The Podjasek family had long visited Amelia Island, and they were reintroduced to it when Steve Podjasek’s stepbrother, Mike Canning, purchased a condominium at Carlton Dunes. Built between 1999 and 2000, Carlton Dunes is a premier oceanfront community located near The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.
The development comprises seven buildings, each featuring expansive balconies with sweeping ocean views. Since then, Steve’s parents, John and Rita Canning, his sister Beth Lupo, and his brother Tim Canning have all purchased condos at Carlton Dunes! They enjoy being close to one another during their visits to Amelia Island.
Steve and his wife purchased their condo in April 2024. The 3,106-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bath residence was in need of a full renovation. Their realtor recommended Lola Interiors, and after doing their research, the couple agreed. “Lola blew us away with their custom designs, and after meeting with the team, they were the obvious choice. They made the process seamless,” Steve shares. The project ultimately became a complete gut renovation, including new flooring, kitchen, bedrooms, appliances, and more.
Located on the top floor, the condo offers dramatic 12-foot ceilings. Covered garage parking is on the first floor of the building, and each floor has two units. After taking the elevator up, residents enter through a private foyer. Once inside, the space opens to stunning panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. A wraparound balcony extends along the oceanfront side of the living area, while additional balconies at the rear overlook maritime forests stretching west toward the river.
The living and dining areas are open and airy, decorated in soft grays and blues. Light oak flooring runs throughout the condo. Accent pillows in subtle contrasting fabrics add texture to the seating area, while understated lighting provides a warm, inviting glow. The dark blue carpet under the simple, elegant dining area adds a nice design touch. The kitchen features all-new Thermador appliances and an elongated quartz island with seating at one end. A cleverly designed bar is tucked into a nearby space that was once a closet.
The primary bedroom includes a cozy seating area with twin chaise lounges—an ideal spot to take in the ocean views. Taking advantage of the tall ceilings, the primary closet is designed with two tiers and includes a sliding library ladder, effectively doubling the hanging space. The primary bathroom is painted a deep gray-blue and features generous counter space, a tiled walk-in shower, and an elegant soaking tub.
Lola Interiors proved to be the perfect partner for the Podjasek renovation, managing a complete transformation largely from a distance. The firm was founded in 2013 by Tiffany Hinton, a fourth-generation Amelia Island native. Today, the company includes a team of seven designers and support staff specializing in residential design, new builds, renovations, and full-home decorating. Lola Interiors also operates a showroom at the entrance to the Harris Teeter shopping center, offering furniture, lighting, rugs, fabric, wallpaper, and décor.
Courtney Hinton of Lola Interiors worked closely with the Podjasek family. “From the very beginning, this project felt special. The clients placed an incredible amount of trust in our team, allowing us to fully reimagine their condo as a true family retreat. One of our favorite design moments is the extended kitchen island with integrated seating. It redefines the traditional breakfast nook, creating a more natural, connected space where their family can gather, linger, and live beautifully together.”
The family currently resides in Glenview, Illinois, and visits as often as possible. The couple has two daughters—one in college—and they look forward to spending more time on the island once their younger daughter graduates from high school. They cherish trips downtown to shop, dine, and play miniature golf, as well as time spent boogie boarding and swimming in the ocean just steps from their front door.