Meet Lisa Mende, the vivacious blonde interior designer who has been beautifying rooms in Charlotte and beyond for close to 20 years. Mende began her career in fashion, and that love remains and informs her interiors. She found herself decorating for friends and family and decided, at age 32, to pursue the field full time. After design school, Mende worked for a local kitchen and bath firm before starting her own company. She is sought out for her bold, modern interiors that spring from tradition. She loves the balance of antique and vintage pieces merged with the fresh and new and is passionate about art.
Mende’s fashion background makes her adept at mixing color and texture. She has worked on numerous showhouses and speaks on interior design and social media panels around the country. The indefatigable designer travels the world looking for unique finds for her clients, but perhaps most delightful is traveling with Mende around her native Charlotte, where her energy and enthusiasm are on full display.
But first, Where to Stay in Charlotte
The Duke Mansion is one of the most iconic places to stay, and you can walk through the history of Charlotte and the life of Doris Duke on the second floor. It’s such a gem tucked away in the Myers Park neighborhood with acres of gardens and grounds.
The Ritz-Carlton has the best spa in Charlotte. They do creative cocktails in the bar, and you feel like you are in the big city.
Produced and written by Alice Welsh Doyle | Photography by Anna Naphtali