Carlton House wasn’t designed to feel like a showroom. It was designed to feel like a home.
Megan, who manages the space and an aspiring Interior Designer, has a big part in that. We spent some time with her talking through how it all came together, how she approached styling the space, and the small decisions that make it feel the way it does.
When someone walks into Carlton House for the first time, what do you hope they feel?
I hope they feel an immediate sense of calm, like they can exhale. It’s important to me that the space doesn’t feel like an overwhelming showroom, but like a home, so our visitors can envision the furniture in their spaces easily and feel inspired to love all things design. Ideally there’s a sense of softness to the experience. The building itself, lots of natural light, different textures, great art, soft tunes, everything’s designed to make our visitors slow down and notice things at Eva Carlton House.
How did you balance showcasing Eva’s pieces while still making the house feel lived-in and personal?
I think rather than overly spotlighting each piece, we let them live naturally in the house. Eva’s designs are already strong and they don’t need staging. We style the space with real life references like books, ceramics, art, and objects.
If you had to give someone a one-minute walkthrough, which spaces would you take them to first, and why?
Good question. I’d start in the main living area because it immediately sets the tone. It’s a great example of how thoughtful proportions and placement can make a room feel warm and layered. There’s usually always a 'wow moment’ too when they spot the Slideaway Sofa Bed, which I love showing off. From there, I usually let the conversation and the rest of the walkthrough flow naturally because everyone comes in with a different purpose. Furniture is such a personal thing, and sometimes people are drawn more to the interior design elements over the pieces themselves, and that’s absolutely ok, I love knowing the space has been more inspiring than expected.
Was there one room or corner that took the most work to get right?
The transitional spaces were surprisingly the most considered, like the shelving, stone and joinery. It’s easy to focus on hero rooms, but the in between spaces bring everything together and make the whole house feel cohesive.
What are 2–3 small design details in Carlton House that make a big difference, and that people can steal for their own homes?
- Layered lighting - Never rely on a single overhead lighting. Instead, pendants paired with lamps at different heights instantly soften a room.
- Colour isn’t that scary - Think beyond feature walls and cushions. A huge bright rug, joinery and sofa covers are chances to experiment. I love to mix warm and cool tones, material textures, soft shades and deeper moody colours. Sometimes trying to match too much is why a space ends up not working. The balance ends up looking off, and everything becomes lost.
- Negative space - Not every wall or surface needs to be filled. Let pieces breathe to make everything feel more considered and meaningful.
At the end of it all, Megan’s goal is simple.
“I hope people leave feeling inspired, like they could create this feeling at home.”
Because styling isn’t about perfection. It’s about creating a space that feels good to be in. Somewhere people want to sit, talk, and stay a little longer.
If you’d like to experience Carlton House in person, you’re always welcome to visit.
And if you’re not nearby, you can book a virtual appointment and walk through the space with us, from wherever you are.
