October 23, 2023 | Charlotte Observer

The adaptive-reuse project looked to capture the character of the mid-century modern space. ...That includes preserving the building's Googie-style soaring roofline, restoring the glass storefront and a reclad of the wingwalls that flank the building. Original monolithic terrazzo floors were refreshed. Architectural finishes, art and furniture selections helped advance that vibe, with vintage seating and chandeliers from the 1960s and early ‘70s, authorized mid-century reproduction tables and a custom 11-foot-long live-edge walnut tasting table.  

L’Ostrica, which opened its Chef’s Market earlier this year, is now taking reservations for its tasting menu experience starting Nov. 1. The space features custom-built furniture and chef’s presentation table, designed to create an inviting, intimate setting. 

October 18, 2023 | Axios Charlotte

L’Ostrica is elevating Montford’s dining scene. With its seasonal tasting menu, craft cocktail program and chef’s market, it’s the kind of place you can go to for a quick drink, fancy night out or lunch to go. ...At 2,500 square feet, L’Ostrica will have an open kitchen with 38 seats.  

September 2, 2023  |  Charlotte Magazine

Carrie Frye, who designed the interiors at Sea Level, La Belle Helene, Viva Chicken, The Crunkleton, and, most recently, Monday Night Garden Co., knows all about this. With every project, she considers what she calls “the third dimension,” how guests experience the space. 

June 27, 2023  |  Charlotte Business Journal

The intimate space will have just 38 seats, an open kitchen and boast 24-foot ceilings. Patio space is planned. Fairwood Construction is the general contractor. Southwick Architecture + Interiors is the architect, while Carrie Frye Interior Design tapped for interior design. 

June 27, 2023  |  Axios Charlotte

At 2,500 square feet, L’Ostrica will have an open kitchen with 38 seats. 

June 28, 2023  |  Queen City Nerve

The 2,500-square-foot location will feature an open kitchen, 24-foot ceilings, 38 seats inside and a dedicated patio seating coming soon. 

June 14, 2023  |  Charlotte Business Journal

The 8,000-square-foot taproom follows locations in Atlanta; Birmingham, Alabama; and Nashville, Tennessee. It transformed a former mechanics shop into a main taproom, lounge space and loft. There’s also nearly an acre of outdoor space with seating, fire pits and outdoor games. 

October 22, 2021  |  Charlotte Business Journal

A local developer is close to beginning work on the revitalization of a 1920s-era building in the region. Barnhardt and his team plan to redevelop the historic office building into 12 apartments in a $3.5 million makeover. Barnhardt is working with NMJDesigns, Carrie Frye Interior Design, The Bogle Firm Architecture and Vertex Construction on the project. 

July 21, 2021  |  The Charlotte Observer

The building design will be industrial modern with glass garage doors opening to the outdoor space. 

March 26, 2021  |  The Charlotte Observer

Carrie Frye, designer of the uptown La Belle Helene restaurant and a neighbor to Fat Cat Burgers, designed Fat Cat’s space. There are new tables, additional booths in the back and televisions in front and back, and a full-service bar with seating for up to 12 people has a new black granite top. The bar will have a craft cocktail menu plus local craft beers and iced coffee on tap. 

December 17, 2020  |  The Charlotte Business Journal

"Business at her commercial interior design firm, Carrie Frye Interior Design, has doubled since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when she was relying on a residual pipeline and saw few new projects coming through the door. Frye said her firm is now actively working on 12 projects." 

October 20, 2020  |  WBTV

"We crave the human connection and that's why office space still matters. It's the brand. It's the culture. That's how you have the water cooler conversations... and the sidebar conversations that could lead to something else. That's difficult to do when you're on a Zoom call." 

Sept. 11, 2020  |  The Charlotte Business Journal

"Frye said there's an opportunity now, as companies wonder what to do with largely empty real estate, to look at nooks and crannies in existing buildings for new features." 

May 28, 2020  |  Charlotte Business Journal

“We’ve got a renewed focus on people and a renewed ability to reinvest in things, from restaurants to offices to libraries to public space. I think that’s really exciting.” 

April 17, 2020  |  The Charlotte Business Journal

Frye said she's talking to brokers, architects and others about office tenants' new expectations for health and safety. 

April 10, 2020  |  The Charlotte Business Journal

The firm’s portfolio includes La Belle Helene, The Crunkleton and The Waterman Fish Bar while commercial upfits include office spaces for Ingersoll Rand and Elior. 

Oct. 25, 2019  |  The Charlotte Business Journal

The restaurant sets itself apart from others with the authenticity of its design and use of materials like the 16-seat pewter bar top. There’s also faux skylights and windows, 36-inch cornice detail, antique mirrors and custom mosaic tile floors. Heavy antique woodwork is offset by leather banquette seating. Rotisserie ovens were imported from France. The bathroom holds national acclaim and is a finalist in Cintas’ America’s Best Restroom contest. 

Sept. 9, 2019  |  The Power of Design Podcast - Jack Ossa

Listen to my interview with Carrie Frye from CFID Studio in Charlotte NC. We talked about what makes a great design experience in restaurants and workplace projects, entrepreneurship, collaboration and construction teams. 

Aug. 27, 2019  |  Food and Wine

A hand-painted mural reflected in the vanity mirror offers a backdrop — for selfies, of course — and the space has been named Charlotte's most beautiful bathroom time over time. 

July 31, 2019  |  QC Exclusive

A twenty-year veteran of commercial interior design, Carrie Frye founded her self-named Carrie Frye Commercial Interior Design in 2013. Since then, she’s worked steadfastly to become a major force behind the success of some of Charlotte’s most beloved eateries. 

June 26, 2019  |  WBTV

Today we're talking about restaurants, and how social media is changing the way they're designed. One example is La Belle Helene. It opened up in Charlotte about a year ago. From the countertops to the bathroom wall, this restaurant was designed to be photo worthy. So we took a trip there to talk to the designer and find out if this could be the future of restaurants. 

June 25, 2019  |  Unpretentious Palate

The design of a restaurant is one of its most important aspects -- and often, overlooked. The right interior can tie a restaurant together, creating a cohesive experience. We spoke with Carrie Frye, who has been working on restaurant design in Charlotte for 20 years and is responsible for The Crunkleton and The Waterman, about what makes a restaurant look and feel great. 

March 22, 2019  |  The State

The restaurant’s interior, which Dukes expanded and totally remodeled, has a nostalgic feel. A soft, pastel blues-and-greens color palette, black-and-white checkered flooring, an old-school wood panel ceiling, industrial lights and comfortable booths are complemented by vintage photos of fishermen and boats, and weathered oars on a back wall.  

March 22, 2019  |  The Charlotte Agenda

The upscale French brasserie raised the bar for Uptown restaurant design when it opened last summer. The jaw-dropping project from Carrie Frye Interior Design features soaring ceilings, elaborate light fixtures, classic black and white tiling and a mix of pewter, antique wood and leather detailing. There’s nothing else like it in town which is why it’s our #1 most beautiful restaurant in Charlotte.  

Feb. 19, 2019  |  The Charlotte Agenda

"#15: Living Kitchen. Super-hip vegan restaurant inside South End’s historic Atherton Mill marries earthy and industrial design aesthetics with soaring windows, exposed brick and plenty of plants. Design element we love: The bar’s white subway tile backsplash and bright yellow barstools." 

Jan. 17, 2019  |  The Charlotte Agenda

"It's beautiful inside. No expense was spared on the $1 million upfit, and it shows. ...The 84-seat space features a 30-foot bar with a floor-to-ceiling backbar loaded with spirits from around the world. It’s the type of place that’s so comfortable that you can walk in at 5 p.m. and the next thing you know, it’s midnight." 

Nov. 28, 2018  |  The Charlotte Magazine

"If you’ve eaten out in Charlotte recently, you’ve probably seen her work. Designer Carrie Frye is responsible for the eye-catching interiors at Sea Level, Living Kitchen, Yafo Kitchen, Midwood Smokehouse, Viva Chicken, and others. With the Crunkleton set to open next month, we wanted to get the scoop the hotly anticipated space, and chat with her about other upcoming projects." 

August 4, 2018  |  The Charlotte Observer

"The Charlotte Museum of History has elected new officers and members to its Board of Trustees.  Carrie Frye, Stewart McQueen, William Nolan and Michael Pressman joined the board in July.  Carrie Frye is the owner and chief designer of Carrie Frye Interior Design." 

July 20, 2018  |  The Charlotte Agenda

"Why is La Belle Helene so damn good-looking? LBH will be a showcase for potential catering clients for its parent company — Elior North America/STARR Catering Group. LBH is Elior’s second retail concept in Charlotte; they also operate the tastefully designed Parliament Espresso and Coffee Bar that recently opened in the same building Uptown." 

July 24, 2018  |  The Charlotte Observer

"Expect a muted but classic color scheme of dark green (on the banquettes), black, white and dove gray. ...A grownup but not stuffy feel to what will probably be a busy bar scene." 

April 16, 2018  |  Charlotte Five

"Brick walls with dark wood tables give Sea Level NC a clean cut, less is more look that fits the atmosphere of the Uptown restaurant." 

Feb 1, 2018  |  The Charlotte Business Journal

"Carrie Frye Interior Design has been tapped to create an environment with a fun coastal feel." 

Jan. 29, 2018  |  Charlotte Five

"Inside, Carrie Frye Interior Design will be in charge of the slightly industrial but welcoming vibe with soft furnishings, plus there will be a large mural of a waterman. There will be both inside and outside seating along with a 2,000 square-foot rooftop bar. And Instagrammers, get ready; Manley said there is a clear view of Uptown from the roof." 

Dec. 20, 2017  |  The Charlotte Magazine

"No. 17: Sea Level. The name is inspired by the name of a seaside town, but is fitting for Charlotte’s most consistent seafood restaurant. The cocktail menu run by Colleen Hughes is worth noticing, as well. Top that all with a beautiful interior punctuated with Edison bulbs, and Sea Level is a dependable uptown favorite." 

Dec 12, 2017  |  The Charlotte Business Journal

"Three Charlotte firms active in the city's real estate scene are moving in together in early 2018. Carrie Frye Interior Design, Playbook Management Co. and Thrift Commercial Real Estate say they will open a 'custom' co-working office on the first floor of 1710 Abbey Place, in the submarket branded as Montford Park." 

2017  |  Open Table

"The Pump House is a multi-level, riverfront restaurant featuring two bars, including a rooftop bar, all with sweeping views of the beautiful Catawba river. Situated in the new Riverwalk development, the Pump House is an upscale, gourmet restaurant with a casual but elegant atmosphere." 

Office Snapshots

"The space soars with natural light and creates a collaborative environment for the call center and training facility employees who work there." 

June 15, 2017 | The Charlotte Business Journal

"In addition to its fourth-floor office space, Elior North America will open a brasserie-style French restaurant fronting Tryon Street and a coffee shop facing the building's linear park along Third Street that connects Tryon Street and Romare Bearden Park." 

Nov. 30, 2016  |  The Charlotte Agenda

"About a dozen outside patio tables that make for a great happy hour oyster spot for the Uptown work crowd."

Nov. 4, 2016  |  The Charlotte Magazine

"Heirloom’s interior will also get a mini-facelift. With the help of Carrie Frye, an interior designer who has helped Scibelli’s FS Food Group in the past, the team is currently scoping out the project, looking into cosmetic changes."

Garden and Gun

"Grab a seat at the twelve-person raw bar and watch the shuckers do their thing, or enjoy a meal of oysters and line-caught fish in the dining room."

Aug 19, 2016 | The Charlotte Business Journal

"Via Roma is Augusto Conte's latest venture; the restaurateur also owns Luce, Toscana and Malabar in Charlotte. A fine-dining eatery, the 2,279-square-foot Via Roma will feature northern Italian cuisine, an extensive wine list and outdoor seating. Via Roma is named after the street in Ischia, Italy, where Conte grew up."

June 29, 2016 | The Charlotte Business Journal

"The space will have an industrial feel (metal and wood finishes and an unusual concrete reception desk). There will be open spaces and writable wall surfaces to encourage collaboration. The design will highlight MapAnything's geo-analytic and mapping product by incorporating colorful map graphics on the concrete floors and exposed ceilings." 

June 29, 2016 | The Charlotte Business Journal

A fast-growing software company headquartered in west Charlotte is moving to a bigger space in the airport submarket. MapAnything, which develops a Salesforce mapping tool, will occupy the entire fourth floor in the 5200 77 Center Drive building in Vanguard Center — a nearly 22,000-square-foot space. 

July 18, 2016 | Charlotte Agenda

Have you been to lunch or dinner in Charlotte? Well then chances are you’ve seen Carrie’s work. She’s the real deal and has worked to design popular spots like Luna’s Living Kitchen, Dean & Deluca, Sea Level, Midwood Smokehouse and Viva Chicken (there’s a bunch more, too). Here’s how she works.