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Margaret Carter Interiors
Designer Interior Lighting Plan, Acoustic Ceiling Tiles - Install, Laminate Countertops - Install,
About us
Margaret is not only a traditional interior designer, with over 25 years of experience, but she is also a great and efficient consultant for any à la carte projects you might need when it comes to design. Sessions with no contract and no long term commitment. She often helps clients pick out color pallets for painting or can consult on projects where the homeowner only wants advice but not necessarily buy products from her business. Margaret recently relocated to Annapolis and is receiving top reviews because of her open, communicative and friendly personality, her professional talent, broad rage style and ability to intuitively read her clients has made her business very popular with people on all different budgets. Her experience ranges from planning new construction and remodeling to the most detailed and designed accent for the home. Her husband is an architect who can also help with drawings, structure and building codes. They love to help people save money by preventing expensive mistakes.
Business highlights
Emergency services offered
27 years of experience
Services we offer
New construction, color palette selection, custom tile patterns, fabric selection, flooring, home organization, home remodeling, kitchens & bathroom design, new construction, short lead-time projects, small jobs, space planning, window coverings & office design.
Amenities
Emergency Services
Yes
Free Estimates
Yes
Reviews
4.863 Reviews
| Number of Stars | Image of Distribution | Number of Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 90% | ||
| 5% | ||
| 2% | ||
| 2% | ||
| 2% |
Showing 1-25 of 63 reviews
Crystal M.
Sep 2023
Margaret was great. She really has a good eye for color and organization. I was really nervous about the work I wanted to get done to my kitchen. I needed advice and assurance from a professional. Margaret was just that. She provided a lot of helpful information and tips to make my kitchen and dining space the best it could be affordably. She talked to my contractor too to essentially interpret my vision to him to minimize confusion about the final product. She gave me so much advice about things I never even thought about for our living space.
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"Thank you so much for all of your kind words [Member Name Removed]. I just happened to be someone who had words and experience to help you get exactly what you were looking for. You made all the selections yourself and it will be beautiful. I really enjoyed you."
Meg W.
Sep 2023
Margaret arrived on time, and was very pleasant to work with. She was careful to work with both my husband and me to ensure we both liked our final selection. Her flooring suggestions were excellent. We love the new LVP we selected and can’t wait for it to be installed!
Lindsey S.
Aug 2023
Margaret and Pete were a great help to us. Margaret did some work on my moms house and I really like her style. My husband and I were working on a major remodel and we needed to design and plan. Margaret and Pete helped us in so many ways. Pete drew up the plans and Margaret made a bid proposal that we used to get contractors to bid. They nailed down all of the details. If I had not used them, I would’ve made many mistakes. Margaret and I are now working on the furniture, wall colors, and selecting tile. I did not want to pay Margaret to buy and manage everything. She was great at helping me do it myself. She is a great teacher. I would recommend them to anyone doing a project where budget matters. I also love Margaret’s taste. Don’t know what I would’ve done without them.
Regina S.
Aug 2023
I am so excited about my project with Margaret. I was reluctant to hire a decorator because I have heard how expensive it can be. Margaret is not that way. Margaret basically gave me a project list of what to buy and where to buy it from so that I could furnish my house on my timeline as I can afford it. I did not expect her to be willing to give me such great specific advise on what to buy since I wasn't going to purchase anything from her. She knows what style I liked and we selected together what was going to work for my house. She also gave me new paint colors for my kitchen, Family Room and Hallway. I wish I could do it all at one time but Margaret made me feel Okay about paying as I go over the course of a few years. I will need to have a follow up appointment in a year or so but right now I have plenty to do. Margaret's advice was well worth the pay. I would highly recommend her to anyone who needs decorating advice.
Neena K.
Oct 2018
Margaret and Andrea were wonderful to work with. They helped me find great wallpaper and fabrics so that I could update my home. The access that Margaret has to fabrics and wallpaper way way surpass what you can find on the internet. Unless you have a designer, I just wouldn’t have had access. Now my house looks completely original and people rave about it. Margaret’s taste was gorgeous and Andrea did a great job with handling the orders and keeping me appraised of the different steps that we needed to take to order. Raymond, the upholsterer, was just a sweetheart. All in all, Margaret Carter Interiors, is a great team. I will use them again in the future.
Gina D.
Oct 2018
I hired Margaret to do a paint color consultation for my townhouse. I really didn’t want to do a one color neutral throughout. I’m really happy with everything we selected. She also gave me great advice on how to hire and manage a painter. She doesn’t recommend anyone, because she has her own team. But I had time to be at home and hire my own. I didn’t realize how many questions they were going to have. Margaret really prepared me for that. That was an unexpected bonus. She also taught me some tricks in order to get fair and reasonable bids.
Andrea D.
Sep 2018
I live in Derwood with my husband and three children, and we decided to do a major remodel on our house. We both work full-time jobs, so I have limited time to do research. Every time I went onto Houzz and looked at ideas, I loved so many different things, but couldn't make any decisions about what to include, and what was over the top. A friend recommended Margaret Carter Interiors, and I invested some time in researching her to make sure I found the right designer. Because I had heard horror stories from friends about working with contractors, architects and designers, I wanted to make sure she was the right fit for us. Margaret stood out as the absolute right choice because she had the right balance of creative vision and practicality. Margaret was my first point of contact because of my friend talking me into using her. I’m so glad she did! Because she had 18 years of experience of project management, she helped me find the right builder and that builder had an architect draw up the plans. I really didn’t want to be a project manager. Fees, cost and budget were married very well into how we worked very well as a team. And between the contractor and Margaret, they set me up with the right expectations so there were no surprises. Margaret ended up saving us money by making some practical decisions as opposed to image decisions. For example, I thought I wanted two sinks in every bathroom, and Margaret recommended I put 2 sinks only in the master and the kids main bathroom. The other two bathrooms I kept a single vanity with a larger counter-top. What ended up being the most fun was selecting new furniture for the family, living, dining and master bedroom. The kids had fun picking out furniture for their rooms as well, including curtains, and pillows for their beds. My favorite part of the house has been the fabrics and wallpaper that Margaret brought in that absolutely made me feel like my personality really came through. I like things clean and updated with a sense of whimsy and unexpected pops. I think you could say that we have ended up becoming great friends and she knows my family really well. As far as Margaret’s billable time, she always aired on the side of under-billing, as opposed to over-billing. And she threw in some great suggestions of discount websites for certain products. We worked on this project for almost a year and I couldn’t be happier. I'm a known "complainer" and will complain if something is wrong, but I never complained once. It was a great experience!
Cathy L.
May 2018
Margaret has done full-service design work for me in the past (updating my living room, dining room and master bedroom). I had a great experience with her, her staff and contractors. All were professional, punctual and responsive. I now want to update, but not wholesale replace, my kitchen, and I invited Margaret over for a consult to make sure I was headed in the right direction with colors, materials, etc. She was perfectly on time, professional, and INCREDIBLY helpful. She also gave me additional helpful hints for the project. She completely understood my desire to manage the project myself to keep costs down and to use lower-end materials on some things. (She suggested a splurge on my small backsplash, and gave me some names and companies to check out.) I HIGHLY recommend Margaret. If you need a decorator with an amazing eye, a professional demeanor and that listens to you, she's the one. The fact that she's incredibly nice is an added bonus!
Peter T.
Apr 2018
I am an architect specializing in residential design and I found originally Margaret Carter Interiors through the Houzz app. After seeing some of her wonderful designs and reviewing many sterling recommendations I felt that her style and taste would compliment my work. I was not disappointed. I have worked with her on numerous projects now and they have all turned out fabulous! Some of her major strong points include furniture selection, tile and finish choices, kitchen and bathroom details and where I think she is especially brilliant is for color consultations. She is simply incredible with colors! She has also been a great help to me in the selection and placement of lighting fixtures. I know from personal experience that she adapts well to a client's needs, desires and budget and is great at maintaining contact and following up with the architect, the homeowner and the builder. Margaret Carter Interiors is an excellent choice for many different facets of interior design and comes highly recommended. Peter Tokar, A.I.A. Architect
Jennifer P.
Apr 2017
We are very happy with our results. and it was absolutely worthwhile to fly Margaret down to Texas for 2 days worth of work and consultation, which I'm sure saved us from making mistakes which would have cost us both time and money. Working with her is always a pleasure, and having a fresh perspective from a trained eye is invaluable. I'm sure we will continue to consult with her in the future.
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"Dear [Member Name Removed], You are so wonderful to me.I have loved every minute of design with you.Thank you so very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to write this wonderful review. All my very best, Margaret"
Bert P.
Apr 2017
the work was extraordinarily well thought out and has made my home very special.
Catherine C.
Feb 2017
Margaret arrived on time and did try to be as efficient as possible in the use of her time throughout. She listened to me and made a number of recommendations and suggestions that I had to write down (I took notes), including dome practical things such as exact color references, measurements for where the TV should go, number of recessed directional cans, etc. She did not leave any plan but said she was available for questions afterwards at her hourly price. She adopted my own idea for the flooring (but she did not seem to know this modern material/brand). She definitely has good ideas and knows design/aesthetics. She suggested accenting the fireplace with tiles all around and gave some good advice for the lighting and colors for painting the walls, ceiling and some cabinets. She is nice, polite, professional and quite fun at times. Unfortunately a lot of what she recommended was not feasible in the end or was unnecessarily too expensive or complicated to realize (with a contractor I trust and is A rated on Angie's list), like putting tiles around a very narrow brick frame around the fireplace... which I eventually decided to only have painted. Her suggestion of painting the wood panelling was almost as expensive as having drywall, because of having to sand and prime etc. (so I chose to drywall). Painting the cabinets was also way too expensive to realize (so I won't). Her suggestion of where the TV and sound system would go ended up questionable (even aesthetically) and I will have it on another wall. And I also could not find her paint reference numbers online (but I will find something approximately similar in shade). Finally, her suggestion for having about 12 directional cans on my ceiling to light the cream colored walls (or art on them) was not entirely good because there are only 4 to 5 places really needing such, the rest needing other types of lighting (center of room and above mirrors or A/C ducts blocking half the light). Overall I found I had paid a relatively (too) expensive price for her services (even after deducting the 15% Angie's List coupon on initial hour). And I would have had to pay more if I had gone back and asked questions (which I decided not to do).
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"I'm so sorry you did not think my work was A quality! I made a mistake by not asking the budget you had in mind. I'm sorry that some of the suggestions I made cost more money than you wanted to spend. Also, I should have explained more clearly that media and sound systems are not in my area of expertise. My suggestions may not necessarily be what the experts can recommend. I enjoyed meeting you and helping, if only in a small way, with your project. Best of luck to you. Margaret"
Leslie C.
Aug 2016
Margaret Carter gave me great advice. I was stuck with too many ideas in my head and indecision. Her experience and knowledge of the trends and store inventories was super helpful. I had been working with another decorator and was very frustrated. After spending $1,000 I had nothing to show for it. After a couple of hours working with Margaret Carter, I was on track and able to make decisions about the decor of our family room.
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"I'm glad I was able to help with your project! It's so satisfying when my clients feel that my ideas give them a home of which they can be proud. All my best, Margaret"
Rachel S.
Jun 2016
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Gabrielle G.
Mar 2016
I hired Margaret last month to do a color consultation for a handful of rooms in my house. We discussed the colors for my entire house in our consultation, which lasted less than 3 hours.?My main concern was making sure that the?wall color didn?t clash with any of my artwork or rugs, but weren't bland either.?We ended up with?a great mix of warm colors that I loved and a few neutrals, which I was?hesitant about, but it turned out to fit perfectly.?Margaret also gave me an estimate on the?paint and labor costs, and some pointers about how to get a proper bid?from the painters I had found.?Now that the painters have finished, I can?t believe how different?and lively the house looks; the walls blend perfectly with the artwork.?I am very happy?with the suggestions Margaret had given.?
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"Thank you for your feedback. I was so happy to work with you! I think the new pieces blend well with your collections and am thrilled that you are happy with the final product. Margaret Carter"
Judith M.
Mar 2016
Problem solved! I'm about to do a face lift, not a major renovation, for my kitchen, which has frustratingingly ittle work space. I'm so glad I chose Margaret based on her excellent A.L. reviews. I asked for a consultation, and she suggested numerous ways to add space and make other significant improvements. From shelves to plants to paint color to throwing stuff out, I can't wait to implement her suggestions. While she was at it she took a quick look at my newly redesigned bathroom and made a really creative suggestion that was outside the envelope and is going work great. Opting for a consult was a great idea.
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"I'm so glad to have been of help! It was a pleasure working with you [Member Name Removed] I very much would like to see how the kitchen turns out! Margaret Carter"
Bonnie L.
Mar 2016
Leah did a really great job of sourcing products, that she sent to us us electronically, Margaret truly understood our vision and led us all the way through. We loved her sense of humor and her absolutely excellent taste. Paying for their hourly consultation was worth every single penny!
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"Thank you for your kind words. We're only happy when our clients are happy. We so enjoyed working with you and John and are glad to have been of help. We hope you will call us again for any future needs. Margaret Carter Interiors"
Allison S.
Feb 2016
It didn't go terribly well. The fact that she was so dishonest was kind of upsetting. She also wasn't helpful on top of that. I would not hire her. She works with Benjamin Moore, I guess. I thought they were going to work out. But, they didn't at all. They really weren't very good choices. It was $100 for one hour of consultation. She was pretty responsive.
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"Dear [Member Name Removed], I'm so sorry and I'm shocked to hear that you are unhappy with the job I did. I'm especially upset to hear that you think I was dishonest. I would really like to speak with you on the phone and see what I can do to make this right. I know we had a conversation prior to the appointment about making sure we could meet your needs. But I am stumped and surprised to hear such terrible things about your experience with me. I've never experienced anything quite like this before. May I call you soon? I would, at the very least, like to give you your money back. Again, I'm so sorry that we had such a disconnect. Margaret"
Kathy B.
Feb 2016
unknown
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"Sometimes all that's needed is a fresh pair of eyes and a little "tweeking." I'm glad you were happy with my ideas and input. Please keep me in mind as I'd love to help with any future projects. Margaret Carter"
Howard E.
Feb 2016
Margaret was wonderful and professional.??Extremely pleased with her skills and ability to explain her choices and preferences and she listens really well.
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"Thank you, [Member Name Removed], for this wonderful review. I enjoyed working with you as well. Margaret"
Katherine D.
Jan 2016
unknown
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"Thank you for your feedback. We alway appreciate ideas on how to improve our service. You pre-purchased a 90- minute design consultation and one of our designers met with you to discuss a bathroom model and decorating ideas for an attached bedroom. Our designer took measurements and sketched layouts for the space. She made suggestions regarding flooring, paint colors to go with existing bedding, and options for furniture layouts. With regard to your bathroom remodel, the designer determined that an architect or contractor would need to assess the feasibility of removing walls and reconfiguring doorways. Permits and architectural drawings from licensed professionals are needed for this type of work and and are outside the initial services. As the designer stated, after the initial consultation we are happy to assist clients by managing this process as well. We regret that you were not completely satisfied with the services performed, but would like you to know that should you decide to move forward, we are available and happy to assist with Phase 2 of your project. Thank you again, Margaret Carter Interiors"
Anne C.
Jan 2016
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Wendy G.
Jan 2016
The price was fair. To improve our experience, they could have sent a professional interior designer who had been with the company for more than a month. I don't know how long she had been with the company, I didn't ask that but she seemed like she had been hired the week before.
Response from Margaret Carter Interiors
"Thank you for your feedback. We always welcome ideas on how to improve our services and regret that you were not completely satisfied. Please be assured that all of our designers are highly educated and skilled professionals. The designer who met with you has extremely high credentials and has been with our company for almost two years. We have the utmost confidence in her skills. She is a young professional whose style is to listen, gather information, and quietly assess clients' style and needs. We are sorry that the confidence we have in her design abilities was not properly conveyed in your meeting. Please accept our best wishes for your project. Margaret Carter Interiors"
John I.
Dec 2015
fantastic - Margaret was extremely helpful and a joy to work with.
Holly G.
Dec 2015
We just moved into a new home in Old Town, and the size and configuration of the common areas, in particular, meant that our old furniture would not fit. In addition, my husband's mobility has deteriorated in the last year, and I knew we needed to replace furniture so that he would have armchairs and other accommodations that would make it easier for him to get in and out of a seated position. Margaret came to our old home before we moved to get a sense of our style, to see what kind of furniture we had, and to make recommendations about what furniture to part with. She and I created a list of priorities for the new space, which we have mostly adhered to, although now that we have moved in, certain needs have shifted the priorities a bit. Margaret has been extremely flexible in what might otherwise be a frustrating process. She has helped us design shelving, we have gone furniture shopping - what a pleasant experience to go to a place where the staff really know the furniture, can help you select what will be comfortable, and then choose fabrics, all in about 90 minutes! - and are now working on curtains, rugs, and paint colors. The project is still in process, but I only have praise for Margaret and her team. She has been careful to work on things I cannot, she has quickly assumed ownership of my husband's needs and keeps those front-of-mind, and she has been unfailingly pleasant. I am probably a bit difficult to work with, because I have never had a decorator before, I tend to want to just get things done, and I am not a perfectionist when it comes to home decor. Margaret is patient and helpful, even in these circumstances! I look forward to continuing to work with Margaret to unify and beautify our home!
I do not have a lot of experience regarding pricing, other than the experience of buying furnishings at retail. I have been delighted with the pricing on furniture we bought through her. The carpet source she works with yielded a price for stair carpeting that we all agreed -- Margaret included -- was too high, and we ended up selecting a carpeting source we had used in our old house. We are paying an hourly rate for her and her staff's time, and I do not have experience regarding the competitiveness of that rate. I think we feel we are getting value for that time. We are trying to do a good bit on a moderate budget, so Margaret has been cost-conscious in the choices she is offering, which we very much appreciate. It will help our money go a bit further. We have been candid about what we are willing to spend on certain kinds of things, and Margaret has been candid in return, advising on ways to save, and where it makes sense to spend a bit more.
In all, I give Margaret high marks, and very much appreciate her willingness to roll with all the zigging and zagging I have done as we have been settling into the new house and identifying and re-prioritizing needs on the fly. Kudos!
I do not have a lot of experience regarding pricing, other than the experience of buying furnishings at retail. I have been delighted with the pricing on furniture we bought through her. The carpet source she works with yielded a price for stair carpeting that we all agreed -- Margaret included -- was too high, and we ended up selecting a carpeting source we had used in our old house. We are paying an hourly rate for her and her staff's time, and I do not have experience regarding the competitiveness of that rate. I think we feel we are getting value for that time. We are trying to do a good bit on a moderate budget, so Margaret has been cost-conscious in the choices she is offering, which we very much appreciate. It will help our money go a bit further. We have been candid about what we are willing to spend on certain kinds of things, and Margaret has been candid in return, advising on ways to save, and where it makes sense to spend a bit more.
In all, I give Margaret high marks, and very much appreciate her willingness to roll with all the zigging and zagging I have done as we have been settling into the new house and identifying and re-prioritizing needs on the fly. Kudos!
Licensing
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FAQ
Margaret Carter Interiors is currently rated 4.8 overall out of 5.
Yes, Margaret Carter Interiors offers free project estimates.
No, Margaret Carter Interiors does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Margaret Carter Interiors does not offer a senior discount.
Yes, Margaret Carter Interiors offers emergency services.
No, Margaret Carter Interiors does not offer warranties.