Schmidt Custom Builders: Elevating Coastal Craftsmanship and Style

In 2004, Mark Schmidt founded Schmidt Custom Builders in Wilmington, NC, building on a lifelong connection to construction and craftsmanship. After growing up watching his father take on projects around the house, Mark moved to Wilmington in 1999 and began renovating foreclosed properties, gaining the experience and trust that would lead to his own company.

Today, Mark serves as owner and general contractor of the design-build firm, taking on custom homes, remodels, and renovations rooted in coastal living. The firm’s work spans North Carolina’s coast from Carolina Beach to Topsail, with homes reflecting the warmth of this region where indoor-outdoor living and a slower pace shape how people gather and live.

A Collaborative Design-Build Approach

Schmidt Custom Builders’ work has evolved into a highly collaborative design-build process. Mark works closely with Jo Howell of Ginger Interiors, his longtime design-build partner, bringing construction and interior design together early in the process. 

From architects and draftsmen to construction and trade partners, Schmidt Custom Builders coordinates each part of the process with the goal of creating a smoother, more connected building experience. For Mark, aligning the right team from the start helps clients understand the full vision before construction begins.

A Cambria Connection from the Beginning

Mark has been familiar with Cambria since early in his building career, when he purchased a countertop for his own wine room. “I remember being very impressed with the quality of the stone back then,” he says. Years later, that first impression continues to shape how he sees Cambria as both a high-quality surface and a design-driven material.

Today, surface selections are often part of the design process led by Jo, who helps clients respond to the visual and functional possibilities of each material.

East & Mason Southern Living Showcase Home

The East & Mason Southern Living Showcase Home in Wilmington gave the Schmidt Custom Builders and Ginger Interiors team the opportunity to bring their full design-build perspective to life. Designed as a fresh interpretation of coastal farmhouse style, the home pairs bright contemporary interiors with natural materials and layered details that add warmth throughout.

The Kitchen: In the kitchen, Everleigh clads the island, backsplash, and perimeter countertops, pairing with cream-colored cabinetry, gold hardware, and the home’s warm bright palette. The kitchen’s refined sink edge adds another unique detail, extending the design in a mitered application. The backsplash is the standout moment: a custom laser-cut inset that transforms the surface into a true design feature. “The laser-cut detail really stood out to me. The fact that Cambria has that level of customization and capability was one of the most impressive parts of the application,” Mark says.

The Pantry: Around the corner, Charlestown™ clads the pantry countertop with a chiseled backsplash edge, creating another tailored surface moment. Paired with soft blue cabinetry and a hammered metal farmhouse-style sink, the pantry is full of texture and character.

Bath & Laundry: In the primary bath, Kenwood™ in a Cambria Satin™ finish appears on the primary shower bench. The design continues into the laundry room where it clads the countertop. In another bathroom, Remington Brass™ in Cambria Satin adds depth across a vanity top and backsplash, where another chiseled backsplash edge brings dimension to the surface.

A Southern Living Connection

The Southern Living Custom Builder Program is a select network of custom builders known for excellent craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and homes that elevate their community. With Cambria now also a member of the program as a featured building products sponsor, the connection feels natural for Schmidt Custom Builders. The firm has been part of the program for more than 15 years. “Over the years the Southern Living Builder Program has really turned into a family, and we are excited that Cambria is a part of that,” Mark says.