Located just south of uptown, intersected by the light rail, bursting with new condos and trendy restaurants is Historic South End.
Once home to a thriving textile industry until that trade moved off shore and left crumbling abandoned warehouses. A revitalization began when businesses started moving back to the uptown area causing the energy (and wealth) to splash out on all sides. One pink building and few food trucks later we have the popular South End neighborhood. It’s an exciting place to be.
Popping up along the South Blvd/S. Tryon corridor are home furnishing boutiques, design studios and warehouse showrooms creating a Furniture and Design District. Gone are the days when design was dominated by a few stores. There is something for every style and budget reflecting the growth of the city. Here are some of the key players:
The Furniture Connector
Rodney Hines has a passion for home furnishings. He’s the owner and curator of three stores in the South End area (The Furniture Connector, High Cotton Home and  South End Trading Company). The Furniture Connector is the flag ship. Opened in 2001 it has attracted a loyal customer base seeking beautiful and affordable furniture. Rodney isn’t tethered to one design style which gives all his stores a unique flair.
2905 Griffith St   Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm
High Cotton Home
A carefully edited collection of furnishings from designers like Thom Filicia, Annie Selke and Michael Weiss. All  lines are made in the USA with upholstery made in North Carolina (LOVE that). I encourage a “walk through” at High Cotton Home for sheer inspiration. Each vignette is styled to perfection. Customize the upholstered pieces with help from the design staff.
2137 South Blvd  Mon-Sat 10am-6pm  Sun 1pm-5pm
Southend Trading Company
Southend Trading Company has a relaxed ease about it. A laid back vibe…. like it just came together with no effort. It has moderately priced one-of-a kind pieces like tables made from reclaimed wood, easy to customize pieces from the Vanguard Collection, lively pieces from American Bungalow and a line of kids furniture. Yes, good looking kids / youth furnishings with a friendly, experienced staff to help with design.
2935 Griffith St Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm
Kauffman and Company
Kauffman and Co (formerly Barnwood Classic) co-owned by Jonathan Kauffman, a furniture craftsman, who specializes in furniture made from reclaimed and exotic woods. I suggest going to the showroom/workroom to see the stock design pieces in person. Anything can be customized tweaking the size, style or finish. This is furniture made the old fashion way–a good design and hard work.
120 West Worthington Ave Tues-Sat 10am-4pm
Bird Decorative Hardware
Hardware is one of those make or break details in interior design. Bird Hardware has decorative door and cabinet hardware, plumbing fixtures, and bath accessories. They carry it all from the unique to the traditional and everything in between. A staff that can help make selections and arrange installation is a big bonus when working on a project that requires specifying hardware.
2116 Hawkins St Suite 400 Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
Acquisitions
The casually sophisticated style of Acquisitions mixes imported antiques from England and France with their signature ACQ line of reproductions. The Charlotte warehouse is stocked with classic upholstered furniture including some of the MOST beautiful leather chairs I have ever seen.
2202 Hawkins St  Mon-Fri 10am-5:30pm  Sat 11am-5pm
By Design
Like a breath of fresh air By Design Furniture brings a  modern European sense of style to South End. Great design meets function. They have furniture for every room. Think hip urban professional outfitting a new condo or an established family outfitting a media room for a traditional home. Moderately priced with an energetic, helpful design staff.
2130 South Blvd Mon-Sat 10am-7pm  Sun 12pm-6pm
Boulevard Home Furnishing Bazaar
Show room samples sold at HUGE discounts with new shipments arriving every week. Have you ever wondered what happens to all those samples from the Furniture Market? They end up in places like Boulevard Home Furnishing Bazaar. If you see something you like—act fast! Merchandise moves quickly. A warehouse full of rugs, upholstered furniture, case goods. accessories and fabric can be a bit overwhelming. Don’t fret, an interior designer is on hand (Debrorah) for guidance. One of the first retailers to move to South End, they have witnessed the metamorphosis from abandoned to hot spot.
3021 Griffith St  Fri & Sat 10am-5pm Sun 1pm-5pm
Post & Gray
Post & Gray offers unique home accents from vintage to modern and global to hand-crafted. A one stop resource for art, lighting, draperies, rugs and furniture. Kelley and John Vieregg have been in the home furnishing business for over 20 years. Kelley is an accomplished interior designer with her office on site. Together they have created a original warehouse “boutique” showcasing local vendors and current trends in home furnishing.
2139 South Tryon St Tues-Sat 10am-5pm Sun 1pm-5pm
 Abode
Abode=Home. Owner Mary Tobias Miller, has spent her life studying and executing beautiful design. Abode is merely an extension of her design decorum. Furnture and accessories for every room. Some items can be customized and there is plenty to buy right off the floor to pretty up your abode.
201 W Worthington Ave  Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
LaDonna’s Antiques
LaDonna Harris has great taste. That is simply all you need to know. Her store/warehouse is an ever changing flurry of elegant furnishings and interesting accessories. Items you won’t find anywhere else. Trust us, this is the secret sauce and secret source for many a local tastemaker.
2216 Hawkins St  Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Modern Fabrics
Gorgeous fabrics rescued from the cutting room floor and sold to YOU at a discount. That’s the short version of the story. Basically, upholsterers waste yards and yards of fabric and sometimes furniture companies order too much. Modern Fabrics reclaims designer commercial grade fabrics like Luna, Pollack and Maharam and sells them by the yard. Additionally, they sell residential designer fabrics online like Ralph Lauren, Lee Jofa and Donghia. If you are in the market for affordable fabric this is the place to go.
1504 Camden Rd, Suite 300 Wednesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm
South End Exchange
A true consignor (AND located right beside Prices’s Chicken Coop)Â South End Exchange has an inventory that includes just about everything. Shop for estate antiques, designer home furnishings, interesting accessories. If you are looking to downsize, check out the consignment procedures on their website.
1616 Camden Rd Mon 10-4 Tues-Sat 10-6
 The Boulevard at South End
Known for local, handmade gifts and accessories, The Boulevard at South End offers some unique home accessories including hand painted furniture. A go-to gift boutique pick up something for yourself and your home.
1440 S Tryon St #100 Mon-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm  Sun 12pm-4pm
 Darnell & Company
Darnell & Company is a “To The Trade” only showroom which means you must be accompanied by your interior designer to shop there. Â Kristin and Stuart Darnell opened their showroom in 2000 bringing years of experience and a keen sense of style to the design community. The mission is to offer the interior designer a place to shop with a client for furniture, lighting and accessories.
118 E Kingston Ave  Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
 Renaissance Tile
A stunning showroom and a knowledgeable staff will help create the perfect bath oasis. Tile overwhelms me. It’s the math. Leave it to the professionals and visit Renaissance Tile and Bath. Whether you want to update a back splash or do an entire bath room, go talk to them.
2041 South Blvd Suite A  Mon-Fri  10am-5pm
Ferguson Lighting, Kitchen & Bath
When you walk into the Ferguson Showroom, you’ll appreciate the incredible quality of the fixtures and lighting. It’s great to be able to see and touch the fixtures. Product experts can help fit the scope of your job and budget (thank goodness).
2000 South Blvd Suit 510 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm  Sat 10am-5pm
Lantern & Scroll
Interior and exterior cooper lighting with fabulous customer service. As Copper Lighting Company’s only factory-direct store, Lantern & Scroll can offer their customers the best price on handmade copper lighting, as well as direct access to their designers for custom fixtures. Every step of the fabrication process takes place in America which means higher quality and hands on attention.
2041 South Blvd Suite C  Tues-Fri 10:30am-5pm, Sat 10:30am-4pm
Take yourself on a shopping adventure through the South End Design District. Tell them you read about it in Scoop Charlotte!
