Karen and Alan Schmidt head up Freshwater Interiors Charlotte NC, a design firm that delivers seamless results.
This full-service interior design firm based in Mooresville, NC that does everything from picking out paint colors to new home builds. Alan is the owner and general contractor for Freshwater and Karen Schmidt is the owner and lead designer.
Karen started Freshwater Interiors Charlotte NC in 2019. She decided to use her many design skills and invest in her own business. In 2022, Alan officially joined her on the build side and started Freshwater Custom Homes. The duo has been working together ever since to provide a seamless process for their clients in both design and construction. Today, their projects often mix materials, use touches of wood, and add a little greenery in every room.
“We recognize that every client’s style is different, and every home is different,” Karen explains. “We spend a lot of time defining each client’s aesthetic before we dive into the actual design so we can tailor it to them. This also makes each project exciting and fresh for us as designers.”
Here, Karen tells us more about how Freshwater approaches projects, how Karen finds inspiration, and what’s on the horizon for her and her team.
What kind of design education did you receive? How, if at all, did that influence your current style?
All of our designers have a college degree in Interior Design. We also take continuing education classes and attend several trade shows each year. We stay up to date on the latest products in our industry. This industry is constantly changing and we are never done learning. I think because of this, it allows us to have an appreciation for all different styles and keeps us up to date on the latest design trends.
When working in the idea phase with a new client, how do you go about getting a feel for their tastes and their aesthetic?
We always start with a consultation and walk through their house with them. We ask a ton of questions to get a better sense of how they envision living in their space. Once we have a better understanding of their style and the style of the home, we give our clients a little homework. We put together their own personal design board. Then, we ask them to pick apart every photo and tell us everything they like and don’t like. Their feedback helps us really get inside their head and define their personal style.
From where do you draw most of your inspiration for your designs?
There are so many other designers that inspire me. Instagram is a huge source of inspiration—also, books, TV, travel, and the great outdoors. There is so much inspiration around us if you stop to look at it and appreciate it.
Is there a particular feature or object that is consistent across your designs?
Always greenery. Faux or real, we add greenery to every room.
What are your goals for the future of Freshwater Interiors Charlotte NC? In what ways are you looking to grow?
We have so many big plans, some of which I can’t share yet but we are looking forward to a possible spec home coming up with the Freshwater team in the near future. We are also working on some amazing projects coming up!
What makes a project a success in your opinion?
Happy clients. When our clients tell us that their house turned out better than they could’ve imagined and they appreciate how we communicated throughout the entire process, that’s music to our ears!
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