Photography by Michael Blevins
With an abundance of home-inspired TikTok videos, dreamy magazines spreads and TV shows, beautiful spaces are a dime a dozen perhaps now more than ever. So what sets design work apart in a seemingly-saturated market? Enter: Layton Campbell of JLayton Interiors and Myron Greer of Myron Greer Garden Design. It’s undeniable that both designers are incredibly versatile with their range and creativity, but it’s their unique dynamic—humor, passion and out-of-the-box thinking—that really brings something special to the scene. Their individual and combined business ethos: Surpassing expectations, an element that has established the duo as some of the most sought after designers on the East Coast.
We met and became friends years ago,” Campbell says. “I had always admired Myron’s work and extensive knowledge in the realm of garden and landscape design. We both have such passion for our professions and I believe that is why we work so well together. Plus, he’s hysterically funny and we always have a good time.”
Greer recalls meeting Campbell and immediately hitting it off. The pair talked about their crafts and the idea of being “somewhat young” and green entrepreneurs.
“My husband and I started follow ing his work and I really admired his incredible talent of showcasing his own style in his design, instead of creating copies of others’ work,” Greer says. “He has a wonderful eye for color and texture, and thinks spa- ciously and outside the box.”
With Greer’s work centering in the Charlotte area, and Campbell’s projects stretching from Charleston to Charlotte, Nantucket and New York, the pair has ample opportunity to work together. Perhaps the best perk of the pairing? Using their expertise to improve each others’ homes.
“When we did our addition/renovation Myron designed a beautiful back yard that feels like we have our very own park right out the back door,” Campbell says. “The addition of the outdoor fireplace is not only a gorgeous focal point but also the place where we most love to be.”
Campbell adds that after a tornado hit his home in February of 2020, Greer created a curb appeal moment that quickly became a neighborhood favorite. In return, Campbell organized and designed a beautiful space in
Greer’s Dilworth home—an area that is now both com- fortable and practical.
“We live in a small bungalow, and Layton’s use of space in his design was very important to us in terms of functionality and livability,” Greer says. “He introduced textiles that we would have never thought of, and the end result is just spectacular. For example, we turned an old coat closet into a wet bar that we promptly christened when the project was completed.”
But not all projects come together like a puzzle. The designers’ most recent collaboration—a European, art-inspired home with a contemporary flair in Myer’s Park— took place during the pandemic, garnering a unique set of obstacles.
“Delays and even things that were ultimately discontinued are becoming the new norm that designers are having to navigate,” Campbell says. “The clients have been incredibly patient, and the reward paid off.”
Campbell adds that the family’s personal art collection served as a springboard to the main color palette, and the modern lighting and decor brought the contemporary element to the home’s authentic architectural bones. Every interior element, from the moulding to the smallest piece of hardware on a cabinet door, were thoughtfully selected.
“From there, my job was to create exterior space that complemented Layton’s interior,” Greer says. Given the smaller land footprint of the residence, Greer’s challenge was optimizing the front and back landscape space with a courtyard concept. The designer adds that every selection was strategic.
“In the front I created wider sets of steps and larger lawn pavers to connect my parking court to the front door for a more generous space,” Greer says. “By elevating the front lawn with retaining walls, and flanking the home with matching Kousa Dogwoods and mixed flowering borders, my courtyard feel for the front was complete.”
Greer continued his work in the back with a centered swimming pool and spa, and an outdoor grilling island and patio flanked with four matching Eagleston Holly Trees. Because the lawn space was on the smaller size, the designer opted for artificial turf as a low maintenance option. Finally, the climbing rose and espaliered Clematis and Jasmine were chosen to accentuate the framed horizontal fencing and provide a wider sense of space.
Throughout this project, and all of their collaborations, the designers spur each other on with a shared fascination and respect for the others’ craft.
“I’m inspired by Myron’s incredible eye for detail and his demand for excellence,” Campbell says. “Not to mention the breadth and depth of his abilities to navigate both landscape and hard- scape design.”
And in turn, Greer admires Campbell’s deeply honed-in business sense.
“It’s his assertiveness and his confidence in himself, to create his own brand and business,” Greer says. “He knows just how to tap into his natural talents and craft. He has impeccable style.”
