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.

Context: Homeowner Takila 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.

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

• It features multiple kitchens, a performance stage, a custom glam closet, basement bar and theater, and playful spaces like a hidden photo booth, she shed, and K-pop room — all built for family connection and entertaining in style.

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.

See inside

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Real Estate Paralegal – Residential Closings at The Miller-Hogue Law Firm, P.C.
2. Association Director of Digital Experience at YMCA of Greater Charlotte.
3. Group Sales Manager at Blumenthal Arts.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

This serene waterfront retreat in Denver, N.C. is our 2025 pick for Best Lakeside Design.

• This new build on Lake Norman uses its architecture to capture sweeping waterfront views at every turn.

Zoom in: Spanning 7,600 square feet, the estate offers room to spread out with seven bedrooms, seven full baths and two half baths.

• Outside, the pool terrace flows seamlessly toward the shoreline, giving the backyard a resort-like feel. A private dock provides easy lake access and extends the home's outdoor lifestyle.

What's next: If you've ever dreamed of living by the water, this may be your chance. The home is listed for sale for $6.75 million.

Take a look around

This remodeled ranch in south Charlotte is our pick for Best Before-and-After.

Before: Built in 1969, the 5,938-square-foot home has six bedrooms and five-and-a-half bathrooms.

• Its original layout featured smaller, disconnected rooms and dim lighting that no longer fit the family's daily life. Heavy wood accents added to the dated feel.

After: The refreshed interior introduces classic details and a brighter color palette, creating a more open, modern feel.

• A spacious kitchen with new appliances anchors the main living area and supports both everyday cooking and entertaining.
• The renovation also added an expansive laundry room, a redesigned primary ensuite and a scullery that doubles as a prep space a

See the transformation

🏚️ A Charlotte roofing contractor has been arrested in an insurance fraud investigation. (WBTV)

🦅 Carolina Raptor Center has named Gabor Zsuppan executive director, per a release.

💳 Jurors have had to wait for a check arrive in the mail in order to be paid for their service. Now, they'll be paid on a debit card as they leave the courthouse. (WUNC)

Sycamore has released a new statement following co-founder Justin Brigham being arrested and charged with raping a 13-year-old. (Instagram)

Four North Carolina men, including two from the Charlotte area, were among more than 20 people identified in a U-Haul after a Neo-Nazi Blood Tribe rally in Little Rock, where bodycam footage showed the group chanting "Heil Hitler" during a police stop. (WCNC)

🏀 Former South Carolina Gamecock A'ja Wilson has been named TIME's 2025 Athlete of the Year, adding to her three WNBA titles and standout college career that included the 2017 national championship.

A Charlotte church is drawing both support and backlash after installing a nativity scene depicting ICE agents confronting the Holy Family, a display meant to spark reflection on immigration enforcement. (WFAE)

News you can use from our partners.

• Fourth Ward's finest can be your home at 500 W. Trade. Choose your own adventure daily — step out to buzzy bars, get active in the spacious parks, or stay home and enjoy the sauna, rooftop hot tub and golf suite. Live the high life.
• Celebrate the season at "Wintersville," a winter wonderland open through Dec. 29 at Discovery Place Kids - Huntersville. Sock skate, toss "snowballs" and explore a flurry of family activities. Join the fun. ⛸️

There's so much festive fun to be had in Charlotte this week.

🕎 Monday: Celebrate Hanukkah with the menorah lighting and other festive activities in Stonecrest. | Free | 4:30pm | Details

🍷 Tuesday: Sip on mystery two-ounce pours paired with a small charcuterie board at DTR Dilworth. | $25+ | 6-8pm | Details

🎁 Wednesday: Play holiday trivia at Angry Ale's. | Free | 8pm | Details

🎄Thursday: Make ornaments at a DIY holiday kokedama workshop at Southern Strain in Plaza Midwood. | $15 | 6:30pm | Details

🎻 Friday: See Cirque de Noël at Knight Theater where aerialists will perform to the music of Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. | $34.19+ | 7:30pm | Details

You can fly nonstop to 191 destinations from Charlotte, including 43 international locations.

Driving the news: American will add flights to Vail, Colorado, from Dec. 19-Jan. 5 and Feb. 12-April 8.

• American will also add service to Aspen, Colorado on Dec. 19. It will be available Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through March 29.
• It's also adding flights to Vero Beach, Florida, on Feb. 12 and nonstop flights to Shenandoah Valley/Staunton, Va., starting Feb. 3, and Lewisburg, W.Va., starting Feb. 10.
• Frontier will add temporary service to New Orleans from Feb. 12-22 and a nonstop route to Cancun, Mexico, starting March 6.
• Etihad will launch service to Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026.

All the direct flights you can take from CLT