This was a dream project! The clients purchased this 1880s home and wanted to renovate it for their family to live in. It was a true labor of love, and their commitment to getting the details right was admirable. We rehabilitated doors and windows and flooring wherever we could, we milled trim work to match existing and carved our own door rosettes to ensure the historic details were beautifully carried through. Every finish was made with consideration of wanting a home that would feel historic with integrity, yet would also function for the family and extend into the future as long possible. We were not interested in what is popular or trendy but rather wanted to honor what was right for the home.

The Historic Home lies at the heart of Michael Carter’s passion for interior design. Well versed in the academics of period architecture and antiques, Carter continues to be called on to bring fresh and inspiring ideas to historic properties that are undergoing restoration or redecoration. It is never the goal to have these homes feel like museums. Instead, Carter & Company strives to blend the function of contemporary life with design ideas that are appropriate – they respect the past in a way that is stylish, timeless and elegant.

This beach-front home on the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach is one of a few custom homes built by world famous Canadian architect Arthur Erickson. Avalon Architectural extensively remodeled this residence, repurposing the design to make it more functional for modern living.

Walk-in closet - mid-sized traditional medium tone wood floor walk-in closet idea in Minneapolis

Vallejo Street San Francisco, CA While restoring the historic front façade, the remodel of this Pacific Heights residence modernizes its layout and takes advantage of expansive views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. The project blends the historic character of the original façade with improved functionality and modern, yet warm, materials. Photographer: ©Joe Fletcher

Serving functions as laundry room, floral station and China pantry, this space was designed to reflect the 1920’s era construction of this historic home.

The Historic Home lies at the heart of Michael Carter’s passion for interior design. Well versed in the academics of period architecture and antiques, Carter continues to be called on to bring fresh and inspiring ideas to historic properties that are undergoing restoration or redecoration. It is never the goal to have these homes feel like museums. Instead, Carter & Company strives to blend the function of contemporary life with design ideas that are appropriate – they respect the past in a way that is stylish, timeless and elegant.

Vallejo Street San Francisco, CA While restoring the historic front façade, the remodel of this Pacific Heights residence modernizes its layout and takes advantage of expansive views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. The project blends the historic character of the original façade with improved functionality and modern, yet warm, materials. Photographer: ©Joe Fletcher

This adaptive reuse project brought new life to an old carriage house in one of Philadelphia’s most historic neighborhoods. After serving a multitude of functions over the years, Philadelphia’s Historic commission was brought in to help identify original details and colors that brought the building back to its original beauty.

Vallejo Street San Francisco, CA While restoring the historic front façade, the remodel of this Pacific Heights residence modernizes its layout and takes advantage of expansive views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. The project blends the historic character of the original façade with improved functionality and modern, yet warm, materials. Photographer: ©Joe Fletcher

Vallejo Street San Francisco, CA While restoring the historic front façade, the remodel of this Pacific Heights residence modernizes its layout and takes advantage of expansive views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. The project blends the historic character of the original façade with improved functionality and modern, yet warm, materials. Photographer: ©Joe Fletcher

Vallejo Street San Francisco, CA While restoring the historic front façade, the remodel of this Pacific Heights residence modernizes its layout and takes advantage of expansive views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. The project blends the historic character of the original façade with improved functionality and modern, yet warm, materials. Photographer: ©Joe Fletcher

The mudroom was opened up with added cabinetry and bench to increase its functionality. Dan Barker Photographer-Fly By Chicago
Inspiration for a mid-sized victorian entryway remodel in Chicago

Vallejo Street San Francisco, CA While restoring the historic front façade, the remodel of this Pacific Heights residence modernizes its layout and takes advantage of expansive views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge. The project blends the historic character of the original façade with improved functionality and modern, yet warm, materials. Photographer: ©Joe Fletcher

This beautifully restored historic home in Denver, Colorado, blends timeless architectural charm with modern interior design. Thoughtful renovations highlight original details, including intricate millwork, classic moldings, and rich hardwood floors, while updated furnishings and finishes enhance functionality and comfort. A curated mix of vintage and contemporary elements creates a seamless balance between past and present, preserving the home's character while elevating it for modern living. This project is a standout example of Denver historic home design, showcasing expert craftsmanship and timeless interior design.

This beautifully restored historic home in Denver, Colorado, blends timeless architectural charm with modern interior design. Thoughtful renovations highlight original details, including intricate millwork, classic moldings, and rich hardwood floors, while updated furnishings and finishes enhance functionality and comfort. A curated mix of vintage and contemporary elements creates a seamless balance between past and present, preserving the home's character while elevating it for modern living. This project is a standout example of Denver historic home design, showcasing expert craftsmanship and timeless interior design.

Washington Bathroom Restoration of historic Inn in lovely downtown Napa, California. Interior design by LMK Interiors.
Small trendy master gray tile and subway tile drop-in bathtub photo in San Francisco with a drop-in sink, gray walls, furniture-like cabinets and gray cabinets

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Kenneth M Wyner Photography
Small elegant kids' white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor alcove bathtub photo in DC Metro with furniture-like cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet, blue walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops