Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Malek Barney.
Hi Sara, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Since its establishment in 2017, BANDD/DESIGN has successfully executed over 160 residential projects, many of which have been recognized and published around the world. High-quality, approachable design is the driving force behind everything BANDD touches. In conjunction with her passion for interior design, Sara launched BANDD/DEVELOPMENT 2021 from a growing love for renovating and building beautiful homes and spaces throughout the Austin and Southern California areas, as well as nationwide. In late 2023, Sara founded and launched The Designer Alliance, a growing network of design professionals who gather together in the spirit of celebrating the design industry as a whole.
Prior to launching BANDD/DESIGN, Sara spent the first phase of her professional career in Los Angeles, working in the fast-paced entertainment and sports industries, as an executive at companies such as SXSW, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Her experience helps her deliver timeless, unique designs to her projects.
Sara, a University of Texas alum, has degrees in Corporate Communication and Interior Design. Some of Sara’s accolades include being named to the inaugural class of Fortune Magazine‘s Most Powerful Women {Next Gen}, one of Austin Monthly‘s Women to Watch for multiple years, one of the top 3 interior designers in the Austin area, and being nominated for an International Design & Architecture Award and HGTV‘s Designer of the Year. Additionally, she is a member of the Design Leadership Network, the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), and the Female Founder Collective.
Sara is a mom to two spirited, hilarious teen girls and she splits her time between her hometown, Austin, and sunny Los Angeles.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Of course there have been struggles! I don’t know a single entrepreneur who has had a completely smooth road. Everything from learning our best processes and constantly tinkering them to dealing with personnel issues. I have definitely seen a lot!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the founder and principal designer at BANDD/DESIGN, a full-service interior design firm based here in Austin. We specialize in high-end residential design — new builds, full-scale renovations, and furnishing projects — and are known for creating spaces that are polished but livable, tailored but approachable.
What sets us apart is our blend of classic with comfort: we’re highly collaborative with architects and builders, but we also obsess over the tiny details that make a house truly feel like home. Clients come to us not just for a pretty room, but for a layered, intentional space that reflects their lifestyle and holds up over time.
Beyond the design work, I’m also deeply proud of our evolution into real estate development through BANDD/DEVELOPMENT. We’ve completed several successful high-end flip and spec projects, and it’s been rewarding to apply our design lens to creating homes from the ground up.
I’m most proud that, being an Austin-native, I can leave a mark on the residential landscape of my hometown…no matter how big or small.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
There are a few ways to work with us depending on what you need:
Full-Service Interior Design: We work with homeowners from blueprint to final styling on new construction and large-scale renovations.
Furnishings and Styling: For those who need a complete refresh without construction, we handle space planning, sourcing, and full installation.
Real Estate Collaboration: For investors or homeowners interested in development or flips, BANDD/DEVELOPMENT takes on select projects where we manage everything from acquisition to design and construction.
Content and Partnerships: We’re always open to collaborating with brands whose products align with our aesthetic and values — especially in the home and lifestyle space.
For anyone who wants to stay connected, we share a lot of behind-the-scenes and design tips on Instagram @jointhebandd and on our website at bandddesign.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bandddesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jointhebandd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jointhebandd/
Image Credits
PC: Molly Culver
