Over the last several years, Charlotte, N.C.’s historic South End district has evolved into one of the South’s go-to home décor destinations. Throughout the old, mill neighborhood — which popped up in the mid-19th century and had a rebirth in the 1990s — are pockets of home décor and antique showrooms boasting furniture, accessories, designer fabrics and more from around the country and world. South End has become so popular that it easily rivals its sister Southern city, Atlanta, in its high-end décor offerings ranging in aesthetics from modern to traditional and everything in between. Here’s a peek at the can’t-miss stores in Charlotte’s top home shopping spot.
Just off South Tryon Street in South End sits a large, relatively unassuming warehouse. It’s here that several years ago, husband-and-wife design duo John and Kelley Vieregg opened Post & Gray, a marketplace where designers and merchants can sell their goods, oftentimes pieces they’ve scoured and over-purchased for their clients. Vignettes featuring crystal chandeliers, sisal rugs, handmade pillows featuring designer fabrics, modern lucite chairs, and local artwork are scattered throughout the open space featuring painted white brick walls and concrete floors. Homeowners love the deals here, too: deeply discounted designer draperies and fabrics plus cut-to-order seagrass rugs with custom trim for much less than you’d find elsewhere.
The Furniture Connector, High Cotton Home and South End Trading Company
Self-described retail guru Rodney Hines and his partner opened not one but three South End home décor stores in the span of 13 years, and all three have become the anchors of this burgeoning shopping district. The Furniture Connector, which opened more than a decade ago, is the most eclectic of the three —“You never know what you’ll find,” Hines says — offering pieces from North Carolina-based CR Laine Furniture, Four Seasons Furniture, Stanley Furniture, Dovetail Furniture, Sam Moore, Bernhardt and more. For high-end, modern eclectic and transitional décor, Charlotteans head to South End Trading Company and High Cotton Home to score vintage pieces from estate sales and flea markets that Hines has reclaimed and restored, and they are often showcased alongside overstock (and discounted) pieces from Vanguard Furniture, Noir, and Phillips Scott.
LaDonna Antiques and Interiors
This unassuming spot is one of the go-to places for interior designers in Charlotte. It is here in this small space that you’ll find treasures such as classic 18th- and 19th-century antiques, as well as midcentury pieces. If you’re in the mood for Scandinavian, French, Italian, and other European finds and prints, look no further — you’ll discover those here, too. As soon as you’ve finished ogling over the countless design finds, you can thank the carefully crafted edit of pieces to proprietor and designer La Donna Harris. And if you’re lucky, you just may spot famous designer Charlotte Moss perusing the shop, who just so happens to shop here when she’s in town.
Photo Courtesy of Post & Gray
