Home in Raleigh, North Carolina is evolving, but not by forgetting where it came from. Instead, the Triangle area is embracing a design movement that blends tradition, personal history, and bold creativity. On this episode of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Michael Kooiman, publisher of Home Design & Decor Magazine, and Vicky Serany, founder of Southern Studio Interior Design, to explore how design trends, storytelling, and community connections are redefining what home means in Wake County.

As one of the most dynamic cities in North Carolina, Raleigh in January offers a quieter kind of richness with fewer crowds, deeper experiences, and a renewed focus on living well.

On this episode of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Ken Combs, founder and CEO of CQC Home, one of the Triangle area’s most respected design build and remodeling firms. Their conversation covers everything from kitchen and bath renovations to leadership, timelines, and the biggest mistakes homeowners make before a project even begins.

Raleigh and Wilmington have always shared a natural connection. Whether it is weekend beach trips, second homes on the coast, or longtime residents who split their time between the Triangle and the shoreline, the relationship between these two North Carolina communities runs deep. Now, that connection is getting even stronger.

Buying a home in Raleigh, North Carolina is not just a transaction, it is a life decision that shapes everything from your monthly stress level to your long term financial flexibility. On this episode of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with local mortgage expert Michael Martin to unpack what a mortgage really represents in today’s Triangle housing market.

If your mind feels cluttered before the day even starts, you are not alone. Between packed calendars, family logistics, work deadlines, and the constant mental list of things that still need to be done, many Raleigh residents are carrying more than they realize.