An Inspiring Morning at the Mint Museum Auxiliary Spring Symposium

There are certain mornings that stay with you, not because of any one moment, but because of how everything comes together so effortlessly.

The Mint Museum Auxiliary Spring Symposium was one of those mornings.

Set against the backdrop of one of Charlotte’s most beloved cultural spaces, the day unfolded with a sense of ease—thoughtful conversations, familiar faces, and a shared appreciation for design in its many forms.

At the heart of it was a conversation with Nate Berkus and Adam Rathe—one that felt less like a formal presentation and more like being invited into a dialogue on how we live with and experience our homes. Their perspective continues to resonate: that design is not just about how a space looks, but how it feels, how it functions, and how it reflects the people who live within it.

Throughout the morning, there was a quiet reminder of why spaces matter. Not in a grand, over-explained way, but in the subtle details—the layering of textures, the balance of old and new, and the intention behind every choice.

It was also a moment to reconnect. Time spent with Renada, Patty, and Pam made the experience feel even more personal, reinforcing what we love most about this industry: the relationships behind the work.

Events like the Spring Symposium offer more than inspiration. They create space to pause, to observe, and to return to our work with a renewed sense of clarity. A reminder that great design is not rushed. It’s collected, considered, and deeply personal.

And sometimes, it all begins with a morning like this.