Large elegant master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom photo in New York with gray walls

Doug Stroud Photography
Inspiration for a transitional formal living room remodel in DC Metro with a standard fireplace

Andrew Wuttke
Inspiration for an eclectic master bedroom remodel in Melbourne with white walls

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.

Douglas Hill Luxe Family Home | Santa Monica
Example of a transitional staircase design in Los Angeles

Angle Eye Photography
Inspiration for a cottage medium tone wood floor enclosed dining room remodel in Philadelphia with beige walls

Custom lucite chairs by Knoll add whimsy to a breakfast nook with beautiful city views. Knoll Saarinen dining table.....Photo by Jared Kuzia
Example of a mid-sized eclectic light wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Boston with beige walls and no fireplace

We created this office in an exclusive home in the Lansdowne community located near Leesburg Virginia. This room is right off of the main entrance. Everything was changed starting with the hard wood floor color. We added custom ceiling quarter sawn oak beams and the ceiling chandelier after having the room painted a soft grey. Later the new desk and chair anchor the room which can later convert to a temporary guest suite because the tufted back sleeper sofa. The semi-custom cabinetry houses a printer, office supplies, and cool colored LED under counter lighting. Pierrjei.com

Our showcase kitchen was envisioned to be a modern farmhouse dream. To encompass the trend we used period lighting, a combination of cream, black and natural wood tones. Authentic natural maple hardwood flooring. Partially stained wood and painted cream custom cabinets for contrast and definition. The spacious kitchen island made of Vicostone Carrara honed Quartz is attached to the dining table. White fireclay farmhouse sink. Premium JennAir appliances. Finished with cream faux leather dining chairs and farmhouse decor.

Inspiration for a contemporary outdoor patio shower remodel in New York

Angle Eye Photography
Classic stone back porch idea in Philadelphia with a roof extension and decking

Photo by Peter Lyons
Trendy living room photo in San Francisco

We designed the shed to fit with the feel of a rural farmstead. Rob Karosis
Pool - country round pool idea in Boston

Andrew Wuttke
Small eclectic light wood floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in Melbourne with white walls

Winner of 2014 regional and national Chrysalis awards for interiors > $100,000! The powder room was remodeled with floor-to-ceiling subway tile, and features a custom built vanity with a carrera marble top and a small, modern, console sink.

Taking a small living room and make it a room with a purpose. With the addition of a ventless fireplace flanked by a custom bookcase this seldom used living room has become a quite space for conversation, reading and listening to music.

Example of a large transitional backyard stone full sun patio design for summer in DC Metro with a fireplace and no cover

Photos by Jeff Herr Photography
Transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Atlanta with wood countertops, an island, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, green backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The Klimala’s and their three kids are no strangers to moving, this being their fifth house in the same town over the 20-year period they have lived there. “It must be the 7-year itch, because every seven years, we seem to find ourselves antsy for a new project or a new environment. I think part of it is being a designer, I see my own taste evolve and I want my environment to reflect that. Having easy access to wonderful tradesmen and a knowledge of the process makes it that much easier”. This time, Klimala’s fell in love with a somewhat unlikely candidate. The 1950’s ranch turned cape cod was a bit of a mutt, but it’s location 5 minutes from their design studio and backing up to the high school where their kids can roll out of bed and walk to school, coupled with the charm of its location on a private road and lush landscaping made it an appealing choice for them. “The bones of the house were really charming. It was typical 1,500 square foot ranch that at some point someone added a second floor to. Its sloped roofline and dormered bedrooms gave it some charm.” With the help of architect Maureen McHugh, Klimala’s gutted and reworked the layout to make the house work for them. An open concept kitchen and dining room allows for more frequent casual family dinners and dinner parties that linger. A dingy 3-season room off the back of the original house was insulated, given a vaulted ceiling with skylights and now opens up to the kitchen. This room now houses an 8’ raw edge white oak dining table and functions as an informal dining room. “One of the challenges with these mid-century homes is the 8’ ceilings. I had to have at least one room that had a higher ceiling so that’s how we did it” states Klimala. The kitchen features a 10’ island which houses a 5’0” Galley Sink. The Galley features two faucets, and double tiered rail system to which accessories such as cutting boards and stainless steel bowls can be added for ease of cooking. Across from the large sink is an induction cooktop. “My two teen daughters and I enjoy cooking, and the Galley and induction cooktop make it so easy.” A wall of tall cabinets features a full size refrigerator, freezer, double oven and built in coffeemaker. The area on the opposite end of the kitchen features a pantry with mirrored glass doors and a beverage center below. The rest of the first floor features an entry way, a living room with views to the front yard’s lush landscaping, a family room where the family hangs out to watch TV, a back entry from the garage with a laundry room and mudroom area, one of the home’s four bedrooms and a full bath. There is a double sided fireplace between the family room and living room. The home features pops of color from the living room’s peach grass cloth to purple painted wall in the family room. “I’m definitely a traditionalist at heart but because of the home’s Midcentury roots, I wanted to incorporate some of those elements into the furniture, lighting and accessories which also ended up being really fun. We are not formal people so I wanted a house that my kids would enjoy, have their friends over and feel comfortable.” The second floor houses the master bedroom suite, two of the kids’ bedrooms and a back room nicknamed “the library” because it has turned into a quiet get away area where the girls can study or take a break from the rest of the family. The area was originally unfinished attic, and because the home was short on closet space, this Jack and Jill area off the girls’ bedrooms houses two large walk-in closets and a small sitting area with a makeup vanity. “The girls really wanted to keep the exposed brick of the fireplace that runs up the through the space, so that’s what we did, and I think they feel like they are in their own little loft space in the city when they are up there” says Klimala. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Carlos Vergara For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com