I recently visited the Carolinas and was astonished by the natural beauty, delicious food, southern hospitality, and welcoming creative community. From Raleigh and Chapel Hill, to Winston-Salem, to Asheville and Greenville, to Charleston, it was a whirlwind trip visiting 6 cities in 8 days! Today I'm sharing a recap of my experiences including the fabulous places where I stayed. For those of you who are interior designers, bookmark this post to refer back to when planning your next trip to High Point Market.

 

Fearrington House Inn: Pittsboro, North Carolina

From the minute you drive onto the property, prepare to be transported. The winding dirt road wraps around, weaving through the vegetable and herb gardens, to a small village of shops and cottages, to the inn’s reception marked by an oval address plaque. The Fearrington property is on a historic farm which was later converted into what it is today: a series of beautifully crafted cottages, lush gardens, gathering spaces, charming shops, and of course, an inn. I stayed in one of their suites, overlooking a courtyard dotted with twinkling bulb lights. Luxurious touches - Frette linens, soaking tub, and fireplace, made my stay cozy and restorative. At Fearrington, they’ve perfected the art of relaxed luxury. Begin your day with freshly baked biscuits and coffee, watch children frolic about enjoying late afternoon live music in the courtyard with picnic baskets in tow, enjoy a five star dinner complete with wine pairings, and end the night in your own private suite feeling as though you’re the only one around. 

 

The Umstead Hotel & Spa: Cary, North Carolina

From there, I drove a short distance to the Umstead Hotel & Spa located in Cary, North Carolina. Just outside of the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill triangle, this luxury hotel is unexpectedly located in woodsy, tree-covered solitude. With unique touches throughout, from the live harpist that serenades guests at teatime, to the modern spa complete with a zen meditation garden, get ready for a relaxing and refined stay. The perfect place to unwind with your design team before or after a trip to High Point Market, be sure to reserve spa treatments well in advance, and bring your swimsuit to enjoy craft cocktails by the pool.

 

Applewood Manor B&B: Asheville, North Carolina

Finally, I headed to the Applewood Manor in Asheville, a historic bed and breakfast located in a Federal style 6-bedroom home. This charming property is walking distance from a beautiful park and historic neighborhood filled with Craftsman, Victorian, and Federal architecture. I checked in at night when the house was quiet, and in the morning was greeted with a vibrant breakfast, overflowing with locally sourced ingredients. An omelet made from farmers market eggs and local chive goat cheese, a homemade yogurt parfait, and delicious coffee. True talents at entertaining, the welcoming couple that owns the property made me feel right at home and provided many insightful recommendations for exploring Asheville.

 

During my trip I also enjoyed driving through Winston-Salem, Greenville, and Charleston, which were filled with intriguing architecture, delicious food, and natural beauty. Greenville in particular, I hope to revisit soon, which I found to be very captivating. Here's a recap of the above hotels and inns mentioned in this post, all of which I highly recommend.

Fearrington House Inn: Pittsboro, North Carolina

The Umstead Hotel & Spa: Cary, North Carolina

Applewood Manor B&B: Asheville, North Carolina

 

xx

Caroline