Born in Washington State, Carol Isaak Barden believes that nature is healing and that trees should be saved whenever possible. Her love of nature has had a profound impact on the homes that she builds.

For over two decades, Carol worked as a journalist, covering travel, architecture, and design before embarking on a new career as a real estate developer. A contributing editor at Conde’ Nast Traveler for 10 years, and Travel + Leisure for 6 years, and Southern Accents for 20 years, she criss-crossed the globe, writing features for dozens of publications including Metropolitan Home, Elle, Elle Décor, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, PaperCity, and The Los Angeles Times. After 9/11, she left New York City, launched Carol Isaak Barden + Company, and began building contemporary homes in Houston.

Carol takes her inspiration from 35 years of international travel, many countries and many cultures. As a part time resident of New York City for twenty years, she has been influenced by what she calls the “currents and creative trends of Manhattan, especially the way New Yorkers make use of every inch in their small apartments.” Her design work and renovations have been published in many publications, and her goal is to collaborate with gifted architects building homes that are handcrafted and distinctly different.

Carol has built 16 homes and has worked nearly a dozen architects in Houston, New York City, and Seattle. When working with custom clients, Carol describes her job as “an expeditor. I will assist with whatever my client needs,” she says, “from site and architect selection to defining the house and its costs, to reviewing bids and sourcing beautiful materials. We provide all invoices and accounting transparency for clients so they are a part of the budgeting process and know what everything costs. That way, there are no ugly surprises at the end!”

Our approach to design remains bold and ingenious, our commitment to quality, service and integrity is total.

We are building magic every day, and we would love to show you our homes and what we can do!