MOD Society Magazine - Triad September/October 2022

THE ART OF COLLABORATION

EDITOR from the

Fall is my favorite season. While some think of spring as a time of renewal, I see autumn as the opportunity for a fresh start — a break from the oppressive Southern summer heat, a final chance to refresh and regroup before the year ends.

That sentiment permeates this issue. In our home feature, designer and Points of View columnist Lisa Johnson shares how she helped clients reimagine their Clemmons home to create a haven for art and gracious living. Through a shared love of art and a willingness to take risks, designer and client forged a bond that allowed them to create a design that will endure.

Creating a home that stands the test of time fueled the restoration of the historic Magnolia House, too. The Greensboro bed and breakfast hosted Black travelers during the Jim Crow era as a Green Book-listed hotel, and current owner Natalie Pass-Miller has taken care to preserve that heritage while also giving the establishment a modern feel.

I also caught up with Jane Dagmi, who recently took the reins at High Point by Design (HPxD), an initiative focused on making the city a year-round design destination. She gave me the scoop on how HPxD has grown and what’s next.

Also growing? Chef Brandon Sharp’s restaurant empire. The Michelin star-rated chef got his start in his hometown of Greensboro, and after traveling the globe, he settled in Chapel Hill, where he recently opened his second restaurant, Bluebird. He gives us a taste of that cafe, as well as his other eatery, Hawthorne & Wood. And in the latest installment of our Book Club series, I chatted with Greensboro writer James Tate Hill, author of a fascinating memoir, Blind Man’s Bluff. The book details his struggle to conceal being legally blind for much of his youth and how embracing the truth allowed him to live a happier, more successful life.

Elsewhere, our Clothes Whisperer columnist prepares us for the coming season; we get tips for a cozy, chic fall in the Points of View column; Teri Wiggans of Triad Lifestyle Medicine offers strategies for reducing stress. And in Society Sightings, we have your invitation to a romantic wedding in High Point.

As we mark this change of season, I hope this issue helps you feel that sense of renewal that carries you through the remainder of the year.

Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

CONTENTS

EDITOR’S LETTER

Fall is here, and our editor is reveling in the change of season and the opportunity it brings.

9 3� �6

THE ART OF COLLABORATION

Designer Lisa Johnson found a kindred spirit in her art collector client. She tells us how that relationship led to designing a home that celebrates creativity and comfort.

A TRANQUIL BEDROOM

The team at Knight Carr & Company share some of their favorites for adding style and comfort to your home.

POINTS OF VIEW

Fall is upon us, and columnist Lisa Johnson has tips for creating a cozy, stylish home for the new season.

CLOTHES WHISPERER

Stylist Maribeth Geraci shares fall fashion trends and explains why sustainability should be part of your personal style.

EYE ON DESIGN

High Point by Design managing director Jane Dagmi gives us the scoop on how the initiative has grown and what’s next in its mission to make the city a year-round design destination.

CONTENTS

A CULINARY JOURNEY

From humble beginnings as a busboy to jobs at some of the nation’s best restaurants, chef Brandon Sharp has enjoyed an enviable culinary career. Now the Michelin star-rated chef has two eateries in Chapel Hill.

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SEEING THE LIGHT

When James Tate Hill lost much of his sight as a teen, he hid the truth from most people. He details that struggle in his memoir, Blind Man’s Bluff.

REMAKING HISTORY

Included in the historic Green Book, the Magnolia House hosted Black travelers during the Jim Crow era. Owner Natalie Pass-Miller tells us how that legacy informed her makeover of the Greensboro bed and breakfast.

SOCIETY SIGHTINGS

We have your invitation to a romantic wedding in High Point, and you won’t believe the fun surprise the couple had for guests after the reception.

CHOOSE HOW YOU REACT TO STRESS

Triad Lifestyle Medicine emotional wellness coach Teri Wiggans shares strategies for effectively managing stress in your life.

COLLABORATION THE ART OF

photography by aura marzouk

IIn interior design, one of the most important components of a successful project is to establish trust between the designer and the client. When both parties feel this sense of trust, the process becomes a joy, and the results can be stunning.

Designer Lisa Johnson found just that sort of design kindred spirit when Lori White hired her to revamp the family room of her Clemmons home. That project led to other rooms in the house and eventually a years-long revamp of the entire abode.

The space on the lower level of Lori’s house had evolved into a man cave of sorts, with walls adorned with animal heads and heavy leather furniture that gave the room a dark, masculine feel. Since the room would be a space for the entire family and their guests to gather, Lisa knew brightening and lightening should be the first step. But she also wanted to make sure some of the masculine touches remained.

“We kept some things, but we curated their animal head collection and put them into areas where we thought they were appropriate,” she says. “Lori loves art, so we did a collection of 30 pieces of pop art that ended up living in harmony with the animal heads.”

Playing off the bold hues of the artwork and the natural beauty just outside the French doors leading to a lush patio area, Lisa incorporated color and pattern throughout the room. She layered animal prints on the sofa and added punctuations of color via accents, including green drawer pulls on a cabinet.

“I looked outside, and the doors opened to this beautiful terrace with greenery, so it was natural to bring the green back in,” Lisa says. “We ended up with a mix of chocolate browns, emerald greens and creams.”

Lori and her family loved the results so much, they invited Lisa to tackle the rest of the house. Moving from the formal living room into the kitchen, dining room and keeping room, Lisa felt a disconnect in the flow of the home.

“They had this really pretty modern but classical living room and dining room,” she says. “But other rooms in their house felt too heavy. So we started with the keeping room, lightening the stone fireplace and floors because I felt that if we made some changes there, then a lot of what they had in the other parts of the home could be keepers. New furniture was added, mixing beautiful antiques with newly upholstered pieces Lori already owned.”

Lori also loves blue, so Lisa layered shades of cobalt, aqua and sky blue to enliven the space. A Hunt Slonem painting with touches of yellow and pink also served as inspiration for the room, providing Lisa with an opportunity to incorporate some of those colors to punch up the soothing blue scheme.

“We looked for a way to add those colors, very discreetly, whether it be a piece of art or a blue fabric that was trimmed in a yellow,” Lisa says. “And that room came to life — it’s an engaging, beautiful room.”

Art plays a central role not only in the home design, but in Lori’s life, as well. Lisa and Lori are avid collectors, and Lisa wanted to incorporate hundreds of works Lori owned — plus some of the great finds Lisa acquired for her — into the décor.

“She takes pieces that I have in my collection — and I keep adding to it because there are certain artists whose work I love — and you think, ‘Oh, I don’t have another space on a wall where something else can go,’” Lori says. “But we prop it, we put it on an easel — we just keep making it work. And I think she has a gift for doing that.”

That gift is perhaps best reflected in the formal living room where Lisa incorporated dozens of paintings and other artwork with remarkable results. Gallery walls flank the staircase, both above and below, and additional paintings find a home on the window frames and mantel. Sculptures and other objects sit on pedestals, tabletops and even on the floor, creating a sense of maximalism without being overwhelming.

“I think if you understand that everything doesn’t have to match, it opens up a world of possibilities,” Lisa says. “Because of Lori’s ability to think outside the box, those studio walls and art walls come together a lot easier than you’d think because I can mix old and new, I can mix silver and gold. I can mix a frame from the 1800s with a brandnew frame that just came off the press.”

Lisa took that approach with the furnishings and fabrics, as well. She infused the room with an eclectic mix of colors, patterns and textures. Antique chests sit with sleek lucite accessories, and blue-and-white floral patterned upholstery from England on a sofa pairs with a Scalamadre ottoman.

“My mantra is ‘Let’s leave a little bit of tension in each room.’ This means that if someone walked into that room, they would say, ‘That’s interesting that it was placed there.’” Lisa says. “I call that the tension in a room — what evokes thought and provokes interest, and I love all that. And Lori is all for it.”

Creating those unexpected moments guided the primary bedroom design, as well. Lisa layered color and patterns, incorporating multiple art pieces and a mix of fresh furnishings with antiques such as French Bombay chests on either side of the bed and a lovely Swedish chest of drawers.

“That was a room that Lori in particular said, ‘I want this to be a haven for me,’” Lisa says. “So, we really kind of pushed that thought forward with everything that Lori likes — you’ll see blues and pinks in that room, along with rattan and antiques all existing together in a fabulous mix.”

One of the greatest advantages Lori found during the project was Lisa’s décor business, Shop on Blair. As new items came in or she found a piece that might work for Lori’s home during one of her sourcing trips, Lisa suggested incorporating those finds.

“She’ll find something and text me and say, ‘This looks just like you,’ or ‘Do you like it?’” Lori says. “But she’s never pushy about it.”

Lisa and Lori worked with builder Mike Hopkins on several rooms of the home, gutting bathrooms and making smaller upgrades in other spaces. Lisa says Mike was a natural fit for the project. The designer and builder established an easy working relationship and all were willing to compromise when needed based on their respect for each other’s expertise.

After working on this home room by room for the last two-plus years, Lisa says she and Lori have built not only a beautiful, welcoming home design, but also a friendship born of a shared sense of creative collaboration, mutual respect and a deep love of timeless design.

“If there could be a perfect client, it would be Lori White,” Lisa says. “And that’s for several reasons. One — she’s unafraid. And she’s smart and stylish. It’s once in a lifetime when you get a true collaboration, where trust is your guiding force, and good taste doesn’t hurt!”

And while the revamp of Lori’s home will draw to a close soon — Lisa is currently working on refreshing her daughter’s bedroom — she’s grateful for both the result and the process. Lori says she and Lisa have built a friendship she treasures, and aside from a few tweaks here and there, she knows the redesign of her home will bring her joy for years to come.

“She’s got it to a point where I don’t think I’ll tire of it,” Lori says. “And I’ve found that in the past, in three or four years I think, ‘Oh, I’m tired of this look — I want to change it.’ And I don’t feel that way anymore. Everything has meaning to me, and it makes me happy to look at all of it. There’s really nothing that I would want to change, and I just don’t see that what she’s done ever going out of style.”

Regarding the Home...

DESIGN TEAM: Lisa Johnson

HOME OWNER: Lori White

HOME BUILDER: Mike Hopkins

Featured Home Photos

Cover Keeping Room

Pages 16-17 Living Room

Page 18 Living Room

Page 19 Sitting Room

Pages 20-21 Breakfast Room

Page 22 Keeping Room (top)

Bathroom (bottom)

Page 23 Family Room

Page 24 Primary Bedroom

ON THE COVER

Lisa Johnson

PUBLISHER

MSM Media, LLC

Kathryn Field

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jennifer Bringle

Editor@yourMODsociety.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Maribeth Geraci

Lisa Johnson

Teri Wiggans

COPY EDITOR

Jennifer Weaver-Spencer

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lindley Battle

Anna Danielle

Aura Marzouk

Stephen Thrift

DESIGN STUDIO

Stallard Studio, LLC

DIGITAL AGENCY

The Buzz Effect ADVERTISING

Stunningly beautiful handpainted silk wallpaper by DeGournay. Enough said!

Fall-front desk by Oomph in a pretty azul lacquer. Changing the interior color allows for a fun surprise when opened.

Trims are back! A classic Baker armless chair combining traditional trim with a modern lumbar pillow.

Playful yet elegant. This brass and marble floor lamp from Arteriors is a winning combination to add personality to your space.

This beautiful bonsai tree is created with cast gold-leafed iron with a marble base.

Gorgeous bas relief mural hand-cast in plaster depicts an Art Deco-stylized garden. Beautiful and suitable outdoors or in by Bunny Williams Home.

Golden scallops from Visual Comfort create warm, glowing light in any space.

Mr. Brown knows how to make a twin bed of dramatic proportions.

The team at Knight Carr & Company knows the key to great design is infusing spaces with timeless, stylish pieces that are as comfortable as they are beautiful.

knightcarr.com

Brittain Knight Mehler

POINTS OF VIEW ADD STYLE

THIS SEASON

September marks a return to our homes. We start to embrace the normal rhythm of life. Routines and commutes become more scheduled, kids return to school, and we start to spend more time in our living spaces. While I’m a true believer that a house should function in all seasons, the transition into the coziness of fall puts an added emphasis on your home and furnishings. Your under-furnished room might not have bothered you when you were sipping tequila on the beach in the summer. But gaps in décor become more noticeable as we return indoors. So, fill your homes with things you love, so your house becomes your home this fall.

Seasonal transitions in your home can be subtle and much easier than changing your wardrobe. Try adding new pillows or a beautiful throw to your sofa or chairs. Layering textures and colors allows you to embrace the warm coziness of the season while grounding and adding timeless quality to a space. Fabrics such as velvets, boucle, nubby linens and leather create a richness while also adding comfort.

As the nights get longer, add soft lighting to create a warm glow. Invest in quality lamp shades, because they play a key role in the décor of a room. A great shade can add a depth of luxury to a room, and beautiful candles

are also a decorative addition. Aromas of candles can influence mood, promote well-being and create a more intimate atmosphere.

You can embrace the fall season with materials, including rattan, leather and aged metals such as gold that have a warming effect. Try moving your art around, or better yet, add a new piece that will breathe life into a space. I believe that art is more than a decoration — it challenges you intellectually.

Rearrange your furniture to shift your conversation area to the fireplace, or invest in stools and benches that can easily be pulled to the warm hearth. Consider adding vintage area rugs to cold floors or well-traveled spots in your home, including hallways and entryways. Lastly, introduce extra layers to your bed by switching linens and blankets to warmer fabrics.

The blend of these design elements will make your home feel collected, cozy and distinctive. As you think about how you might incorporate elements that draw you in, the goal should be to bring a curated mix of pieces that perfectly reflect you, your lifestyle and what you love in the new season.

– Lisa Johnson, Lisa Johnson & Company | Shop on Blair

WHISPERER

hat is it about fall clothes that bring so much excitement? For me it brings back a memory of shopping for back-toschool clothes — I still remember wanting to get my new pair of jeans for fall as early as possible so I could break them in before

Maybe it’s the dog days of summer that feel like they won’t end, so when the temperature dips the slightest, we start thinking of sweater weather and relief from the heat. This season beckons us to get some things that are new and noteworthy.

Do you have ideas about what your cold weather wardrobe will look like this fall? We think it should start with looking at the upcoming trends, then a closet review to see what you have and what could be updated. And finally, make a list of what excites you and will make you feel current and modern all winter long.

DressCode Style’s number one trend pick is sustainable fashion. That means redesign, recycle, donate, or swap with a friend who lives out of town. We even designate three days each fall in both our stores to do some of this recycling to help our customers.

Our motto of “Fewer Finer Things” says it all. We certainly aren’t suggesting you buy nothing new, but we do encourage smart purchasing decisions and investing in quality pieces that you will enjoy for seasons to come. Also, learning about sustainable materials that are being used in fabrics is important. Almost every line we carry now has all or a portion of their collections made with the most sustainable materials and practices possible.

Other trend edits on DressCode Style’s list? In fabrics we are loving the return of tweeds, plaids, and jerseys, and the long running love for leather, faux or real. Also, something sheer or in mesh is worth adding. Important silhouettes include bustiers, fitted blazers, maxi skirts, bootcut jeans, cargo pants, and pleated (yes, I said pleated) pants. Our favorite color combos are cognac with purple, red with pink, and emerald green with Mediterranean blue.

Fall is coming and there is something for everyone’s style personality. Cheers to crisp air and falling leaves! Share with us on Instagram (@dresscodestyle_) what your favorite must-have trend is this fall — we’d love to know!

–

Maribeth Geraci, DressCode Style

www.dresscodestyle.us

In spring 2020, a group of furniture industry folks gathered around a table in High Point to cook up a grand idea: What if the city could be a design destination year-round rather than just during two weeks of the year?

Since then, that idea has become a movement — High Point by Design (HPxD) — and one of the people at that table, Jane Dagmi, recently became HPxD’s first managing director. A familiar face in the design and furniture industry, Jane has long been seen as a tastemaker and advocate for the industry in roles at Steelyard and as editor-in-chief of trade publication Designers Today.

In her new position with HPxD, Jane will take a more hands-on role in revitalizing downtown High Point and cultivating the community of manufacturers, interior designers and other furniture industry players who want to make the city a year-round design hub.

We recently caught up with Jane to find out how HPxD has grown in the past years, how she’s helping facilitate that growth and what the organization’s success means both for the furniture industry and the city of High Point.

MOD Society: What does your job as managing director entail?

JANE: I look at myself as an appendage of our members’ teams. They get my experience as an editor, so I pitch stories. I do PR. I create Design Days. These are events that are to the trade mostly. And I work with our vendors and say, “Is there a panel idea? Or would you like to host a lunch? Or what’s going on?” And then I’ll organize events happening during the High Point Market. You’ve got to have a

presence during market because we have 50,000 people who can see us and then choose to come back. So even though that’s not the time where we preside — we preside over the other 350 days a year — you have to have a show there.

MOD Society: How has HPxD grown since its inception?

JANE: We merged with the High Point Showroom Association in February 2021, so that was a big boost, and we have more than 50 showrooms participating (such as South + English, pictured at left with Jane getting a painterly touch-up from co-owner Palmer Linwood Smith). We have more events planned, such as a Vacation Rental Design Summit next summer. And one of our missions is to engage students and schools because we feel like High Point can be a lab for them in many different disciplines, so we’re expecting 43 Savannah College of Art and Design students to come the week after market.

MOD Society: How can the community get involved?

JANE: We’re a nonprofit, so we are always looking for volunteers, particularly for events including the Vacation Rental Design Summit. And we have events for the community such as a Scrap and Paint Fest at the farmer’s market on October 1 and our Cool Yule, which was an open-to-all event with just a really good feeling. The community can follow us on Instagram (@highpointxdesign) to find out what’s happening.

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

CULINARY JOURNEY A

Over the years, chef Brandon Sharp has sharpened his culinary prowess in some of the most celebrated food cities and regions in the world: New Orleans, Napa Valley, Spain. But the Michelin-rated chef got his start in a far less starry locale — the ChiChi’s in his hometown of Greensboro.

“I was drawn to the restaurant culture,” he says. “It just became part of me, and I became part of it. I kept working in more and more restaurants.”

After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a degree in philosophy, Brandon went to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. A few years after graduating, he moved across the country to the Napa Valley wine region of California and began cooking at The French Laundry, a storied eatery.

Brandon worked at The French Laundry from 2000 through 2001, and he credits the experience with helping him become the chef he is today.

“It was certainly my formative cooking experience,” he says. “I learned such a respect for the craft and respect for the ingredients. I learned to really think about food and flavor combinations and the genesis of new dishes and what works. What we were doing then seems so positive and forward-thinking without being flashy or showy.”

From there, Brandon moved to New Orleans to work at Restaurant August, a highly rated modern Creole eatery. Next, he spent time in Spain, then moved to San Francisco with his wife to work at Restaurant Gary Danko with the titular culinary star.

In 2010, Brandon returned to Napa Valley to work at Solbar, a seasonally inspired establishment located inside the exclusive Solage resort. During his nine years as executive chef there, Brandon earned seven consecutive Michelin stars for his food. Earning such high praise for his cooking felt like affirmation of his years of working his way up through the restaurant ranks.

“It feels a bit surreal, but at the same time, I haven’t had a meteoric rise to success,” he says. “It’s been so slow and steady, so I feel like it’s a good thing.”

In 2016, Brandon felt his time at Solbar had run its course, so he and his family made the decision to return to North Carolina and settle in Chapel Hill.

“It’s my family’s spiritual home, always has been,” he says. “My mom grew up here, my parents live here. My grandparents lived here for more than 40 years about half a mile from the two restaurants that we’ve got. It felt familiar enough to be a good landing spot for us and exciting enough for it to be a great opportunity.”

In 2019, Brandon opened Hawthorne & Wood in Chapel Hill. Brandon says it is his “love letter to California,” with a menu filled with light, fresh dishes made with locally sourced vegetables, meats and seafood.

“We named it after the towns in California where my wife’s parents grew up — Hawthorne, in Los Angeles County and St. Francis Wood on the peninsula,” he says. “And it’s really reflective of my formative cooking years out there, both at The French Laundry and when I was the chef at Solbar in Napa Valley.”

Hawthorne & Wood has become a beloved part of the Chapel Hill culinary scene, and Brandon hopes his latest venture finds that same place among the town’s diners. He opened Bluebird, a classic French bistro, this summer.

Bluebird’s menu runs the gamut of classic French fare, from steak frites and French onion soup to blanquette de veau and sole veronique.

“It’s comfort food through a French lens,” he says. “And I really think it’s a short leap for Southerners to enjoy this sort of food. It’s not dissimilar to Southern food, and it’s made to be enjoyed and not to be showy or flashy.”

And while Brandon has worked at some of the top restaurants in some of the most well-regarded food scenes in the nation, he says his eateries in Chapel Hill truly allow him to do what he enjoys most: Create fresh, flavorful food that can be enjoyed by everyone.

“Both of these restaurants are meant to be enjoyed,” he says. “They’re not built as temples of gastronomy or anything like that — we don’t take it too seriously. We just try to make great food and make sure people have wonderful service.”

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

CULINARY STARS

More than a century ago as automobiles began to soar in popularity, brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin of the eponymous tire company published their first Michelin guide. The guides became a must-have for vehicle travelers, filled with maps, service station listings and recommendations for restaurants and accommodations. As the restaurant section became more popular, the brothers hired a team of mystery diners to review and rate eateries in the guide. And in 1926, the Michelin star designation was born. Today, the guide rates more than 30,000 establishments in more than 30 territories and across three continents.

THE LIGHT

Growing up in Charleston, West Virginia, James Tate Hill was a typical ’80s teenager — hanging with friends at the mall, watching Tom Cruise movies, listening to Prince. But at age 16, life changed drastically for James Tate when he was diagnosed with Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy, which left him legally blind with his vision reduced to the blurry lines of his periphery.

Soon, friends grew distant and teachers stopped encouraging James Tate to excel, convinced his disability would diminish his ability to achieve academic excellence. He felt he had no choice but to pretend he could see just as well as he had before — just as well as anyone else.

“I was forced to reinvent myself at age 16,” he says. “I was a pretty average 16-year-old, and this seemed like a step back. So in a way, it was a desperate attempt to hold onto what little I had, and the result was that I continued to pretend to be the average person.”

James Tate detailed his struggle — which included masquerading as a fully sighted person for 15 years — in his memoir, Blind Man’s Bluff, which was released last year. He now lives and teaches in Greensboro, and he says pretending to be able to see seemed like an easier solution than admitting he needed help. But it ended up being the more complicated choice.

“I was a poor copy of average instead of embracing my authentic self and trying to move forward as the real me,” he says. “And hijinks and disappointments ensued. But I think we’ve all been there — disability or not. I think it’s pretty common to hide parts of ourselves and in doing so, put forth a sort of copy of ourselves into the world.”

During that time, James Tate attended and graduated from college and pursued a master’s degree in creative writing, which brought him to UNC-Greensboro. He dated and made friends, all while constantly working to conceal his blindness by listening for approaching cars before crossing the street, arriving at restaurants early so he wouldn’t have to find his date and displaying books he’d listened to on tape on his shelves.

But by age 30, James Tate’s ruse had become too heavy a weight to bear. His writing career had stalled, and his marriage crumbled. He knew something had to change, so he decided to make the terrifying but ultimately necessary choice to admit his disability.

“It was liberating, and I had a lot more energy without the exhaustion of hiding a huge element of who I am,” he says. “And in a way, I let go of the anger. If you’re not letting

yourself be angry with ableism or parts of the world that are not made for you, then that anger just ends up turning inward. And it’s very liberating to direct the anger into places where it should go.”

Anger and frustration are common emotions for those living with disabilities. Over the years, strides have been made that help ensure equal treatment, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and technological advances that make some aspects of life easier for those with impairments. James Tate says the world still has work to do in eradicating ableist culture.

“You end up recognizing what so many people with disabilities know. Not only is the world not built for you, but a solid percentage of the world would like to pretend you are not in it,” he says. “And that goes back to so much of why I hid my blindness — it was just instinctive emotion and self-preservation.”

But as James Tate began to be more honest with himself and others about his blindness, his life began to change in positive ways, as well. His writing career began to take off, and he published a novel, Academy Gothic, which featured a main character living with vision loss. James Tate took on roles as editor for literary magazine Monkeybicycle and columnist at Literary Hub. He also met and married his current wife.

After writing multiple essays about his experience with vision loss, James Tate began to realize that a memoir would allow him to fully tell his story. In writing Blind Man’s Bluff, he infused what could have been a sad tale with humor, and created a more nuanced and realistic picture of life with a disability.

“I realized that I had a lot left to say, and having achieved a level of self-acceptance that allowed me to write about that huge element of my identity in fiction, I finally felt ready to tell that story in nonfiction,” he says.

The book has received major praise, including a glowing New York Times review, but for James Tate, some of the most satisfying attention comes from others who live with disabilities and recognize a bit of themselves in his story.

“It’s been maybe one of the most gratifying reactions, having strangers sending me emails through my website to say, ‘I have experienced this, or I have experienced something similar to this, and I just wanted to let you know I appreciated your honesty and vulnerability.’”

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

Remaking History

During the Jim Crow era, travel could be a dangerous endeavor for Black Americans, particularly in the South. Segregation meant that many hotels, restaurants and gas stations would refuse Black travelers service, and if they encountered the wrong people, they could face violence.

In 1936, New York City mail carrier Victor Hugo Green began publishing a travel guide for Black Americans called The Negro Motorist Green Book, or colloquially, the Green Book. The nationally distributed publication detailed Black-owned businesses and other establishments that were safe for Black travelers.

In Greensboro, one of the most prominent Green Book listings was the Magnolia Hotel, an inn and restaurant housed inside a stately circa 1889 home on the eastern edge of downtown, near Bennett College. During the 1950s and 1960s, the Magnolia Hotel hosted everyone from celebrities such as Jackie Robinson, James Baldwin, Ray Charles and James Brown, to families of North Carolina A&T State University and Bennett College students and other ordinary Black citizens. Now, people who want to experience a piece of history can sleep in the same rooms that hosted so many famous faces at the Magnolia House bed and breakfast. Owner Natalie Pass-Miller calls the house a living museum, a place where history is honored by visitors making their own memories.

Natalie became involved with Magnolia House after her father, Sam Pass, purchased the property in 1995. At the time, the home had been empty for several years and needed renovations. Sam worked on many of the repairs himself and eventually realized he couldn’t finish the job on his own. That’s when Natalie got involved.

Natalie worked in health IT and change management in Atlanta, and she traveled back and forth to Greensboro as much as possible to help her father transform the home. Though not trained in preservation, Natalie leaned on her father’s expertise to guide the renovations.

“Dad is a historian — he has a history degree, and when he was working on his side of the preservation work, a lot of thought went into making sure it was structurally replicated. We used period-appropriate pieces and preserved what we could,” she says. “So spending a lot of time with my dad and learning about his process set the tone in terms of preserving and continuing the restoration work.”

Natalie eventually left her job in Atlanta and moved to Greensboro full-time to complete the renovations and operate the inn — which also serves brunch and dinner in its restaurant. And as things were getting into full swing with the renovation, she received a surprise in the mail.

In 2018, the film Green Book, loosely based on the story of the Jim Crow Era travel guide, became a huge success, earning multiple Oscars, including one for Best Picture. Around that time, someone mailed Natalie pages from an actual Green Book listing the Magnolia Hotel. In that moment, she truly felt the magnitude of the project she’d undertaken and how important preserving this piece of history was not only to her, but to the Black community, as well.

“When I got the page of the Green Book with Magnolia House in it, daddy sat me down at the kitchen table and literally pulled out a box of old photos,” Natalie says. “And so that turns into this big history lesson, not only about the Green Book and Magnolia House, but also about my own family, and it really ignited something.”

“And so that turns into this big history lesson, not only about the Green Book and Magnolia House, but also about my own family, and it really ignited something.”

Though the building spans more than a century, Natalie chose to focus on mid-20th-century design styles that reflected the look of the hotel when it hosted Black travelers in the 1950s and 1960s. Structural details such as shared bathrooms remained to reflect the style of the period. And Natalie partnered with the designers at Vivid Interiors to create the vibe of that era with a fresh twist.

“I wanted to capture the true experience of what it was like back then,” she says. “The reference that really helped to drive it home for me was I wanted to feel like it would feel when James Baldwin walked through those doors. How would we capture him? What would that feel like? And I wanted to carry that throughout the house.”

The Baldwin room — named for the Black novelist, playwright and poet — features a neutral palette with touches including curved globe lamps and a vintage typewriter to capture the midcentury vibe and serve as a nod to the writer. The Legends room has a masculine feel, with menswear-inspired blue-and-green wallpaper, rich wooden furniture and midcentury-style geometric patterns on the headboard and rug.

After Natalie and the Vivid Interiors team completed the renovation, the home had a new life.

“After we completed the work that final day, it was almost like I could feel the house hugging me, just thanking me for preserving it. I don’t know any better way to describe it,” Natalie says.

Being a part of Magnolia House’s revival has been a transformative experience for Natalie, and she feels humbled and grateful to be the steward of this important piece of history.

“This whole story about the Green Book and Magnolia House and this aspect of the traveling Negro during Jim Crow is a true testament to the fact that life really is all about the little things.” she says. “Something as little as this book helping to keep people from being lynched or humiliated — it all goes back to something really small that has such a big impact. And that’s really keeping me going in terms of the work that we’re doing.

– Jennifer Bringle, editor-in-chief

“After we completed the work that final day, it was almost like I could feel the house hugging me, just thanking me for preserving it.”

SOCIETY SIGHTINGS

photography by aura marzouk

Mowery-Davis Wedding

In 2018 Taylor Mowery and Kevin Davis lived separate lives with a common storyline. Both had recently moved to Savannah, Georgia, for their careers and, at the time, were unaware of each other’s existence. Their paths crossed in December 2018 — sparked by a “match.”

On April 23, 2022, Taylor and Kevin said “I do” at The Lofts at Congdon Yards in High Point. Decked out in white, light, and romance, the industrial-chic room with floor-to-ceiling windows made for a dreamy six o’clock wedding.

Taylor’s uncle David Lang on the piano, a trumpeter and a harpist harmonized the mood as Taylor walked down the aisle in a custom couture gown. Kevin’s boutonniere

was an elegant orchid that matched his bride’s cascading bouquet and complimented his charismatic shoe choice. The ceremony and reception spaces were brought to life by Just Priceless florals and décor. Guests enjoyed their evening with passed hors d’oeuvres, a plated meal, and cocktails catered by Greensboro’s 1618. And everyone threw down on the dance floor to the beat of a live band, Black & Blue.

At night’s end, guests were captivated by a tall tower of late-night Bojangles — a Southern staple — and formed a sparkler send-off for the newlyweds as a 1965 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud awaited.

Taylor Mowery with sister Taylor with mom

The bridesmaids

Kevin and Taylor Davis

The bridal party

The happy send-off

Taylor with dad

Just married

CHOOSE HOW YOU REACT TO STRESS

Stress can really be a pain. When I’m stressed, I often have tension in my neck, shoulders and lower back, as well as an increased heart rate, shallow breathing and sometimes even nausea.

But I have fewer unhealthy reactions to stress now that I have a set of tools that support me in managing my reactions. I find so much joy in coaching others about how to integrate these tools into their lives, and I’d like to share these with you now — because they work.

Stress occurs when we’re presented with pressures and demands we don’t believe we have the knowledge or ability to manage. Tension occurs, and this can cause a physical, mental or emotional change in our health. Researchers have found that 85 percent of all illness and disease comes from our reactions to stress.

Stress is a given. Our reaction to stress is a choice. We can choose to spiral downward into anxiety, fear and overwhelming feelings, or we can spiral upward into balance of body, mind and emotions. Moving from our head, where those patterns of anxiety, fear and overwhelm reside, into our heart where we find calm, courage and compassion, is the first step toward creating a healthy response. We can do this with ease by first acknowledging the stress and tension, pausing, taking a deep breath and feeling gratitude for someone or something in that moment.

Next, we can continue breathing deeply to inspire a sense of control in our mind, body and heart. We begin to notice our muscles relaxing and our heart rates returning to normal. We can think more clearly. Through our heart, we can connect to a power beyond us and ask for guidance and support. We are not alone.

Setting up a daily routine of feeling gratitude in our hearts and breathing deeply for 15-30 minutes, we can prevent an unhealthy reaction to stress and choose a reaction that provides us with clarity, calmness and the courage to manage whatever is presented to us. Our choices are important because they not only affect us, but also our family, friends, co-workers and community. May we choose from our heart of compassion.

—Teri Wiggans, Emotional Wellness Coach Triad Lifestyle Medicine