Greensboro, NC March 2026

More Than Just Four Walls

March is a time for renewal, making it the perfect opportunity to focus on the spaces we call home. Our homes are more than just where we live— they’re reflections of our personalities, places of comfort, and expressions of our unique stories.

This issue of Greensboro City Lifestyle is all about celebrating the many ways “home” takes shape in our lives. Inside, we'll learn more about an interior designer, a company dedicated to providing compassionate in-home care for senior citizens, and a local organization working to protect Greensboro's history.

Whether you’re planning a full renovation, refreshing a cozy corner, supporting a loved one who wishes to age in place, or gaining a deeper appreciation for the historic spaces around you, our goal is to spark creativity and connection. We hope this issue encourages you to see your surroundings—and the meaning of home—in a new way.

Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey in creating a home that tells your story. Here’s to celebrating the spaces and people that make life beautiful. Wishing you a wonderful March,

CAITLIN BRAXTON, PUBLISHER @GREENSBOROCITYLIFESTYLE

March 2026

PUBLISHER

Caitlin Braxton | caitlin.braxton@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Kari Smith | kari.smith@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Autumn Hollifield

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto

LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

A Home That Feels Like You

Redefining Home in the Aging Journey

MARCH 2026

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Friends enjoyed the drama, music, and magic of Les Misérables at the Tanger Center. 2: A night of favorites and friendship as Mama Village gathered together at Oden Brewing Company. 3: The new Giving Tree Montessori School offers children a nurturing environment with natural play spaces. 4: Vocalist, songwriter, actor, and NYT bestselling author Leslie Odom Jr. captivated the audience at UNCG. 5: Members of Greensboro's All Girls Walk Club enjoyed a night of crafting at Arboro Empowered. 6: Leadership Greensboro honored several leaders and past cohort members at their annual Alumni Awards. 7: Snowball the cat supervises while new pottery is unboxed at Guilford Garden Center.

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A Home THAT FEELS LIKE You

Cierra Toland’s client-centered approach helps families fall in love with their homes again

ARTICLE BY KARI SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUTUMN HOLLIFIELD

Cierra Toland learned early on that creativity and confidence often come from being trusted to try. As a teenager, her family moved into a new home, where her mother—creative but not particularly interested in decorating—encouraged Cierra to make design decisions. New rugs, new spaces, and the freedom to help shape them left a lasting impression. “It was empowering,” Cierra recalls. “It was fun to see the transformation, and I wanted to be a part of that.”

Her path initially pointed toward fashion—she studied fashion marketing and management in college and imagined a future in New York City—but design kept calling. A summer spent in North Carolina during her college years introduced her to the furniture industry and the High Point Furniture Market, and shortly thereafter Cierra relocated to North Carolina, got married, and accepted a position at Furnitureland South designing custom furniture.

That experience was exceptionally valuable and formative. Designing bespoke pieces taught her how furniture is constructed, what defines quality, and how to “speak the language” of craftsmanship. It also revealed something else: Clients wanted more. They would ask her for guidance on paint colors, to provide advice on renovations, and for help seeing the bigger design picture. It sparked an idea. Cierra eventually made the decision to step away from retail hours and write a business plan, drawing on her education and instincts to launch her own interior design firm, Toland Interiors.

What began with smaller projects, like paint consultations and modest updates, quickly grew into kitchen and bath renovations, fullhome transformations, and comprehensive furnishing projects. Today, Toland Interiors balances renovations and furnishings, always with an eye toward long-term value.

“I work very hard serving people and helping them increase the largest investment they’ll ever make—their home,” she says. “I want to help them fall in love with it again.”

Cierra is deeply passionate about older and historic homes, believing they deserve

thoughtful decisions that honor their past while preparing them for the future. “Homes live past us,” she explains. “I want to make decisions that serve the family, the client, and the home itself—sometimes for generations to come.”

Having relocated from the Midwest herself, Cierra understands how homes ground us, especially during seasons of transition. “I want people to feel like themselves in their homes,” she says. That client-centered approach carries through her entire design process. Projects often begin through referrals—word of mouth has been Toland Interiors’ strongest driver of growth—and start with a conversation to understand not just the scope of work, but the people behind it. Are there kids? Pets? Is this a starter home, a forever home, or a stop along the way? Those answers inform everything from material choices to budget recommendations. Next comes a discovery meeting, where Cierra measures, photographs, videos, and listens closely. “The more I know about you, the better I can serve you,” she says. From there, she develops an investment estimate and a clear outline of services— whether that’s a color consultation, furnishings, a renovation, or a combination.

Clients may struggle to articulate their style, but Cierra is adept at discovering what resonates. Antiques, family heirlooms, favorite films, Pinterest boards, even the things clients don’t like all become valuable clues. She studies imagery with clients, asking what feels comforting, what feels exciting, and why. From there, she gently pushes boundaries—stretching clients beyond their defaults while maintaining trust.

That trust is rewarded on installation day, Cierra’s favorite part of any project. After months of imagining, planning, and refining, seeing a space come together in person never fails to surpass expectations. “It’s always better in real life,” she says. “That final walkthrough is incredibly rewarding.”

In 2025, Toland Interiors entered a new season of growth. She hired her first employee, designer Madison McKay, whose technical skills and creativity have expanded the firm’s capabilities. The team also recently moved into their first office at Revolution Mill.

“In this season, we’re growing and grateful,” Cierra says. “I feel very fortunate to do this work.”

Let

Toland Interiors

help tell your story in the spaces where memories are made

Toland Interiors approaches each project with intention, care, and a deep respect for both the people who live in a home and the home itself. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or embarking on a full-scale renovation, Cierra Toland and her team provide a thoughtful, personalized, and detail-driven design experience. Projects of all sizes and scopes are welcomed, with an emphasis on long-term value, functionality, and timeless style. Popular services include color consultation, space planning, bathroom design, and kitchen design. To begin your next custom project, contact Toland Interiors at hello@tolandinteriors. com or visit www.tolandinteriors.com.

HOUSEPLANTSThe Perfect Roommate

AN INDOOR GARDEN SANCTUARY

The ubiquitous houseplant has long been a cautious curiosity for many. Comments such as “I don’t have a green thumb,” or “I can’t keep anything alive,” have echoed through the rooms and hallways of almost every home in America. Well, it’s time to dispel all the mistruths about whether houseplants are beneficial and to lay the foundation for a little oasis of green happiness in the corner of every home!

By the way, you don’t really need a green thumb as there are plenty of hard-to-kill houseplants that can survive any level of neglect! And remember not only do houseplants look pretty, they also decrease stress and anxiety, increase happiness, and bring a sense of joy and relaxation to every room.

Houseplants make us feel better about ourselves in many ways because they allow us to care for them and we reap the rewards of that love. No one is alone when you have a houseplant, as they are our forever listeners. Yes, some people actually do talk with their houseplants all day long! There are many science-based benefits to having houseplants in the home and office environment. Aside from reducing indoor air pollutants and increasing humidity in the home, house

plants have been shown to reduce mental fatigue, accelerate the healing process, as well as improve productivity and focus.

Pothos, spider plants, lady palms, yucca, and succulents are so pretty and easy to grow. It is no wonder that we have seen a revival of indoor gardening trends.  Instagram is teeming with photos of incredible indoor “living green” vignettes that show us all how clever we can be when decorating with house plants! All you really need is to a pick a place in the home that has the best light and pick your plants.

ARTICLE BY SEAN O’KEEFE

Think outside of the box when it comes to decorating with houseplants. Look for underused spaces. Use mixed and matched pots of different sizes and shapes. Turn a shelf into a plant display. Go vertical with some hanging plants or an antique ladder. You can even group some of your favorite plants together into a single large decorative pot.

Signature large plant displays anchor the most well-designed rooms in America and it’s all there for us to look at, learn from, and bring into our own home. Whether combined into a single large decorative pot or clustered together in a corner, always remember the key to any house plant décor is to have a thriller, a tall plant usually with a strong color and form; filler plants that literally will fill the pot covering all the soil; and a spiller plant that trails over the edge of the pot. Try any combination of your favorite plants or a tried and true combination of a fiddle-leaf fig, a prayer plant, and a string of pearls. No matter how you look at it, houseplants improve our lives in many ways. Indoor gardens provide us an alternative way to commune with nature and to reconnect with the living world. We all benefit from the additional life that houseplants bring into our homes. In this crazy world of ours, wouldn’t be it nice to return home to your own personal indoor greenspace.

Happy gardening!

ARTICLE BY KARI SMITH

REDEFINING HOME IN THE Aging Journey

Q&A

WITH SAMANTHA LOY, AGENCY OWNER OF ALWAYS BEST CARE

What services does Always Best Care provide?

We provide non-medical in-home care services including personal care, companionship, and assistance with daily living, as well as senior living placement services for families exploring other care options.

What sets your company apart?

What sets us apart is our holistic approach. We support families across the continuum of care, combine national standards with local leadership, and prioritize relationships over transactions. Our focus is not just care delivery, but trust, reliability, and long-term partnership.

“"In senior care, home is wherever a person feels safe, supported, and able to live with dignity.”

What role does “home” play in Always Best Care’s mission and values?

Home is central to our mission. We believe aging in place is not just a preference but a right. Our values are rooted in preserving independence, honoring dignity, and supporting families through personalized care that allows seniors to remain in the environment they know best.

How do your services help preserve the essence of home for your clients beyond safety and health?

While safety and health are foundational, true care goes deeper. Our caregivers are trained to support familiar routines, respect personal preferences, and integrate seamlessly into a client’s daily life. That may mean preparing a favorite meal, maintaining a morning routine, or supporting meaningful connections with neighbors, faith communities, or local activities. We aim to protect not just where someone lives, but how they live.

Why is maintaining a senior’s ability to stay at home important—both emotionally and practically?

Emotionally, staying at home preserves dignity and control during a season of life when so much can feel uncertain. Practically, it allows seniors to maintain established routines, remain close to their community, and often avoid the disruption and stress that can come with transitions to unfamiliar settings. We consistently see higher satisfaction, reduced anxiety, and stronger emotional well-being when seniors are supported at home. Quality of life improves when care adapts to the person rather than the person adapting to care.

What does the idea of “home” mean—beyond just a physical place?

Home is not defined by an address. It is defined by familiarity, routine, and a sense of belonging. For some, home is the house they raised their family in. For others, it may be an assisted living community, a skilled nursing setting, or even a temporary stay in a hotel while care needs are being sorted out. What matters is not the type of setting, but whether the individual feels known, respected, and comfortable there. In senior care, home is wherever a person feels safe, supported, and able to live with dignity.

To learn more about Always Best Care and how they can support your family, visit www.alwaysbestcare.com

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN JENKINS, AMANDA PROUDFIT

MID-CENTURY WARMTH, REIMAGINED

There’s a certain moment when a house stops feeling new and starts feeling like home. It isn’t marked by square footage or finishes alone. It is something quieter, more emotional. In this home, designer Kate Manz set out to do exactly that: give a newly built home a heartbeat and a soul.

Rather than treating the house as one sweeping statement, she approached each room as its own story, layered with meaning, memory, and texture. The result is a home that feels collected, personal, and deeply lived-in.

“My love for design goes hand in hand with the people and stories that bring it to life,” she says. “I absolutely love seeing the evolution from concept to completion and all the elements and people that help bring those ideas to reality.”

That philosophy becomes especially important in the home’s expansive open-concept living area, where scale could easily overpower intimacy.

THE OPEN CONCEPT, REIMAGINED

The main living space is defined by bringing the outside in with sweeping outdoor views and generous proportions. Rather than fighting that openness, embrace it.

“The big open concept room really highlights the expansive outdoor views,” she says, “but making intimate spaces within that open room was really important.”

A layered niche wall, created in collaboration with the interior architect Nick Flower, brings both structure and softness to the room. It introduces texture, depth, and a place for unique objects and family heirlooms to live, turning negative space into a personal gallery.

ENTRYWAY: A WARM WELCOME

The entryway sets the tone with a simple but powerful goal: Welcome to my home.

Natural stone underfoot grounds the space, while a soft vintage rug and living greenery immediately soften the experience. Art with personal meaning invites guests to linger rather than rush through.

POWDER BATH: SMALL ROOM, BOLD SPIRIT

If there’s one place Manz encourages clients to take risks, it’s the powder room. Here, she leaned into terracotta earth tones, layering textures and tile sizes for visual interest and warmth. Patterned and solid tiles work together, while textured wall coverings and a sculptural stone sink elevate the space from functional to delightful.

LOUNGE: A STUDY IN CALM AND DEPTH

Designed as a counterpoint to the openness of the main living area, the lounge is a cocoon, both peaceful, layered, and deeply versatile. It’s a place for reading, movie nights and slow mornings.

Rich tones and varied textures do the heavy lifting here, creating depth without heaviness. Soft lighting and custom upholstery make the room feel both intentional and effortless.

At its core, this home is a reminder that design isn’t about perfection, but rather it’s about feeling. By treating each room as its own narrative while weaving in warmth, history, and human connection, a space was created that already feels loved.

PROJECT CREDITS

Builder - Buildwell

Architect and Interior Architect - Flower Architecture

Designer - Kate Manz

Holding Space for History

ARTICLE BY KARI SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUTUMN HOLLIFIELD

At Blandwood, Preservation Greensboro safeguards memories, meaning, and a sense of home

Amid the busy downtown area stands a distinguished piece of architectural history. Perhaps you’ve noticed it, been curious about it, or even visited it. Nestled between W. McGee Street and W. Washington Street lies former NC Governor John Motley Morehead’s Italianate-style residence, the Blandwood Mansion and Carriage House, which dates back to the mid-1800s. Today, the nonprofit organization Preservation Greensboro Inc. (PGI) acts as the steward of the property and its cultural legacy. Visitors can experience the history, architecture, original paintings and portraiture, and examine stories of the Morehead family and the people who were once enslaved there.

At the helm at PGI is Christina Pennant, Interim Executive Director and Board Vice President. For her, historic preservation isn’t about freezing the past in time but is about continuity—how stories, spaces, and design help a community remember who it is while imagining who it might become. “Throughout my career, my work has focused on how systems and spaces shape memory, belonging, and meaning,” Christina says. “Historic preservation became a very natural extension of that.”

After moving to Greensboro six years ago to work with a legacy company, Christina found herself drawn to the city’s material history—estate sales, old furniture, architectural salvage. “What people discard and what people keep has always fascinated me,” she says. “Those decisions tell a story.” That curiosity led her to volunteer with Architectural Salvage of Greensboro (ASG), a key arm of PGI, about a year and a half ago. From there, she became involved with the organization’s board in 2025, CONTINUED >

serving first as interim secretary, then vice president, before stepping into her current leadership role. “It feels less like filling a gap and more like stewarding a transition,” she explains. “Helping the organization rediscover its voice, its relevance, and its future.”

Even when preservation isn’t possible, integrity still matters. “If we can’t preserve a structure, we can often preserve its materials, its craftsmanship, its story,” Christina explains. “That’s incredibly important.”

Preservation, Christina believes, is ultimately about people. “Every home and every city has layers of stories,” she says. “The question is: How do you hold all of those layers together?”

PGI does that through immersive, community-centered programs. The annual Tour of Historic Homes and Gardens returns this May in the Starmount neighborhood. In the fall, their Bourbon Festival connects Blandwood’s history of entertaining with contemporary regional distillers, offering another entry point into the past.

“These events aren’t about nostalgia,” Christina notes. “They’re about connection—about meeting history where people are.”

Few places embody that philosophy more fully than Blandwood itself. Saved from demolition more than 60 years ago by six local women, the mansion stands today as both a historic structure and a shared emotional anchor for Greensboro.

“It was never just about saving a building,” Christina says. “It was about preserving the stories, the craftsmanship, the sense of identity that the place held for the community.”

She’s keenly aware that historic spaces can sometimes be perceived as static or inaccessible. “History isn’t dust,” she says plainly. “It’s lived experience. Blandwood has the potential to be a place where people gather, celebrate, reflect, and feel rooted.” The Mansion is available for tours on Saturdays, and the Carriage House serves as a private rental space for weddings, corporate events, or social gatherings.

As Christina and PGI look ahead, their mission is now defined by a guiding framework: to preserve the past, guide the present, and inspire the future through advocacy, education, and programming.

Want to get involved?

Preservation Greensboro welcomes volunteers year-round and is currently seeking additional help for its Tour of Historic Homes and Gardens in May. To learn more, send a message to office@preservationgreensboro.org or visit www.preservationgreensboro.org.

Elevate Your Events With Beautifully Crafted Grazing Displays

New to Greensboro, The Grazing Table by JMP creates elevated grazing displays for weddings, celebrations, and intimate events. Simple, fresh, beautiful.

@thegrazingtable byjmp

The Fresh Start

A GUIDE TO PEACEFUL AND INTENTIONAL SPRING CLEANING

ARTICLE BY HEATHER SPINKS

Week 1: Refresh and Declutter

• Open windows for fresh air and let the natural light in.

• Declutter surfaces—countertops, coffee tables and shelves—removing anything unnecessary.

• Go through kitchen cabinets and toss expired pantry items and mismatched containers.

• Sort through closets, donating or repurposing clothes you haven’t worn in the past year.

• Wipe down baseboards and dust ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents.

Week

3: Outdoor and Seasonal Transitions

• Sweep porches, patios and outdoor furniture, preparing for warm-weather gatherings.

• Check gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage.

• Tidy up gardens and potted plants, removing dead leaves and refreshing the soil.

• Store winter coats and boots, making space for lighter spring essentials.

• Replace seasonal decor—bring in fresh flowers, soft pastels and airy textures.

Week 2: Deep Clean and Rejuvenate

• Wash windows and mirrors to welcome in the sunlight.

• Deep clean the fridge and pantry, wiping down shelves and organizing items

• Launder curtains, cushion covers and throw blankets.

• Vacuum and shampoo rugs and carpets for a fresh start.

• Rotate and flip mattresses; wash all bedding, including pillows.

Week 4: Finishing Touches and Maintenance

• Touch-up scuff marks on walls and doors.

• Stock up on cleaning supplies to maintain a fresh environment.

• Set a simple weekly cleaning routine to keep your home feeling refreshed.

• Light a scented candle or diffuse essential oils to celebrate your clean, peaceful space.

realty report

events

MARCH 5TH

Greensboro Opera Presents The Pirates of Penzance

Carolina Theatre | 7:30 PM

Greensboro Opera is proud to present an extraordinary roster of elite artists as they perform a swashbuckling tale of love, duty, and mistaken identity. Purchase tickets at the Carolina Theatre Box Office or at www.carolinatheatre.com/

MARCH 14TH

Second Saturdays

The Marshall Muse Gallery | 11:00 AM

Every second Saturday, the Marshall Muse Gallery welcomes guests and families for a day of community, creativity, and connection. Kids can enjoy the interactive My Muse Station, explore seasonal activities, and take part in special workshops and pop-up surprises.

MARCH 18TH

Dancing With the Stars

Tanger Center | 7:30 PM

DWTS returns with a brand-new live show featuring fan-favorite professional dancers from the #1 hit television series in a mix of standout routines from DWTS’ record-breaking Season 34 and fresh performances created just for the stage. Purchase tickets at the Tanger Center Box Office or at www.tangercenter.com/

MARCH 20TH

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

The Pyrle | 8:00 PM

Don't miss fifteen-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Ricky Skaggs as he performs with his amazing bluegrass band, Kentucky Thunder, at Greensboro's newest venue. More info: www.thepyrle.com/

Buying a home as a mom means juggling school zones, playrooms, and peace of mind. Essick Realty understands — because it’s built by a mom who’s been there.

Because Home Means Family www.TheEssickRealtyTeam.com

MARCH 25TH

Makerspace Facility Tour

The Forge | 5:00 PM

Want to know what The Forge is all about? Take a tour of this unique 501(c)3 nonprofit community makerspace, where hands-on people can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, tools, and knowledge. Learn more: www.forgegreensboro.org/classes

MARCH 25TH

Tours & Pours

Grapes & Grains Tavern | 7:00 PM

Stop by and owner Amy Pagano will give you a pour and guide you through the history of the old dye-house location within Revolution Mill’s Social District. Experience the background knowledge and view the artifacts that make Greensboro what it is today.