If you’re thinking about renovating your home in Exeter, Portsmouth, Rye, or along the Seacoast of New Hampshire, you might be feeling two things at once:
Excited and completely overwhelmed.
After more than 20 years as an interior designer, working on large-scale renovations and custom homes from New Hampshire to California, I can tell you this:
Renovations don’t feel stressful because they’re big.
They feel stressful because they lack structure.
And my role is to bring that structure.
When I’m brought into a whole-home, or large-scale renovation project, I often hear the same story:
“My contractor is great, but they need decisions constantly.”
“I didn’t realize how many choices we would have to make.”
“We’re worried about making expensive mistakes.”
In one Seacoast, NH kitchen and first-floor renovation, my clients initially thought they could manage all of the communication and coordinate all of the selections themselves. They quickly realized that they would be fielding daily calls about tile layouts, cabinet hardware, lighting placement, and appliance specifications, and it dawned on them that with the demands of their jobs and family life, this just wasn’t going to work.
They brought me on board, and together we navigated construction decisions, finalized a comprehensive design plan, and then I coordinated directly with my trade partners. From that point forward, they weren’t reacting, they were approving a cohesive vision, and the tone of the project shifted immediately.
Many people assume interior design is about selecting pretty finishes, furniture and accessories. In large renovation projects, it’s so much more than that.
I serve as:
For a recent multi-room renovation in New Hampshire, we were redesigning the entire home, from the kitchen and living room to the primary suite, all at the same time. Without a unified plan, the spaces could easily have felt disconnected.
Instead, we developed a comprehensive material palette, detailed room and cabinetry drawings, a full lighting plan, and coordinated furniture layouts before major construction decisions were locked in.
Because everything was clarified upfront, the contractor had what they needed, and my clients didn’t feel like they were managing a second job.
After two decades in the industry, I’ve built strong relationships with trusted builders, cabinetmakers, stone fabricators, lighting vendors, upholstery workrooms, and specialty trades.
That means when I’m working on a renovation in New Hampshire:
Unexpected situations are bound to happen when you embark on renovation projects. Because of my relationships with trusted partners, I am able to find a solution quickly, without delaying the project timeline.
Those relationships protect my clients’ investment.
One of the biggest mistakes I see in renovations is making selections mid-construction. That’s when stress spikes.
In my process, we prioritize clarity before demolition begins:
In a recent renovation, my clients told me the most surprising part of the process wasn’t the transformation, it was how calm it felt. They weren’t scrambling to choose fixtures under pressure. They weren’t second-guessing decisions at installation. They could see the full picture early on.
That’s intentional.
One of the most common concerns I hear from homeowners is:
“If I hire a designer, will it still feel like my home?”
The answer is always yes.
My job isn’t to impose a style. It’s to interpret yours and then refine it with experience. I guide. I curate. I structure. But you always decide.
Living and designing bi-coastally has shaped how I approach homes here on the Seacoast of New Hampshire.
New England architecture has integrity and history. Coastal light changes throughout the seasons. Materials need to be able to handle all the seasons and real family life.
Whenever possible, I incorporate natural textures, layered lighting, organic materials, and thoughtful connections to the outdoors. Whether it’s wide-plank oak flooring, local art or furniture makers, or maximizing natural light, the goal is to create spaces that feel grounded and restorative. Those decisions matter. They shape how a home feels long after construction ends.
Of course, I want your kitchen renovation or whole-home remodel to be beautiful. But what I truly want is for the process to feel manageable, and dare I say, FUN?!
The real luxury isn’t just custom cabinetry or perfectly selected stone. It’s not carrying the stress alone.
It’s having someone with 20+ years of experience guiding the sequence, protecting the vision, coordinating the trades, and ensuring your renovation unfolds with clarity.
If you’re planning:
Know that working with a full-service interior designer isn’t adding complexity. It’s adding leadership. And that changes everything.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.