Since founding CWG Design in 2020, Cate has grown it into a thriving studio with a boutique team and clients nationwide. Her projects stand out for a love of rich color, high-quality materials, and a deep “sense of place” created through custom pieces, family heirlooms, sustainable materials, and other meaningful touches.

Born into a family of design professionals, Cate's innate creative vision is rooted in decades of hands-on, generational experience. Add this to her many cross-country moves, and it’s easy to see why Cate’s love for home — and what makes it special — is a passion she pursues every day for her clients.

Although a Louisiana native, Cate is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill and is thrilled to call North Carolina home. When not designing beautiful interiors, Cate enjoys spending quality time with her husband and three children and baking treats for everyone to enjoy.

Cate Gutter

Owner & Principal designer

chat with cate

business manager

Caitlin Helgeson

renata rosenberg

design associate

kelsey leitschuh

design assistant

Curating personal interiors for refined and joyful family living.

CWG Design is a boutique interior design studio based in Charlotte, North Carolina. We specialize in fully custom design and concierge-level execution for renovations, new builds, and whole-home furnishing projects.

Our speciality is helping clients live their stories at home through emotive colors, strategic space planning, and meaningful features that infuse each day with happiness and ease.

...

"As an industry professional, I look to partner with other individuals who are the most efficient in their field. Cate not only presents beautiful finishes in a timely fashion, but was able to listen.
She and her team are able to not only able to conceptualize the space, but truly help create a realization of what is a client's mind and make it come to life."

- Shawn Belcher, Casa Forte Builders

FAQs

what areas do you serve?

what areas do you serve?

We serve clients in Charlotte, NC and its surrounding suburbs. However, we have also completed projects in Baton Rouge, Dallas, Asheville, Chicago, and nationwide. We are always open to traveling for the perfect match.

WILL YOU COLLABORATE WITH TRADES DURING MY PROJECT?

WILL YOU COLLABORATE WITH TRADES DURING MY PROJECT?

Absolutely. Not only do we have our own extensive network of trusted trade partners, but we are happy to work with yours, if you have already assembled your team. With our concierge-level service, we function as our clients’ liaison, communicating with the architect and general contractor during your project to answer questions, make important decisions, and ensure the design is going according to the approved plan.

If you are starting a furnishing project, we will also coordinate the necessary trades, including painters, millwork specialists, window treatment professionals, art installers, and more. Our goal is always to take the work off your plate and deliver a completed home that exceeds all expectations.

WHEN SHOULD I HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER FOR MY RENOVATION OR NEW BUILD?

WHEN SHOULD I HIRE AN INTERIOR DESIGNER FOR MY RENOVATION OR NEW BUILD?

As early as possible. An interior designer’s expertise will provide valuable insights and guidance in achieving your vision. The sooner we’re involved, the more impact we can have on the final result. (It is always more difficult to implement your favorite ideas after the walls have already gone up!) 

HOW LONG WILL MY PROJECT TAKE?

HOW LONG WILL MY PROJECT TAKE?

The timeline for your design project is largely dependent on the scope of work. Factors such as layout changes, plumbing updates, lead times, and contractor availability can all impact the duration of your project. 

Once we understand the scope of your project, we will create an estimated timeline and refine it at each step of the process. We prioritize open communication with our clients, so even though we can’t answer that question right now, we absolutely will during our work together.

Note: If you have any special events or trips that may impact your desired completion date, please let us know right away.

HOW WILL I KNOW MY PERSONAL STYLE WILL BE EXPRESSED?

HOW WILL I KNOW MY PERSONAL STYLE WILL BE EXPRESSED?

Your personal style is the heart of our design aesthetic. It’s about your story, your lifestyle, and your family. Although we pride ourselves on delivering a service that is completely hands-off for you, the only way we can achieve this quality and authenticity is to develop a strong relationship with you.

At the outset of your project, we prioritize getting to know you and your unique style. We’ll ask thoughtful questions and actively listen to your answers, so that we can fully understand your preferences and priorities. We’ll likely ask questions you have never thought of before! 

Once we have a clear understanding of your vision, we curate images that communicate our ideas and integrate them into mood boards and renderings. These are powerful tools that help you visualize what your final space will look like. We have a process for creation, feedback, iteration, and final approval, to ensure that you are thrilled with the design at every stage. When we finally bring it to life, you already know that you will love it.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO INVEST IN MY PROJECT?

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO INVEST IN MY PROJECT?

Much like project timelines, the investment required for a home project can vary widely depending on factors like scope, materials, and specialists involved. While we try to give you the best idea of costs, it’s important to note that these can vary over time depending on the vendor and quality of materials selected. To ensure full transparency, we offer a complimentary consultation to discuss your project needs and give you estimates.

As for design fees, we use an hourly model. After discussing your project and goals, we will estimate a range for the total number of hours we believe will be required for our services. This approach allows you to understand the projected fees upfront, giving you peace of mind as your project progresses.

WHO WILL PURCHASE MY MATERIALS AND FURNISHINGS?

WHO WILL PURCHASE MY MATERIALS AND FURNISHINGS?

We take pride in managing every aspect of your project, including the procurement of all items. This includes ordering, tracking, receiving, inspecting for quality, storing, and installing all materials and furnishings. We have an extensive network of unique and local suppliers that offer quality, customization, sustainability, and style that you won’t find in retail stores. You can trust that we’ll handle everything with care and attention to detail, so that you can relax and enjoy your space when it’s ready.

While we love sourcing new and exciting pieces for your home, we also recognize the importance of incorporating meaningful heirlooms. Many of our clients have beautiful and sentimental pieces they want to keep. We embrace the opportunity to seamlessly blend these cherished items with new furnishings, achieving a creative and personalized look that reflects your story.
As for design fees, we use an hourly model. After discussing your project and goals, we will estimate a range for the total number of hours we believe will be required for our services. This approach allows you to understand the projected fees upfront, giving you peace of mind as your project progresses.

WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP IN WORKING TOGETHER?

WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP IN WORKING TOGETHER?

We’re so glad you asked. The first step is to complete our Inquiry Form and then we will book an initial complimentary discovery call. This is a great opportunity to share more about your project, learn about our creative process, and determine if we’re the perfect match for each other. 
As for design fees, we use an hourly model. 

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