Home + Design

Transforming Estates into Seasonal Masterpieces

The Art and Inspiration Behind Charlotte’s Most Enchanting Holiday Doors Article by Elliott Harrell | Photography by Hadley Henry Large grapevine balls are suspended above the doorway of an Eastover home, adorned with draped holly berries and greenery. The effect feels more like a striking art installation than a front door, but that’s the magic of Jay Lugibihl’s so-called “holiday doors.” Each season, the owner of In Bloom LTD frames roughly 55 doors with a custom blend of greenery, flowers...

Travel

A Very European Christmas

Festive Markets in London and Munich Shine in Winter Splendor Article by Written by Jordy Lievers-Eaton There’s a certain alchemy that transforms Europe in the winter. City streets glow under strings of fairy lights, and the scent of cinnamon fills the air as shoppers bustle from doorway to doorway. Few places do the holidays better than London and Munich, two capital cities that approach the season with their own distinct flair.  London sparkles with theatrical displays and festive teas...

Life + Culture

Season of Splendor

Find Ways to be Merry and Bright All Over Charlotte This Season Article by Elliott Harrell THE BALLANTYNE HOLIDAY TEA & GINGERBREAD LANE Don your best attire and spend an afternoon inside the Ballantyne’s elegant lobby for a specially themed holiday tea Thursdays through Sundays during December. Or take a trip down Gingerbread Lane starting in mid-December to see intricate gingerbread masterpieces. Stop inside the Cocoa House, a life-size gingerbread house, for a cup of hot cocoa. December...

Shopping

The Accidental Jeweler

From Virginia to Florence to Bangkok, the Journey That Shaped Elizabeth Locke’s Timeless Elegance Article by Carroll Walton | Photography by Carissa Rogers Elizabeth Locke calls herself an “accidental jeweler” at speaking engagements like the one she did recently for Windsor Jewelers clients at Wing Haven. She highlights her circuitous route from rural Virginia to Florence, Italy, to the bustle of Bangkok, Thailand, where she still works with artisans who handmake her designs.  Her jewelry is...

Home + Design

Grace in Every Detail

Crystal Moore Brings Classic Taste and Refined Detail to Holiday Decor and Home Article by Carroll Walton | Photography by Michael Blevins Stepping into the home of Crystal Moore, mother of four and founder of the home design platform Garden & Grace, you’re greeted by a beautiful, subtle aesthetic just like you might see on her Instagram feed. The living areas are layered in muted colors and textures, botanical prints and antiques, reflecting her Southern charm and traditional taste.  A...

Shopping

Holiday Gift Guide

‘Tis the Season to be Merry and Shop Local! Here Are Some of Our Favorite Gift Ideas from Neighborhood Stores We Adore Article by Queen City Lifestyle Staff | Photography by Noah Williams From timeless keepsakes to thoughtful indulgences, our curated gift guide offers something exquisite for everyone on your list—whether you’re shopping for a loved one, a dear friend, or treating yourself.  Discover sparkling jewels and the latest in luxury timepieces at Windsor Jewelers. For the ultimate...

Food + Beverage

IF YOU EAT ONE THING

From Italy to Optimist Hall, ESO Artisanal Pasta is Serving Charlotte Something Unforgettable Article by Allie Papajohn | Photography by DCHARMEDIA This month, we just can’t choose one thing! That’s thanks to ESO Artisanal Pasta, the wildly popular food stall that opened at Optimist Hall in August. Husband-and-wife owners Chef AJ Sankofa and Kristina Gambarian opened their first storefront in New Jersey in 2020 and went on to compete in Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race in 2021. In 2024...

Home + Design

Heritage Patterns, Modernly Reimagined

Interior Designer Alexis Warren Launches Warren: A New Wallpaper and Textile Collection Article by Queen City Lifestyle | Photography by Anna Routh Barzin Warren by Alexis Warren is a collection of textiles and wallpapers born from a reverence for history and an eye toward modern living. Each pattern is designed in Charlotte by interior designer Alexis Warren, whose work celebrates the art of layering—old with new, refined with relaxed, collected with consideration. Drawing inspiration from...

Home + Design

Merry Maximalists

Inside the Joyful, Over-the-Top World of The Maximalist Mix Sisters Article by Elliott Harrell | Photography by Carissa Rogers More is always (beautifully) better when it comes to sisters Kate Henry and Kelley Anderson, the duo behind the popular The Maximalist Mix Instagram account, and their signature style shines when it comes to setting the Christmas table. What began as a creative outlet for stay-at-home moms has grown into nearly 15,000 followers on Instagram. They’re known for vibrant...

Home + Design

Queen City Lifestyle Home and Design Event

Design community gathers for elegant evening at BOA Vista Charlotte to connect, share, and inspire Article by Queen City Lifestyle | Photography by Carissa Rogers This September, Queen City Lifestyle brought together Charlotte’s leading home and design tastemakers for an evening of connection. Guests gathered to celebrate our Style issue and toast Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio, who was featured on the cover for her new textile collection in collaboration with Spoonflower. The...