History of CJMW and the Graylyn Estate in Winston-Salem, North Carolina

CJMW Architecture + Interior Design has been the creative partner for one of North Carolina’s most storied properties since the late 1920s. Nearly a century later, that relationship, built on trust, continuity, and a shared commitment to the estate’s story, is still going strong.

In the late 1920s, Luther Lashmit, a principal at Northup and O’Brien, the firm that would evolve into what is today CJMW Architecture + Interior Design, designed Graylyn Estate for tobacco magnate Bowman Gray and his wife Nathalie. Built between 1927 and 1932 in the Norman Revival style, the Manor House was an extraordinary assemblage of imported interiors: a Medieval entrance hall, a Persian paneled card room, a Louis XIV library from Paris, a Georgian sitting room from London, an Art Deco indoor swimming pool, and an imposing circular stair hall with wrought iron by J. Barton Benson. Today, Graylyn is one of the country’s most enchanting historic hotels, with 85 guest rooms and a sophisticated conference center just minutes from downtown Winston-Salem. Wake Forest University, which now stewards the property, has trusted CJMW to care for it ever since.

CJMW: A Trusted Partner Across the Estate

The firm’s work spans the estate. The Manor House. Bernard Cottage, where Mrs. Gray spent her later years. The Bungalows, formerly the gardener’s quarters. Outdoor spaces. Public areas. The administration building. And most recently, The Mews, a renovation of the estate’s agricultural complex guest rooms, which recently housed the German national soccer team as their official base camp for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Named the #2 Best Boutique Hotel in the United States by USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards, Graylyn is a property that rewards deep familiarity. Each building has its own history and character, and CJMW has earned the trust to shape how that story is told across the property as a whole.

“After the third-floor renovation, the thought process became: what would Mrs. Gray do?” says Rachel Stafford, Interior Designer at CJMW. “She had a very curated home. The paneling in the Manor House came from a specific room in Europe that she had shipped over. They imported everything, from fireplaces to furniture. There is a rich history throughout the property, and we have always tried to honor that.”

“No two spaces should ever look the same, because the Manor House is not Bernard Cottage, and Bernard is not The Mews. It’s about ensuring the story of Graylyn continues.”

A renovation of Bernard Cottage is currently underway. John Wise, who leads the Graylyn team, is a consistent champion of the property, and his willingness to partner with CJMW has allowed us to participate in the transformation of an amazing estate.

The Mews: Agricultural Heritage, Elevated

The Mews complex sits at the working heart of what the Graylyn estate once was: stables, livestock, grain storage, a stable master’s quarters. A converted silo anchors the courtyard. Original stone surfaces remain in some guest rooms. Exposed rafters run through others. It is a place full of character, and CJMW saw an opportunity to let that character lead.

Graylyn was ready to elevate The Mews, and the vision was to fully realize what it had always had the potential to be: a place where the agricultural history of the estate was legible and celebrated, translated into a guest experience that matched Graylyn’s standing.

“The character of the space needed to convey an approachable farm aesthetic,” Stafford explains. “Not in a themed way, but with a transitional farmhouse approach.”

Engineered hardwood floors ground each room. Fabrics, textures, and patterns reference the materiality of the original farm buildings. Existing artwork from the estate collection was recirculated and reframed where context supported it. Among the more considered design moves: a custom furniture piece that integrates a mini refrigerator and in-room safe into a single dresser, the kind of detail guests notice without necessarily knowing why the room feels more thoughtful than others they have stayed in.

Two Phases, One Vision

The renovation was delivered in two phases: nine rooms first, then the remaining 26, sequenced around Graylyn’s operating calendar and budget. Vannoy Construction served as general contractor, managing construction within strict hours while guests remained on property.

The use of local and regional partners was intentional. Woodbridge, the High Point-based furniture manufacturer, developed a semi-custom collection with CJMW tailored to The Mews. The Art Shop handled art framing and installation. Walker Drapery, a Raleigh firm with a long history at the property, returned as well.

“They really try to promote local,” Stafford says, “because it also tells the story of being here at Graylyn, in North Carolina, with amazing creative resources all around us. Everyone really championed this project in a way that does not often happen.”

No two rooms in The Mews are identical. Ceiling heights shift, floor plans vary, and the range of guestrooms and suites posed a unique challenge to the team. “What came together was more of a collection than a package,” Stafford says. “Each room has its own character, but they all feel unmistakably like The Mews.”

FIFA Finds The Mews

The CJMW team did not know what was coming when The Mews renovation wrapped. Graylyn had been quietly in conversations with the German national soccer team about serving as their FIFA World Cup 2026 base camp. The design team was not informed until the deal was done, and The Mews went on to host the team throughout their World Cup run.

Germany’s selection reflected both the quality of the property and its unique sense of place. The estate’s European architectural character, its privacy, and its proximity to Wake Forest’s training facilities made it a natural fit. “Graylyn has a very European feel, so I understand the appeal,” Stafford says. “And I think the Southern hospitality that’s an innate characteristic of Graylyn played a key role. Their team wanted to feel connected to the community. I think they felt like they could do that here.”

What Gets Built Over a Hundred Years

“We have always wanted to work on The Mews and had never been presented that opportunity,” Stafford reflects. “So when we finally got it, knowing we were able to prove ourselves time and time again, that was really rewarding. Anytime we get invited back, it feels like a win.”

“We pride ourselves on listening and truly diving into the story of what makes a property unique,” she adds. “I think Graylyn recognizes that. They feel heard. But more than anything, it comes down to the fact that we care. We care about the property. It is part of our community. And that is what motivates us to keep showing up for them.”

Nearly a century after Luther Lashmit first put pencil to paper for the Gray family, the work continues.