Real People, Real Projects: Carson’s Carriage House

In the bustling city of Atlanta, it takes vision and creativity to transform an old property into a charming and inviting historic home. That's exactly what real estate agent and property investor Carson Cowan achieved with his carriage house, tucked just a few blocks away from the popular Piedmont Park.

Together with his dog, Huckleberry, Carson set out to revive the investment property with a careful eye for historical detail and personalized charm. And to ensure that the home was both affordable and stylish, he turned to Floor & Decor to source the materials needed to complete the renovation.

Thanks to Carson's vision and practicality, the carriage house is now a welcoming retreat that captures the best of Atlanta's historic charm and modern comforts.

A Passion for Preservation

For Carson, this historic property was love at first sight. The carriage house was originally built as a horse shelter and hay loft 100 years ago. Located behind a 1920s bungalow duplex that he rents to tenants, the carriage house adds an undeniable air of elegance and nostalgia to the property.

He states, "I actually fell in love with the small space. It's a carriage house — 600 square feet. I saw the shell, and it just needed a little bit of love, a little bit of cosmetic work."

Selecting Styles

When it came time to update his kitchen and bathroom, he put a lot of thought into choosing materials that would not only be cost-effective but also timeless and cohesive. White subway tile with dark contrasting grout was the perfect choice for the kitchen backsplash in keeping with the classics while still being practical and easy to clean. Carson continued this look in the bathroom, adding the same subway tile from floor to ceiling. For the floor, Carson wanted to evoke a sense of nostalgia, so he chose white penny round tile with tone-on-tone grout. Overall, Carson's thoughtful approach has led to a beautiful and enduring design throughout the space.

He says, "Another thing that I like about this house is that it's very efficient, so it was really important for me to select things that all worked well together. Because no matter where you are, you see every bit of it."

Carson's Picks:

[Festival Bright White Ice Subway Ceramic Wall Tile](https://www.flooranddecor.com/tile-decoratives/bright-white-ice-subway-ceramic-wall-tile-914100887.html#q=Festival+Bright+White+Ice+Subway+Ceramic+Wall+Tile&start=1)

[Festival Penny White III Porcelain Mosaic](https://www.flooranddecor.com/tile-decoratives/penny-white-iii-porcelain-mosaic-100157544.html)

White subway tile and penny mosaic bathroom

Easy Matching

Carson found himself facing a difficult challenge when it came to the lofted bedroom: matching the existing dark wood floors on the main level.

Fortunately, he was able to find what he needed at Floor & Decor. Carson says, "Walking into a Floor & Decor store here in Atlanta was a great experience. I walked in, and we were able to find the exact piece of floor, the exact product I was looking for, and the amount of square footage I needed. It was available in-store that day."

He chose upstairs flooring similar to [Espresso Brazilian Walnut Smooth Engineered Hardwood](https://www.flooranddecor.com/exotic-wood/espresso-brazilian-walnut-smooth-engineered-hardwood-100119452.html?rrec=true#q=mendochino&start=1). By choosing to install the planks horizontally, Carson was able to maximize the length of each plank for a clean and sophisticated look.

Bringing Carson's Vision to Life

Now, the space seamlessly accommodates Carson's prized antiques and rugged yet refined touches, making it a true showcase for his unique style. Drawing inspiration from a road trip to Nantucket last year, much of the decor is styled with eclectic yet traditional design choices. This includes nods to Carson's style icon, Ralph Lauren, whose influence can be felt throughout the space.

Carson was able to create an unforgettable space without compromising on his budget or style. With his diligence and vision, plus Floor & Decor's help, his carriage house is now the perfect place to call home.

When it comes time to decide on styles for your project, the [Visualizer Tool](https://www.flooranddecor.com/s/floor-decor/visualizer-entry) is great for envisioning the look for your space. As always, design experts are here to help every day with [free Design Services](https://www.flooranddecor.com/contact-a-designer). Let’s maximize the potential of your project!

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