Cobble Creek Custom Homes

BEST NEW HOME $500k-$750k

Expertly crafted by the builder, this custom lakefront Craftsman home pairs a serene neutral palette with panoramic water views and rich natural wood accents.  Precision-built beams, solid wood doors, and tailored architectural details bring depth and authenticity.  The result is a warm, sophisticated retreat that reflects exceptional craftmanship and elevated everyday living.

Photos by: Micah Shoemaker

T. Whelan Homes

BEST CUSTOM WATERFRONT $1.5M-$2M

T. Whelan Homes and KDH Design designed a lakefront Craftsman masterpiece blending timeless architecture with modern luxury. Soft neutrals spotlight panoramic water views, while locally-sourced wood beams and custom millwork add authentic warmth. The transformed boathouse became a code-compliant living space, complete with a charming dog shower. Indoor-outdoor harmony creates an upscale, comfortable sanctuary.

Residential Designer, KDH Designs

Engineering, IDE Structural Engineers

Photos by: Serena Apostal

T. Whelan Homes

BEST CUSTOM WATERFRONT $2M-$2.5M

T. Whelan Homes and KDH Designs crafted a lakefront sanctuary where old-world elegance meets modern luxury. Sanded white brick, soaring ceilings, and expansive windows create seamless indoor-outdoor living. This stunning custom home was delivered ahead of schedule by proving exceptional craftsmanship transcends obstacles to achieve timeless sophistication.

Residential Designer, KDH Designs

Engineering, IDE Structural Engineers

Photos by: PATRICK HOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Pippin Home Designs

BEST PLAN DESIGN CUSTOM WATERFRONT $3M+

Pippin Home Designs created Casa del Sol, a vibrant lakefront retreat for restaurateurs on a narrow land bridge with 360-degree views. Navigating strict setbacks and a nonconforming foundation, they delivered a reverse-living layout, commercial kitchen, integrated lower-level pool, suspended Chris Craft boat, and hospitality-inspired spaces and transformed constraints into an iconic lakeside landmark.

PHOTOS BY: JIM SCHMID

Pippin Home Designs

BEST PLAN DESIGN NEW HOME $2M+

Pippin Home Designs created Vue du Jardin, a French country estate on a dramatically sloped 1.5-acre lot. Overcoming an 80-foot elevation change, they delivered a three-level star-shaped home with aging-in-place features, cathedral-ceiling indoor pool, 700-bottle wine cellar, and seamless indoor-outdoor living by balancing privacy, timeless elegance, and personalized functionality.

PHOTOS BY: JIM SCHMID

Simonini Homes

BEST FULL HOME REMODEL $1M+

Simonini Homes transformed a lakefront property into the ultimate family retreat. The open main level showcases stunning lake views, while the lower level offers dedicated children’s space. Year-round screened porch, sport pool, spa-like primary suite, and thoughtful details create perfect entertaining, celebrated with a backyard wedding weeks after completion.

PHOTOS BY: MICHAEL BLEVINS, MB PRODUCTIONS, SKYVISION USA

Simonini Homes

BEST NEW HOME $1.5-$2M

Simonini Homes created a Lake Norman sanctuary built from afar, guided by vision and trust. Inspired by a garage door opening to outdoor living, this custom home seamlessly blends indoor comfort with lakeside leisure. Managed remotely yet intimately crafted, every detail reflects personal style and entertaining ease with a testament to collaboration transforming distant dreams into enduring reality.

PHOTOS BY: KEVIN YOUNG, THE 5 AND 2 PROJECT

Simonini Homes

BEST KITCHEN REMODEL $100-$200K

Simonini Homes crafted an expansive, light-filled lakefront kitchen where a grand island, hidden pantry, and dedicated beverage zones support effortless hosting and daily living. Vaulted ceilings, countertop-height windows, and concealed outlets create a seamless, modern aesthetic that gracefully unites the great room, outdoors, and panoramic water views.

PHOTOS BY: MICHAEL BLEVINS, MB PRODUCTIONS, SKYVISION USA

Freshwater Design & Build

BEST KITCHEN REMODEL $200K+

Freshwater Design & Build transformed a tight main level into an open, family-focused hub by expanding the kitchen, blending living and dining spaces, and adding smart storage, kid-friendly finishes, and seamless flooring. The result is a timeless, organic, highly functional space designed to grow with a young family.

PHOTOS BY VICTORIA MOON PHOTOGRAPHY

Kingswood Custom Homes

BEST OUTDOOR LIVING $300K-$500K

Kingswood Custom Homes created “Lookout Manor,” a striking Lake Norman landmark blending timeless stone craftsmanship with modern living. Hand-laid stone walls, dramatic tower elements, and expansive glass capture sweeping water views. An infinity-edge pool cascading toward the lake, terraced outdoor living, and family-focused design deliver a legacy retreat balancing enduring elegance with lakeside lifestyle.

PHOTOS BY PATRICK HOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

Melissa Rieser Interiors

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN $25K-$50K

Melissa Rieser Interiors created a “Polynesian Moody Mid-Century Modern” addition, blending nature-inspired textures, soft oak tones, and rich palettes. Each space features distinct yet cohesive design through curated materials and patterns. The result is an intimate, sophisticated home balancing bold statements with timeless mid-century spirit, elevated yet effortlessly livable, bringing the outdoors in with warmth and craftsmanship.

PHOTOS BY TIFFANY RINGWALD PHOTOGRAPHY

The Closet Niche

BEST SPECIALTY PROJECT $25K-$50K

The Closet Niche’s custom boutique-style closet is a glamorous sanctuary of warm bronze hues, floor-to-ceiling acrylic cabinetry, hand-routed LED lighting, and a double island beneath a crystal chandelier. Thoughtfully engineered to the inch, it blends luxury and function into a refined and indulgent space.

PHOTOS BY CAMERON GLENN, SKYVISION USA

Holliday Homes

BEST CUSTOM WATERFRONT $1M-$1.5M

The Holliday Homes team brought the homeowner’s reimagined vision for their cherished Cornelius waterfront property to life as a stunning Prairie Modern retreat. Clean horizontal lines, custom brickwork, and expansive panoramic windows frame Lake Norman beautifully. From mitered shiplap to a kitchen pass-through window, every detail celebrates the architectural excellence of Ashley J Design and honors the homeowner’s lakeside legacy.

PHOTOS BY: FOUR HORSEMEN MEDIA

Holliday Homes

BEST NEW HOME $1M-$1.5M

The Holliday Homes team, in collaboration with local architect Nicole Perri, transformed an underutilized Davidson lot into six modern cottage homes, each exceeding 3,100 square feet. Thoughtful three-story floorplans maximize vertical space while maintaining a compact footprint and detached two-car garages connected by breezeways add both practicality and charm. With custom millwork, elevator access, main-level primary suites, and distinctive finishes, these walkable infill homes pair timeless cottage character with modern, everyday functionality.

PHOTOS BY: KYLE SCHARF, PROLOCAL

Homestyles Interior Design

BEST PLAN DESIGN NEW HOME $1.5M-$2M

Homestyles Interior Design created a turn-key modern garage retreat that seamlessly blends car-collection storage with elevated entertaining. Rich, moody tones and custom walnut cabinetry set the tone for a sophisticated atmosphere. The main level includes a fully equipped bar with direct outdoor access, while the upper floor offers complete living quarters—kitchen, bedrooms, and baths—ideal for gatherings or short-term stays.

PHOTOS BY: PATRICK HOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

BAAS Construction

BEST NEW HOME $2M+

Davidson Estate: BAAS Construction crafted this nearly 11,000-square-foot private estate across ten secluded acres in Davidson, bringing Ashley J Design’s architectural vision to life. Every space was thoughtfully designed and executed—from the gourmet kitchen and glass-encased wine room to the resort-inspired pool, sauna, and expansive outdoor living. BAAS General Contractor and CEO, Amber Monteith, curated all selections— from materials and finishes to fixtures and details, ensuring cohesion and quiet luxury throughout. The home offers the best of luxury living; grand entertaining, everyday comfort, and the complete privacy only a property of this scale can provide.

PHOTOS BY: SKYCAM DIGITAL

Brenna Morgan Interiors

BEST BATHROOM REMODEL UNDER $50K

Brenna Morgan Interiors reimagined a once-dark bathroom into a bright, welcoming sanctuary. Expanded sightlines, a larger shower, and airy finishes create a sense of openness while delivering everyday functionality for a busy, pet-loving home.

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN $50K+ (PICTURED ABOVE)

Brenna Morgan Interiors reimagined a once-dark bathroom into a bright, welcoming sanctuary. Expanded sightlines, a larger shower, and airy finishes create a sense of openness while delivering everyday functionality for a busy, pet-loving home

BEST FULL HOME REMODEL $500K-$750K

Brenna Morgan Interiors transformed two living rooms and a laundry space into inviting, functional retreats. Thoughtful layouts, refined finishes, and subtle color accents balance everyday durability with elevated design—resulting in cohesive spaces that blend comfort, sophistication, and an efficient, cheerful laundry room.

PHOTOS BY: KATY PERRY, ASCENDANT IMAGING

Craft & Trade

BEST FULL HOME REMODEL $275K-$500K

Craft and Trade Renovations transformed a 1978 lakefront ranch into a modern-traditional sanctuary. Overcoming asbestos, mold, and outdated systems, they created a stunning kitchen with 11-foot lake-view windows, walnut island, and blue quartzite counters. Exterior upgrades; stained tongue- and-groove, bluestone porch, chevron garage door delivered remarkable curb appeal within budget.

PHOTOS BY: TIFFANY RINGWALD

Craft & Trade

BEST OUTDOOR LIVING UNDER $100K

Craft and Trade Renovations conquered an “unbuildable” Mooresville challenge, transforming complex rooflines into an elegant, screened porch retreat. Engineering custom roof crickets for drainage, repurposing existing masonry, and crafting a rustic brick fireplace with herringbone liner, they delivered a cottage-inspired sanctuary. Crown molding with hidden rope lighting, Southern baby blue ceilings, and symmetrical design created the perfect cozy outdoor entertaining space.

PHOTOS BY: TIFFANY RINGWALD

Craft & Trade

BEST PLAN DESIGN BATHROOM REMODEL $50K+

Craft and Trade Renovations transformed an outdated Huntersville master bath into a luxurious sanctuary for busy physicians. They maximized every inch, adding a 9-foot shower with dual systems, freestanding tub on raised platform, his-and-her vanities, double-sided fireplace with privacy screen, heated floors, and custom dog feeding station , creating a spa-like retreat with meticulous craftsmanship.

PHOTOS BY: TIFFANY RINGWALD