ingredients possible.

Blackberry Farm provides more than just good food and relaxation: It also has a wide range of activities for travelers of all ages. Go horseback riding through the mountain trails, or take a scenic carriage ride across the farm’s thousands of acres instead. Bring a friend or loved one to the farm’s expertly orchestrated wine tasting events or head to a rejuvenating spa day. For the more adventurous guests, Blackberry Farm even offers water sports, paintball courses, and open field exploration.

With luxury accommodations, high-quality cuisine, and a variety of activities to partake in, Blackberry Farm is guaranteed to provide a rich, relaxing weekend with just enough fun to keep guests smiling all day long. Just don’t forget to take in the view. info blackberryfarm.com @blackberryfarm

Romantic Hiking Hideaway 2300 Swag Road, Waynesville, NC 28725 • (828) 926-0430 • (800) 789-7672 • www.theswag.com

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8/28/17

2/25/18

The Explored // Carolina Town

In The Valle words JP GRICE photo JAMEY PRICE

Nestled in a hidden valley in the Appalachian Mountains just twenty minutes from the popular college town of Boone, Valle Crucis offers a true escape for those looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. Walk and horseback through the town’s scenic fields and forests, or head down to one of several rivers and try your hand at a favorite sport of the area: fly fishing. The Watauga River at the Valle Crucis Community Park is stocked full of trout from October 1 through the first weekend in June.

For those eight months visitors have a great opportunity to catch trophy trout. During the summer months the Watauga turns into a tubing river, but guests can head five minutes down the road to the Boone Fork to fish for native speckled trout or hike up Hebron Rock Colony­—a series of boulders and waterfalls that’s challenging and stunning. There are several other great hikes around Valle Crucis, including the Profile Trail at Grandfather Mountain in nearby Foscoe.

When staying in Valle Crucis, there’s really only one place to truly consider: the popular Mast Farm Inn. This historic mountain lodge is situated directly in the middle of town and is known for its world-class hospitality. Its location makes it easy to explore the two downtown places you’ve got to stop at: The Mast General Store and the Annex.

There are several great restaurants in the area to try, including The Gamekeeper for an exotic menu, the Ham Shoppe for a delicious ham biscuit, and Artisanal­, an awardwinning restaurant located just five miles away in neighboring Banner Elk. Valle Crucis is a small mountain town with a little bit of everything. For those searching for the peace and quiet that nature affords, Valle Crucis has it. Likewise, if you’re looking for a community feel with great dining and shopping right around the corner, the town also delivers.

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The Explored // Sporting Destinations

A Charlotte Tradition On April 28, experience the thrill of the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase. words COREY MILLER photos EMILY AND JAMEY PRICE

The Queen’s Cup Steeplechase is not just a steeplechase; it’s an authentically Charlotte tradition. Every year, on the last Saturday in April, the city comes together to make new memories in a beautiful landscape (the Brooklandwood Racecourse), all while raising money for an important cause: the Alzheimer’s Association. A grassroots effort led by Bill and Carrington Price, the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase is the largest outdoor tailgate in the entire region. The sport, the feasting, and the socializing introduce a Southern tradition to both longtime locals and those who have just transplanted to the Charlotte region, providing Charlotteans with the opportunity to call something our own. The jockeys and the horses are a spectacle, but they only make up part of the experience. So we’re going to break the whole event down for you—with pictures!

For tickets and info queenscup.org For photos @queenscup

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The Explored // Sporting Destinations

The Terriers The Carolinas Jack Russell Terrier Club puts on an adorable Jack Russell terrier race, which welcomes new competitors every year. Just be sure to enter your pet by April 15.

The Hats The terrier race isn’t the most madcap event at the Cup, though—that honor goes to the hat contest, a tradition pitting men, women, and children against each other in a competition for the wildest hand-decorated headgear.

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The Pageantry From the presentation of the hounds and the pony rides to the military display courtesy of Bravo Battery and the bagpipers at the opening ceremony, the Queen’s Cup pulls no punches when it comes to spectacle.

The Explored // Sporting Destinations

The Attire Dress the part on the day of the race.

This is your chance to really show off your style. Colorful suits, seersucker, bow ties, sundresses, glamorous bags, and sun hats are the standard, but feel free to step it up even more and let your personality shine.

The People The Queen’s Cup is the perfect place to entertain clients and gather with friends and family. For many guests, raceday isn’t about the horses: It’s about so much more.

From catching up with old friends and meeting new ones to the people watching, really, it’s about the cameraderie. The steeplechase is a 20,000-person cocktail party, and lucky for you, you’re invited.

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The Hill Member’s Hill is the most exclusive entertainment area on the race grounds. Guests have a front-and-center view of the finish line as well as breathtaking panoramic views of the entire racecourse. Guests of Member’s Hill get access to the Elkridge Club’s open bar and fine cuisine.

The Explored // Sporting Destinations

The Tailgating As with any event, the quality of the food and drink ties everything together. The grandest tailgating party in North Carolina, maybe a little surprisingly, doesn’t involve Panthers. The Queen’s Cup has earned a reputation as one of the most opulent mass picnicking events in the southeast. This outdoor feast of easy-to-devour, springy cuisine sets an uncharacteristically high bar for tailgate food.

The Party After the races, all patrons are invited up to the Clubhouse (the big tent on Member’s Hill) to celebrate with live music, free hors d’oeuvres compliments of Queen City Catering, and a cash bar.

For tickets and info queenscup.org For photos @queenscup

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The Race April 28th’s main event is comprised of five separate horse races: the Brown Advisory King George III Sport of Kings Hurdle, the Ratings Handicap Hurdle, the Queen’s Cup MPC ’Chase, the Timber Allowance, and finally the 1.25-mile Future Champions Turf.

For event details and tickets to the South’s greatest steeplechase visit queenscup.org and for more photos visit them on Instagram and Facebook at @queenscup.

The Exclusives // Cityscapes

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Into the Man-made Wilds Kyo H. Nam’s 50 Days. Me. Alone. goes urban with Part II, starting with cityscapes in NYC and ending on the West Coast. words COREY MILLER photos KYO H. NAM

A couple of years ago, Charlotte-based photographer Kyo H. Nam headed into the wilderness of the U.S. National Park system, escaping for 50 days. A native of Seoul, Korea, Kyo has only been living in the States since his early teenage years, but he’s spent much of his time here exploring this vast new home through a camera lens. In 2017, he set out again, but with a different goal. This time, he got lost in the city.

And getting lost in his work, he found, was equally easy surrounded by his fellow man.

“There’s just as much to see,” Kyo recalls. “If you go out into nature, you see trees, leaves, and earth. In the city, you find buildings, lights, and streets.”

On this follow-up trip, he was looking at different subjects, capturing totally different structures, playing with a different sort of negative space, but Kyo says there’s a similar innate beauty to both.

“Just like how I wanted to capture the beauty and essence of America’s natural monuments,” he says, “I aimed to do the same with America’s cities.”

There’s an architecture, a design to each space, but each framework represents something different. Kyo had already seen (and documented at length) the quiet, untouched things in the world, so it simply made sense to him that his next trip would reveal the inverse of that: All the sounds and movement and influence of people, at their most extreme. The architecture of the city, he says, tells a story entirely separate from the one told by the ‘architecture’ of nature. Figuring out how to document that story has only helped him evolve as a photographer, all the while teaching him how to better appreciate his home in photos.

“It’s not about getting cool pictures of famous places or people,” Kyo explains. “It’s about capturing the real thing, the way it is.

Charlotte is growing at an incredibly fast pace nowadays, and I want to grow with it. I hope to inspire people by continuing to take photos of wonderful hidden places all throughout the city.”

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The Exclusives // Cityscapes

New York City

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“Simply put, New York is basically ‘the city that doesn’t stop.’ This trip allowed me to see a side of New York that I have never seen before. Although New York is filled with world-famous tourist attractions, I explored the less touristy areas during my days and nights, and I could truly see how passionate this city is. Nights in New York are more colorful; each building in the city seems as if it’s constantly breathing and living, and the people have a certain spark in their eyes. I could definitely understand why people call this place the ‘city of dreams.’”

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The Exclusives // Cityscapes

Chicago

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“I find Chicago to be the most beautiful city in America. Chicago has class. The architecture of the city is the most exquisite and vintage that I have seen yet. Both modern buildings and ones that have been built ages ago blend together. There’s a certain warmth to the streetlights radiating off the concrete buildings at nightfall. It’s not as glamorous as New York, but it’s classic and filled with middle-aged charm.”

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The Exclusives // Cityscapes

San Francisco

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“To me, San Francisco felt like the ‘city of dreams.’ Comfortable houses, amazing weather, the way the Golden Gate Bridge shines each morning, the pink sunset, diverse population… it was a city filled with romanticism. The whole time I was traveling in the city, I kept thinking to myself, ‘Could there be a more romantic city?’ It felt as if I was on an adventure in a dream because of the dynamic scenery. Everywhere I went in this city, I ran into scenery that I would find in a movie.”

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The Exclusives // The Mountains Are Calling

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The Mountains are Calling Eight Blue Ridge destinations for the adventurous. words JP GRICE photos JAMEY PRICE SAM DEAN

Linville Gorge This place is about as rugged as it gets in North Carolina. It is 12,000 acres of untouched wilderness featuring notable landmarks like Table Rock, Hawksbill, and Shortoff Mountain. For the adventurous, The Chimneys hike, pictured to the left (photo by Jamey Price), is an experience you won’t soon forget. The trail features nearly 360-degree views of the foothills and gorge below.

This hike will get your heart pumping due to the exposure. The trail winds along the gorge’s rim right next to one-hundred-foot-plus cliffs. Photographers, campers, and rock climbers will feel right at home here. After hiking the Chimneys, be sure to visit Wiseman’s View and Linville Falls.

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The Exclusives // The Mountains Are Calling

Wilson Creek Gorge

Nantahala National Forest We consider ourselves very lucky to have explored the farthest western reaches of our state while on assignment last year to photograph bamboo fly rod maker John Hollifield. His backyard is the Nantala National Forest, which, if you don’t know, is the largest of the state’s four national forests, encompassing 530,000 acres. This place truly offers a lifetime of things to see and do. For those who love a good waterfall, Gorges State Park—a temperate rainforest—has several impressive falls, including Rainbow, Turtleback, Hidden, and Stairway Falls. Lake Toxaway, Lake Santeetlah, and Fontana Lake are fantastic options for the kayaking enthusiast or fisherman. Trails abound as well, and hikes like Whiteside Mountain, Wayah Bald, and Wesser Bald are must-see destinations for the avid or beginner hiker. But, no trip to this part of the state is complete without a walkabout through the 400-year-old trees in Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, one of the finest examples of old growth hardwood forests in the country.

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To the right you’ll see a scenic overlook in Morganton, North Carolina captured by Jamey Price on one of our many fly fishing trips to the area. This small town right off of Interstate 40 in the foothills is really your last stop for provisions before you make your way into the wild that is Wilson Creek Gorge. We call the town the “Gateway to the Gorge” for obvious reasons: The scenery starts to change here and you can finally see mountains like Table Rock and Hawksbill on the horizon. Drive another fifteen miles past Morganton down Highway 181 and then Brown Mountain Beach Road to where pavement turns to dirt. A “Welcome to Pisgah National Forest” sign greets you as do the pristine waters of Wilson Creek. Here, kayakers, fly fishermen, bikers, hikers, tubers, and simply put, some really unique people all flow together to enjoy the great outdoors. While visiting the gorge, make it a priority to witness a kayaker hit a Class V rapid, swim in one of many of the creek’s deep pools, hike to Harper Creek Falls, Little Lost Cove Cliffs, and Upper Creek falls, and stop in Mortimer—an abandoned town that flooded in 1940. Before you head back to the city, visit Betsey’s Ole Country Store right past Mortimer to pick up a souvenir. We recommend their most popular and very appropriate bumper sticker. It reads “I’d rather be on Wilson Creek.”

The Exclusives // The Mountains Are Calling

Holston Mountain & The South Holston River As far as east coast scenery goes, it doesn’t get much more scenic than the picturesque mountains that rise up above the South Holston River in Eastern Tennessee. A mix of farm land, river valley, and peaks that reach almost 4,500 feet make this area stunningly beautiful. For us, floating on the river is the best way to experience it. From a drift boat or kayak, you get a totally different perspective of the landscape here. You can take in the sheer size of Holston Mountain while also fully appreciating the adjacent pastureland’s beauty. The best part of the Holston area is the fishing: It is a major tourist industry for Eastern Tennessee and gives the area a huge economic boost. It’s so popular here because of the river’s midge hatches (a top water fly fisherman’s dream) and the fact that there are over 9,000 fish per mile. It isn’t known for just quanitity though; The South Holston is some of the finest water on the East Coast and affords anglers an opportunity to catch the best fish of their life.

Watauga River Photographer Sam Dean took this photo while fishing with the talented guides at Due South Outfitters on one of the east coast’s most incredible rivers: The Watauga. This river rises from a spring in Avery County and flows northwest into Tennessee. In the Old North State, locals believe “watauga” means “beautiful water,” and we think the nomenclature rings true. In the mountains of North Carolina, the Watuaga is a pristine and meandering river with riffles, short runs, and clear pools. In these waters you’ll find rainbow, brown, and brook trout, and in its tributaries the native speckled trout. Once in the Volunteer State, the river creates Watauga Lake. This manmade lake is about as picturesque as they come: Gorgeous mountain peaks rise out of translucent bluegreen water, creating the perfect backdrop for a kayaker or boater. The river begins again as a tailwater flowing forty miles west through Elizbethton. This section is known for its world-class brown trout fishing. We recommend floating this section of river on one of Due South Outfitters’ drift boats. For the angler, it truly is the best way to experience the river. You get to see the water and fish from an entirely new perspective—the bow of a boat—while an experienced oarsman gives you tips on catching a trophy.

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The Exclusives // The Mountains Are Calling

Asheville This Blue Ridge adventure is one of the more urban kind.

Asheville is a booming city in Southern Appalachia, that has received national praise for its cultural experiences and tasty food and drink scene. The Biltmore is one of the major draws to the area due to its architecture and sprawling grounds; it’s a must. Places like Diana Wortham Theatre, the Asheville Community Theatre, and the Asheville Art Museum deserve attention from visitors as well. In downtown Asheville, beautiful shops and art galleries blend with world-class dining opportunities. There’s the Spanish tapas restaurant Cúrate, coffee shops like Double D’s, a coffeehouse in a double-decker bus, and unique book shops like Battery Park Book Exchange.

The River Arts District is another place to check out while in the city. Working art studios in industrial buildings merge with classic breweries like Wedge and restaurants like the popular Bull & Beggar. Just across the river in West Asheville, a culinary renaissance of sorts is happening with inventive concepts like Hole Doughnuts, Taco Billy, and Pizza Mind popping up next to oldies-but-goodies like The Admiral. If and when you’ve seen all of the above in Asheville, we suggest you next head out to the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway to find a hiking trail. Until then, all your walks in this Blue Ridge destination should lead not to a lookout but to an interesting art gallery or exhibit, a delicious restaurant, a cozy bookstore, or a refreshing brewery.

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The Exclusives // The Mountains Are Calling

Dupont State Forest This is the land of waterfalls.

For anyone looking for both highly accessible and very impressive falls, this is the place. In less than a mile, the Little River experiences three dramatic drops, including High Falls, a 125-footer pictured to the right, Triple Falls, and Hooker Falls. The only negative to this place is that it can get really busy on a nice weekend day so we recommend going on a weekday if you can or early in the morning to beat the crowds and get the entire natural experience.

Grandfather Mountain One of the most impressive mountains on the entire East Coast, Grandfather Mountain rises 5,945 feet above sea level. Its profile, resembling the face of a Grandfather, is it’s namesake and the trail, aptly named the Profile Trail, is the best way to see it. While hiking up you can see the diversity of the mountain’s flora and fauna, sample the pristine water at Shanty Springs, see the town below from Foscoe Overview, and make your way to the Grandfather Trail. Once on the Grandfather Trail, hikers can explore the various peaks on the mountain, including Calloway, Attic Window, and MacRae. The hike from MacRae Peak to the mile-high swinging bridge is one of the most adventurous experiences as hikers negotiate large boulders and cliffs by climbing down a series of ropes and ladders.

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The Exclusives // High Country Hospitality

High Country Hospitality Where to stay in the Blue Ridge and what to do while you’re there. words SUNNY HUBLER COREY MILLER

When it came to thinking of westward trips, the Blue Ridge Mountains were unavoidable.

Sure, it’s close to home as far as westwardthinking goes, but there’s nothing quite like this area of the country that just so happens to also be our backyard.

The mountain range has captivated generations of travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, and history buffs. The iconic mountains house the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and parts of the Appalachian Trail.

Today, the hazy blue mountain ranges are amongst some of the best places to visit. They boast unique hotels, inns, and lodges a-plenty, while still preserving that sense of rural wonder and quietude that keeps us coming back every time. To borrow from a famous quote: The mountains are calling, and we must go.

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photos courtesy of Omni Grove Park Inn

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The Exclusives // High Country Hospitality

The Omni Grove Park Inn The Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville is a legend—for a century, it’s remained a top destination for travelers (everyone from presidents to movie stars) to rejuvenate, relax, and breathe in clean mountain air. The resort is massive and full of history and stories, perched atop Sunset Mountain with breathtaking views. It’s also equipped with its own award-winning subterranean spa and several restaurants and bars on property to choose from, as well as fireplaces to nestle up beside and miles of outdoors to explore. Be sure to have a drink on

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the legendary Sunset Terrace (aptly named for its stunning evening views) and don’t miss a chance to dip into the colorful contrast pools, located within the stunning 43,000 square-foot spa.

While you’re there: Head to downtown Asheville for a family style dinner at Cúrate or a farmto-fork experience at Rhubarb, then craft cocktails at Sovereign Remedies, and finally a coffee at Battery Park Book Exchange. End your evening with a nightcap in a rocking chair by the Grove Park’s huge fireplaces in their great hall lobby.

photos courtesy of Omni Grove Park Inn

PEAK SEASON 12 Blue Ridge Inns and B&Bs perfect for your next trip to higher elevation

BALSAM MOUNTAIN INN This North Carolina gem, in the small town of Balsam, sits 3,500 feet above ground, in between The Plott Balsam and Richland Balsam mountain ranges. Built in 1908 as a railway station, The Balsam Mountain Inn today is the quintessential escape from day-to-day life into the mountains. While you’re there: One of the best ways to enjoy this quiet area is to get out to Richland Balsam Mountain for a strenuous, but rewarding hike.

SOURWOOD INN The Sourwood Inn is a charming bed and breakfast that sits on 100-acres of alluring terrain.

Created to provide a retreat for its guests, Sourwood boasts a well-stocked library, nearby lake access, and an abundance of outdoor adventures.The inn is the perfect place to unplug, recharge, and revel in the beauty of nature. While you’re there: Luella’s Bar-B-Que is just a short drive away, and they’ve got all the smoked meats and house-made sauces you could want. Just don’t skip the smoked wings.

LEATHERWOOD Surrounded by thousands of acres of rich forest and beautiful mountain views, Leatherwood is a premier mountain resort. One of its most popular resident and guest activities is horseback riding. Guests are also provided with on-site fishing, hiking, and tennis, among many other amenities. Leatherwood promises to keep guests having a great time year round.

While you’re there: Grandfather Mountain is nearby, with nearly 2,500-acres of backcountry for hiking, backpacking, and sightseeing.

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The Exclusives // High Country Hospitality

PEAK SEASON [cont. from pg. 161] CHETOLA Chetola is an exquisite 87-acre resort in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Beloved for its tantalizing views and the unique attractions the property houses, Chetola is the perfect destination for every season. While you’re there: The Resort has also managed to fully embrace the stunning natural setting around it, and offers many ways to have fun at the Highlands Sports and Recreation Center, outside at Chetola Lake, and on the adjacent hiking trails.

ESEEOLA LODGE As a mainstay for generations of guests, the Eseeola Lodge is a unique mountain resort steeped in tradition. The Lodge is known for its high standards in hospitality, and provides great fun for the entire family. Depending on the time of year, guests can find an array of arts, festivals, and local vineyards. Whether you're looking for an exciting night out or just family fun, you can find it all at Eseeola. While you’re there: If you visit during the summer you get access to The Appalachian Summer Festival, one of the nation’s most well-respected regional arts festivals.

INN AT CRESTWOOD Whether you’re looking to enjoy a stay or say “I do,” The Inn at Crestwood is the perfect mountain getaway. The Inn provides guest with amazing spa, dining and wedding services. A hidden gem with a spectacular view, the inn is a quaint destination for any guest to unwind. While you’re there: The Gamekeeper, located in a rustic 1950s-era stone cabin, is just down the road—hopefully their locally sourced game includes elk. Regardless of your entrée choice, first order the onion-crusted rabbit with wild mushroom cream and fried brussels.

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photos courtesy of Hotel Domestique

Hotel Domestique Inspired by the travels, tastes, and lifestyle of legendary cyclist George Hincapie, Hotel Domestique exists at the intersection of two hospitality ideals. Part countryside auberge, part modern boutique hotel, Domestique is the definition of a retreat—it’s even located in a town called Traveler’s Rest. The destination is tucked at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the foothills of upstate South Carolina, allowing for some of the most stunning views in all of Carolina. Enchanting guests in search of peace from across the nation, the hotel’s unique blend of Old World style and contemporary design creates an atmosphere entirely cut off from daily routine (and daily stress).

While you’re there: This part of South Carolina has become a sort of base of operations for adven-

ture seekers. The roads surrounding Hotel Domestique offer a world-class cycling experience. Winding through the picturesque climbs of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s no wonder George Hincapie selected the area for his training as a professional cyclist. Now Hotel Domestique guests can enjoy a unique tour of surrounding mountains with an XD cycling package, led by George himself. Hotel Domestique is surrounded by challenging hikes, beautiful rivers and waterfalls like the ones at nearby Dupont State Forest, trout fishing haven Jones Gap State Park, and much more. Or you could just stay in, grab a delicious meal at Restaurant 17 (pictured left), and then relax in the rustic beauty of your room at the hotel.

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The Exclusives // High Country Hospitality

Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville Situated just outside the gates of the Biltmore Estate is the unmistakable facade of The Grand Bohemian Hotel, the Asheville chapter of the Kessler Collection’s signature fusion of art, eclectic decor, and luxury accomodations. Every Grand Bohemian has a distinct character, and the Asheville property embraces a European mountain lodge aesthetic with playful fervor. Hunting imagery and relics associated with the outdoors coexist with velvety ultraluxe interiors. And of course, the whole of the hotel is one sprawling showcase for Richard Kessler’s extensive art collection, featuring over a hundred local and internationally acclaimed artists’ pieces.

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While you’re there: You’d be hard-pressed to stay in Biltmore Village and avoid visiting the largest house in the United States. The Biltmore Estate is a marvel and should be explored at least a few times, but you don’t need to be told that. The Grand Bohemian is also just outside of downtown Asheville, which, you also don’t need to be told, is the beer capital of the Southeast. Just up Biltmore Avenue, you’ll find the fabled South Slope, which offers the likes of High Wire, Wicked Weed, Burial, Catawba, Green Man, and (literally) countless others. End your tour of the Slope and its brews at All Souls Pizza, where decadence is served up with surprising speed.

photos courtesy of Grand Bohemian Hotel Asheville

PEAK SEASON [cont. from pg. 163]

MAST FARM INN Known for its impeccable weddings and historic lodging, the award-winning Mast Farm Inn is a great destination to enjoy mesmerizing views and a scenic atmosphere. With a wide variety of amenities ranging from outdoor activities to fine dining and shopping, the Inn gives guests a great home away from home. While you’re there: Pop over to the original Mast General Store—it’s one of the primary reasons to visit Valle Crucis in the first place. Grab a spicy Blenheim Ginger Ale and linger on the century-old porch, which is always full of oldtimers and banjo-picking.

APPLEWOOD MANOR B&B Surrounded by an acre of giant wild cherries, oaks, and a variety of flora, The Applewood Manor makes for the perfect bed and breakfast. Applewood Manor welcomes guests to enjoy what it calls its “garden to gut” philosophy towards food, providing guest with a farm-to-table dining experience. While you’re there: The Manor is a short walk from downtown Asheville, but it’s location is an eclectic stroll in its own right. The Montford district, which is included in the National Register of Historic Places, is full of old Victorian, Queen Anne, and Arts and Crafts homes combined with Neoclassical, Colonial Revival, and castle-like motifs. Don’t miss Riverside Cemetery.

BENT CREEK LODGE This mountainside retreat is the perfect mix of pampering and privacy. Only 10 miles away from the center of Asheville, the lodge allows guests the best of both worlds. From its amenities to its pristine service, Bent Creek Lodge is the essential comfortable and casual getaway. While you’re there: The lodge is just minutes from the North Carolina Arboretum, a spectacular array of gardens, bonsai exhibits, hiking trails, and biking paths with mountain views. Don’t miss it.

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The Exclusives // High Country Hospitality

PEAK SEASON [cont. from pg. 165]

OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT The Omni Homestead Resort provides guests a local feel accompanied by world-class customer service. With eight 1,300-foot zip lines among its many amenities, Omni Homestead makes for an exciting stay.

Through authenticity and innovation, this resort leaves its guests with a memorable experience.

While you’re there: Hot Springs’ Main Street houses Les Cochons d'Or, probably the best spot in all the highlands for French American fare. We recommend the pancetta-wrapped pork tenderloin with all its carrot confit, forbidden black rice, and balsamic jus goodness.

old edwards

ASKA LODGE B&B One of the number one bed and breakfasts in the Blue Ridge, Aska Lodge is your ultimate escape. It’s a unique mountain experience: This lodge offers serenity and solitude for visitors.

While you’re there: You can also find outdoor seating, a speciality woodworking course, and specialty meals among the B&B’s many amenities. For a peaceful atmosphere and enjoyable stay, visit Aska Lodge.

PRIMLAND Known for its environmental consciousness, Primland is the ultimate sporting retreat. Offering unbeatable scenic views, this resort offers guests world-class golf, exquisite dining, and a plethora of outdoor activities.

While you’re there: Go hunting.

Primland is situated in the midst of Virginia’s highland wilderness, meaning there’s not too much to experience outside the 12000acre preserve. In other words, don’t leave Primland.

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photos courtesy of The Swag by Jumping Rocks Photography

The Swag The Swag is a beloved destination for Blue Ridge visitors. The sweeping resort, boasting a fifty-mile view, is located in the quiet mountain town of Waynesville, NC. The inn itself is all-inclusive, with individually decorated rooms and award-winning fine dining located on property, but it’s also only a 35 minute drive to downtown Asheville—far enough to seem tranquil and close enough for a fun day trip. You may well not want to leave, however: The Swag has everything from a redwood sauna and a treehouse to a full library, horseshoes, and guided hikes. Our biggest recommendation is you pack your hiking shoes and get ready to take advantage of the beauty of western

North Carolina and the on-property trails—just be sure to return right in time for the 3pm daily high tea and snacks The Swag provides.

While you’re there: Other than the luxuriousness of The Swag, the hotel’s finest feature is its location in the Blue Ridge. The hotel is just 45 minutes west of Asheville and 45 minutes east of Cherokee, placing it smack dab in the middle of some of the most pristine mountains in the state. With access to places like Black Balsam Knob, Blackrock Mountain, Maggie Valley, and Cataloochee Valley, guests can truly get out there and enjoy the serenity and beauty of the area. If you’re lucky you may even see an elk on one of your hikes.

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The Exclusives // The American West

Photo of Flat Creek and the Tetons from the National Elk Refuge near Jackson, WY by Jamey Price.

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Photo of Flat Creek and Grand Tetons by Jamey Price

The American West Charlotte photographers share their favorite images from their travels westward.

Featured Photographers JAMEY PRICE / K YO H. NAM THIEN L A / JP GRICE

“The American West is a unique place. In many ways, it is the heart of our country. In its great open spaces and wild lands you’ll find true American spirit and ideals. As an angler, outdoorsman, and photographer, it is one of the most incredible landscapes I’ve ever traveled to.

From the wide flowing rivers filled with wild trout, to the snowcapped peaks of the rockies, there is always something to appreciate and gaze at in sheer astonishment.”

- Jamey Price

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The Exclusives // The American West

Colorado Great Sand Dunes “I have never seen anything like this place before. The Great Sand Dunes are so big and seem like they never end. Walking over them is both very pretty and very tiring. You walk up and down and up and down again exploring. We walked for nearly an hour and I couldn’t walk anymore. Hiking in the sand is so hard. It is worth it, though. You can get amazing photos and see gorgeous views of the mountain range in the distance and the nearby river.”

-Thien La

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Montana Cliffs in Yellowstone National Park “I’ve traveled the world, but nothing keeps me dreaming of returning to a place like Montana. When they say ‘big sky’ country, they really mean it. The skies are endless. The sunsets and sunrises are more vibrant than anything I’ve ever seen. It’s a photographers’ paradise. You could fall, trip over your camera, accidentally fire the shutter, and that accidental frame could still be one of the best landscape photos you’ve ever taken simply because the landscape is like nothing you’ve ever seen. Floating in a drift boat down the Yellowstone River and wading in the Gallatin in Yellowstone National Park are moments I’ll never forget. Seeing Ol’ Faithful and hiking in Glacier National Park have had truly lasting effects on my life as a photographer.”

- Jamey Price

The Exclusives // The American West

New Mexico Carlsbad Caverns “Anyone can be fascinated when it comes to the underground of nature. I was held captive and felt mesmerized by the charm of an unbelievably magnificent cave, called Carlsbad Caverns, a National Park in New Mexico. The space was lightened by a radiant gleam of beauty; this is a place to witness magic in the dark.”

-Kyo H. Nam

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Arizona Havasu Falls “Havasu Falls is the reason why we go to Arizona. It’s so unique and you have to earn it to get there. When you hike to the river, you walk eight or ten miles down steep canyon trails. You don’t see anything but rock. You don’t see one tree.

But then, when you get to the village it’s like you have arrived at an oasis. You see trees and amazing water. The water is so blue and warm and beautiful. And when you’re at the bottom, it is so different from the world we live in now. You see the Native American people’s way of life­—a simple life—in Havasupai Village. It’s truly amazing.”

-Thien La

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The Exclusives // The American West

Utah Canyonlands “Utah is a unique landscape. You feel like you are on another planet when you are in Canyonlands or Arches. You don’t see anything but rocks and dust and the mountains in the distance. You really don’t see any life and wouldn’t think anything would live in this place. That’s what’s so special though. It is quiet and empty but it’s beautiful because of that. This particular location is only a half a mile walk down from the trailhead. It is very beautiful here, especially in the morning when you can see the sun rise through the arches.”

- Thien La

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The Exclusives // The American West

Wyoming The Grand Tetons and Snake River in Jackson, Wyoming “When you exit the plane at the small airport in Jackson and look up, you are instantly humbled by the sheer size and beauty of the neighboring Tetons. They are unlike any mountain range I have ever seen. The range’s towering peaks, mountain meadows, and crystal blue alpine lakes make it special. The Snake River that runs through Grand Teton National Park and part of Jackson is gin clear and full of trout. And the National Elk Refuge is a wildlife photographer’s dream. The town is as you would expect, which is a good thing. It’s bustling and very western with odes to cowboys and grizzlies and antler decor pretty much everywhere.”

- JP Grice

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Washington Northern Cascades “Upon sunset, I drove into North Cascade National park to find a hidden gem, the Diablo Lake Overlook, located in a corner near a cliff. The leap of breeze and the unmistakable whiff of freshness wafted and tickled my nose, as my entire body and soul drained into the sky, painting an array of various reds. As the daylight began to drain away, I felt as if the barrier between nature and myself had shattered.”

-Kyo H. Nam

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The Exclusives // The American West

California Avenue of the Giants “I’ve never really felt small before. I’ve traveled to some of Earth’s largest mega cities. Shanghai is a city with a staggering population. But I still didn’t feel small. Not until I was standing in the Redwood forests of California staring up at ancient trees that are as wide as a house and taller than most buildings did I feel small. The silence in those forests is deafening but magical. Photos simply can’t describe what standing under those trees can make a person feel.”

- Jamey Price

Oregon Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach “When I landed in Portland, I really had no idea what I was getting into. After a week in the state I realized it’s one of the few states outside of my home of North Carolina where I could actually live. It’s a truly beautiful area. The waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge were some of the most impressive I had ever seen. Latourell Falls and the Oneonta Gorge in particular were sites to behold. The lush forests that lined the beaches and rocky shorelines made Oregon’s coastal landscapes truly awe-inspiring. Inland places like Mt. Hood and Mirror Lake also intrigued. There, the clouds could roll in quickly and make for a surreal backdrop. But for me, the sunny side of the cascades in eastern Oregon was where I truly felt at ease. Two days of chasing steelhead and photographing the Dechutes Canyon may have changed my life forever. I will be going back soon.”

- JP Grice

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SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

A CA ROL I NA VACATION Five of the finest luxury accommodations right here at home

Featured In This Section The Swag | The Eseeola Lodge & Linville Golf Club Mills House Grand Wyndham Hotel | The Ivey’s Hotel Pam Harrington Exclusives

Photos of destinations courtesy of our partners Photos of The Swag courtesy JUMPING ROCKS PHOTOGRAPHY

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

MOUNTAIN RESORT

THE SWAG Waynesville, NC

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Guests may choose from any of the stunning rooms, suites, or cabins. Most rooms include a stone fireplace, steam shower, heated towel racks, and a wet bar. All rooms are carefully decorated with gorgeous artwork, custom handmade quilts, and rustic antiques. Guests may also request rooms complete with copper soaking tubs, outdoor showers, or private saunas.

For a change of pace, Asheville is less than an hour drive away. You can find the best of both worlds with a chance to enjoy the woods and to explore the unique urban environment of the city. Book your stay at The Swag for its 37th season, beginning April 20 and running until November 24, 2018.

or an unforgettable stay in the mountains, take a drive up to The Swag. This all-inclusive resort is nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, just outside of Waynesville, North Carolina along the Cataloochee Divide. From the resort and its memorably luxurious accommodations, you will experience spectacular views of the four highest mountain ranges in North Carolina, making The Swag the ideal “romantic hiking hideaway.”

Take your time here to rest and relax, or explore any of the limitless hiking trails and scenic views right on the resort’s 250 acres that border the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

2300 Swag Road

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Waynesville, NC

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828.926.0430

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stay@theswag.com

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@theswagcountryinn

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theswag.com

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SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

RESORT AND GOLF CLUB

POFFIE GIRLS THE ESEEOLA LODGE AT LINVILLE GOLF CLUB Linville, NC

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or over a century, The Eseeola Lodge at Linville Golf Club has offered a respite to lowlanders throughout the Carolinas.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the average summer high is in the mid 70s, the resort offers guests an escape from the heat and humidity found in lower elevations. In addition to cooler temperatures and stunning scenery, guests of The Eseeola Lodge are greeted with an unparalleled level of service and attention to detail.

Quiet, comfortable accommodations, farmfresh cuisine, and an array of interesting wine and cocktail pairings are standard fare at The Eseeola. But it’s often the Linville Golf Club and the challenge of a Donald Ross original

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Linville,

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that brings back guests year after year.

The course never ceases to amaze with its beautifully conditioned fairways, meandering creek, and open greens—all fitted to the natural contours of the land and set against the breath-taking backdrop of Grandfather Mountain.

Golf not your cup of tea? No problem.

Guests of The Eseeola can fly fish along the Linville River, be pampered at the fullservice spa, or do absolutely nothing while relaxing by the saltwater pool. You can even drop off the children into the capable hands of the resort’s summer Kids’ Camp staff.

There’s something for everyone in Linville: Explore and discover for yourself.

@theeseeolalodge

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eseeola.com

SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

LUXURY HOTEL

THE MILLS HOUSE WYNDHAM GRAND HOTEL Charleston, SC

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xplore Charleston, the jewel of the South, with a stay at the Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel, located right in the historic district. Originally opened in 1853, this unique, beautiful hotel on Museum Mile is only steps away from the historic downtown sights, including the City Market. You can discover the rich heritage and storied past of Charleston with this as your home base. The full-service hotel, with warm hospitality and friendly service, including a concierge staff and valet parking, guarantees you’ll experience Southern hospitality at its finest. Whether it’s exploring nearby Waterfront Park, or enjoying a horsedrawn carriage ride through Charleston, their concierge is on hand to help you craft

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your perfect itinerary. Stay in their tastefully decorated rooms, designed with an elegantly contemporary style and renovated to provide modern convenience in a historical setting. Lounge outside on the rooftop pool and sundeck with beautiful city views, or enjoy a cocktail in the beautiful Fountain Courtyard and comfortable First Shot lounge. You can enjoy some of the finest cuisine in the city at their Barbadoes Room, where Chef Justin Hunt’s culinary creations shine in this sophisticated, relaxed dining experience. The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel has been a Holy City tradition for over a century, and for a good reason: Stay with them and discover Charleston.

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843.577.2400

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@millshousehotel

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millshouse.com

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SPONSORED PARTNER SECTION

STAYCATION

THE IVEY’S HOTEL Charlotte, NC

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tationed in the very heart of Uptown Charlotte is The Ivey’s Hotel, a notable piece of the past that has been thoughtfully restored to captivate those seeking a true boutique hotel experience. The first two floors of the historic building were transformed into an exclusive 42-room hotel that opened in 2017.

The hotel’s design beautifully balances old and new, and blends vintage Parisianinspired antiques and artwork with the convenience of modern amenities. A room at the Ivey’s Hotel features handcrafted custom-designed furniture, Frette Italian bedding and linens, and Mistral bath products alongside staple accommodations.

Fit to accommodate a true getaway, the

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704.228.1111

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first floor of the hotel offers social event space and meeting space in the Tulip Room.

Steps away is Sophia’s Lounge, a chic cocktail lounge, and next door is 5Church Restaurant, led by Top Chef Alum Jamie Lynch.

State-of-the-art equipment is accessible 24/7 in the hotel’s Fitness Center, and The Ivey’s Library Lounge breakfast serves guests freshly baked pastries and locally brewed coffee.

With the hotel’s position at the center of Charlotte’s central business district and entertainment zone, guests have access to dozens of opportunities to explore the city right outside the front door—before returning to the Ivey’s luxurious lodgings.

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theiveyshotel.com

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VACATION RENTALS

PAM HARRINGTON EXCLUSIVES Kiawah Island, SC

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iawah Island is a world of unspoiled natural beauty, endless adventure, and the warmest hospitality. Whether you’re drawn to the ten miles of preserved beach, the tidal creeks, perhaps the five championship golf courses, or the luxurious renowned spa, you’ll find yourself immersed in a state of relaxation that you’ll only find there.

Kiawah Exclusives is a proud member of the Pam Harrington Exclusives family. Pam Harrington, along with her expert staff, have been representing an extraordinary collection of Kiawah Island vacation rental properties, in addition to real estate, for 40 years. They feature dozens of home rentals and villas, many with unique options, like smaller two-bedroom homes

and larger four-bedroom villas. With properties that feature everything from ocean and fairway views to lagoons, Lowcountry marshes, and tidal creeks, there is an ideal vacation home for everyone. While the island has grown over the years, highly personalized service and a true commitment to comprehensive care has remained among Pam Harrington Exclusives’ top priorities.

Pictured above are three featured rental properties:, 171 Flyway Drive, 97 Bass Creek Lane, and 12 Falcon Point, offering multiple master suites, expansive outdoor spaces, and leisurely walks among nature to the beach.

To see a full list of their properties and request a quote, visit pamharringtonexclusives.com and book directly.

4343 Betsy Kerrison Pkwy • Johns Island, SC • 843.768.3635 • @pamharringtonexclusives • pamharringtonexclusives.com

APR 2018 • @QCEXCLUSIVE • 185

IN DEX Alair Homes.................................................. 41 Amina Rubinacci......................................... 22 Amodernary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Anthony & Sylvan Pools............................ 12 Arcadia Custom Homes ............................45 Ascent Uptown........................................... 79 Beads Inc....... ...............................................43 Blackhawk Hardware ...............................68 Blue Ridge Mountain Club ......................125 Bruce Julian............................................... 131 Buffalo Jackson ........................................129 Cadenza ........................................................81 Classic Attic............................................... 111 Clean Catch .................................................74 ClearSmile ...................................................61 Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas ....19 Cottingham Chalk Hayes .........................47 Craft .............................................................86 Curated .........................................................31 DCI ..................................................................113 David’s LTD ......................................................2 Diamonds Direct ........................Back Cover Diamonds Springs...................................... 60 Donald Haack Diamonds ...........................27 DwellNova .....................................................6 Elder Gallery .............................................39 Elite Design Group .....................................67 Fahrenheit ....................................................10 Ferguson ......................................................77 Furniture Connector ..............................107

GCG Wealth Management.......................89 Gerrard Builders ......................................34 Good’s Home Furnishings ......................101 Grande Custom Builders.........................53 Grandfather Homes ..................................57 Hampton Inn ................................................131 Harbourview Inn...... ..................................54 House of Nomad .........................................105 Infinity Medspa ...........................................61 Insight Automation................................... 25 Ivey’s Hotel ..................................................75 J. Landon ......................................................103 Jerald Melberg Gallery ...........................33 KBN Interiors.............................................109 Karen Kettler Design ...............................39 Kingswood ...................................................23 Laca Projects.............................................. 40 Lake Norman Realty ...................................51 Land Rover Charlotte ..............................15 Leeward Builders .......................................49 Lucy & Company.......................................... 73 Majestic Bath .............................................96 Men’s Clinic .................................................95 Metrolina Auto Group ................................4 Mint Museum ................................................44 Moffett Group ............................................66 Movement Mortgage ................................65 Myron Greer ..............................................109 Nestlewood Realty ..................................55 New Gallery of Modern Art... ..................31

Be our guest.

Plan your next getaway, and experience a fun-filled stay packed with amazing amenities, including complimentary access to the Charlotte Athletic Club, as well as fine dining and much more!

704-377-0400 • omnihotels.com/charlotte

186 • QCEXCLUSIVE.COM • APR 2018

New Life Building Supplies ......................91 Noble Food Pursuits ..................................71 Oasis Outdoors .........................................122 Omni Hotels & Resorts ............................186 Pam Harrington Exclusives ...................85 Picture House Gallery ..............................28 Piedmont Town Center............................ 83 Premier Sotheby’s .......................................8 Queen’s Cup Steeplechase ......................93 RK Motors..................................................... 24 Rare Roots Hospitality ............................76 Rug Culture .................................................113 Shain Gallery ..............................................37 Shea Custom Homes ..................................63 Stickley Audi & Co. .....................................111 Storey Home ...............................................106 Sub-Zero And Wolf.................................... 87 Taylor Richards & Conger .......................26 The McDevitt Agency ..................................17 The Pink Hanger ..........................................44 The Sporting Gent .....................................187 The Swag ......................................................128 The Umstead Hotel ....................................127 Theory Design Studio ................................99 Tiny .................................................................60 Versa Salon .................................................113 Walker Zanger ............................................59 Windsor Jewelers ......................................21

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