TALL, DARK & STYLED
By Brandy Woods Snow; Photography by Brie Williams
This article appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of Home Design & Decor’s Charlotte edition.
Designer Teri Thomas creates quiet comfort with masculine style in this Myers Park condo.
When John Granzow purchased his new construction, three-bedroom condo in Myers Park, he knew he needed more than just furniture—he needed finesse in a well-edited, lock-and-leave design. A busy investment banker with two grown children and an active lifestyle, Granzow wanted his new home to reflect his rhythm—refined yet relaxed, masculine without being moody, modern but warm. On a trusted recommendation, he turned to designer Teri Thomas for the sophisticated, layered approach he desired for his new home.
“I wasn’t actively looking for a new home when I stumbled upon the condo, but I was drawn to the location’s charm,” Granzow says. “The moment I saw it, I was struck by the natural light, character, and setting.”
For Thomas, the project was a dream job because Granzow gave her full creative freedom. “It was a true blank canvas,” Thomas says. “We were able to come in at the start, select colors and finishes, and shape architectural details to fit our aesthetic and suit John’s lifestyle.” The result is what she calls a “handsome” home—streamlined and nuanced, welcoming and comfortable. It’s a place to entertain as well as relax without any fuss.
Thomas first added arches to define the dining space from the rest of the open-concept main living area. Walnut cabinetry was selected in the kitchen, injecting warmth and giving the luxurious appeal of a paneled room. A nine-foot hallway leading into the owner’s suite features floor-to-ceiling cupboards that maximize discrete storage while softening the aesthetic with custom-designed leather upholstered doors accented by a unique nailhead trim.
The design leans heavily into texture to create dynamic interest and comfortable appeal with leather, chenille, wood, stone, and metal used throughout. The powder room delivers high impact in a small space, pairing a woven bark wallcovering with a sleek concrete sink and marble countertop. In the dining room, a textured bronze chandelier and metallic paper on the ceiling add elegance and subtle drama. An iron bed in the guest room and shelving above the bar echo strength and structure.
Color, too, plays a pivotal role. The open concept main living areas are anchored by the kitchen, which Thomas calls “the star of the show,” where an earthy palette sets a grounded tone, accented with rich hints of blue, green, orange, and taupe, drawn from the expressive quartzite backsplash. The owner’s suite and guest space utilize a restrained palette of earth tones in browns and grays to create calm and compose spaces of repose.
“The result was a refined yet inviting home with a tailored blend of rich textures, bold artwork, and sculptural finishing,” Thomas says. “We were able to give John a serene and structured space grounded in comfort, clarity, and quiet luxury.”
For Granzow, his home is a personal retreat, balancing elegance and livability. “Every room tells a story,” he says. “Teri and her team translated that vision into every detail to create a home that feels truly me.”