Designer Sara Malek Barney’s work is unmistakably Austin—playful, sophisticated, and a little rebellious in the best way. The founder of BANDD/DESIGN turned her signature mix of warmth and wit into a modern treehouse nestled among a grove of heritage oaks. An Austin native who not only designed but also developed the property from the ground up, Barney envisioned a home that celebrates everything that makes her city what it is: its vibrant color, its creativity, and most of all— its magnetic sense of community.
“Austin really leans into its quirkiness,” says Barney. “There’s a vibe that is the undercurrent of the city that you see through the architecture, the music, the fun.”
That same undercurrent runs through her design. The house feels as if it’s grown from the landscape itself, with every window framing a living tableau of branches and light.
Before becoming one of Austin’s most recognized designers, Barney spent her early career in Los Angeles’s fast-paced entertainment world—working as an executive at companies ranging from Creative Artists Agency to The Ellen DeGeneres Show. That experience in creativity and storytelling shapes her interiors today. Since founding her design studio in 2017, she’s brought that same energy to more than 160 residential projects nationwide—spaces that balance polish with play and always tell a story.
Inside the home, that storytelling instinct shines. Barney led the design of the kitchen and butler’s pantry—two spaces that anchor the home’s gathering areas and showcase her talent for balancing form and function. She also designed all of the home’s bathrooms, as well as the laundry room.
The kitchen is the heart of the space—anchored by a curved island that feels almost musical, piano-shaped and rendered in marble and brass. Its sculptural lines invite conversation, breaking away from the stiffness of a typical kitchen layout. “The curve makes it conversational; it encourages people to look at each other, not just face forward,” Barney shared.
Cabinetry painted in a calming green wraps the room in sophistication, while two draped brass chandeliers above add a soft glimmer. It’s the kind of kitchen that transforms from family hub to cocktail-hour backdrop without ever feeling overdesigned.
The adjoining butler’s pantry, lined in a lush Morris & Co. wallpaper and softened by our Provenance® Woven Wood Shades, feels like a quiet moment of contrast. “I love to take more risks in smaller spaces,” Barney says. “This one may be modest, but it has presence.” The rich pattern and filtered light give the room a mood all its own—proof that even the most practical spaces can be playful.
Just beyond the main living areas, the laundry room takes an unexpected turn toward color and joy. “If the door’s open, it’s the first thing you see when you walk in, so I knew it couldn’t feel like an afterthought,” she says. The palette is bold but balanced, with tiles laid in a loose, rhythmic pattern that feels painterly and imperfect in all the right ways. “I’ve always wanted to try a tile style that feels less rigid, so I did it here—it’s colorful and fun, but it still fits.”
Practical touches—like a built-in pet shower—underscore Barney’s belief that good design should actually serve the way people live. Even the bathrooms follow that lead: layered textures, thoughtful lighting, and a balance of clean lines and softness that make each space feel personal and calm.
And that’s the thread running through everything Barney touches: thoughtful design that feels both grounded and alive. A home that doesn’t just sit among the trees—but belongs to them.
Explore more of Sara’s work at banddesign.com and follow along with BANDD/DESIGN on Instagram.
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