New Home, Old Soul
Text by Blake Miller; Photography by Stephen Karlisch; Styled by Ben Reynaert
This article appeared in the November/December 2027 issue of Home Design & Decor’s Charlotte and Triangle editions.
Amanda Lantz celebrates UNC heritage with spirited patterns and a healthy dose of Carolina blue in this Chapel Hill residence.
For designer Amanda Lantz, the inspiration for this Chapel Hill new build was personal from the start. The clients are UNC alumni, and the husband played football for the university—a connection that quietly informs the interiors, from flashes of Carolina blue to custom iconography and collected pieces. "Their goal was to create a home that pays homage to the university while maintaining the warmth, comfort, and livability of a primary family residence," says Lantz.
Just steps from campus, the three-story residence pairs traditional architecture with a more layered, editorial sensibility: florals meet paisleys and plaids, while antiques and art lend the new construction an air of provenance. Designed with game-day entertaining in mind, the generously scaled kitchen encourages lingering, while a tailored bar anchors the entry.
Throughout, sight lines create an effortless dialogue between the main living spaces and the outdoors. The finishing touch was the artful layering of accessories and vintage finds, which brought depth, patina, and personality to every room. The result is polished yet relaxed—a home that feels collected rather than decorated, and distinctly its own.