Custom made chairs surround a large dining room table handcrafted in the U.K. from reclaimed wood. A forest-inspired chandelier was hand painted in a bronze finish.

As you enter into the home you are greeted with fresh Spainish white walls in a matte finish and ebony brown doors and trim, hand painted / custom stenciled tiles above the baseboards to define the space, all original art work, custom iron candle sconces, two new oushak area rugs, a live Japanese Maple, preserved cypress trees in rustic baskets and live euphorbia in blue and white porcelain planters. Interior Design by Leanne Michael Photography by Gail Owens

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.

Michael J. Lee Photography
Example of a transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Boston with white walls

Aimee Mazzenga Photography
Mid-sized eclectic powder room photo in Chicago with green cabinets, green walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and white countertops

Michael Hsu
Entry hall - large contemporary concrete floor entry hall idea in Austin with white walls

2010 NATIONAL NARI REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Project Scope The owners of this 7,000 square foot colonial in Oakton, Virginia, were seeking a multi-level Mediterranean-style indoor/outdoor living space off the back of their home. They turned to Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes for a design solution that would include a stone patio, a second-story deck, a screened-in porch and linking staircases. While the structure was designed primarily for family dining and entertaining, it also had to accommodate periodic social gatherings of one hundred guests or more. To meet these needs, the project would include a fully-equipped outdoor kitchen, several serving counters with permanent refrigeration, and well-delineated socializing and dining zones. The existing home’s setting offered several impressive assets the new outdoor living area was designed to exploit. The sprawling acreage features old stand trees, wooded paths and a private lake. Beautifully landscaped, it unfolds as an idyllic panorama that naturally draws people to the outdoors. Challenges Since the rear elevation was situated on a slope that drops away from the house, the Michael Nash team had to raise the grade two feet within in a 2,000 square foot area extending out from the back of the house. Infrastructure plans also called for a sophisticated drainage system that had to accommodate a whole series of water “runoff” considerations to be integrated into the decking itself. Excavation included constructing retaining walls to bolster the elevated grade—which also had to support a concrete slab, the primary foundation for the entire complex. Solutions The ground level decking consists of a 2,000 square foot flagstone patio level with the home’s lower level doors. There is a decorative water fountain mid-patio—an ornate collectible acquired in Florida. Food preparation is concentrated within a specially designed semi-circular wall that creates an “outdoor kitchen” equipped with a 60” Viking barbecue grill, a prep sink, a warming drawer, refrigerator and appropriate storage. There is a granite surfaced dining counter with seating for eight. Wrought iron railing and approximately 20 decorative columns (some encasing steel vertical supports) are incorporated into the design scheme. Many of the columns house accent lights. The top level—supported by horizontal steel beams– is a 2,500 square foot deck constructed entirely of Trex decking. The open air decking is, again, directly accessible from rooms on the second level of the house including the kitchen, sunroom and family room. The platform’s most prominent feature is a U-shaped “kitchenette” with cedar shake shingle roofing. Like its counterpart one level below, the facility is equipped with grill, refrigerator and stainless steel cabinetry. One portion of the deck has been allocated for a 16’ x 16’ octagonal screened-in porch crowned by a pair of 2’ x 4’ skylights. The porch can be accessed from the home’s conservatory via a set of French doors. With its mosaic tile flooring, stained cedar panel ceiling and honed granite counters, the interior is elegant and calming. Hand-painted stenciling and a wall-mounted water feature provide distinctive detailing. Finally, the design introduced elements to highlight and reinforce an awareness of the lovely bucolic setting. Fountains and water features combined with textured surfaces and mosaic tiling and backsplashes to present a villa-like ambiance well-suited to the Virginia countryside.

This laid-back bedroom continues the casual beachside fun. Painted beadboard walls and a surrounding shelf made of simple wood molding. An exuberant quilted coverlet and throw pillow complete the look. Color, playfulness and whimsy combine to create a casual, welcoming summer retreat for empty nesters who still tell us that when they walk through the door they say “Aaahhh” to themselves. WKD took one large room and created 4 different zones: an airy and bright living room area for conversation, a cozy family room area for reading, a dining room area for family meals, and a game table area for games. The clients have hired us back for phase 2 - giving the kitchen a complete overhaul. This project was the cover story of Spring 2015 Northshore Magazine: Click Here to Read. It was also featured in May 2015 Seaside Style Magazine: Click Here to Read. Photography: Michael J. Lee

A modern kitchen with built in display case and counter height dining. Michael Lee Photography
Inspiration for a contemporary medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Boston with beige walls

Kindra Clineff
Example of a mid-sized beach style brown wood exterior home design in Providence

Huge transitional freestanding desk carpeted study room photo in Miami

An induction cook top allowed us the space to install a large utensil drawer beneath it. Roll out shelves for pots and pans are behind the doors. The microwave drawer is conveniently located across from the Sub Zero refrigerator. The open book shelf is not only beautiful but provides cook book storage right next to the cooking area.

Michael McVay
Living room - large coastal formal and open concept dark wood floor and brown floor living room idea in Miami with white walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace and no tv

Michael Lee
Bathroom - industrial bathroom idea in Boston

Our homeowner had dreamt about one day redoing her beyond outdated kitchen since they day her husband carried her over the threshold. Vinyl flooring used for a backsplash, dingy carpeting, laminate with no sheen left to speak of and mismatched cabinetry…. it was time to make it happen. A year’s worth of planning later, her time capsule became one dreamy kitchen. Functionality reigns supreme in this small, but efficient kitchen where every cabinet has a story to tell and a place to store it. Countertop space to the right of the stove was an added necessity for function and safety. The raised snack bar is perfect for day to day meals and the lowered countertop was a must for this petite baker. A new lighting plan includes recessed lights, under-cabinet and accent lights, while new lighting fixtures reflect the client’s sense of style. Dingy brick patterned carpet was removed making way for new hardwood floors toothed in from the dining room. An airy palette gained some weight with the use of larger details; the oversized hood, beefy turned posts, prominent apron front sink and a grouping of tall cabinets on the refrigerator wall. Glass cabinet fronts, shiny beveled subway tile, and granite countertops allow light to dance around the space. Zachary Seib Photography

Elegant kitchen photo in New York

Michael J. Lee
Example of an eclectic medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in Boston with green walls

Example of a small transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This client was looking to create a guest bathroom that had more of an "East Coast" feel. The vanity has inset doors and drawers. Wainscoting was added around the entire bathroom. The pony wall was added to the tub to accommodate fixtures to be within reach. One niche was added above the tub and another was added in the shower (away from view). The flooring is a porcelain tile with a wood grain pattern, applied over a full mortar bed and a heating system—perfect for a cold winter morning. Photo: Jessica Abler, Los Angeles, CA