✨ Meet Carta Creatives! ✨ Founded by Elana Tenenbaum Cline, a classically trained architect with a knack for handling complex renovations, Carta Creatives specializes in creating upscale yet functional spaces perfect for family living. Together with Maddie Shepard, Operations & Project Manager, bringing her years of expertise in project management to keep everything on schedule and on budget, Carta’s all-women team of moms based across the Northeast is here to bring your design dreams to life. From Manhattan to the Hudson Valley to Fairfield County, they’ve completed a wide range of projects tailored to fit various lifestyles. 💫
Where are you originally from and how long have you been in Fairfield?
Elana: I’m originally from Newtown and have been in Fairfield for four years—I absolutely love it here! Our all-female team (mostly moms!) is spread out across the Northeast, but Maddie Shepard, our amazing project manager, also lives in Fairfield and has called it home for the past three years.
Tell us about your Family!
Elana: My husband, Daniel, and I have two wonderful little ones—Stella, who is 3 ½, and Noah, who is almost 5. They keep us on our toes and bring so much joy to our lives!
Maddie: My husband, Andrew, and I have two little ones—William, who is 3, and Annie, who is 1. Fun fact: William and Elana’s daughter, Stella, are best buds, which is how Elana and I met!
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Elana: I once biked from London to Paris! After college, I lived in the UK while working for a big architecture firm, and all my colleagues were avid cyclists. We rode out to the coast, took an overnight ferry to France, and then cycled through the beautiful French countryside into Paris. The whole trip took three days and was worth every second—it’s an experience I’ll never forget!
One thing you wish someone would have told you about motherhood?
Decision fatigue! I never realized just how many decisions I’d be making every single day, from the big ones like how to approach education and health, to the small ones like what snacks to pack or which socks to put on. It’s constant and can feel overwhelming at times. I wish someone had told me how important it is to give yourself grace, pick your battles, and let go of the pressure to get every decision “right.” Learning to simplify and lean on routines has been a game-changer!
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Fairfield?
Where to begin! The beaches are such a treasure and make summer feel so special. The community here is incredible—warm, welcoming, and full of amazing people. I also love Fairfield’s proximity to the city and the rest of the Northeast/New England; it feels like we have the best of both worlds. And the annual cycles of the year—like Halloween, holiday events, and seasonal traditions—make it such a magical place to create lasting memories with our kids.
Best mom hack that makes your life easier?
Other moms, without a doubt! Creating a close-knit group of supportive, loving, and hardworking friends who we consider family—our “aunties”—has been such a gift. From offering advice and helping out when things get chaotic to simply being there for each other, this incredible group has been a lifesaver. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without them—they make everything easier and so much more joyful.
Tell us about your business Carta Creatives, and when & why you decided to start up this business?
Carta Creatives is all about creating spaces that reflect who you are, from the big picture to the smallest details. I believe that design is interconnected—the soap pump on your counter should feel just as intentional as the layout of the whole room. I started Carta Creatives because I wanted to offer something different: an easygoing, fair, and professional approach to design, with a strong emphasis on working within a budget. After years of experience in architecture and design, I knew I wanted to create a space where people could feel comfortable collaborating, knowing they’d be treated with respect and professionalism every step of the way. It’s about more than just a beautiful space—it’s about making the process smooth and enjoyable.
What is your background?
Elana: I have a five-year architecture degree from Syracuse University and have had the opportunity to work in some incredible places—London, Israel, and China—on large, complex projects. I started in interiors in NYC and worked at top firms like SHoP and AvroKo. At SHoP, I had the chance to work on projects across Africa and India, which gave me a truly global perspective on design.
Maddie: I spent over a decade working in the luxury event and fashion industries, where I developed a passion for creating beautiful and functional environments. This fascination led me to interior design, and I’ve spent the past several years working for award-winning interior designers. My focus is on ensuring every project runs smoothly and efficiently, delivering exceptional results for clients.
Tell us about the different services that you offer at Carta Creatives.
At Carta Creatives, we offer a wide range of services in both residential interiors and hospitality design. Our team specializes in interior design, project management, decor, and styling, handling everything from complex renovations and new builds to smaller room redesigns. We love working on projects of all sizes, bringing intentional design to every space. Our all-women team is made up of mostly moms, which brings a unique level of flexibility and understanding to our work—we truly love collaborating with each other to create beautiful, functional spaces that fit our clients’ lifestyles. We make it a priority to create turnkey experiences, handling every detail—down to the hand towel—so our clients can move in and immediately feel at home.
Best advice for moms who experience the inevitable MOM GUILT handling a career and raising a family?
We totally understand the mom guilt! I heard an interesting fact recently—that working moms today actually spend just as much, if not more, time with their kids than stay-at-home moms did 20+ years ago. It’s easy to feel like we’re not doing enough, but the truth is, we’re doing our best and that’s more than enough. My advice is to give yourself grace. Balance is a moving target, and sometimes “good enough” is exactly that—good enough. Focus on quality time, not just quantity, and remember that taking care of yourself and your career makes you a better mom in the long run.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom that you are today?
Elana: Our kids! They’ve taught me so much about patience, perspective, and how to love in ways I never knew were possible. They challenge me every day to be better, and they’ve helped me grow in ways I never imagined. Being their mom is the most rewarding, eye-opening experience, and they’ve truly shaped who I am today.
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
Find other moms! Building a solid group of supportive, understanding friends who are also navigating motherhood has been a game-changer. Having people you can rely on, share experiences with, and just vent to when needed makes all the difference. You don’t have to do it alone—surrounding yourself with other moms who “get it” is one of the best things you can do for your own well-being.
We love supporting local businesses – favorite places in Fairfield to…
Have Dinner with Family: Sophies or Centro
Grab a Drink with Friends: Horseshoe.
Have a Date Night: The Grey Goose
Spend time together as a Family: Sasco Beach
Outside Activities: A walk out of our office; southport harbor into sasco hill rod.
Grab coffee: The Pantry (Tall iced with oat milk!)