Storie Collective

To say that working with Sara at Storie Collective was a dream would be a vast understatement! We hired Sara to help “put the charm” back into our DC row house. When we moved in, it had been gut-renovated with a wonderful layout, but a not-so-wonderful “generic farmhouse aesthetic”. We wanted to put some traditional Capitol Hill features back in (crown molding, etc.) while updating it to feel modern, unique and to reflect our personal style. Storie Collective helped us with many updates big and small: a complete primary bathroom and powder room reno to a full kitchen refresh (Sara recommended exactly what we should update and what we should keep the same–saving us a lot of money), designing a staircase and a built-in bookcase, recommending furniture, AMONG many, many other things. And we couldn’t be more pleased! Here are some things that really stood out about her and her team: -Collaborative nature. She and her team are so creatively talented, with extensive technical knowledge (a must when working with architects/contractors!) and I trusted them completely. But I also wanted to be involved in the process as I thoroughly enjoy it and have a passion for design. Sara and her team were so open to working collaboratively with me, including my ideas, whilst also adding so much additional value. I know designers should be good at designing (obviously), but their team really “has it”--Sara knew the best places to source furniture/hardware/lighting–from mass to indie to antique–they create the most dreamy color palettes and also were flexible when I decided to buy furniture on a whim! -Organized/Proactive/Smart–Creativity aside, there is so much value in working with a team that has a clear timeline, process, and streamlined communication (i.e. I wasn’t receiving a million emails from 10 different team members). Anytime there was a bump in the road due to a supply chain backup, sourcing limitation or contractor issue, Sara always proactively reached out to tell me AND had 2-3 solutions ready. She was also a great liaison between me and our contractor. Creativity and Process-the best of both worlds. -Flexibility and Transparency in Pricing–This is an area I feel really differentiates Storie Collective from other designers I interviewed. Many were not open to helping with certain aspects of things around the house, instead wanting to control the whole process or a whole room from start to finish. And in a modern world, that isn’t conducive to the way we live and need help making a house a home! Their team offered so much flexibility–from doing a complete redesign of the primary bathroom–to helping choose a paint color and hardware for our kid’s bathroom- to helping me identify who made a floor lamp I saw on instagram. Additionally, the pricing was equally as transparent for the small projects and the larger projects. The quotes we received from other designers appeared to be vague/full of hidden markups (on furniture,etc.) . Sara offered complete transparency over pricing, down to the product level. Any time I needed her help on an hourly basis, she listed exactly what was achieved in that timeframe. If it isn’t obvious already, I would highly recommend hiring Storie Collective I would work with them again in a heartbeat (and hope to one day)! :)

When we engaged with Storie Collective, we were literally working with a vacant lot that would ultimately become a large family home. Sara and the team helped us make our dream home a reality. They took a new build and transformed a set of architectural plans into a stunning final product. The selections and finished spaces are not only beautiful, but they reflect how we live in our home. Thanks to their professionalism and tireless efforts, the process was significantly less stressful throughout the build. Sara and her team provided open and thoughtful communication along the way and handled challenges with a solutions-oriented approach. In the end, the timeline was met and delivered upon with the large furnishings arriving right at the time of home delivery. That is an incredible accomplishment when you factor in all the different factors, including supply chain, that often complicate an undertaking or this size. The styling is carefully and gradually implemented to ensure the home does not feel cluttered, but perfectly curated and lived in with our personal belongings and some new objects as well. If you’re looking for a team that delivers a premium product in a timely manner, all while making your life easier, this is it.

Working with Storie Collective has a way of making good projects great. As a construction company, we understand the importance of seamless collaboration and clear communication, and through drawings and site visits we are able to confirm solutions to carry out a vision. This allows us to do things right the first time around. Their team brings a blend of creativity and practicality to every project, ensuring that the end result was not only stunning but also functional and aligned with our construction processes, but also the client's vision and budget. The attention to detail is evident in every aspect of their work. Storie Collective's ability to listen and incorporate our feedback, along with their proactive approach to problem-solving, make the entire process of this difficult work we do together smooth and enjoyable. Storie completes budget exercises prior to beginning projects, which helps clarify client/contract/designer expectations in a professional and clear format. We look forward to partnering with Storie Collective on future projects and highly recommend their services to anyone seeking exceptional interior design. Their passion for design and commitment to their clients truly set them apart.

Sara at StorieCollective is absolutely fantastic. My wife and I hired her to design and furnish several rooms of our new house, and we were extremely impressed by every aspect of her work. She started by coming out to our house and spending an hour getting a sense of the space and talking to us about our goals and tastes. Sara did a great job of listening attentively to our desires while also imparting her thoughts and expertise. She then worked quickly to create a design and propose furniture and art for each room. She created spaces that were simultaneously unique and cohesive. She proposed furniture and art that fit our taste perfectly and that we loved immediately, but they were not items we would have identified ourselves. That fact alone made hiring Sara worthwhile. But then after the furniture was selected, Sara also took care of all of the logistics, including negotiating over furniture delays and replacements (one desk arrived damaged, and Sara handled sending it back and getting a replacement). Sara was always attentive and responsive, but never overbearing. We plan to continue using Sara for the other rooms in our house. Simple put, she is excellent.

Andrea Houck has provided my husband and me (as relatively new empty nesters) with stellar interior design services at two homes now, invariably with beautiful results! She worked hard to understand our tastes and objectives with each room, then presented us with a variety of options, usually nailing it the first time but working with us to modify the initial plans, from time to time, based on our inputs. Her design presentations include to-scale pictorial designs, pictures of furniture and artwork, samples (fabric, paint, wallpaper, etc.), and pricing, and once decisions are made, a clear timeline for installations. When everything is ready, she shows up with her team of skilled workers (always on the scheduled date), supervises their work, and, voila, the finished product appears with little effort on our part! She executes her work with creativity, imagination, and professionalism -- and she is fun to work with! We have been thrilled with her work and cannot recommend her highly enough!