Owner of The Carolina Home, Lynn Bomberowitz knows that investing in your home is investing in yourself — and you are worth it.
We first met Bomberowitz in October of 2021, when her family was among those featured in “Welcome to the Zoomtown.” In that Cary Magazine issue, which presented remote work as responsible for people’s newfound “freedom to live anywhere,” Bomberowitz asserted that “the way we think about our homes has drastically changed. It’s really where now you work, you live, you play, you work out.”
Lynn Bomberowitz, The Carolina Home
Three years later, Bomberowitz has proven that your home can redefine your life. Hers has.
Finding her Cary home with the help of a local realtor and her parents while she was heavily pregnant and living in Boston meant that, apart from a FaceTime call, Bomberowitz’s new home was purchased sight unseen. Although she could tell, even virtually, that the house needed a lot of work, she also recognized that the bones were good.
So, from a distance, Bomberowitz embarked on the first-floor renovations that would transform her Cary house into the home it is today. The point of any home, Bomberowitz says, is that it should “make you feel something.” She draws an analogy between interior designers and doctors and how they’re not just treating your living space, but fundamentally improving your well-being. The cure? Your home shouldn’t just look beautiful — it should feel good, which makes you feel good about yourself both within it and out in the world.
A strong believer that “everything happens for a reason,” Bomberowitz initially relocated to Cary thanks to flexible employment and a desire for her family to live near her parents. But it was the passing of a close friend that served as the impetus for Bomberowitz closing the door on her comfortable corporate career and embracing her passion for interior design. Had she not started The Carolina Home, Bomberowitz acknowledges that there “would always have been a project” around her own house. Now the care she is able to show her clients as a designer is translated to renewed and reinvigorated spaces that echo her hallmark of “accessible luxury” and forge friendships that endure.
While she leans toward “a light, clean, traditional/coastal aesthetic,” drawing inspiration from her New England roots, she’s driven by how her clients use and move through their space. Getting to know those clients might involve learning their cocktail of choice after a long day or their favorite spot on the couch. Bomberowitz’s design looks, feels, and functions like their design.
The Carolina Home offers a menu of services from a 90-minute single-service design session to Bomberowitz’s signature full-service furnishing design that allows her to flex her creative and project management muscles as she cures what ails your home … and you.
Her life is clearly led by what she describes as a “heart full of creativity and a gut full of courage.” Bomberowitz brings life to your living space in the same way — so you can make yourself at home.
Make Yourself at Home
Making your home your happiest place shouldn’t feel overwhelming. I believe that your space should reflect your personality and bring you joy every time you walk in. By adding personal touches like meaningful photos, thoughtful artwork, mood lighting, and colors that resonate with you, your home can become a true reflection of your best self. Here are some cost-effective tips and thoughtful investments that can make a big impact, even if you’re not ready to hire a designer such as myself just yet:
Start with a Fresh Coat of Paint
Impact: Painting can transform a room and set the mood. Light, airy colors like warm whites and grays can create an inviting and open atmosphere.
Lynn’s tip: I love using a warm white like Sherwin-Williams’ Alabaster as a neutral backdrop. It allows you to play with other colors and patterns through fabric and decor. Softer blues or greiges can also be great options if you want a soothing and serene vibe.
Invest in Quality Lighting
Impact: Good lighting can make all the difference in how a space feels. Layering different types of lighting — overhead, task, and ambient — adds dimension and versatility to a room.
Lynn’s tip: I’m a big fan of lamps, but for overhead light and lamps alike, dimmers are a must! Installing dimmer switches gives you control over the room’s ambience. You can instantly change the mood depending on the time of day or occasion.
Add Textiles and Soft Furnishings
Impact: Adding pillows, rugs, and curtains can introduce color, texture, and warmth to your space. These small touches make a room feel more lived in and inviting.
Lynn’s tip: Invest in a high-quality rug, and mix and match pillows with different textures and patterns to give your space a curated look. Don’t be afraid to switch things up seasonally for a fresh feel (or to get you in the holiday spirit!).
Personalize with Art and Photos
Impact: Art and personal photos can bring character and personality to your home. They turn a generic room into a unique space that reflects you.
Lynn’s tip: A gallery wall with a cohesive mix of frames and styles can be a great focal point. With larger framed photos, I tend to prefer candid photos for a more timeless and natural feel, rather than posed pictures.
Incorporate Plants (Real or Faux!)
Impact: Plants instantly bring life and warmth into a room. Whether real or faux, greenery can soften a space and make it feel more welcoming.
Lynn’s tip: Opt for high-quality faux plants if you want a no-fuss option. Even small touches like faux greenery on a shelf or countertop can make a difference.
Update Hardware and Fixtures
Impact: Swapping out cabinet knobs, drawer pulls, and light fixtures can refresh the look of a space without major renovations.
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