What are you working on right now?
In the past year, my little company Carl Mattison Design has focused primarily on owner-driven home remodels. We work like any home designer you may have seen on television, engaging in the full design selection process for a home undergoing a remodel and even many new constructions. The design process is focused around kitchens and baths but we work on the entire home. At times we have investor projects that will be offered for sale and we aim to make those much more interesting than what many call “new build” design. The Atlanta metro area is our main focus with specialties in historic neighborhoods like Grant Park, Inman Park and more.
Who is your ideal client?
The ideal client is one who trusts the designer to help create new ideas, follow dreams and most of all stay in budget. We work with so many types of people it is always fun learning about client’s needs and dreams and more.
What is a common misconception about your industry?
I joke that as a designer I “make things pretty” and it is even on my social profiles but when said independently from other things we designers do it is a misconception as it is not all about making things pretty. Home design is truly about function first and foremost. If you cannot access a shower easily and turn it on without getting soaked before you even get in, what is the point of it being pretty?
What is a big picture for your business?
Carl Mattison Design aims to inspire.
What is your superpower?
I have always said my superpower is that I am Batman. In all of the anguish and worry and frustration going into a home build or renovation, I try and always push strongly for what is right and just, and I try to protect my client every step of the way.
What is your favorite productivity tool?
I could not live without Photoshop.
What book should everyone read?
Every entrepreneur should read Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Why Alkaloid?
I chose Alkaloid as it fit my business model of flexibility. Many coworking spaces offer flexibility for work but not location. Alkaloid is so centrally located and easy to get to it helps me be flexible with my client needs such as having to pop into a house in Candler Park or Midtown or Grant Park or even Decatur on a whim. I literally can get anywhere “intown” without fuss.
What is your favorite perk at Alkaloid?
My favorite perk at Alkaloid is truly the location. It is all about location, location, location.
If you were working from Alkaloid during the pandemic, how were you using the space?
Alkaloid has plenty of space to feel you were near people but not near people. This is important not only during a pandemic but also on a normal basis. Many cowork spaces have too many people at tables all lined up with thirty to fifty people there like a call center and it is not comfortable to me. The layout of Alkaloid with multiple spaces really works!
What advice would you give someone considering coworking?
Coworking is what you want it to be. You can be social or you can be anti-social. Social can benefit you more, I think, but you know – make it what you want.
Tell us one more thing about your experience at Alkaloid.
Alkaloid is like walking into Monica’s apartment on the TV show Friends. There is always something going on, one serious person holding a meeting, two people chatting in a corner, comfortable seating, some donuts in the kitchen area and well, just that industrial, apartment vibe.
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