Dec 15, 2025 - Real Estate

Charlotte's 2025 Home of the Year is a family dream home built for fun

Alexis Clinton

A modern white house with black roof in a green yard, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky, with a concrete driveway leading up to the home. — The homeowner envisioned this exact home on a vision board years before her "dream home" was built. Photo: Courtesy of SkyCam Digital

This Davidson estate — part playground, part retreat — is our 2025 Home of the Year winner for its vibrant mix of family living and entertainment-focused design.

Why it matters: Our eighth annual Home of the Year award highlights the area's most exceptional residential design, and this home delivers with thoughtful architecture built for connection and fun.

What they're saying: For homeowner Takila Williams Naylor, the vision was clear. "I wanted our home to be a space where we could entertain, where people can come here, feel like they're at home, but we can still have a party and have fun."

Context: Williams Naylor spent five years imagining a home that had everything her daughter, family and guests could possibly want.

Her goal was simple: to create a cozy, timeless home and infuse it with plenty of engaging spaces.
Construction began with another builder, stalled for years, and was ultimately brought to life by Grandfather Homes.

Open black-framed glass doors lead into a bright, modern living room with white walls, light chevron wood floors, a lit Christmas tree near stairs, and a second-floor balcony. — Photo: Courtesy of Josh Martin with Scrypt Media

Layout: Spanning 9,000 square feet, the custom home includes seven bedrooms, seven full baths and a half bath.

Its clean, organic design blends classic Southern warmth with modern-luxury touches — from neutral tones to wood-ceiling details that ground each room.
The look avoids going too modern or too farmhouse, striking a timeless, welcoming balance.

Bright living room with white walls, wood ceiling, beige chairs, white sofa, fireplace, TV showing snowy forest, Christmas tree, and modern decor with light hardwood floors. — In the primary level, the family can enjoy a glass of wine, feel fancy, and still relax like they're at home, with indoor-outdoor living that flows seamlessly from the inside out. Photo: Josh Martin with Scrypt Media

Zoom in: Williams Naylor describes the main level as a blend of family-friendly comfort and Ritz-level elegance.

At its center, an open-concept kitchen anchors the first floor — perfect for a couple who loves to entertain — while a hidden second kitchen now serves as their daughter's baking space.

Bright modern kitchen with black island, wooden stools, white cabinets, brass fixtures, light wood floors, wood-paneled ceiling, and dining area with black chairs and large windows. — The primary kitchen features include a champagne trough sink and Wolf/Sub-Zero appliances— a non-negotiable request from her husband. Photo: Courtesy of Josh Martin with Scrypt Media

Modern white kitchen with black countertop, brass handles, double stainless steel oven with red knobs, open shelves with dishes, fruit bowl, and gold faucet over black sink. — Inside the secondary kitchen, located behind the large cabinet doors of the primary kitchen, is a double oven and plenty of space to prep for meals. Photo: Courtesy of Josh Martin with Scrypt Media

Bright dining area with wooden ceiling, light floor, dark round table surrounded by four chairs with cushions, gold chandelier, white built-in shelves, and large window overlooking wooded backyard. — Outside, they have a fireplace and grill. Photo: Courtesy of Josh Martin with Scrypt Media

Modern laundry room with gray cabinets, front-loading washer and dryer, white countertops, black faucet, open shelves with towels and decor, gray tile floor, and a large gold pendant light. — A spacious walk-in laundry room also comes with a dog shower. Photo: Josh Martin with Scrypt Media

Upstairs is every teenage girl's dream — a bunk room built for slumber parties, complete with a performance stage, fridge and art bar for the family's crafty daughter.

A nearby bonus media room with a wet bar, plus a hidden dollhouse-style room filled with her K-pop treasures, rounds out the floor.

Bright white kids' bedroom with two sets of bunk beds featuring black and white polka dot bedding and brown accent pillows, light wood floor, built-in shelves, and large window with toys. — The family occasionally watches their daughter rehearse on the stage, but she mostly uses it for karaoke. Photo: Josh Martin with Scrypt Media

Bright modern bathroom with large glass shower enclosure featuring gold fixtures, white tiled walls, a built-in tub, and a white vanity with gold faucet and wall sconces. — Every bathroom has its own unique design to provide a peaceful feel, and it's filled with high-quality custom details. Photo: SkyCam Digital

Though she built countless whimsical spaces for her daughter, Williams Naylor reserved a touch of glam for herself.

Her all-white boutique closet — spacious enough for friends or mother-daughter dress-up — comes with glass doors, a vanity and a champagne refrigerator stocked with rosé.

Bright white walk-in closet with glass-front cabinets, light wood floor, marble countertop, and modern black and white pendant lights hanging from ceiling. — When she described her inspiration, the designer behind the custom closet, Nick DeBlander with E&P Trimwork Inc., compared it to Kim Kardashian's — to which Williams Naylor replied, "Let's call it Kila's Closet. All the Kardashians' things start with a K. If they can have the best, why can't I?" Photo: Courtesy of Josh Martin with Scrypt Media

The family's leisure level continues downstairs in the basement, where nearly every corner invites play.

Designed for entertainment, the floor features gaming areas, a full bar, a movie theater, a "she shed," a hidden photo-booth room and a gym with mirrored walls for choreography practice — a nod to her days as a Panthers cheerleader.
"If you're going out with friends, you can go out with them in my basement and have just as much fun," Williams Naylor said.

Spacious modern open-plan interior with light wood flooring, white walls, curved wood staircase with black metal railings, hanging pendant lights, kitchen island, large windows overlooking trees. — The family is still getting settled, so this is the space right after construction. Photo: SkyCam Digital

Empty rectangular room with light wooden floor, white walls, a wooden accent wall with large mirrors, two black ceiling fans, and recessed ceiling lights. — Inside their gym area before they moved in. Now it doubles as a space for workouts, dance practice and fun mother-daughter time. Photo: SkyCam Digital

Modern bathroom with white marble tiles, gold fixtures, a glass shower, wood vanity with white countertop, two wall sconces, and a vertical gold-framed mirror. — Each bathroom was crafted to feel luxurious and intentional, giving guests a spa-like, high-end hotel experience. Photo: Josh Martin with Scrypt Media

What's next: The home's playful features are only the beginning. Williams Naylor plans to expand the backyard with an in-ground trampoline, an outdoor theater, a pool and a garden tea area to complete her vision.

Go deeper: Check out our other 2025 Home of the Year winners, including Best Before-and-After and Best Lakeside Design.

Charlotte's 2025 Home of the Year is a family dream home built for fun

More Charlotte stories