Meet Sally
Use the good china. Your life IS the special occasion!
Hi! I'm Sally Sotnek!
I'm a North Shore Interior Designer who helps make every day at home even more special!
I want to help you fall in love with home.
Whether it’s the house you’ve been tolerating for years or a new-to-you abode, I use my fine arts and design education to intuitively weave your story into joyful, timeless spaces for everyday living.
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I’ve lived, worked, and traveled in many countries, absorbing the varied cultures, colors, aesthetics, and traditions. These experiences help me work with your treasures and vision to create a well-crafted, timeless story in your home.
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I’m a dreamer, a doer, a creative, a crafter, and a hands-on problem solver. I listen carefully and intuitively to understand what you want home to feel like, and what needs to be done to get there.
I create spaces that are special, but not precious.
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From the spectacular hand-blown chandelier to the beautiful, luxurious sofa reupholstered in ridiculously durable velvet to the elegant barware on the sideboard, everything is very carefully selected to be the best with everyday functionality -special but not precious!
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I’d love to transform your space into a timeless sanctuary, a memory-making oasis, and cozy respite you’ll love living in and sharing with the people in your life.
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Sally
What Sets Me Apart
My clients consistently tell me that I’m not like any interior designer they’ve spoken with before.
They tell me things like:
“You just get me.”
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“You brought to life how I want my space to feel.”
“I feel seen, heard, and understood.”
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“Did you just read my mind!?”
I listen intuitively and empathetically and understand the direction you want to go, and then I work with you as a collaborative partner to bring your vision to life.
When we work together, you’ll experience:
An anything but cookie-cutter approach.
A collaboration of your vision and ideas you’ve never even thought of to make it all come alive!
My problem-solving skills in action for any obstacles that come our way.
My vast visual background, including studies in fine arts and graphic design.
My love for houses - old and new, architecture, and what “home” means for you!
An easy-to-work-with, responsive, thoughtful, calm, and passionate designer who gets things done on time, on budget, and with the quality you’re looking for.
​I also love making the process fun and enjoyable, at every turn possible! But you probably could’ve guessed that by now.
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Let’s create your vision of home.
What My Clients Have to Say About Working with Me
”What a treasure to find a designer who can set out a reasonable array of options within your own framework and help you articulate your reactions. Sally facilitated our decisions, never forced them, and helped us find the choices that satisfied both my sweet, opinionated husband and myself!”
- Jean D, Andover MA
“Sally’s a very thoughtful designer. She understands your taste and works with you to create beautiful rooms to live in! I wish I’d called her right away when I moved into my first house because I love the rooms she designed for me. (I did not make the same mistake twice, and when I bought my second home, she was the first person I called!”
- Susan F. Haverhill MA
Have Questions About What it’s Like to Work with Me as Your Interior Designer?
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What if I need more time for the Color Consultation and what brands of paint do you recommend for the Color Consultations?I use Benjamin Moore, C2, and Farrow & Ball paints. A two-hour consultation is usually sufficient to do all the rooms in a four-bedroom home. Additional time is billed hourly.
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When you design my home, how do we select and make decisions on products, finishes, and more?You can be as involved or hands-off in the process as you would like. I’m happy to do everything for you (so you can focus on other things in life that you love) and have the thrill of a completed project. If you love fabrics and rugs and want to be more a part of the process, we can do that too!
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What if I don’t like some of the selections made for my design?Rest assured, there’s a round of edits and revisions before any orders are placed so there are plenty of opportunities to make changes. I bring my experience and well-trained eye to your project, so changes don’t happen often.
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What is the process when working with you as an interior designer?We start with a Discovery Call! Then we meet in your home to discuss the details and your vision. I listen carefully, take lots of notes, snap photos of your rooms and take measurements, and create a design including fabric swatches, tile and wallpaper samples, and a layout. If 3D renderings are part of your project, those are also done at this time. We meet so I can present your design plan, and edits are addressed before I start to implement your project.
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What’s the timeframe for a design project?Timeframes will vary based on the scope of the project. Once you decide to move forward, I roll my sleeves up and get to work. Approximately three weeks later I will present the design plan with selections and quotes for any trades and products. I then gather construction bids, quotes for custom items, and samples. Once everything is approved and ordered, most projects take about ten weeks before we are ready to install.
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Do you install everything at once?Prior to installation, there are things that need to take place such as construction, wallpaper, paint, and tile. A full-service design is typically installed all at once so you have the excitement of walking into a completely redone space. The pieces that are chosen to go in your room all work together as part of the finished story, and we love to bring it in all at once so the story can be told well and you get to enjoy the complete vision!
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How much does working with an interior designer cost?Professional design takes time and is an investment. Often what my clients find is that I end up saving them money in the long run, by avoiding poor buying, overspending on the wrong pieces and just making too many misguided mistakes. My project fees depend on the scope of work.
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Do you charge for travel?There’s no charge for travel within 40 minutes of Georgetown MA. I work with clients in Massachusetts towns including: Andover, Beverly, Boxford, Exeter, Georgetown, Hamilton, Ipswich, Marblehead, Middleton, Newbury, Newburyport, Salem, Topsfield, Wenham, and Hampton, New Hampshire
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Can I use my own contractor and tradespeople?Of course! If you have somebody you trust and rely on, I welcome your contractors and tradespeople. The quality of their work and their schedules are your responsibility, but I’ll work with them collaboratively towards your completed project.
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How much do 3D renderings cost and how long do they take?Renderings are based on an hourly fee and an estimate is determined after reviewing the scope of work. Most renderings will be completed within a three-week timeframe.
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Can you design my kitchen?Yes! While I’m not a certified kitchen designer, I’m a great space planner and I am extremely practical. I love to cook and know what a good kitchen needs. I always evaluate whether the existing kitchen is in the right place, oriented the right way, and whether moving elements like walls, windows, or doors would be beneficial. I work with wonderful contractors and cabinet makers to bring your dream kitchen to life!
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Can you help me choose tile, lighting, and other things for my kitchen or bath that is already in progress?Yes! That is a perfect use of Designer for a Day.
Ready to get started?
The next step is to contact me! Fill out the form on my Contact Page and we’ll book a call so I can learn more about you and your project and share how I can help!