Seeking Home, Finding Peace
Carley Summers is an internationally renowned interior designer, photographer, and author who calls Greenville, North Carolina home, along with her husband and son. For Carley, the meaning of home has changed dramatically over the course of her life, culminating in a dream fulfilled: using her creativity to make others feel seen, represented, and at peace in their homes through her designs. But before Carley built her sacred space, and helped others do the same, she travelled a long and arduous road to find her purpose and peace. It’s partly because of her past—and everything she’s overcome—that home means so much to her today.
As Seen in Carley's Home
carley's story
The Winding Road
One of Carley’s favorite places to grab a quiet moment: by the window in her bedroom, cozied up on our Camdyn Settee with Nessa Pillows.
Growing up, Carley was a whimsical and expressive child, one who always felt a little out of place and craved belonging with her peers. In her search for connection, she lost a bit of herself, experimenting with drugs and alcohol to feel accepted—a path that eventually led to broken relationships, arrests, and a loss of her home altogether.
The Baptiste Table Lamp, Francine Chair, and Parisa Rug bring organic texture and warmth, complementing Carley’s southern-classic style.
When you’re young you just want to be loved and you want people to like you and you want to be included so I ended up starting to partake in alcohol and drugs. It’s where I felt accepted, it’s where I felt I was part of the crowd, I wasn’t standing out anymore for being odd, I was cool. Now, I don’t want to be cool—I want to be myself.
Carley, her husband, Jon, and son, Max, at home in their backyard in Greenville.
Suffering and at her lowest, Carley enrolled in rehab, got sober, and renewed her resolve to find her place in the world—on her terms. A service trip in Haiti helped her realize the value of cultivating community and fostering connection, and she set out to do just that, using those talents that set her apart as a child. She reconnected with her creative roots, honing her design acumen and photography skills. This journey of rediscovery set her on the path to meeting her husband and eventually led back to Greenville to create home anew.
Playing up the soft romance of the family room, Carley added the Kaasni and Keya Pillows, Brynn Ottoman, Roxana Table Lamp, and Ankita Rug.
Today, Carley lives in a house that once belonged to her beloved neighbor. She spends time with her family, cultivates her garden, hosts weekly Bible study for local young women, and explores her design identity here. She feels affirmed in this home where she can be at peace, connect with herself and her loved ones, and live a life she can be proud of. Where she once felt anxious about the idea of home, she now finds inspiration abound.
Creating a home is an absolute journey and it is going to take time for it to be curated and layered perfectly. But that’s the beauty of home and that’s the beauty of human nature: None of it is going to be perfect.
Our Gilcrest Windsor Chairs ground the living room with their classic-meets-contemporary style, while the Yvette Rug calls in the romance of Carley’s art.
Carley styled her seating area with the Adler Coffee Table, Nessa and Winifred Pillows, and Anana Throw. Also pictured: Iona Side Table, Warren and Roxana Lamps.
Upon entering Carley’s house, you’re transported into her world—a blend of southern sensibilities, treasures accumulated in her travels, and European-inspired flourishes. Carley’s mission is to make her spaces feel beautiful but always comfortable: “A place where butts fill seats and where people feel comfortable grabbing a spot on the floor when the couch is full.” Carley’s interior-design style is influenced by her surroundings, whether that’s her travels or the nature in her backyard. An always-present arrangement of fresh flowers adds life to her spaces, which blend antique finds with modern textures and finishes. The result is a warm, balanced space that invites you right in.
One of her family’s favorite spaces: the kitchen. The most important piece for Carley was choosing the marble—one of the biggest investments in her home.
A kitchen runner brings softness and dimension to the kitchen. Matisa’s color palette adds a touch of romance here. Also pictured: our Port Gamble Mill Stool.
Carley’s advice for creating your best space?
Take your time, be patient, and fill your space with pieces that call to you. It won’t be perfect right away—and that’s okay. Ultimately creating your home is a process, a journey of discovery that’s unique to your experience and point of view.