Writer and entrepreneur Kaitlynn Carter has spent the last 18 months thoughtfully renovating a 1923 Colonial Revival in Orange County, balancing historic charm with her love for cozy, moody interiors. From unexpected pops of color to pieces that feel both elegant and lived-in, Kaitlynn shares her approach to designing a home that reflects her family’s lifestyle. We sat down with her to talk about her design process, favourite trends, and how Häti pieces fit seamlessly into her space.
the interview
You work a lot in LA—tell us about your decision to move to the OC.
It's funny because I never in a million years thought I'd end up in Orange County. I think my perception of it was entirely formed by The Real Housewives (!!), and when I saw "Newport Beach" listed as the place of birth on my son's birth certificate, it couldn't have felt more foreign to me. But after spending a few years here, I totally get why people love it—especially families. It's a very family-oriented community, and once we had the time to explore it more deeply, we discovered historic neighborhoods like our current one, tucked among the new builds and developments. There's actually a lot of charm in the lesser-known towns and villages of OC.
We moved from LA to be near Kris's older son, who attends school here. I wouldn't say I've completely fallen in love with the area, but it's grown on me—especially as the local culinary scene has exploded with new talent coming out of LA.
“There's actually a lot of charm In the leser-known towns and villages of OC.”
This or that?
Vintage finds
OR
brand-new pieces
Floor-to-ceiling windows
OR
cozy nooks
Dark and moody
OR
light and airy
Cocktail
OR
mocktail
Forest retreat
OR
coastal escape
Your fiancé, Kris, is a clothing designer and has great taste too—do you tag-team your interior design choices?
Oh yeah! In fact, in most cases, I trust Kris's design choices more than my own. I have a tendency to get bored easily with spaces and design, and I can definitely go a little overboard with funky choices if I don't rein myself in (or if he doesn't rein me in). Hence, our formerly green kitchen…
Kris’s aesthetic is more classic and clean than mine, but I love it. I think the combination actually works really well!
How would you describe your interior design style?
Coziness is a big factor for me, and I don’t love bright spaces. I like muted tones, dim lighting, texture, and pops of color through unique artwork. My style is a mix of elegant and eclectic, and I love the unexpected. Some of my favorite interior designers are Brigette Romanek, Molly Kidd, and Mike Moser.
“My style is a mix of elegant and eclectic, and I love the unexpected.”
Favorite room in your home?
My future favorite room is my bedroom. I say that because it’s not currently furnished the way it will be once it’s complete—but it’s on track to being my favorite, haha!
Right now, though, it’s either our kitchen or our powder room—both reflect the mood I’d love our entire home to eventually have. And that’s to say: moody.
Design trend you’re currently digging:
The color brown.
Why Häti? What draws you to our products?
The overall aesthetic was the initial draw, but as I looked further, I really came to appreciate the craftsmanship and quality of the pieces. They’re truly exceptional in both design and construction, and I love that the brand flows with trends while still maintaining a timeless feel.
Favorite Häti piece in your home?
It honestly changes by the day, but right now, I’m loving the outdoor director’s chairs and the step stool in the kitchen.
follow the Kaitlynn and her family @kaitlynn
