Carl Mattison is a local interior designer and renovator with an amazing eye for color and seeing past damaged goods. He works with homeowners and builders to create anything from a new bath to a fully renovated home or a new build design. Most often, he works on full-home designs which include general style, how to incorporate historical details, what to save or how give a new build special character.
Currently he and his partner are working on their first new build in historic Grant Park. In years past they have worked to purchase and renovate a number of homes throughout Grant Park. Their goal is always to keep the historic character of the homes while meeting the needs of today's modern buyers. Saying he was "born in the wrong era", Mattison is comfortable taking historic beauties and restoring them to their former glory.
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Queen Anne Bungalow
After being neglected for many years, this 1905 bungalow in Grant Park is the belle of the block. Originally, the bathrooms were not working, the kitchen appliances were unusable and its walls were covered with dated wood paneling. Seeing past the obvious, Mattison snatched up this cozy cottage up for $175,000.
After spending another $205,000, he diligently worked to return this home to its former beauty. The renovations included adding two bedrooms and two bathrooms in unused attic space, uncovering the original wood clapboard and restoring the original pine wood floors.
This home is now a great balance of historical charm and modern convenience.
Victorian Cottage
Mattison lived down the street from this historical relic, watching it fall further into disrepair every year before finally taking the plunge.
"It was a big rarity in Grant Park to see a house sitting there like that, on a prominent street - only about 15 houses from the park," Mattison said.
With the changing market and the home falling apart before his eyes he went back and forth about purchasing and restoring the cottage. With five bedrooms and four bathrooms, he knew there was plenty of space and a lot of opportunity.
After much research and permitting work, Mattison and his partner began renovating this hidden gem. They kept true to the historical character, but wanted to give the home a modern and fresh feel as well.
"We have a lot of young families in Grant Park and I was trying to appeal to them," explained Mattison.
They created a more open layout, chose airy colors and turned the bedroom into a master suite all while keeping the homes original spirit. Vintage-inspired designs such as wide window and door casings, six panel doors, built-ins and picture rails were added throughout. These touches, combined with spa-like bathrooms, a porcelain tiled fireplace and sleek kitchen cabinets, made this home the perfect juxstaposition of old and new.
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