Sara Malek Barney Founder Bandd Design Austin

ALL ABOUT THE BANDD

SARA MALEK BARNEY, ASID

Founder + Principal Designer

Sara is the mastermind behind the design. 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 in 2019 and HGTV‘s Designer of the Year 2022. Her work has been shared globally and she has been featured in dozens of media outlets. 

Sara is a mom to two spirited, hilarious tween girls and she splits her time between her hometown, Austin, and sunny Los Angeles.

Sara Malek Barney Founder Bandd Design Austin
  • Favorite part of being backstage at BANDD: Working alongside so many talented badasses. I’m so lucky!
  • Favorite part of the design process: Install day! Nothing like seeing the fruits of your labor IRL.
  • Design principle you swear by: No. Schluter. Ever.
  • Best meal you’ve ever eaten: A 9-course experimential Japanese tasting at Itacho in Los Angeles in 2003.
  • Favorite Movie quote: “A gun rack…a gun rack? I don’t even own *a* gun. Let alone many guns that would necessitate an entire rack. What am I gonna do…with a gun rack?” – Wayne’s World.
  • Karaoke go-to song: Jessie’s Girl – Rick Springfield.
  • If you weren’t working in design, you’d be: Backup dancer for Megan Thee Stallion and/or boyband historian.

MEET THE BANDD MATES

At BANDD/DESIGN, we believe that design should feel effortless, interesting, and purposeful. We have bases in Austin, Texas, and Los Angeles, California but we find inspiration from everywhere – our travels, art, fashion, culture, and even our kids.

Click our photos to learn more about us.

ARIELLE MYRICK

Associate Designer + Project Manager

Arielle was born and raised in New Jersey. Her journey as a designer took root in her hometown of Princeton, a town that epitomizes both tradition and innovation. From there, Arielle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from Roger Williams University (Bristol, RI), where her studies also included a minor in Visual Arts (Sculpture). The School of Architecture was where her design perspective evolved, allowing her to grasp spatial dynamics, material intricacies, and innovative structural concepts. This academic program shaped her capacity to seamlessly integrate aesthetics with intention, a skill that would guide her future endeavors. Currently, she is an interior designer who combines her education and surroundings to create functional and visually appealing spaces that match clients’ preferences and needs.

  • Favorite part of being backstage at BANDD: Getting to work so closely with incredibly creative people, who also love to have a good time!
  • Favorite part of the design process: I love the excitement and energy that comes at the start of a new project.
  • Design principle you swear by: Visual hierarchy. It’s such a simple tool, and yet it’s so impactful.
  • Best meal you’ve ever eaten: I’m a Jersey girl, so I’m going to have to say eating a pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwich with my grandmother while overlooking the beach as a kid.
  • Favorite Movie quote: “Magic is really very simple. All you’ve got to do is want something and let yourself have it.” – Halloweentown
  • Karaoke go-to song: “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind
  • If you weren’t working in design, you’d be: Working in the social sciences. I’d switch my focus from people’s external worlds to their internal worlds.

VICTORIA SCHULER

Associate Designer + Project Manager

Victoria was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, but her childhood was characterized by frequent moves, including the opportunity to live in Greece and Macedonia. This diverse upbringing instilled a passion within her to create spaces that evoke a sense of comfort and belonging, regardless of location. She graduated from Abilene Christian University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design and an Associate’s Degree in Architecture. Her appreciation for interior design arises from the integration of her love of problem-solving with a deep-rooted passion for creating impactful and distinctive designs. With her design experience, she has found it extremely rewarding to be able to create spaces that improve the daily lives of those who interact with them.

  • Favorite part of being backstage at BANDD: The supportive and innovative team I get to work with- everyone brings their unique strengths to the table!
  • Favorite part of the design process: It’s so satisfying seeing everything come together for the final installation.
  • Design principle you swear by: Unity and variety! All components need to work well together yet still create enough interest to create a unique space.
  • Best meal you’ve ever eaten: I have a soft spot for all Mediterranean food, so probably a lamb gyro from Larissa, Greece!
  • Favorite Movie quote: “The truth is I now don’t travel back at all, not even for the day. I just try to live every day as if I’ve deliberately come back to this one day, to enjoy it, as if it was the full final day of my extraordinary, ordinary life.” -About Time
  • Karaoke go-to song: “Mr. Brightside” by the Killers
  • If you weren’t working in design, you’d be: A tattoo artist! I’ve loved designing and drawing since I was a little kid so I could see that being another job I would really enjoy.