Courtney Kovacs injects pops of personality into her Cotswold condo.
by Whitley Adkins | photographs by Amy Kolo | interiors styling by Brooke Werhane
Having never visited Charlotte, Courtney “Coko” Kovacs arrived in the Queen City from just outside Flint, Michigan, in 2007 “by the grace of God,” she says. Despite her lack of fine-dining experience, the former cocktail waitress worked for a decade at Quail Hollow Club, from poolside service to private dinners. In 2009, she began dog-sitting for several club members, which led to additional house-management gigs.
“I took out the trash, picked up groceries, handled car inspections, coordinated painters and more,” Kovacs says. Encouraged by club members and the general manager, she went back to school and studied hospitality at Central Piedmont from 2009-2012.
Left: Kovacs found the Ted DeGrazia pictures above the bed in her father’s basement after he passed away. “I found out from my mom that they were the first two pieces of artwork they purchased after their marriage.”
In 2015, Coko Concierge was born. For a monthly fee, services include everything from travel planning to waiting for the cable guy to taking the car in for an oil change.
Kovacs’ own home, a one-bedroom, one-bathroom condominium in Cotswold, is much like her relationships: collected and intentional with a focus on all things personal and meaningful.
“Everything has a story behind it,” she says. About five years ago, designer Melissa Herriott helped her place furniture and create a gallery wall. Recently, she brought in interior designer Rainy Westerman to refresh the space.
Thrifting is a big inspiration for Kovacs. “A lot of times I don’t know exactly what I will use the item for, I just know I like it. Like a hand that hangs by my door, which holds my car keys, and another gold hand in my hallway that holds a vase with flowers as well as my dad’s watch, because I wanted it to have a special place.”
“Working with a lot of interior designers sparked an interest in me to determine how I wanted my own home to feel. I have learned from my clients and their designers.”
When her father passed away a little over a year ago, her home became a place for healing.
“This is when I created my disco hallway. I started buying more artwork, got many pieces framed and started incorporating items I had picked up along the way and finding a place for them.”
Family heirlooms such as her grandmother’s cocktail plates are on view for constant enjoyment.
“I feel like my ancestors are in my home because things handed down to me are not in a box but rather on display, which allows me to feel close to them.” SP
Coko’s entertaining tips
Kovacs sharpened her hosting skills while working at Quail Hollow Club and learned tips from various clients. “I think making people feel at home is important,” says Kovacs. Doing things out of love goes a long way, she says. “For example, sending a card that may simply say, ‘You made it through this weekend without crying!’ … Love on someone for not only the big wins and losses but the small wins and losses.”
- When hosting a party, set bottled water at the front door for guests to take on the way out, along with a plate of cookies for the Uber ride.
- Don’t overthink it. What do people like? Do they like Chick-fil-A? If yes, then get Chick-fil-A nuggets. You can incorporate high and low to make people feel at home.
- Create a designated purse place, like a bench by the door, so everyone will see where to put their personal belongings.
- For overnight guests, make a gift basket with bottled water, snacks, toothpaste, face wipes and a little note. Sometimes even a little picture of that person in a frame, or their favorite lotion. Always include dark-chocolate almonds from Trader Joe’s.
- Curtail gift-giving to things that are personal. Give framed photos of a pet, since people don’t frame pictures anymore.
- Personalized matches on a bar is an inexpensive touch.
Featured image: Flowers from Laura Hughes of City Stems; cat tote (on back of sofa) by Charlotte designer Will White
