Stepping inside the Carta Creatives headquarters, it’s clear that location is everything. “Our studio is located in Southport, Connecticut—a small harbor town along the Long Island Sound, about an hour and a half from New York City,” says architect and designer Elana Tenenbaum Cline. “It’s a place with deep roots and quiet charm, where coastal views meet classic New England character.”
They’re based in the Tide Mill Building, a 350-year-old former grain mill perched directly over the water. “It sits on a small wooden bridge that connects two of Southport’s most scenic stretches: Sasco Hill Road and the historic village center. It’s a truly unique spot—equal parts connected and tucked away,” Elana explains.
The building itself is iconic. “Locals know it as ‘the one on the tiny bridge’—a historic tide mill perched right at the mouth of the harbor. We’d driven past it for years, always drawn to its weathered charm and unique setting over the water,” she recalls. “One day, we noticed a small ‘Office for Lease’ sign in the window, snapped a photo, and tucked it away. A few weeks later, we finally made the call.” The broker mentioned he had two spaces available—a regular one and a quirky one. Without hesitation, Elana chose the quirky one.
Inside, they designed the studio to respect the building’s legacy: natural materials, soft light, flexible work zones, and a quiet, layered palette that lets the space—and the work—breathe. “When we first saw the studio, it was raw—literally no floors, just subfloor and dust,” Elana recalls. “The lighting was all track lighting from the ’80s, and the space felt more like a relic than a place you could actually work. But the bones were undeniable—the water views, the history.”
They brought in new wide-plank, character-grade white oak flooring that honored the building’s age, added wallpaper for warmth and texture, introduced vertical tongue-and-groove paneling to nod to coastal tradition, and installed antique lighting to give the space instant soul. “Every choice was made with just enough intentionality—just enough detail to spark imagination, while still allowing room for client stories to unfold,” she explains.
Though the studio is one open space, they created distinct zones. There’s a central table where drawings and material samples are constantly in rotation, and a materials library wall that evolves with every project. A framed nautical map of the Long Island Sound and Connecticut coastline serves as a subtle but meaningful anchor. A vintage red star burgee from Seacraft in Kennebunkport, Maine adds a wink to maritime heritage, while a rattan storage piece brings soft texture and relaxed elegance. “We also installed a full-height BuzziSpace pin-up wall, which has become a vital part of our process,” Elana explains. “We’re big, out-loud thinkers—so we’re constantly pinning up drawings, finish palettes, mood boards, and wild ideas in progress.” While beautiful, the functionality of the piece reflects the collaborative way the studio works.
“Our style is warm, tailored, and timeless—with a deep respect for architecture and a quiet confidence in layering,” Elana says of Carta Creatives. “We love mixing eras and materials in thoughtful, intentional ways, creating spaces that feel elevated but still deeply personal. The studio reflects that sensibility, but it’s also designed to leave room—for dreaming, for client stories, and for creative pivoting. The building itself brings in so much character with its historic bones and soul, so we kept the palette clean and calm. From there, we layered in subtle touches that nod to the different styles we work within—whether it’s a curved form, a vintage textile, or a piece of hardware with patina.” She continues, “It feels like us, but also leaves space for our clients’ worlds to take shape.”
It’s a studio with history in its walls, creativity in its layout, and intention in every detail. Most of all, it’s a place where design and story meet.
