NEWBURYPORT — In a second-floor office on Liberty Street that features numerous windows with panoramic views of Market Square and other downtown streetscapes, interior designers at Cebula Design Inc. work on projects for spaces throughout the country.
What started more than 20 years ago as a one-man show in Michael Cebula has grown into a seven-person firm. The company's commissions range from homes on Green Street in Newburyport and others on lakes in New Hampshire to homes in Wyoming and luxury apartments in New York City's SoHo.
"This is what I always wanted to do," said Cebula, owner and founder of the company.
"It is a natural progression," said Jeffrey Adams, general manager, in reference to the growth of the company. "Over the years, we've built a really strong office."
But now, Cebula, Adams and the rest of the company's team are in the midst of one of their most important projects to date: designing three, 5,000-square-foot penthouses as part of the largest mixed-use development this side of the Mississippi River.
The penthouses they are designing are for the project's developer.
Dubbed National Harbor, the project is a 300-acre, multibillion-dollar mixed used development in Maryland along the Potomac River just two miles south of Washington, D.C. The developer of the project, Milt Peterson, commissioned Cebula to design three penthouses: one for him and his wife; one for the family; and one for his daughter.
"Needless to say, it is a big deal," Adams said.
Much of the work Cebula is responsible for — everything from the crown molding, tiling, wall detail and many other aspects — will be completed by companies in the Newburyport area.
For example, architect Bill Soupcoff, a Marlboro Street resident whom Cebula has worked with for decades, is consulting on the architectural aspects "where we really need his consultation," Adams said.
"We are in the throes of it, now, and it is really going well," Adams said. "I'm really proud to say that many of the people working on it and consulting on it are people who we've worked with before. It has this direct connection with Newburyport and the people we work with on an almost daily basis."
Cebula, who started his career in advertising, said he first worked with Milt and Carolyn Peterson many years ago at their home in York Harbor, Maine. Based on that job, the Petersons hired Cebula Design for the newest project, even though Peterson was approached by many designers to do the job, Adams said.
But Peterson said: "No. We are going to work with Michael and Jeff," according to Adams.
"It comes down to trust," Adams said. "People place their trust in us, and we earn that trust."
Cebula added, "People become loyal when you earn their trust."
Cebula Design offers a full complement of services for interior design, Cebula and Adams said, with the aim of providing a luxurious product for customers.
Their services include the design of electrical and plumbing work, the look of tile for different surfaces and even high-end art for decorating the walls. At the Petersons' place, they will even help design a large rooftop garden for the penthouses, which will include restrooms, sitting areas and other elements.
"We are a full-service firm," Cebula said. "We don't just come in and sell you furniture."
"It is all overseen by Michael," Adams said. "When you come to Cebula, you get Michael. You don't get shuffled off" to other designers or subcontractors.
About Cebula Design
Founder, designer: Michael Cebula
General manager: Jeffrey Adams
Total employees: Seven
Years in practice: 24
Years on Liberty Street: eight
High-profile job: Three, 5,000-square-foot penthouses for developer of largest mix-used project east of the Mississippi.
