MyStudio with Carolyn
Calm, Elevated, Livable Interiors for Modern Tastes
I design refined, textural interiors that feel as beautiful as they look—spaces that bring both elegance and ease into everyday living.
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Beautiful Living, Thoughtfully Designed
At MyStudio, I assist clients to create homes that reflect their lifestyle, their story, and the way they truly live. My work blends modern and transitional elements—clean lines, layered textures, and a calm, curated aesthetic.
Every space I design is rooted in understanding how you live, what brings you joy, and how your home can support the life you want to lead. Whether you're renovating, refreshing, or embarking on an entirely new chapter, I bring an organized, client-centered approach that makes the journey as beautiful as the destination.
My design philosophy honors the balance between form and function, beauty and comfort. I believe that truly exceptional interiors aren't just visually stunning—they're deeply livable, inviting, and uniquely yours.
What I Do
Thoughtful Design, From Concept to Completion
MyStudio offers comprehensive interior design services that transform houses into homes. From initial concept through final installation, I manage every detail with precision and care, ensuring a seamless experience and exceptional results.
  • Full-Service Turn-Key Interior Design – Complete home transformations with white-glove service
  • Kitchen & Bathroom Design – Elevated layouts, custom cabinetry, and refined material selections
  • Flooring & Material Selection – Hardwood, tile, carpet, LVP, and stone sourcing
  • Paint & Color Consulting – Cohesive palettes that unify your entire home
  • Renderings & Mood Boards – Clear visualization before construction begins
  • Furniture Refurbishment & Reuse Plans – Honoring heirlooms and cherished pieces in new designs
Each project is approached with the same dedication to craft, organization, and beauty—creating spaces that feel intentional, refined, and unmistakably yours.
My Signature Services
Full-Service Interior Design
From concept to final styling, I manage every detail for a seamless transformation. This comprehensive approach includes space planning, material selection, furniture curation, and complete project coordination—bringing your vision to life with confidence and care.
Kitchen & Bath Transformations
Elevated materials, thoughtful layouts, and custom selections that balance beauty with everyday functionality. These are the spaces where life happens, and they deserve designs that are both stunning and supremely practical.
Flooring, Materials & Color
Hardwood, tile, carpet, LVP, and cohesive palette creation that unifies your entire home. I source materials that not only look beautiful but stand the test of time, bringing warmth and texture to every room.
Furniture & Reuse Plans
Integrating heirlooms and favorite pieces into fresh, curated spaces. Your cherished furniture has a story—I help it find its perfect place in your newly designed home, blending the old with the new in harmonious, meaningful ways.
Is CJ Design Right For You?
I design for people who appreciate beauty, craftsmanship, and ease.
My ideal clients are design-conscious people ages 40–75 who value refined interiors and want a trusted professional to guide them through every step of the design journey. You appreciate the finer details, understand that quality takes time, and seek a collaborative partner who brings both vision and execution to the table.
You've likely cultivated your taste through travel, art appreciation, and exposure to beautiful spaces. You know what you like, but you're open to fresh perspectives and expert guidance. Most importantly, you want your home to reflect who you are—not what's trending, but what feels authentically, timelessly you.
My clients value the peace of mind that comes with working with an organized, experienced designer who handles the overwhelming details while keeping them informed and involved at every meaningful milestone.
You're an Ideal Client If…
You appreciate art, architecture, and curated interiors
You're drawn to spaces that feel intentional, where every element has been thoughtfully considered and placed with purpose.
You've lived in major cities and prefer an elevated aesthetic
Your exposure to urban design sensibilities informs your taste—you seek sophistication balanced with warmth and livability.
You value craftsmanship and unique, non-cookie-cutter pieces
Mass-produced furniture doesn't speak to you. You're seeking artisan quality, distinctive materials, and designs with soul.
You're renovating, refreshing, or starting a new chapter
Whether downsizing, updating an existing home, or settling into a new space, you're ready to create an environment that truly reflects this moment in your life.
You want meaningful pieces blended into new designs
You have furniture with history—gifts from loved ones, travel finds, inherited treasures—and you want them honored in your updated space.
You're busy and want confident, organized design leadership
You need a professional who can take the reins, make expert recommendations, coordinate with contractors, and deliver beautiful results without adding stress to your life.
"A home should feel like you—refined, welcoming, and beautifully put together."
— Carolyn J Hickey, MyStudio with Carolyn
My Design Style
Warm. Textural. Refined.
I design spaces with clean-lined modernity layered with natural materials, artisan textures, and calm palettes. My aesthetic draws from the best of both transitional and modern design—honoring classic proportions while embracing contemporary simplicity.
The result is an environment that feels effortlessly sophisticated—never overdone, always inviting. Spaces that photograph beautifully but, more importantly, feel even better to live in every single day.
The Pillars of My Aesthetic
Calm & Cohesive
Soft palettes and natural flow create spaces that feel restful and unified. Every room connects visually and emotionally, creating a seamless journey through your home. No jarring transitions, no visual clutter—just serene, intentional design that allows you to breathe.
Layered & Textural
Depth and material richness without overwhelm. I build visual interest through the interplay of surfaces—smooth with rough, matte with subtle sheen, woven with solid. This layering creates warmth and dimension while maintaining a clean, uncluttered aesthetic that feels both luxurious and approachable.
Refined & Livable
Elevated design that supports everyday life. Beauty and practicality aren't opposing forces—they're essential partners. My interiors are designed for real families with real lives, where gorgeous fabrics can withstand daily use and stunning kitchens invite actual cooking. Sophistication meets function in every detail.
A Seamless, Organized Design Process
Working with CJ Design means experiencing a clear, methodical approach that removes stress and uncertainty from the design journey. From our first conversation through final installation, you'll know exactly what to expect at each stage, with transparent communication and organized project management throughout.
1
Discovery & Consultation
Understanding your home, lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and priorities. We'll discuss your vision, explore inspiration, review budget parameters, and establish the foundation for a successful partnership. This is where I learn not just what you want, but why you want it.
2
Concept & Direction
Mood boards, color palettes, and preliminary layouts bring your vision into focus. I'll present design directions that reflect our discovery conversations, offering visual clarity before any commitments are made. You'll see where we're headed and have the opportunity to refine the direction together.
3
Selections & Details
Materials, furniture, fixtures, finishes—every element is carefully chosen and presented for your review. I'll source from trusted vendors and artisans, provide samples, and coordinate specifications. This is where the design truly comes to life in tangible, touchable form.
4
Installation & Styling
Coordinated delivery, placement, and professional styling transform your space. I manage the logistics, oversee installation teams, and ensure every piece lands exactly where it belongs. You won't lift a finger—just watch your home transform before your eyes.
5
Reveal & Refinements
Final adjustments ensure a perfect fit for your lifestyle. We'll live with the space together, make any necessary tweaks, and ensure every detail meets your expectations. Your complete satisfaction is the only acceptable outcome.
What Clients Experience
"CJ made our home feel elevated and calm without losing warmth. Every room flows beautifully, and we're constantly discovering new details to appreciate. She truly listened to how we live and designed accordingly."
— Sarah & Michael T., Chapel Hill
"She brought our favorite pieces into a fresh, modern plan that feels completely cohesive. Furniture we've had for years suddenly looks new again in the context she created. It's like she gave our belongings a second life."
— Patricia K., Durham
"The process was organized and transparent—beautiful results without any drama or stress. CJ handled everything with such professionalism and grace. We always knew what was happening next and felt completely confident throughout."
— Robert & Jennifer L., Raleigh
These are more than testimonials—they're reflections of the CJ Design experience. Organized, transparent, collaborative, and always focused on creating spaces that feel authentically yours. My greatest reward is seeing families settle into homes that truly support and reflect their lives.
A Glimpse Into My Work
Refined, textural interiors personalized for each family.
Every project tells a different story, yet all share the same commitment to thoughtful design, quality materials, and livable beauty. From whole-home transformations to focused room refreshes, my work reflects the unique personalities and lifestyles of the families I serve.
Each space is designed to be photographed beautifully—but more importantly, to be lived in beautifully. These are homes where elegance and ease coexist, where refinement never comes at the expense of comfort.
Design Investment Guide
CJ Design offers flexible service tiers tailored to your project's scope, timeline, and vision. Investment levels are structured to provide clarity and value, ensuring you receive exceptional service regardless of project size.
Service tiers typically include:
  • Design Consultation – Initial guidance, direction, and expert recommendations for confident DIY execution
  • Room Refresh – Focused transformation of single spaces with furniture, finishes, and styling
  • Kitchen/Bath Design – Complete design packages for these high-impact spaces
  • Full-Service Design – Comprehensive whole-home or multi-room transformations with complete project management
Every project begins with a discovery consultation where we'll discuss your goals, review your space, and determine the service level that best fits your needs. Exact pricing and project timelines are provided during this initial meeting, ensuring complete transparency before any commitment is made.
Investment in professional design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about avoiding costly mistakes, saving time, and creating lasting value in your home.
Serving the Triangle and Beyond
Durham • Chapel Hill • Raleigh • Hillsborough
Based in the heart of North Carolina's Triangle region, CJ Design serves discerning homeowners throughout Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Hillsborough, and surrounding communities. This vibrant area is home to design-conscious families who appreciate both Southern charm and urban sophistication—the perfect intersection of my design aesthetic.
I'm intimately familiar with the architectural styles, local vendors, and trusted craftspeople throughout the Triangle. This regional expertise ensures seamless project execution and access to the finest materials and artisans our area has to offer.
Select virtual projects accepted nationwide.
For clients outside the Triangle region, I offer virtual design services that bring the same level of expertise, organization, and attention to detail to your project—no matter where you're located. Virtual design works beautifully for furniture selection, color consulting, material specification, and complete room transformations when on-site visits aren't required.
Ready to Transform Your Home?
Let's create a home that blends refinement with warmth—curated, intentional, and beautifully yours.
Whether you're embarking on a full-home renovation, refreshing key spaces, or simply seeking expert guidance to bring your vision to life, I'd love to hear about your project. Every successful design begins with a conversation—let's start ours.
During your consultation, we'll discuss your aesthetic preferences, lifestyle needs, project scope, timeline, and budget. You'll leave with clarity about next steps and confidence that your home transformation is in expert, caring hands.
Your dream home is waiting. Let's design it together.
Contact Information:
646-431-3464