Global Sourcing: Southern Charm
Inside Charlotte‘s Boutique Design Culture with Morpholio Board
Tucked between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Carolina coast, Charlotte, North Carolina has quietly become one of the South’s most exciting cities for design. With its blend of historic charm and modern ambition, the “Queen City” has cultivated a rich community of boutique interior shops and designers that are as creative as they are curated.
For designers using Morpholio Board, Charlotte offers a playground of local inspiration — where every shop visit can translate directly into a mood board filled with color, texture, and story.
Our journey begins at one of our favorites, Isabella.
Isabella | isabellastylenc
Nestled in the heart of the stylish Myers Park neighborhood, Isabella is more than a furnishings boutique — it’s a sanctuary of refined Southern elegance. Founded and thoughtfully curated by interior designer Erin Dougherty, Isabella has been a cornerstone of Charlotte’s design scene for over 15 years. Located in a historic home on Cherokee Road, the shop feels more like a serene retreat than a retail space, inviting visitors to slow down and sink into softness.
Specializing in luxury linens and textiles, Isabella evokes the timeless romance of European interiors. Think monogrammed pillows, handwoven throws, and bath scents that double as décor. Erin’s devotion to craftsmanship is present in every curated piece, from artisan ceramics to framed local artwork. Isabella isn’t just a shop — it’s an experience, one that reflects the soul of Charlotte’s design community.
With Morpholio Board, designers can bring Isabella’s layered aesthetic to life, sampling textures through digital cutouts, applying textile overlays, and even using handwritten notes to convey the boutique’s sense of intimacy and elegance in every presentation.
And it doesn’t stop there! Below, take a tour of a few of our favorite spots and designers. Whether you’re based in Charlotte or simply sourcing from afar, the city’s shops — and the stories they tell — are ready to be part of your next project.
House of Nomad | houseofnomaddesign | shophouseofnomaddesign
Just down the road, House of Nomad brings the world home. Founded by globe-trotting duo Kelley Lentini and Berkeley Minkhorst, the studio doubles as a showroom and a travelogue. Moroccan poufs, South African textiles, and handmade ceramics line the shelves — each item sourced directly from the founders’ journeys abroad. With Morpholio Board, designers can capture these eclectic finds and layer global stories into their interiors using custom palettes and swatches that feel personal and worldly.
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Society Social | societysocial
For a more polished, playful energy, head to the blush-toned wonderland of Society Social. Roxy Owens, who grew up in Hickory, North Carolina — widely regarded as the furniture capital of the world—founded the digital first brand placing the essential flagship store in Charlotte. The space, in the design hub of “South End,” is all bright prints, lacquered furniture, and a grandmillennial spirit that feels equal parts nostalgia and now. Whether you’re drawn to rattan daybeds or candy-colored consoles, Society Social proves that tradition has never looked fresher. In Morpholio Board, these vibrant pieces can add a bold pop — perfect for mood boards that balance elegance with fun.
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SOCO Gallery | socogallery + Peg Noriss | pegnorriss
Contemporary art lovers will swoon at SOCO Gallery, also in the heart of the Meyers Park neighborhood, founded by Chandra Johnson. This gallery is intimate but mighty, offering a highly curated roster of cutting-edge artists from around the globe. Whether you’re collecting or simply looking to deepen your art IQ, SOCO Gallery is a cultural heartbeat in Charlotte.
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Peg Norriss by Chandra Johnson and Barrie Benson | pegnorriss
More accessible for most designers, Chandra Johnson — together with celebrated interior designer Barrie Benson — turned fine art into unique prints when she launched Peg Norriss. The fresh, spirited wallpaper line is absolutely design board-worthy. Now available via industry icon, Schumacher, the papers and prints channel a playful, painterly vibe that’s both classic and joyfully unexpected, perfect for adding an artful punch to your next interiors project.
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Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio | dressmyroom found at slateinteriors
At Dressing Rooms Interiors Studio, now located online and inside the collective, Slate, vintage takes center stage. Curated by Ariene Bethea, the site is a bold expression of cultural richness — Afrocentric textiles, mid-century forms, and soulful vignettes that blend eras with elegance. Morpholio Board users can turn this depth into visual narratives, collaging pieces that speak to history, heritage, and heart.
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R. Runberg Curiosities | rrunberg
For those who believe in the magic of one-of-a-kind finds, Ruth Runberg Curiosities is your treasure trove. Runberg sources and creates pieces that feel collected, soulful, and unique — exactly the kind of layers that turn a house into a home. Stemming from a background in buying and fashion, her stylist’s eye is well trained to bring only the most unique gifts, collectables and conversation pieces to your fingertips. Adding her finds to your concept boards will instantly infuse them with character and depth.
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Traditions Interiors & Accessories | traditionsofcharlotte
Further uptown, at the popular Park Road Shopping Center, Traditions Interiors & Accessories brings thirty years of interior wisdom into one showroom. It’s the place to find the classics — tailored sofas, elegant chandeliers, and timeless case goods — all arranged with a refined eye. Traditions reminds us that every design needs its anchor, and on Morpholio Board, these pieces become the bones of a strong interior scheme, grounding trend-forward concepts in lasting craftsmanship.
Why Charlotte Should Be on Your Design Radar
Charlotte’s design scene is alive with makers, curators, and visionaries who aren’t afraid to push boundaries. They reflect the nuanced, evolving identity of one chapter of American design culture — simultaneously rooted and open, edited and expressive.
Have a favorite Charlotte spot or design secret? Tag us with your finds — we’d love to see what’s inspiring you!
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