Jillian

New Traditional Home

February 14, 2020 By Jillian

Timeless, Personal, Southern Charm

Our design-savvy client knew exactly what she wanted in the remodel and redecoration of her home – a classic, comfortable space to entertain friends and family with a dash of Southern charm and sophistication. R. Cartwright Design selected traditional textile patterns and textural wall coverings to mix seamlessly with transitional furnishings, while color was introduced thoughtfully in each room to incorporate the homeowner’s collection of vintage green pottery. We began by developing new furniture plans, and then laid the foundation for the re-design of each room, selecting new window treatments, lighting, rugs and furnishings that give this newer suburban home the architectural design and detailing of a home built during the turn of the last century.

Photography by Heidi Zeiger and Austin Day

Builder: Main Built

Traditional Historic Home

August 15, 2018 By Jillian

Classic, Elegant, Refined

Traditional Historic Home Renovation by Des Moines Interior Designer Rebecca Cartwright

Photography by Heidi Zeiger

R. Cartwright Studio – Clive, Iowa

February 12, 2018 By Jillian

Fresh, Eclectic, Collected

R. Cartwright Design - Interior Design Clive, IA Office

R. Cartwright Design - Interior Design Clive, IA Office, Fireplace

R. Cartwright Design Studio - Pottery, Throw, Clive

R. Cartwright Design - Interior Design Clive, IA Office Showroom

R. Cartwright Design Studio - Clive, IA Interior Design

Studio Tour - R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa Interior Designer

Inspiration Board - R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa Interior Designer

R. Cartwright Design - Interior Design Clive, IA Office, Wallpaper

R. Cartwright Design - Interior Design Clive, IA, Inspiration, quotes

Photography by Cassandra Monroe

Serenbe Townhome

May 31, 2017 By Jillian

Photography by J. Ashley

Boho Modern Home Office

May 31, 2017 By Jillian

Fresh, Bohemian, Feminine

Photography by J. Ashley

Baby Boy Nursery

May 31, 2017 By Jillian

Modern, Whimsical, Eclectic

Photography by J. Ashley

Glen Oaks Transitional Remodel

January 9, 2017 By Jillian

We were hired by the clients to coordinate the finishes, fixtures, furniture and design elements for their massive whole house remodel in the gated Glen Oaks community located in the city of West Des Moines. Spanning multiple years, the project touched nearly every room in the 10,000 square foot residence.

Our vision was to create a modern home inspired by the traditional architecture of the home. We used a neutral palette with a variety of rich textures such as wool, grasscloth, mohair, and linen and added mixed metallics, like oil-rubbed bronze, antiqued brass, and polished nickel, for an eclectic feel.

R. Cartwright supplied the furniture, rugs, lighting, artwork and accessories throughout the home. For a closer look at other projects completed with this client, please see our Guest House portfolio.

Gray wash pedestal table with brass accents

Glen Oaks Traditional Remodel - R. Cartwright Design

Glen Oaks Traditional Remodel - R. Cartwright Design, Kitchen, Stove

As part of the extensive, whole house remodel, the home theater was opened up to the rest of the lower level. Adjacent to the billiards area, the dark and masculine space features menswear-inspired touches like pinstriped gray wool wallcovering, tufted leather chesterfields, and plaid upholstered mid-century style arm chairs. The custom, two-tone cocktail table anchors the seating arrangement and sits on a geometric hair-on-hide rug.

A mini-gallery of geometric artwork hangs on dark gray wool, pinstriped wallpaper reminiscent of men's suiting. A collection of custom throw pillows sit on a modern interpretation of the traditional Chesterfield, upholstered in dark gray leather with a brass nailhead trim.

A two-tone custom designed cocktail table anchors the seating arrangement in the lower level

A pair of mid-century style arm chairs and ottomans were upholstered in a large scale gray and brown plaid, continuing the menswear inspired theme in the lower level theater room. Cylindrical brass accent tables are the perfect spot to rest a cocktail.

A custom designed pool table is flanked by open back sofas, allowing guests to easy access to conversation on all sides of this open plan lower level.

The lower level kitchen is open to the pool table and family room and designed for entertaining. The professional gas range is topped with a custom hood framed in a marble and shiplap surround. The island features a stainless steel waterfall countertop and two over scale metal shade pendants in oil rubbed bronze.

The back side of the island is paneled in white shiplap to visually connect it with the walls framing the custom stainless hood and gas range.

The lower level kitchen island features a two inch thick, stainless steel countertop with waterfall sides. The cabinetry on the far wall is framed in custom fabricated steel with a hand-applied black finish. The backs of the floor to ceiling open cabinets are cerused oak.

The bar is housed in custom-designed cabinetry, which combine a specially fabricated steel frame and steel and glass cabinet doors. Cerused oak panels conceal the built-in, counter-depth refrigerator. A keg fridge is nestled in between steel columns and topped with white marble and floating oak shelves. Glass shelves provide ample storage for barware and spirits.

Metallic grasscloth wallpaper and a coffered ceiling in high contrast white and dark gray distinguish the lower level family room from the rest of the open concept space.

Masculine office with coffered ceiling, grasscloth wallpaper, quartzite fireplace surround

Photography by Heidi Zeiger

Hall Bathroom Remodel: From Dark and Dull to Light and Lovely

September 15, 2016 By Jillian Leave a Comment

We have a fun makeover to share with you today. Last summer, one of our long-time clients decided that she wanted to make over her second-floor hall bathroom, which is the one her two teenage children share. The current space wasn’t really that bad, but it was very dark, and the space wasn’t being utilized to its fullest potential.

Before Photos

Floor Plan Before

You can see in the plan of the existing conditions that the long narrow room was divided in two with a single vanity in the first room and the toilet and tub in the second room. There was quite a bit of wasted space in the second room, while the vanity area felt tight and awkward.

Proposed Floor Plan

Our goal was to demo the interior walls and open the space up into one big room with a large double vanity. This is the only bathroom in the house with a tub, so we felt we needed to incorporate a tub for resale. After debating free-standing vs. built-in, we ultimately decided on a large garden tub with an integrated shower.

After Photos

Our client is definitely a new traditionalist and loves mixing vintage, modern and traditional elements throughout her home. We designed a large, double, furniture-style vanity and selected a dark stain to pull out the veining running through the marble-look quartz countertops.

Instead of tiling the shower surround, we used large slabs of white quartz with dramatic veining in shades of warm gray. The ship lap walls and ceiling add texture and dimension to the rest of the space. We added the ship lap during a meeting onsite with the client and contractors, and we feel like they unify the entire space. The hexagonal floor tile is a nod to tradition but the soft gray color and larger size are decidedly modern.

We love mixing metals, and this bathroom was no exception. Polished nickel fixtures are complemented by warm brass sconces and accessories. The large recessed medicine cabinets are good looking and extremely functional, being wired for electrical and lit on the interior. No more electric toothbrushes and razors charging on the countertop.

Every room needs art, including the bathroom. We love how these acrylic framed nest prints work in the space. The gold hooks are from Pottery Barn.

We hope you enjoyed this makeover. The remodeled bathroom is so much more functional and looks fabulous too. You can see more photos from this home in our portfolio under New Traditional Home.

Modern Country House

September 15, 2016 By Jillian

Textured, Layered, Modern Country

Modern Country House Living Room - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Modern Country House Powder Room - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Modern Country House Bedroom - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Modern Country House Master Bathroom - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Modern Farmhouse Master Bathroom - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Modern Country House Loft Bunk Room - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Modern Country House Home Office - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Modern Farmhouse Home Office - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Modern Country House Dining - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Modern Country House Family Room - Transitional Design by R. Cartwright Design, Des Moines Iowa

Photography by Heidi Zeiger

A Fresh and Fun Boy’s Bedroom Design

July 20, 2016 By Jillian Leave a Comment

For the past two months, we’ve been working on a really fun project with the most delightful client – a single dad who just purchased a townhome for himself and his seven-year-old son. We were so touched by his desire to create a cozy, personalized space that his son could grow into over the years.

We started with one of the son’s favorite colors – red – and his love of airplanes and vintage toys. We selected a fun graphic wallpaper from Schumacher for the bed wall and anchored it with a queen size headboard, upholstered in a soft blue cotton/linen blend reminiscent of chambray. White nightstands with a midcentury modern vibe provide extra storage, and the articulating lamps add some contrast with their black shades.

Boy's Bedroom Concept by R. Cartwright Design

We found vintage, airplane patent prints on Etsy and framed a set of three to hang over the bed. Line drawings of vintage airplanes adorn the pillow shams, which we’ll pair with a simple linen duvet and a red throw blanket.

The dad wanted him to have shelving to house his collections and books, so we selected a white minimalist bookcase that would blend into the walls and allow his objects to pop. Next to it, we left room for a custom whiteboard where the son can draw or leave notes.

A faux sherpa covered beanbag in the corner provides a comfortable spot to read or play on his iPad, and a woven basket can be used to corral smaller toys and objects.

Boy's Bedroom Concept by R. Cartwright Design

Airplane Prints | Vintage Tractor | Basket

We’re really excited about how the concept for this little boy’s room came together, and we can’t wait to see it installed. Kids’ rooms and nurseries are some of our favorite projects to design, and we’d love to work with you on a bedroom for the special little one in your life. Contact us today to get started.