The chamber project is building this house on Poole Place, off Bailey Road in Cornelius, for the Patterson family.

CORNELIUS – Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce members have hit their goal of raising $71,500 to pay for construction of a Habitat for Humanity House for a family in Cornelius. The group hit the target thanks to a recent fund-raising party and last-minute pledges from local businesses, according to Denis Bilodeau, chair of the chamber board’s community affairs division.

The chamber had been raising money and planning the Business Build project since last fall, according to Mr. Bilodeau, who also is president of Aquesta Insurance Services Inc. Wells Fargo kicked off the effort by committing $50,000, of which $20,000 was set up as a matching challenge: The Chamber had to raise another $20,000 to get the rest. Read the full story

The Davidson Design Review Board will meet Wednesday, May 16, to hear a presentation about a proposed restaurant renovation at the rear of 202 S. Main St., the former pilates studio behind Ben & Jerry’s. The board also will discuss planning ordinance revisions for murals and rules for the board’s responsibilities as the town’s Historic Preservation Commission. Read the full story

Painted lampshades, crystal spheres and a turquoise-themed chandelier were among the lighting designs at High Point Market.

Lighting is so essential in our homes and businesses. Yet for so long the choices in lighting styles, materials and forms were rather limited. Today we have more choices as seen at this spring’s High Point Market.

Jamie Young added a decorative touch to his painted lamp shades as pictured above. The delicately painted Oriental scenes of flora and fauna with birds very much resembled the expensive hand painted murals seen primarily on walls. Placed on silver lamp bases, both short and tall, these painted lamp shades are an effective way to add pattern and interest in a room, especially those that are decorated in neutral colors. Read the full story

CHARLOTTE ― The Charlotte Regional Realtor Association Housing Opportunity Foundation is seeking applicants for grants up to $2,500 from its Community Grants Program. The four-year-old program provides monetary support to nonprofit organizations in Mecklenburg and Iredell counties that address unmet housing needs. Read the full story

Henderson Properties, a real estate company with offices in Davidson and four other Charlotte area locations, is holding a Great Spring Spruce-Up Contest, offer four winners a half day each of exterior “home enhancement services” from its maintenance team. Read the full story

Judges examined the office designed by Tina Goins (center), which won best room. (Ashlie DeCaron photo)

MOORESVILLE – A trio of designers took home awards Tuesday night in Our Towns Habitat for Humanity’s second annual ReStore Restyle design challenge at the Mooresville ReStore. The fundraiser required designers to decorate a 10×10 themed room using items from the Mooresville and Cornelius Habitat ReStores. Read the full story