---
title: "Carte Blanche Studio — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz"
canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/carte-blanche-studio-pfvwus-pf~1452640352
markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1452640352.md
entity_type: LocalBusiness
business_name: "Carte Blanche Studio"
category: ["Architects"]
image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/8113f7a404de6061_1279-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg
address: "Los Angeles, California 90232, United States"
latitude: 34.0168
longitude: -118.3973
phone: "(310) 567-0763"
website: http://carte-blanche-studio.com
rating: 5
review_count: 8
license_verified: true
best_of_houzz_awards: 6
followers: 102
last_updated: 2026-09-23
---

# Carte Blanche Studio

> Los Angeles Full-Service Architectural Design Firm

Original Houzz profile: [Carte Blanche Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/carte-blanche-studio-pfvwus-pf~1452640352)

## Professional summary

- **Primary category:** Architects
- **Location:** Los Angeles, CA
- **Serves:** Los Angeles, Bel Air, Brentwood Los Angeles, Hollywood, Venice, Glendale, Santa Monica, Redondo Beach, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Culver City, West Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, View Park-Windsor Hills, Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, Palos Verdes, Playa del Rey
- **Verified License:** Yes
- **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (8 reviews)
- **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2018–2025), for Service, Design.

## About

### Houzz Badges

- Houzz Pro Software User
- Star Houzzer
- Recommended on Houzz
- 1,000 Ideabook Saves
- Best of Houzz winner
- Award winning
- Offers Custom Work

### Business highlights

- Best of Houzz winner
- Award winning
- Offers Custom Work

At Carte Blanche we relish the potential of the blank page.  We strive to begin every project without preconceived notions of where we will end up.

This open minded approach allows us to truly listen and understand our client's desires, fully interpret a site's potential, and ultimately craft these elements into the best design possible.

The root of our design process consists of asking questions of our clients and listening to their answers.  From this simple task the basis of a design begins to emerge.  As the design begins to grow, careful analysis and constant client interaction slowly shape it.   The result is a project that appears effortless and inevitable, a form that is perfectly suited to its function and surroundings.

### Services Provided

- Architectural Design
- Building Design
- Home Remodeling
- Architectural Drawings
- Custom Homes
- House Plans
- New Home Construction
- Home Additions
- Home Extensions
- Sustainable Design
- Energy-Efficient Homes
- Floor Plans
- 3D Rendering
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
- Space Planning
- Guesthouse Design & Construction
- Multigenerational Homes
- Pool House Design & Construction
- Home Restoration

### Areas Served

- Los Angeles
- Bel Air
- Brentwood Los Angeles
- Hollywood
- Venice
- Glendale
- Santa Monica
- Redondo Beach
- Encino
- Sherman Oaks
- Culver City
- West Hollywood
- Manhattan Beach
- Beverly Hills
- Pacific Palisades
- Hermosa Beach
- El Segundo
- View Park-Windsor Hills
- Marina del Rey
- Playa Vista
- Palos Verdes
- Playa del Rey

### Typical Job Cost

$500,000 - 10 million

## Business Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Business Name | Carte Blanche Studio |
| Address | Los Angeles, California 90232, United States |
| Phone | (310) 567-0763 |
| Website | http://carte-blanche-studio.com |
| Followers on Houzz | 102 |

**Social profiles:**
- Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Carte-Blanche-Studio-1448707545359509/
- Blog — http://www.carte-blanche-studio.com/

## Contact

- **Houzz profile:** [Carte Blanche Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/carte-blanche-studio-pfvwus-pf~1452640352)
- **Website:** http://carte-blanche-studio.com
- **Phone:** (310) 567-0763

## Credentials

**Verified License**
- Number: C 32866
- Type: Architect
- Issued by: California Architects Board

**Certifications & Awards**
- Licensed Architect

- **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2018–2025), for Service, Design.

**Affiliations**
- [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471)
- [AIA Los Angeles](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-los-angeles-pfvwus-pf~1829789113)

## Reviews

**Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 8 reviews**

*Aspect averages:*
- Work Quality: 5.0
- Communication: 5.0
- Value: 5.0

### Featured Review

**★★★★★ — Lisa & Guild Copeland, May 2024**

> We had the pleasure to work with Chris to renovate our home in Venice, California.  Our original home was built in the 1950s and Chris helped us transform it into a modern, forever home.  Chris is attentive to detail, talented and diligent and pro-active in managing his clients (us) based upon our budget.  He is wonderful at guiding the design experience with a careful eye for incorporating his client's vision/needs with realistic and creative expectations.  This skill is unique and nuanced and trust us, you will need someone like Carte Blanche Studio to handhold and guide you through a fun experience vs. an exasperating one.  If you are seeking talent and delivery of an architecturally significant forever home, Chris and Carte Blanche Studio will not disappoint, but rather delight.  Thanks, Chris.... you made this experience memorable and alot of fun.

### All 8 reviews

**★★★★★ — Danielle Martin Spicer, May 2019**

> Chris has a great eye for proportion and possibility. Whether entirely new construction, or a big remodel, he understands budget, client desires, city requirements and structural coordination that creates the ultimate design. He is the most approachable and patient architect, letting the owner list all their hopes and make them a reality!

**★★★★★ — SRH DESIGN, INC., Aug. 2017**

> It was an absolute pleasure working with Carte Blanche Studio on my project. Chris was incredibly helpful, answered all my questions, and provided me with phenomenal suggestions throughout the process. He also put me in touch with my structural engineer and a company to draft my original blue prints. I highly recommend Carte Blanche Studio to anyone looking for a great architect.

**★★★★★ — M Murphy, Aug. 2017**

> We are about to begin our sixth project with Chris Stage and his team at Carte Blanche Studio.  Our projects have involved new construction along with some major remodeling. The house styles have ranged from a Landmark Tudor Estate in Bel Air to a Contemporary Hillside Home in Culver City to a Mid-Century Modern Oasis in Palm Springs . In our 27 years of working in the Los Angeles Area, we have worked with numerous architects and designers. In those years, we discovered it wasn’t always easy to find an architect who can deliver a stunning design and provide all the necessary information and guidance to complete the build.  Coordinating the team of engineers, surveyors and soil engineers (along with all the city agencies) is vital.  Luckily for us--Chris is one of these architects. His design ideas and options are amazing...and his involvement & assistance with the build are invaluable.  His scope is all encompassing:  from the structure through the interior and exterior finishes. On our last two projects, he also designed the hardscape and landscaping.  Chris & the Carte Blanche Team can deliver the entire package. We can’t recommend Carte Blanche Studio highly enough for any of your home & estate building and construction needs.
>
> M. Murphy, President, MJM Builders, Inc.

**★★★★★ — Cari Berg Interior Design, July 2017**

> Chris is wonderful to work with. He is creative, collaborative and patient. As a member of the creative team on projects we have worked on together, he has been total professional. He is  responsive to our clients needs while always maintaining focus and a sense of humor. Chris is a very talented architect who I look forward to collaborating with on many more future projects.

**★★★★★ — jeremyr52, Nov. 2015**

> Chris is a design architect that is The Entertainment Design Corps main architectural consultant and Architectural designer. His eye for a clean line and his ability to find the simplest solution to complicated problems is almost a brand identity for Carte Blanche Studio . With the clean lines and simplicity of his designs comes an international flavor that is the reflection of his world travels and his hunger for what is new and innovative.  Chris' set design, script writing  and theatrical know how makes his participation in a project exciting and different. On time, on budget he surpasses expectations on every project.

**★★★★★ — Vivian Boesch, June 2015**

> Chris Stage is a patient professional who has listened well and handled with care and competence all of the many issues and details, large and small, that have come our way in the design, development and construction of 3 very different projects. He cares, always goes the extra mile, and he is a joy to work with. Vivian Boesch

**★★★★★ — lisavitta, May 2015**

> Our company is presently working with Chris Stage and we so pleased with the projects he is involved with currently. Chris Stage is an excellent young Architect who makes our custom home projects go effortlessly. He is very patient, thinks outside of the box and attends all of our onsite meetings with a smile and afterwards we all receive minutes from our meetings. His ideas are innovative, current and he works very closely with the construction team, designer and homeowner throughout the entire project. I would recommend Cart Blanche Studio over and over again, he is amazing!
>
> Lisa Vitta
> Home Beach Designs

**Comment from Carte Blanche Studio:**

> Thank you Lisa, it has been wonderful working with you and your team as well.  I look forward to many more successful collaborations!

## Selected projects

- [Hermosa Beach Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hermosa-beach-residence-pj-vj~983590)
  - Location: Hermosa Beach, CA
  - Photos: 32
  - Description: The Hermosa Beach Residence is situated on a bluff, with sweeping panoramas of the Pacific Ocean. As one progresses through the house, the walls begin to open up and pull apart, resulting in dramatic vistas of the beach below. The outdoor dining room, living room terrace, and cantilevered balconies create a dynamic outdoor space that is the heart of this coastal retreat. Carte Blanche Studio provided full architectural design services for this project.
- [Culver City Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/culver-city-residence-pj-vj~984802)
  - Location: Culver City, CA
  - Photos: 12
  - Description: Located in the heart of Culver City, this clean, modern residence consists of a 3000sf main house and a 2000sf guest house which engage each other across a sloping lawn and pool. With pocketing and stacking floor to ceiling glass sliding doors, the dialogue between indoors and out is constant. Plaster, exposed steel, board-formed concrete and ipe siding are used inside and out, further blurring the distinction. The floor plan is open and fluid, yet maintains privacy on the narrow lot. Carte Blan…
- [Manhattan Beach- Sand Section](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/manhattan-beach-sand-section-pj-vj~1781094)
  - Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
  - Photos: 26
  - Description: This new residence in the sand section of Manhattan Beach takes advantage of its hilltop site that affords incredible views of the beach to the west and the tree section to the east.
- [The Strand Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-strand-residence-pj-vj~7515111)
  - Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
  - Photos: 12
- [Ocean Terrace](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ocean-terrace-pj-vj~2686455)
  - Location: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
  - Photos: 22
- [Thousand Oaks Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/thousand-oaks-residence-pj-vj~7103739)
  - Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
  - Photos: 11
- [Palm Springs Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palm-springs-residence-pj-vj~984809)
  - Location: Palm Springs, CA
  - Photos: 23
  - Description: The Palm Springs Residence exemplifies indoor-outdoor living. The home is situated in the heart of Palm Springs and offers unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. The design embraces the mid-century modern aesthetic. Metal, glass, painted brick and plaster planes define spaces with a minimalism that feels right at home in the surrounding desert. Carte Blanche provided full architectural and interior design services for this project.
- [Stone Canyon Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stone-canyon-residence-pj-vj~1030731)
  - Location: Los Angeles, CA
  - Photos: 19
  - Description: The Stone Canyon Residence is nestled within a majestic canyon in Bel Air. The sprawling estate features an original English style Main House by famed architect Gerard Colcord. Carte Blanche was hired to create a careful addition that provides a larger, more modern kitchen, new breakfast room, new laundry room, a larger garage, as well as added bedrooms and baths, while still maintaining the original character of the home. In addition, Carte Blanche created a new swimming pool and spa with an ad…
- [Norfield Court](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/norfield-court-pj-vj~7260580)
  - Location: Thousand Oaks, CA
  - Photos: 40
- [Hancock Park](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hancock-park-pj-vj~7260633)
  - Location: Los Angeles, CA
  - Photos: 9
- [Fillmore](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fillmore-pj-vj~7260565)
  - Location: Fillmore, CA
  - Photos: 12
- [Manhattan Beach- 14th Street](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/manhattan-beach-14th-street-pj-vj~2572259)
  - Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
  - Photos: 4
- [Manhattan Beach ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/manhattan-beach-adu-pj-vj~7156240)
  - Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
  - Photos: 2
- [Three Rivers Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/three-rivers-residence-pj-vj~6488101)
  - Location: Not specified
  - Photos: 2
  - Description: This home on several acres sits just down the road from the southern entrance to Sequoia National Park. Nestled in a grove of mature oaks, the house is partially tucked into the hillside on a sloping site. The upper floor features a large great room with a wall of glass that opens to views of the hills beyond. Clerestory windows on the north facade flood the space with natural light. The project is constructed using insulating concrete forms which cut down on the time and cost versus traditional…
- [Manhattan Beach Mid-Century Modern](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/manhattan-beach-mid-century-modern-pj-vj~1518610)
  - Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
  - Photos: 19
  - Description: This house was originally designed by famed Mid-Century Modern architect Edward Ficket. In the 1980's a bad addition and remodel hid the original home and completely changed its character. The goal of this project was to revamp the entire structure inside and out and restore some of the Mid-Century magic. Before photos are included for reference.
- [Palms Residences](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palms-residences-pj-vj~2189040)
  - Location: Los Angeles, CA
  - Photos: 16
- [Brentwood Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brentwood-residence-pj-vj~984860)
  - Location: Los Angeles, CA
  - Photos: 7
  - Description: The Brentwood Residence is located within a bright clearing surrounded by majestic oaks at the base of a canyon. The house embraces this unique site and views out to the landscape take center stage. Stylistically, the home draws upon the rich Spanish Colonial tradition, but moves beyond convention with a pared down vocabulary. The massing is casual and suggestive of a rambling village. Carte Blanche Studio provided full architectural and interior design services for this project.
- [Culver Crest Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/culver-crest-residence-pj-vj~2779691)
  - Location: Culver City, CA
  - Photos: 9

[See all 18 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/carte-blanche-studio-pfvwus-pf~1452640352)

## Video

- [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/1210316448.m3u8?s=1c477ebd848b873bb32d805d331d0fad0fab7ab0&oauth2_token_id=1384357804)

## Frequently Asked Questions

**Do you handle permitting, zoning, and regulatory approvals?**
As licensed architects, we absolutely guide you through the permitting, zoning, and regulatory approval processes in Los Angeles. Our comprehensive architectural design services include preparing all necessary drawings and documentation to ensure your project meets local requirements and progresses smoothly from concept to completion. We handle the complexities so you don't have to.

**What types of projects do you specialize in (custom homes, remodels, additions)?**
At Carte Blanche Studio, we specialize in a wide range of residential projects. This includes designing custom homes from the ground up, comprehensive home remodeling, and thoughtful home additions and extensions. We also have expertise in ADUs, multigenerational homes, and sustainable, energy-efficient designs, always striving to create spaces perfectly suited to their function and surroundings.

**Do you provide full-service architectural services through construction?**
As licensed architects, we offer comprehensive architectural design services that typically extend through the construction phase. Our process involves constant client interaction, ensuring the design is meticulously shaped and executed. While our Houzz profile lists core design services, we aim to provide a seamless experience from initial concept to the final built form, making sure your vision comes to life effortlessly.

**Do you design fully custom homes?**
Absolutely, designing fully custom homes is one of our core specialties at Carte Blanche Studio. We relish the potential of a blank page, starting every project without preconceived notions. Our process involves truly listening to your desires and interpreting the site's potential to craft a unique design that is perfectly suited to your lifestyle and surroundings in Los Angeles.

**Do you have experience with luxury or high-end homes?**
While our Houzz profile doesn't explicitly use the terms 'luxury' or 'high-end,' our focus on 'Custom Homes' and crafting 'the best design possible' for each client naturally leads us to projects with discerning tastes. We bring an open-minded approach to every design, ensuring the result is effortless and perfectly suited to its function and surroundings, regardless of scale.

*FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.*

## Ideabooks

- [house](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/85143675/list/house) — 1 idea

[See all 1 ideabook](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/chris-stage)

## Community Q&A

**Q: Love the slat wall - would you mind sharing source? Thanks!** *(in Photo Questions)*

Designing a fireplace/TV accent wall and all we can find is cheap looking acoustic panels. Is this custom made?

A: Yes that slat wall was custom made and stained by our cabinet maker, as well as the custom upholstered bed and floating nightstands.

**Q: Beautiful room.** *(in Photo Questions)*

I just don't understand the blue cloth hanging on the wall... It seems out of place? Unless it's some kind of new fashion?

A: Hi Tatiana, thank you, glad you like the space.  The blue object is actually a metal sculpture.

**Q: Roofing Question** *(in Photo Questions)*

Such an amazing remodel.  What kind of heat mitigation did you folks do for the roof?
Thank you.

A: For this project we utilized a light color cool roof and batt insulation between the rafters.

**Q: Paint** *(in Photo Questions)*

What paint colors are you going with?  BTW, awesome remodel!  Really pulls the house together.

A: Hi Meg, the mock up looks great!  Do you have any photos of the final results?

---

*Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-23.*