Formed deep within the Earth billions of years ago, these finite and unique natural wonders are the oldest objects you will ever touch. Natural diamonds provide employment, education, and healthcare for local communities from the Northwest Territories of Canada to Botswana in Southern Africa and protect vulnerable ecosystems for the future.
Discover Our Natural Diamond Jewelry Collections
helenadamsrealty.com | @helenadamsrealty
Begin with a Signature Facial. Enhance with Vitamin C, boosters, or LED therapy. For the kind of radiance that doesnʼt need a filter. Reserve your experience.
Caravaggio | Revolution: Baroque Masterpieces from the Roberto Longhi Foundation is generously presented by M.A. Rogers and Bank of America with additional support from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation. Individual sponsorship support for this exhibition is kindly provided by Betsy and Alfred Brand; Jane and Hugh McColl, Pat Rodgers, and Leigh-ann and Martin Sprock; Beverly and Jim Hance, Anna McKeithen Webersen, Laura McKeithen, Susan and Loy McKeithen, Marshelette and Milton Prime, and Rocky and Curtis Trenkelbach; Sarah and Tim Belk, Mary and Charles Bowman, and Jo Ann and Joddy Peer; Marty and Weston Andress, Mary Lou and Jim Babb, and Robin and Bill Branstrom. The Mint Museum is supported, in part, by the City of Charlotte and the North Carolina Arts Council. Caravaggio | Revolution is organized by the Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi and Civita Mostre e Musei, in collaboration with The Mint Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg. IMAGE: Valentin de Boulogne, known as Le Valentin (French, 1591–1632). Denial of St. Peter (detail), 1615–17, oil on canvas. Florence, Fondazione di Studi di Storia dell’Arte Roberto Longhi. Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts | 500 South Tryon Street | Charlotte, NC 28202 | 704.337.2000 | mintmuseum.org | @themintmuseum
• Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery is a collaborative partnership between Dr. Andrea Garcia and Dr. Josh Surowitz. At Dilworth Facial Plastic Surgery, we apply a team-oriented, two-surgeon approach to all aspects of your care—at the time of consultation, during surgical planning, and in the operating room.
• This cutting-edge model is a first in the greater Charlotte area and one of only a handful in the country. With a surgical focus on facelift, necklift, eyelid lift, brow lift, rhinoplasty, skin cancer reconstruction, hair restoration, and laser resurfacing, Drs. Garcia and Surowitz deliver beautiful and natural results individually tailored to each patient’s unique needs.
Call or email today to schedule your consultation.
• In addition to surgical treatment options, we offer a wide range of injectable fillers, Botox, Dysport, a full complement of skin care products, and lasers.
• Our skilled injectors Morgan Nelson, NP & Cassie Smith, RN approach the art and science of injectables with a personalized touch to give natural results.
• Skin care, the foundation of a youthful face, is provided by Allie Harris, our licensed medical esthetician.
When it comes to investment, we often think of markets and portfolios. But in our April issue, we’re also looking at investment through a more personal lens. How are we investing in our home lives, our communities, and the people who shape the cultural fabric of Charlotte? True return isn’t always financial.
Sometimes the most powerful investment we make is in ourselves—in our creativity, in our courage, in the belief that something beautiful can rise from loss. In this issue, local artist Sarah Helser shows resilience after losing her studio in a fire and starting over again in a new space.
Traveling can be a worthy investment. A weekend in Augusta reminds us that quick getaways can yield unexpected and lasting memories with loved ones. A sushi dinner from James Beard-nominated chef Robin Anthony reflects years of dedication behind the scenes. The thoughtful styling of spring wardrobes by local tastemakers at Edit + Style shows us that even our closets can be edited with intention.
The careful curation of antiques brings history into a modern home with pieces chosen not just for beauty but for the stories they carry forward. In our cover feature, Cindy Smith and MK Smith Boykin of Smith Interiors share how you’ll never tire of pieces made with integrity and beautiful proportions.
The most meaningful investments can come for the sake of community—like designers who lent their talents to create stunning tablescapes at the Come to the Table event in support of Beds for Kids, bringing home furnishings to those in need.
This spring season, just as the foxgloves and azaleas take time to grow and flourish, I’m reminded that the investments we make in our family life, our communities and ourselves yield the most beautiful returns.
LIZ BROWN, PUBLISHER @QUEENCITYMAG
April 2026
PUBLISHER
Liz Brown | liz.brown@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Carroll Walton | carroll.walton@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Jennifer Fenner | jennifer.fenner@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Gillian Horn | gillian.horn@citylifestyle.com
COPY EDITOR
Matias Arredondo | matias.arredondo@citylifetstyle.com
PHOTO EDITOR
Seth Patrick
PUBLISHER ASSISTANT
Shellye Andrus
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Taylor Bowler, Elliott Harrell, Carroll Walton
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Amanda Anderson, Carissa Rogers, Olly Yung
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Otto
LAYOUT DESIGNER Adam Finley
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Whether reconfiguring existing spaces, adding new rooms, or changing floor plans, our design and build process elevates your remodeling experience while transforming your house into a place you lovingly call home.
Get spring gardening inspiration at Wing Haven’s annual Gardeners’ Garden Tour. The tour features private area gardens as well as open visitation at Wing Haven Garden & Bird Sanctuary, SEED Wildlife & Children’s Garden, and the Elizabeth Lawrence House & Garden. It’s Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, April 26, noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance, and $35 regular admission.
The Mint Museum Auxiliary welcomes renowned designer and TV personality Nate Berkus to its annual Spring Symposium on Wednesday, April 15, for a coffee, lecture and luncheon. The discussion will be moderated by Adam Rathe of Town & Country Magazine. Berkus is a New York Citybased designer who became a household name filming makeovers for the Oprah Winfrey Show and hosting shows on HGTV. He visits Charlotte for the first time to discuss his new New York Times bestseller, Foundations
Photography by Christina Hussey
Some of Charlotte’s most notable leaders in fashion, art and accessories will come together in “Moms, Dads & Grads,” a thoughtfully curated shopping experience celebrating life’s most meaningful milestones. The event features elevated gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduates. It will be held on April 21 and 22 at The Drum. Vendors include Daniel Gonzalez, IZIE, Jewels by Piper, Tory Bilas, Wendy Bilas and Tabor.
We are a premier luxury home builder in Charlotte, NC, specializing in crafting architecturally distinctive, high-end residences in the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods. From Myers Park and Eastover to SouthPark, Matthews, and Country Club Heights, we deliver one-of-a-kind custom homes tailored to our clients’ visions and lifestyles. Our team collaborates with some of Charlotte’s top architects, designers, and artisans.
This limited-time offer is available throughout March - May 2026.
Charlotte Ballet’s One Thousand Pieces features the work of choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo, inspired by visions of stained glass in French modernist painter Marc Chagall’s America Windows One Thousand Pieces shimmers between clarity and mystery, reforming in a mesmerizing dance of unity to the music of Philip Glass, performed live by the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. This contemporary ballet, with unexpected visual elements, runs at the Knight Theater May 7-10.
Photography by Todd Rosenberg
Autarchic Spec Shop, now open in ParkTowne Village, offers individualized frame styling and customized eyeglass lens selection. Services include comprehensive eye exams, pre- and post-LASIK care, contact lens analysis and treatment of ocular conditions under the leadership of Dr. Amy Guyer. Guyer has been practicing optometry since 2011. After completing her undergraduate degree at NC State University, she received her Doctor of Optometry from the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.
Drue Bohrer Antiques is now open at Slate Interiors at 2025 Thrift Road, Unit 100. Drue is a direct importer and curator of European antiques.
ARTICLE BY TAYLOR BOWLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY OLLY YUNG
“SOME OF THE BEST FINDS DON’T ALWAYS SHOW UP IN A CURATED SHOP. THEY’RE OUT IN THE WILD, WAITING TO BE NOTICED.”
Cindy Smith and MK Smith Boykin have designed the interiors of some of Charlotte’s most stunning homes, and they’ve built a reputation for blending European treasures with modern design. Together, they run Smith Interiors in Charlotte.
As the creative mind behind the Circa family of shops, Cindy also owns CIIRCA Antiques with lead curator Virginia Christianson, which operates in the same Eastover showroom as Smith Interiors. Cindy’s daughter, Whitney, owns Circa Interiors & Antiques in Mountain Brook, Alabama.
“Years of experience have helped me quickly eliminate the ordinary,” she says. “I’ve developed a strong understanding of furniture periods, which allows me to distinguish a true period piece from a later reproduction.”
We caught up with the tastemaker to talk tips, tricks and the art of integrating antiques into everyday spaces.
Look Beyond the Obvious. Some of the best finds don’t always show up in a curated shop. They’re out in the wild, waiting to be noticed. Cindy has stumbled upon incredible pieces in the back of a truck, tucked away in someone’s garage or quietly sitting in a private home.
Train Your Eye to Spot the Real Thing. Reproductions almost always give themselves away with a detail that’s just… off. Knowing the history and culture behind each period makes those inconsistencies impossible to miss.
Invest in What Lasts. With antiques, budget and quality don’t always go hand in hand. When searching for something exceptional, quality comes first. A truly remarkable piece justifies its place, and often its price.
Buy What You Love. When you find an antique you truly love, consider stretching your budget to make it yours. Pieces made with integrity and beautiful proportions are the ones you won’t tire of. Do a little homework and learn the basics of styles and periods so you can shop with confidence.
Let the Story Guide the Display. Think about where a piece has been, who used it, what their lives might have looked like and why it was made the way it was. Each antique had a life before us, and that’s part of its romance. A rustic farm table tells a very different story than a 17th-century Spanish commode. Understanding the historical context of the time, how people lived, and what they valued adds depth and meaning to the piece.
Mix History with Modernity. A space filled entirely with antiques can feel heavy or predictable, while an all-modern interior can fall flat without something that carries some history and soul. When thoughtfully combined, they create beautiful contrast and tension. The more ornate or Baroque a piece is, the more striking it can appear in a clean, modern environment.
Pick Pieces That Endure. A beautifully made piece with striking patina, strong lines and balanced proportions will always stand the test of time. It has already endured, and that longevity is part of its value.
Above: Grounding the room is a cast-stone base dining table with a patinated ebony top by Formations. Seating includes Formations armchairs and Hickory Chair side chairs. A Dennis & Leen crystal chandelier hangs above, while a Rina Menardi pottery centerpiece from Circa Birmingham and a Jean Marc Louis painting complement the space.
Below: A porcelain vase and bowl by Rina Menardi, which can be found at Circa Birmingham, rest on an antique marble-topped bronze table from CIIRCA Antiques. The alabaster and bronze candelabras that complement the arrangement are also from CIIRCA.
ARTICLE BY TAYLOR BOWLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA ANDERSON
Last October, a fire tore through artist Sarah Helser’s South Charlotte home. Her husband and four boys were safe, but the interior, which housed her art studio, was devastated by smoke and water damage. Her tools, materials and works in progress were gone in an instant.
As smoke poured out of the house (likely due to a candle left burning in the bathroom), Helser’s 16-year-old son was able to run into the studio’s outdoor entrance to grab a few of her unfinished pieces. A small win, but it certainly mattered.
Then, as Helser surveyed the damage a few days later, she came across her art journal, still intact, with a sticky note on the cover she’d written just days before. It quoted A Wrinkle in Time author Madeleine L’Engle: “In the creative act, I can experience the same freedom I have in dreams… but this freedom comes only when, as in a dream, I do not feel that I must dictate or control what happens.”
What was another small win also seemed symbolic. Helser wrote it to set an intention ahead of her week in the studio. As she sifted through the wreckage, it read like a guide for the days ahead.
“I thought, ‘I cannot control what happens, but I’m going on an adventure now,’” she says “It released me in a strange way.”
By then, Helser had already built a 20-year career as a successful fine artist. She left UNC Greensboro during her junior year in 2005 to move to Charlotte and pursue art full-time. She avoided the starving artist trope and landed her first solo show at The Art Preserve. After that, she says, “I bounced around from different galleries, and I’ve done a solo exhibition about every 14 months since 2006.”
Helser spent 13 years at the Hidell Brooks Gallery in South End until last March, when she decided to venture out on her own.
“I had a year of commissions booked out, but I felt like I needed to take a risk and step out on my own,” she says. “It felt like a transition in my work was coming.”
After last fall’s fire, both Helser and her husband had to find new workspaces. He is an art installer and framer who worked from a studio on their property. She turned to Instagram for leads on a new space, and photographer Amanda Anderson quickly messaged her back. Anderson was leaving her studio inside Dilworth Artisan Station and looking for a new tenant.
“I cannot control what happens, but I’m going on an adventure now.”
“It was the most beautiful space I’d ever seen,” Helser says. “It felt like a huge jump with everything going on, but I knew I’d regret not trying this. So I said yes, got two bags of art supplies, and moved in on January 1.”
Her focus now is filling the expansive walls with new work. “I came in here with one painting, so there’s a lot of empty space,” she says.
Her work combines a mix of materials and techniques. Each piece begins with a wood panel coated in hot beeswax, a process known as encaustic. Next, she layers it with mixed media.
“That can be anything and everything,” she says. “Oil sticks, coffee grounds, gold leaf, spray paint. I create a lot of stencils. I take branches or leaves to print down into the image.”
Her paintings are anchored by a realistic image, like an animal, a portrait or still life. The background is where she experiments with the abstract.
“I love the mix between realistic and dreamy—I’ve described (my work) as waking from a dream,” Helser says. “There are realistic pieces, but they’re not grounded, and anything can happen.”
Most days, Helser heads to the studio at 4 a.m. for an hour of journaling and sketching before she gets to work on her new series.
“These are medium-sized but would have been large for me at my old studio,” she says. “I needed the scale to make sense here. I’m about to embark on some really big statement pieces that I’ll spend a few months on each. My husband might have to put in a bigger door for me.”
“I’m letting go and letting life and art lead the way. Now I’m at the beginning of something I never would have imagined for myself.”
Their family is living in a long-term rental while their house gets rebuilt, but Helser isn’t dwelling on what they lost. The only items that could be saved, she says, were a metal stool and a box of plates.
“I’m letting go, and letting life and art lead the way,” Helser says. “This experience of loss freed me to allow my creative mind to lead me a little more. Now I’m at the beginning of something I never would have imagined for myself...”
“It was like the shedding of everything, and it felt representative to me,” she continues. “When you’re making a big move, you feel the weight of everything you’re maintaining. On a deeper level, it gave me the courage to step out. I typically don’t take risks, but this gave me that courage.”
SarahDawnHelser.com | IG: @sarahelserart
CHEF ROBIN ANTHONY IS EARNING NATIONAL RECOGNITION
“ANTHONY IMPORTS HIS INGREDIENTS FROM TOKYO’S TOYOSU FISH MARKET AND FOCUSES ON THE MORE TRADITIONAL EDOMAE STYLE OF MAKING SUSHI.”
It’s official: Charlotte has some of the best sushi not only in the South, but the country. That’s thanks to Chef Robin Anthony, who helms the trio of Prime Fish restaurants around town.
In November, two of his restaurants, Omakase Experience by PrimeFish and Prime Fish, received coveted Michelin recommendations in its first ever guide for the American South. And in late January, the James Beard Foundation named Anthony a semifinalist in its “Best Chef: Southeast” category.
Anthony moved to Charlotte in 2015, two years after immigrating to the United States from Indonesia with his parents.” He’s a primarily self-trained sushi chef and spent time honing his craft at local spots like YAMA and Red Sake, before striking out on his own.
In 2021, the first of his three restaurants opened. Prime Fish, a 40-seat restaurant in Ballantyne, quickly became one of the most talked-about spots in the city’s dining scene.
“IT’S MY PLAYGROUND,” SAYS ANTHONY, WHO ENJOYS HOW CREATIVE HE GETS TO BE WITH THE MENU. “THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR WHAT I CAN DO.”
Then in 2022, he opened his Omakase Experience in the Providence Plaza shopping center on the corner of Sharon Amity and Providence. At just six seats, it’s an intimate setting for sushi lovers, offering 10 and 15-course tasting menus.
“It’s my playground,” says Anthony, who enjoys how creative he gets to be with the menu. “The sky is the limit for what I can do.”
To complete his trio, the restaurateur opened Prime Fish Cellar in 2024 in the same shopping center as Omakase. Anthony is also a certified sommelier and sake master, and at first, the space was just a destination for wine and sake.
Anthony says people kept asking him where the sushi was, so he renovated the small space to include a sushi bar and a few tables before reopening in late 2025.
At all three spots, expect an emphasis on high-end, quality ingredients. Anthony imports his ingredients from Tokyo’s
Toyosu Fish Market and focuses on the more traditional Edomae style of making sushi.
Some of the most popular menu items are the same across Prime Fish and Prime Fish Cellar: the pork and shrimp steamed shumai as an appetizer, and the Sake Yaki specialty roll with eel and avocado on the inside, topped with a delicately seared salmon, eel sauce, truffle oil, black salt and scallion. The raw bar is extensive at both locations, offering delicacies like melt-in-your-mouth salmon belly and A5 wagyu.
You’ll also find a full caviar service at Prime Fish Cellar, with an ounce of Kaluga Hybrid or Royal Ossetra presented alongside accompaniments like potato chips and a lemony crème fraîche.
At his Omakase Experience, though, no two nights are fully the same. You’ll choose between the 10 and 15-course options with wine or sake. As the space can only fit six people per seating, you’ll get a close view of Anthony’s meticulous attention to detail and presentation.
Whichever location you opt for, you’re in for a treat.
WARDROBE EXPERTS CATHY MONTE AND KRISTEN GARNETT SHARE FAVORITE SPRING LOOKS
Cathy Monte and Kristen Garnett are on a mission to help people get the most out of their closets. Their consultation and styling service, Edit + Style, shows clients how to mix and match pieces from their current wardrobes.
“It always comes back to our credo of ‘your stuff, your style,’” says Garnett, who first met Monte working together in pharmaceutical sales in the early 2000s. “The clients already have style. We work with what they have and show them how to use things in different ways.”
Each consultation starts with a questionnaire to get to know the client’s lifestyle and clothing needs. Then, Monte and Garnett do a deep dive into the client’s closet to identify what the client can use. If they think the client should add a few new pieces into the mix, the two can make recommendations, too.
Perhaps the most helpful thing, though, is the lookbook that the women put together after each session. Clients receive photos of each suggested outfit and a written description of where to wear each look, making it easy to recreate everything on their own. They try to style each piece for two different seasons.
“At a minimum, clients get 10 new looks,” Monte says. Monte and Garnett put together five spring looks that would be perfect for everything from playing mahjong to attending graduations or a day watching golf at the Truist Championship. They’ve incorporated clothes from boutiques all over Charlotte, including Chosen, Eternal, Ellett and Daniel Gonzalez Designs.
Opposite page: Hair: Theory Salon Makeup: Woo Skincare
Led by twins Dr. Justin Hannon and Dr. Stephanie Hannon Stauning, Hannon Orthodontics is built on exceptional care and personal treatment oversight. The Hannons have been serving patients across the Charlotte metro region since 1978 when their father began practicing in Gastonia.
ARTICLE BY CARROLL WALTON | PHOTOGRAPHY
PROVIDED BY NATE
BERKUS
Nate Berkus has been a household name in American design for 30 years. Whether he was transforming interiors for the Oprah Winfrey Show, hosting his own show or designing collections, his taste for clean lines and natural tones, and his down-to-earth personality shine through. Berkus makes his first trip to Charlotte for the Mint Museum Auxiliary Spring Symposium on April 15 at Charlotte Country Club, where he’ll discuss his new book, Foundations. He shares a glimpse of daily life in New York City with his husband, designer Jeremiah Brent, and their two children, Poppy and Oskar, in his own words.
7-8 A.M. NOON-2 P.M.
7-8 A.M. WAKE, CALENDAR CHECK AND COFFEE
The alarm goes off at 7 a.m. I hear the dog moving around in her kennel. I’m embarrassed to admit that I immediately go on my phone to look at my calendar for the day. I’ve never had the same day twice because my business is so varied and diversified. Ever since I met Jeremiah, there’s a cup of hot coffee on my bedside table when I open my eyes. It’s one of my favorite things about my marriage. And I love being able to press a button and having the automated draperies from The Shade Store open.
9-11 A.M.
9-11 A.M. LEAVING HOME, TRAINER, OFFICES NOON-2 P.M.
I cannot leave any mess behind. I can’t leave dirty laundry on the floor. I can’t leave the toothbrush on the vanity. I have to put the hair dryer away. I have to refold and put away anything I’ve tried on. I’m literally incapable of walking out the door with an unmade bed. I usually go to the trainer at 9 a.m. I go back to the house, get dressed and come to the office.
We either meet clients on site or at my design offices in New York City. I have to travel up to three or four times a month, hence checking my calendar when I wake up in the morning, but when I’m in town, I’m in the office every day. People really aren’t interested in coming up to others, no matter who they are in New York City, so most definitely, I can get everything I need done, whether it’s my work or a grocery store run.
3-5 P.M.
3-5 P.M. INSTALLS AND THE BEST REVEALS
An install is still my favorite part of my job, whether for a private client or a makeover. I had the great good fortune of doing TV makeovers, both for my own shows and for the Oprah show, for over 20 years, and the moment when it all comes together is still my favorite part of every project.
5 P.M. HOME WITH KIDS. FOCUS ON FAMILY TIME
I’m usually home when the children get home around 5 p.m. every day. Jeremiah and I always have dinner with our children at the table. I think every working family would understand this: I try very much when I first come home to focus only on the kids and will respond to work emails only after they’re in bed. But vacations for our family are no phone zones.
7-9 P.M. PERFECT EVENING OUT
I really love having dinner with my family in a restaurant. The four of us, we don’t have devices at the table. I mean, no judgment by that, but for our family, we decided when the children were young that they would be taught to engage in conversation with us. Some of the most revealing conversations about our children’s lives happen when we’re at a dinner table.
7-9 P.M.
5 P.M.
PERFECT EVENING AT HOME
The perfect evening for me at home is changing into sweats, which I never used to do before I was married. I always thought it was weird that people changed when they came home, but now I do it every day. Changing into sweats, having dinner with the family, watching Downton Abbey with our daughter before her bedtime, putting our son to bed and just chilling with Jeremiah.
Designer Nate Berkus on his new book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal
Nate Berkus got his “foundation” in design from his mother, Nancy Golden, who was an interior designer in Minneapolis, Minn. He says their tastes couldn’t be more different, but they share a love of vintage and antiques. She’s one of many he honored in the book, which he hopes will encourage readers to listen to their own voice.
“I wanted the book to read almost as a thank-you note to everyone who has supported my career over the last 30 years. I realized I had so much information I could share, but I wanted to create a book that’s useful. I didn’t want to write a book about expensive interiors in multi-million dollar homes for inspiration. I wanted to write a book that showed our best design ideas and everything I’ve learned, and use the photographs of our projects and my personal homes to illustrate why I think they work well…”
“I think we are so distracted by all of this information and imagery out there about design that we start to feel bad about what objects, patterns and colors we don’t use in our home. I think real design should be deeply personal. It’s the antithesis of paying attention to what everybody else is doing.”
Q. What makes a house truly feel like a home to you?
The sound of little feet on the stairs. Q. Where do your best ideas come from?
I’m definitely inspired by how other people move through the world. I love to travel. I love experiencing what Jeremiah likes to call “modern life happening in ancient places.” I’m very inspired by old architecture, old structures and old homes. I have a deep, deep love for vintage furniture, antique furniture and lighting. And many of my best ideas start with the actual object: the table, the sofa, the table lamp, and the room gets built around that.
Q. How has fatherhood influenced your design?
It’s been a recalibration of priorities. I still love to be surrounded by things that I find beautiful, but I’ve always believed in order of priority, especially at home, it’s people, pets, then things.
FGF Interiors specializes in crafting bespoke residential and commercial environments that capture their unique essence. Every project is a personalized journey, balancing style, comfort, and exceptional quality to transform your vision into a vibrant, livable reality.
Ask anyone about Augusta, Georgia, and you’ll probably hear two words: The Masters.
And yes, while the idyllic Southern city is home to arguably the most famous golf tournament in the world, that’s not all the city has to offer. It’s just two and a half hours away from Charlotte, too, making the city the perfect proximity for a weekend getaway.
Lauren Robbins is a local interior designer and owner of the popular home decor and lifestyle shop The Shoppe at Lauren Robbins Interiors. As someone who has lived in Augusta for nearly 15 years, she gives us the inside track on what makes a visit there a hole-in-one.
“The Masters is what gets people to Augusta,” she says, “but when they meet the people and learn more about the city, that is when they begin to fall in love with it.”
Robbins recommends staying at The Partridge Inn. The historic hotel is now part of the Hilton family, but first opened in 1910. It’s the closest hotel to the Augusta National Golf Course, but Robbins says she loves it for its proximity to the Summerville neighborhood, known for its historic homes and walkability.
“The Masters is what gets people to Augusta, but when they meet the people and learn more about the city they begin to fall in love with it.”
She also suggests the Crowne Plaza in North Augusta, which is across the river in South Carolina. It’s within walking distance to some great restaurants and bars, and a two-minute walk to SRP park, home to the city’s Minor League Baseball team, the Augusta GreenJackets.
Start your day by visiting Trellis Coffee Bar, a short stroll from The Partridge Inn. You’ll find expertly crafted specialty lattes, handmade focaccia bread and other pastries.
For lunch, Robbins recommends Farmhaus Burger. The restaurant uses beef from local farmers for its burgers and also offers spiked milkshakes as a sweet and tipsy treat. Emil’s is also a favorite of Robbins for their small plates and dips.
For dinner, she says, trying Abel Brown, a Southerninspired restaurant in the popular Surrey Center shopping center, is a must. The restaurant recently received the city’s first James Beard Award nomination for its fresh fare.
“I love hopping over there for a delicious martini and oysters,” Robbins says. “The menu is constantly updating based on what Todd and his team are finding fresh and inspiring.”
“The Masters tournament is all about tradition, and going to Luigi’s afterwards is definitely one of them.”
If you find yourself in town during The Masters, it’s also imperative that you make a stop at Luigi’s, she says. The Italian-Greek restaurant has a retro vibe with its checkered tablecloths and photos of sports legends who have stopped by over the past seventy years.
“The Masters tournament is all about tradition, and going to Luigi’s afterwards is definitely one of them,” she says. “Not much has changed with the restaurant since it opened in 1949, and you will see golfers, patrons and locals alike eating as a final farewell to the masters tournament.”
Don’t miss the Morris Museum of Art. The exhibits focus on Southern art and artists, with more than 6,000 works of art. One of this year’s special exhibits runs through August
and features artist John Petrey’s sculptures of everyday objects fashioned into 1960s-style dresses.
The Greeneway is also a popular spot for families to visit. Named after former North Augusta mayor Thomas Greene, it’s a seven-mile paved trail that’s great for walking, running or biking.
Robbins also points out that Augusta has a number of fun annual events, like the Rock Fore! Dough concert on the Tuesday before The Masters starts in early April. The Arts in the Heart Festival, a multi-day celebration featuring more than 150 arts and crafts vendors, music and global eats held in late September, and the two-day acoustic music festival known as the Guitar Pull, normally in November.
Save time to shop on your visit, too. Robbins’ favorite shops are home store and paperie Charleston Street, antique store West End Collective, Shoes at Surrey, and Freshwater and Capsule for clothes.
Lauren Robbins started her interior design business in 2018 and works with clients across the Southeast and the country, blending traditional design with a modern touch. In April 2025, she opened her own storefront in Augusta’s historic Summerville neighborhood.
“We strive to bring lines and products to Augusta that aren’t typically around,” she says of her curated display. “One of the biggest compliments is when someone walks into the shop and says, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve never seen these things before,’ or ‘Everything you sell is so unique.’”
If you come for The Masters, Robbins recommends avoiding Washington Road, the main thoroughfare, if at all possible. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, pack a hat and sunscreen, she says, and remember you’ll have to leave your cell phone at home.
Robbins says if you want to buy merch at the tournament expect long lines. But one perk at Augusta National is that women’s restrooms don’t typically have a wait. And don’t forget to swing by Luigi’s after the tournament for the ultimate seen-andbe-seen experience.
Find Lauren Robbins on Instagram @LaurenRobbinsInteriors and online at LaurenRobbinsInteriors.com .
2910 Selwyn Ave. 704.919.1077 @chosencharlotte
6842 Carnegie Blvd., Ste. 200 Charlotte, NC 28211
(980) 423-1272
endodonticsofsouthpark.com
info@endodonticsofsouthpark.com
Clinically supervised programs customized to your personal goals.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Peptide Therapy
Vitamin Wellness
Weight Loss
Hair Restoration
ED Therapy
D.D.S., M.S., BOARD-CERTIFIED ENDODONTIST
As a local, female, and board-certified endodontist, Dr. Kickertz provides more than just treatment; she offers empathy and expertise. Whether you’re a patient in need or a doctor seeking a reliable referral, Premier Endodontics is your go-to source for dental pain and root canal emergencies.
After 16 years as a middle school math teacher at Providence Day School, Brian Li realized something essential was missing from the traditional curriculum: financial literacy. He set out to change that by building a finance class to equip students with tools they’d actually need in the real world.
Today, Li teaches middle and upper school students about investing, debt, risk and how to manage a stock portfolio, all while reinforcing a simple but powerful idea: money isn’t a taboo subject, and finance isn’t just for Wall Street bros. It’s for everyone.
His approach has struck a chord. Li’s upper school finance classes are now so popular they come with a wait list. In addition to the basics of finance, he covers resume building, LinkedIn profile-writing and negotiating pay. He often brings in Providence Day alumni who work at Bank of America and Truist to speak with students.
Li’s passion for teaching everyday finance skills has gone beyond the classroom. He’s been
a featured speaker at the NAIS People of Color Conference, NAIS THRIVE, the NYSAIS Diversity Practitioners Conference and the Strategenius EmpowerED Workshop Series. He’s also contributed to local initiatives in Charlotte, including Common Wealth Charlotte, Charlotte is Creative and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg NAACP branch.
The educator and financial coach shared seven key lessons he’s passing on, not just to students, but to anyone looking to sharpen his or her real-world money skills.
Teaching financial concepts in middle school proves students can grasp money basics just like math or reading, and builds confidence before adulthood.
“We’re in a blessed spot at this school, but we are a nation of debt,” Li says. “The average credit card debt is about $6,500. The average auto loan is $28,000. Seventy percent of the
ARTICLE BY TAYLOR BOWLER
second generation that inherits wealth will lose it. You’ve got to learn how to manage money, even if your family is wealthy.”
To Li, financial literacy is as essential as math or social studies because it’s used long after school ends. It’s also why he now offers financial workshops for all ages; it’s the class many wish they’d had.
“Finance isn’t prioritized in the school setting because school is often just a game to get the kids into college,” he says. “Managing a 401(k) isn’t going to help them score higher on the ACT. The game has always been great grades, AP classes and getting kids to that next level. But that real-world aspect has got to be incorporated.”
Li’s lessons break down tools like Roth IRAs and diversified portfolios in ways students can understand. Through mock portfolios, they learn to navigate market drops without trying to time the market.
“When tariffs kicked in, they saw the market doesn’t always just go up,” he says. “That’s the fun part about teaching finance—you never know what you’ll see when you turn on the news that morning.”
The idea that people are bad with money is a myth.
“I hear people in my workshops say, ‘My spouse takes care of it’ or ‘I don’t like numbers,’” Li says. “That’s what we want to debunk. Everyone has to understand some level of finance, and people are more capable than they think. The financial industry has done a really good job of making it sound a lot more complicated than it is. But it’s too important to not have an understanding of.”
Li urges students to tune out TikTok finance hype, get-richquick culture and buy-now-pay-later apps.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” he says. “Students are living in a challenging age where they are bombarded by social media and want instant gratification. In the financial world, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. We want to avoid things like crypto. These are fads we cover in our class. We frontload them, so they know it just doesn’t work that way in real life.”
Maxing out retirement accounts, 529s and HSAs may not feel urgent to a middle schooler—or even a recent college graduate— but it’s never too early (or late) to build these habits.
“These students have the gift of all gifts—they have time on their side,” Li says. “But we’ve got to build discipline and low-cost investing skills. We’re not trying to build little day traders. We don’t want to turn the stock market into a casino. It’s about longterm, steady investing.”
You don’t need a six-figure income to grow your money over time. Set up automatic transfers to a high-yield savings account or retirement plan. Contribute regularly to an IRA, 401(k) or lowcost index fund, even if it’s a small amount.
“That’s the power of finance—you can build generational wealth if we understand how to play the finance game,” Li says. “I’m a teacher, but I can be an investor and build generational wealth.”
Charlotte Area Designers and Guests Celebrate Connection
As impactful as the right fabric combination can be in a newly-designed living room or the wow factor of a complete kitchen remodel, nowhere is the power of design more palpable than over a table. That’s where people come together. Great design has always been about more than just paint color and fixtures, but a feeling. That notion, along with 14 of the most
talented designers in Charlotte, was celebrated at the second annual Come To The Table event in February at Quail Hollow Club.
Each designer turned a five-foot table round or farm-style rectangle into a feast for the eyes, which more than 500 guests took in over a two-day event to benefit Beds for Kids. Between an evening cocktail party and a luncheon the following day featuring hospitality expert Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, more than $100,000 was raised to help provide beds and essential furniture to local children and their families in need.
Tables were awash in color and texture, featuring lush florals, both fresh and faux. Designer Kate Newman featured Trompe-l’œil, or ceramics that look edible, to display oysters and a show-stopping caviar setting. Felipe Fisher’s table highlighted sterling silver berry bowls and a five-arm silver candelabra. Sarah Fisher’s place settings were accessorized with small whimsical pieces, like a tiny guitar with a handmade inlay, to serve as conversation starters.
“It [all] kind of knocks your socks off,” says Beeland Voellinger, who co-chaired the event along with Jordan Horstman and Graylynn Rodrigues. “It’s all in one room. Everybody just really brought their best and showed it.”
The speaker, Whitman, who has shared her entertaining wisdom on everything from The Today Show to the Style Network, matched the perfect message to the moment, emphasizing connection over perfection.
“She said that all these people she had met around the world had one thing in common, that you treat your guests like royalty,” Voellinger says. “You set the table
with intention, do the flowers, choose your meal. The table is where you all come together. And it doesn’t matter if it’s a nice dinner or casual, whatever, it’s your time to show your guests your best, so that everyone leaves feeling really seen, heard and special.”
Each Come To The Table guest left with a copy of Whitman’s ninth book, A Loving Table, which is a collection of inspiring entertaining traditions passed down from mothers and grandmothers. Each guest also received a cocktail napkin set from Laura Park.
Georgine Jeffries, who chaired communications for the event, was struck by how Whitman used existing monograms she discovered on antique silver pieces she collected. She suggested unique ways to celebrate the engravings rather than to change them.
“Even the fact that they’re not perfect, adds to their character and their story,” Jeffries says. “You bring them to life anew when you use them.”
The luncheon’s floral centerpieces by The Belle Bouquet’s Nicole Arendale were sold to benefit Beds for Kids. A silent auction was new this year as well.
Guests could shop a series of retail popups on both days, which was organized by Rodrigues. They could also buy items directly off of designer’s tables.
Organizers said adding a ticketed event the first night attracted younger professionals who couldn’t otherwise come to the full four-hour daytime luncheon.
“We created something exciting, new and different, and these young women want to be a part of it,” Voellinger says. “I’m excited to see where they can take it the next time.”
Designer Daniel Gonzalez Reimagines Occasion
Dressing for Mothers of the Bride and Groom
ARTICLE BY CARROLL WALTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY MILLIE HOLLOMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
“I wanted her to feel sparkly, almost like a tropical flower would be,” Gonzalez says.
“So we gave her this gorgeous, bright watermelon color in that soft chiffon, which felt sweet but also brilliant.”
When it comes to wedding fashion, the bride is always the focus and rightly so. But local designer Daniel Gonzalez is proving that bespoke gown-making goes a long way for the mother of the bride or groom, too. Buying readymade dresses can be challenging.
“It’s hard for a mother of a bride to find her dress because things aren’t made thinking about the normal woman,” Gonzalez says. “The dresses are made on mannequins that have perfect proportions and perfect alignment. But all humans grow and are shaped a little differently. You can be super fit, and your proportions are not right, and as you get older, that disparity gets worse.”
Making bespoke gowns is Gonzalez’s specialty, and why his business is thriving in the heart of Eastover.
“For me, it comes naturally,” he says. “I can look at someone’s body and say, ‘OK, this is going to work better for you.’ We’re able to provide a product that is meant to look good on them, not just a pretty dress on a perfect form.”
Rather than designing around someone’s age or stage in life, he likes to consider his client’s personality.
“Are they more exuberant and extroverted?’” Gonzalez says. “Maybe they want something a little bit more adventurous and fun. Or is the person more demure and quiet and more likely to go to a cleaner silhouette? Sometimes I get the mom who says, ‘Please dress me in something I’ve never worn before because I’m taking this as an opportunity to explore more about myself.’”
Nancy Downing, whose daughter Charlotte Downing Roberts was married on Figure Eight Island last year, is a former ballerina. A softer aesthetic factored into the dress’s look.
“She wanted something that felt beautiful, ethereal and soft,” Gonzalez says. “She wanted something whimsical, dainty and princess-like that felt very couture.”
He made her a pleated silk chiffon dress, gathered through the corset bodice. It was strappy and straight across the bustier with an A-line tea-length skirt with a satin trim at the bottom.
As for the color? Nancy’s daughter was getting married on the lawn at Figure Eight, with a backdrop of natural greens and ocean blues. Her flowers were pinks and oranges.
“I wanted her to feel sparkly, almost like a tropical flower would be,” Gonzalez says. “So we gave her this gorgeous, bright watermelon color in that soft chiffon, which felt sweet but also brilliant.”
For her daughter Charlotte, Gonzalez made a reception dress. She wanted something lighter and cooler, good for dancing, but also edgy. He made the skirt with a surprise element, inspired by an Oscar de la Renta dress she’d seen with a similar vibe.
“We made her a little white bustier with this three-tiered mini skirt in this textured silk that looked like leather,” Gonzalez says. “It was a really soft white texture and edgy, without looking like plastic. We did this underskirt that had silk, black flowers underneath, so when she danced, the black flowers would pop up out from under and create this really fun optical illusion because it was going to be dark.”
designer Daniel Gonzalez gets most of his business by word of mouth. One mother of a bride tells another.
As clients enter his atelier, they are welcomed by a gallery of watercolor renderings—each one a bespoke gown he has brought to life.
Gonzalez also has a showroom full of ready-to-wear pieces so mothers and brides can mix and match elements of different dresses.
In the initial consultation, Gonzalez shows clients materials, how a silk might drape, or how a fabric catches light. Then they talk about colors. He factors in the time of the wedding, season, venue, invitation colors, flowers, bridesmaids’ dresses and more.
He creates the first sketch in black and white, revealing the dress’s silhouette and construction. Then, after exchanging feedback, he makes edits and ultimately presents clients with a color sketch that serves as a prototype.
