My Home on the Cover of Queen City Lifestyle Magazine
A peek inside Crystal's own home — featured on the cover of Queen City Lifestyle Magazine.
It still feels surreal: seeing our front door, living room, conversation room, and dining room featured in Charlotte's premier magazine, Queen City Lifestyle, was a moment I’ll never forget. The feature—titled Grace in Every Detail—captures more than just our home. It captures warmth, softness, and the soul of the life we are creating at home.
In the article, our house is described as being layered in muted colors and textures, with botanical prints and antiques that evoke a sense of Southern charm and timeless tradition. In the conversation room, the small brown check Schumacher drapes and the custom rug from English Village Lane with a topiary-tree motif anchor the space. In the living room and dining room, the mix of antique furnishings, soft, neutral tones and curated patterns made each area feel elegant, calm, and welcoming.
What This Feature Means To Us
To me, hearing how the rooms feel to someone walking in for the first time was incredible. Thanks to the help of many and years in the making, I feel like the rooms truly are a reflection of my design style and how my family lives. It feels like a quiet stamp of approval: our choices reflect a style that others appreciate, and now our home has a story in print. It reminds me that beauty in a home doesn’t come from chasing trends — but from choosing pieces and colors that feel like you, layering them over time, and allowing the space to evolve with life. And now, our home joins the gallery of houses that celebrate tradition, comfort, and timeless Southern grace.
SHOP MY HOME
Refresh Your Dining Room and Tabletop for Christmas With These Finds
Next on my list is mapping out our holiday tablescape so for today's post I wanted to share a few ideas for refreshing your dining room.
One of the best things about this time of year is the opportunity to gather around the table with friends and family, from intimate dinner parties to larger fetes. I've been getting my dining room ready for all things holiday hosting — along with our other living spaces — and it's bringing me so much joy.
Next on my list is mapping out our holiday tablescape so for today's post I wanted to share a few ideas for refreshing your dining room.
wallpaper panels
In lieu of wallpapering an entire dining room, I opted for a pair of House of Harris panels from Society Social - currently 20% off with code EVERYTHING20. The scale makes a dramatic impact on the space for a fraction of the cost! Plus, I love how I can move these around the room or into a different space entirely if I ever want to.
This room also features some of my favorite decor items from Fig & Dove and my Visual Comfort chandelier and buffet lamps.
Be sure to check the shipping information if you'd like these panels by Christmas! I got mine framed at Frame Warehouse in Charlotte.
Florals and candles
Kate Morrison's Concord home is the definition of timeless beauty. I find myself going back to that home tour for inspiration over and over. I love how she decorated her table with classic candles and a stunning floral arrangement.
If you want something that will last longer than the holiday season, I'm a big fan of preserved florals and Botanica in Charlotte has a wide variety. They also sell at Scott's Antiques in Atlanta. The orchids on my buffet table in the first image are from there.
Taper candles never go out of style and can make a great gift with a set of acrylic or crystal holders. I love the lacquered twist or Lily of the Valley options for a slight twist on a classic.
lovely layers
I'm stilling pinching myself that I had the opportunity to team up with Tuckernuck for a home tour earlier this year. The tablescape, pulled together with homeowner and Nashville-based interior designer Kate Figler, was a more autumnal theme, but the formula can be applied to any dining room setup! You'll notice fun tassel napkin rings, a floral tablecloth and beautiful China plates.
I don't often replace my holiday hero pieces, like like China or silverware, but I love the idea of surprising guests with fresh, festive name card holders or napkin rings. These would make a great host gift, too.
And we can't forget about Megan Daisy Milner's dining room table. Her abstract artwork and traditional interiors had us all saving images for inspiration. My full home tour with Megan can be found on YouTube and so many great sources from her home are on the blog.
More Inspiration
It's hard to beat this new build in Raleigh, NC. The blog post with paint colors and more can be found here. The chandelier is from Visual Comfort and so pretty in person.
Timeless in Charlotte! This traditional home exudes southern elegance. I love the grasscloth wallcovering and robin egg blue cornices and panels.
I don't know what's more stunning. The Gracie wallpaper or the Visual Comfort chandelier. The tortoise glasses with the rose Estelle wine glasses are a pretty addition to this Eastover home's mahogany dining room table and place setting.
The holidays really are the best time of year. And the Black Friday sales, that have now become a constant, add a sense of thrill for the best deals. Here are the ones I think are worth shopping. For more holiday inspiration head over to my recent post on quick holiday home tips!
My Picks for the Best Lighting On Sale This Black Friday
Visual Comfort's Black Friday sale is one I wanted to make sure to share with the Garden & Grace community. I know there are so many sales this time of year that it can be overwhelming, but if fresh lighting is on your wishlist, Visual Comfort will be 20% off.
I've spoken with dozens of designers and have spent many years pouring over inspiring interiors. I've learned lighting is the one of those things that can have a big impact on a room, without making any structural changes. I experienced this in my own home, too!
For that reason, Visual Comfort and Pooky's Black Friday sale are ones I wanted to make sure to share with the Garden & Grace community. I know there are so many sales this time of year that it can be overwhelming, but if fresh lighting is on your wishlist, Visual Comfort will be 20% off and Pooky is 15% - 20% depending on how much you spend.
I've curated a roundup of some really pretty pieces below, some of which I have in my personal home. Happy shopping!
Buffet Lamps
Chandeliers
Floor Lamps
Sconces
Table/bedside lamps
In case you missed it... We dedicated a post to lighting earlier this year that also has tons of photos for inspiration and some additional Visual Comfort finds!
A Design-Enthusiast’s (aka me!) Journey to an Elegant, Family-Friendly Living Space
As we move into the holiday and a cozier time of year, I’m feeling so grateful for my home. In the last couple of weeks I’ve talked about how I’m decorating this year, quick Christmas prep tips and my love for Fig & Dove, so today I wanted to give you a closer look at my living spaces.
As we move into the holiday and a cozier time of year, I’m feeling so grateful for my home. In the last couple of weeks I’ve talked about how I’m decorating this year, quick Christmas prep tips and my love for Fig & Dove, so today I wanted to give you a closer look at my living spaces.
I worked with Anne Pearson to pull together the living and dining room and am so happy with how it turned out! I wanted these rooms to feel unique, grounded and formal but still comfortable enough for our family to enjoy. Let’s step into my home!
LIVING ROOM
In terms of furniture for our living room, I wanted to design something that’s both timeless and cozy. These sofas are a collaboration between Lester Furniture and Cambridge Row, and totally embraced my vision. I also think mixing in antiques helps foster that timeless feeling in a space. My brown antique chest is from Canterbury Antiques in Nashville. After a lot of samples, I landed on Creamy by Sherwin Williams in an eggshell finish and Loggia by Sherwin Williams in a semi-gloss finish on the trim and fireplace. It's a warm, formal look that pairs so well with my blue-green silk drapes and neutral rug.
dining room
The dining room has become one of my favorite rooms in the house. I especially love the subtle pop of color we did on the ceiling. It’s Setting Plaster by Farrow & Ball in full gloss.
I’ve said it before, but antiques are a must in every room for achieving a traditional style. In this space, the dining room chairs are from The KS Collection, a wonderful antique store in Nashville. The dining room table was a result of a long-time search on Facebook Marketplace! Hint: search for "double pedestal mahogany dining table." It includes an extension and table pad, and I only paid $800. Besides one minor scratch it's in great condition. Definitely a favorite second hand find!
The lamps are from Visual Comfort and so is my chandelier! It's easily, one of my all-time favorite lighting brands and is constantly adding new pieces to their collection. Finally, I polished off the space with orchids from Botanica. If you’re in Charlotte you have to stop in (thankfully, you can shop online and at Scott's Market in Atlanta, too). Their flowers are real, but preserved, so they last for about five years!
conversation room
I’ve given you a tour of my conversation room before, so I wanted to share a few more sources! There are so many details I love in this room. The club chairs, which I love sinking into with my morning coffee, are from Wesley Hall. I have a couple of pieces from Poppy’s of Macon including the burlwood waterfall coffee table and the chest! I worked with Laurin White of Cambridge Row to pull together my vision for this space. It's better than I could have dreamt. Oh! and the federal bullseye mirror was also a Facebook Marketplace find that Laurin told me to immediately grab when she saw the picture of it. I paid under $300, a fraction of the price in most retail shops.
The rug in this room is so special to me. It’s from English Village Lane and the topiary details along the border make me so happy. It’s also incredibly durable and easy to clean, a non-negotiable in a house full of kids and pets!
The window treatments in my conversation room really pull the space together. The cornice boards, which are in Thibaut Williamson fabric, help the room feel buttoned up while the Schumacher brown check drapes add some whimsy — a perfect balance!
I share more about my Christmas decor here including this amazing no-fuss mantle garland that instantly elevates the room. For more sources in my home, check out my past blogs on the powder room and boys’ bathroom.
3 Things to Know About Timeless Topiaries
Whether you have a pair flanking the front porch or small trio perched in a kitchen window we love a topiary at Garden & Grace. Its structured imperfections and verdant color instantly elevate a room with sophistication and whimsy.
Whether you have a pair flanking the front porch or small trio perched in a kitchen window we love a topiary at Garden & Grace. Its structured imperfections and verdant color instantly elevate a room with sophistication and whimsy.
For today's post we'll dive into a few topiary tips, and, of course, share inspiration of these bulbous beauties along the way.
1. Many Plants Can Be Topiaries
A number of plants can be twisted and sculpted into towering (or tiny) topiaries. The best choice depends on which zone you live in. Boxwoods, one of the most commonly used plants for topiaries, thrive in zones 4–9, while Dwarf Brush Cherries prefer 9–11, according to the pros at Better Homes & Gardens.
Juniper, Monterey Cypress, Dwarf Alberta Spruce, Myrtle, Lilac Standard, Hydrangea Standard, Holly, Arborvitae and Waxleaf Privet also take home the topiary trophy. Most photos in this post include a variation of boxwood and myrtles.
2. They can grow indoors or outside
Topiaries thrive in the ground or in a container that can be displayed indoors or out. If you want to use a container, consider choosing one that's slightly smaller than twice the size of its nursery pot. Since topiaries tend to be quite vertical, choose a sturdy planter to ground it.
If you're planting the topiary outside, the pros suggest digging a hole two to three times wider than the root ball with the root flare peeking just above the soil. Surround the base with about two inches of mulch.
Get inspired: Tour a Storied North Carolina Garden
3. Upkeep is simple but constant
Topiaries require consistent, but restrained trimming about every four to six weeks, per The Cottage Journal. These plants often need sunlight and a healthy dose of hydration.
If you're not so keen on the upkeep, you can always order some of my favorite faux boxwoods from Amazon (pictured up top) or a small, preserved bunch.
Lately on the blog... interior designer Kate Figler shows off her masterful ability to layer color and patterns for one personality-packed Nashville home.