Inspired spaces by 10 Charlotte interior designers
November 28, 2023
Furnished 2023: 10 designers create for a cause
photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck
From dreamy children’s spaces to a retro game room and a ladies’ lounge, 10 talented Charlotte designers brought plenty of creativity and passion to last month’s annual Furnished fundraiser for Furnish For Good. The local nonprofit provides gently used and new furnishings, kitchen and bath essentials, and other household items to individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness and poverty.
Over three months, the designers volunteered their time, taking turns creating vignettes at FFG’s South End location. The vignettes were photographed by Dustin and Susie Peck, then the public was invited to vote on their favorite designs in exchange for a small donation. Featured items — furniture, accent items and artwork donated by the designers — were displayed at Slate Interiors, which hosted the kickoff party attended by more than 175 people, then sold in an online auction. The event raised $207,000 to help support operations and future initiatives for Furnish For Good, which has served more than 1,500 people since it was founded in 2019.
Winner: Kristine Franz of Kristine Design
Kristine Franz of Kristine Design had this year’s winning design, with Cashion Hill Design as first runner-up and Swell Décor as second runner-up.
Franz’s design was inspired by a client who was drawn to a particular shade of blue. While Franz was working on the design, she was dealt a personal tragedy — her father lost his battle with cancer. “He taught me the importance of being a part of a community, helping others and having fun,” Kristine says. “The love and support I received from all the people involved with this event was overwhelming. I felt my dad’s presence with me every step of the way.”
While she was grateful her design was named the winner, “It wasn’t a competition to me,” she says. “It was about raising awareness and money for a need in our community that FFG serves.” SP
— Cathy Martin
SouthPark Magazine was the 2023 media sponsor for Furnished.
First runner-up: Kim Moore and Nancy Targgart of Cashion Hill Design
Second runner-up: Angie Persson of Swell Decor
Ashley Ross of Muse Noire Interiors
Priscilla Baez of MPB Design Co.
Sacita Brito of Sacita Interiors
Donna Werner of DW Design, International Kitchen & Bath
Cate Gutter of CWG Design
Tiffany Brown of Brown Builders Design
