The Renovation Counselor: Carl Mattison on Designing Homes That Speak to You
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Carl Mattison, owner of Carl Mattison Design, has built a career on saying yes. From a kid who agreed to mow a lawn, paint a sign, or teach a swim class, to a designer who now works on everything from a small powder bath to a ten million dollar build, Carl's philosophy has stayed the same: stay diverse, stay curious, and never get stuck doing the same thing over and over.
On this episode of The Justin Landis Show, Carl sits down with Justin, who has worked with him personally on two of his own homes and on countless client projects, to talk about what it really takes to guide someone through a renovation or new build.
Why Carl Calls Himself a Renovation Counselor
Carl's business card carries one of his favorite taglines: renovation counselor. The word counselor is intentional. A counselor listens first and advises second, and that is exactly the role Carl plays for clients overwhelmed by an endless stream of options from Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, and TV shows. His advice: step away from Pinterest, and find someone you trust to help you sort through the noise.
The Danger of "I Think"
One of the biggest challenges Carl sees real estate agents run into is the phrase "I think." When an agent isn't sure whether a wall can come down or a renovation is feasible, saying "I think so" can set a buyer up for a costly surprise later. Carl's advice isn't for agents to become renovation experts themselves. It's to say, "I don't know, but I know someone," and to have that person already lined up before the question comes up.
Build Your List Before You Need It
Just like agents already maintain relationships with mortgage brokers, lenders, and closing attorneys, Carl encourages agents to build relationships with designers, architects, and contractors ahead of time. Buyers rarely go into a purchase blind. They already have a sense of whether they're looking at a light renovation or a heavy one, so agents who have that network ready can connect clients to the right expert immediately instead of after a costly misstep.
Load-Bearing Walls and Historic District Landmines
Two of the biggest surprises Carl sees in renovations: load-bearing walls and historic district restrictions. A wall that looks removable might be holding up a bathroom upstairs. A window that seems easy to swap might be protected because it affects how a home looks from the street, which historic districts often regulate closely. Carl's advice for anyone renovating in a historic district: work with someone who has done it before, because the time and money lost from not knowing the rules can be massive.
Timing Will Always Take Longer Than You Think
Beyond walls and windows, Carl says the challenge that trips up almost everyone is timing. Projects rarely go as fast as planned, and mistakes happen along the way. Going into a renovation with realistic expectations, rather than assuming everything will run perfectly on schedule, sets homeowners up for success instead of frustration.
Navigating the Emotional Side of a Build
Renovations aren't just financial decisions, they're emotional ones, especially for someone living in the home during the process. Carl shared a phrase he picked up from his own therapist that now guides how he works with clients: "if it's important to you, it's important." As a client's designer and liaison, Carl makes sure they feel heard, both by him and by the contractors on the project, and reminds them that things could be worse and that the team is working toward the same finish line.
Splurge or Save? Ask the Right Question
When it comes to budget decisions, Carl has a blunt but effective question for clients: "Do you have any money?" It's his way of getting families to be fully transparent about their goals and finances. Understanding whether someone is a long-term homeowner occupant or an investor flipping a property changes the advice completely. For homeowners planning to stay long-term, Carl's experience shows that the splurges people make on things like stone, lighting, or finishes tend to pay off in daily happiness, even if the math doesn't always show up cleanly on a spreadsheet.
What's Trending (and What to Skip) in Atlanta Design
Carl shared a few honest opinions on current design trends. His biggest pet peeve: built-in ice makers in kitchens without proper sound insulation, since the noise complaints almost always follow. On the bigger picture, Carl's advice to homeowners chasing trends is simple: stop worrying about what's trending on social media and choose what actually speaks to you. His favorite, most successful projects are the ones where a client looks at the finished space and says, "this is my kitchen," not someone else's.
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Justin Landis is the founder of Justin Landis Group and Bolst, two of Atlanta's leading real estate companies. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and three daughters and has been selling Atlanta real estate since 2008.
