#startwithart

Sarah Johnson and Lisa Sokol have been a team made in heaven from the day they met in preschool. Today, they remain the closest of friends and run a spectacularly successful interior design firm, JOHNSON SOKOL.

Read on to learn more about this happy duo who make working with each, and with their clients, a fun, friendly experience.

TSG: What made you decide to turn your friendship into a business partnership?

Johnson Sokol (JS): We decided to join forces when Sarah was renovating a farmhouse in Sparks and Lisa was the editor of Paper Doll Home magazine. We started by talking about design and the house Sarah was renovating. We began to bounce ideas off of each other, and then it became a full-on collaboration. From there it was sort of organic and soon we had our first client.

TSG: What do you think sets Johnson Sokol apart from other design firms?

JS: We are risk takers. We are not afraid of color or pattern or textures. We love layering/piling, old and new, high and lower end - no matchy-matchy! 

TSG: Are there any design mottos you live by?

JS: Our motto is "start with art"! In any project that we encounter, art is essential, whether someone is a serious collector or they are just looking to freshen things up. We always suggest art as a starting point. And color - we cannot live without color (did we already mention that?).

TSG: Do you help clients acquire new artwork in addition to their own collections?

JS: Yes. With Lisa's background at Sotheby's (she also owned an antique store in old-town Alexandria and an art consulting business in Georgetown) we help our clients source art and also try to utilize what they have. We are fortunate to have great artist/gallery contacts from New York down to Virginia as well as the West Coast to pull from. We try to offer a wide range of art and aesthetic to our clients.

TSG: Is most of your work commercial or residential? 

JS: Historically we have mainly stuck to residential. Commercial has a bit more process, and our aesthetic is a bit less bold when doing a commercial project. We have done commercial work, however, and we were able to adjust. We like that about ourselves - that we can stay true to our mission and aesthetic, adjust to the project, without compromising our design integrity.

TSG: What are some of your favorite spots for design inspiration in Baltimore?

JS: Baltimore has such a rich history of both style and inspiration and interesting architecture. We pull a lot from Billy Baldwin - a native design icon - and resources like The Peabody Library, Mount Vernon, Ladew Gardens, and Bolton Hill are so inspirational and right at our fingertips.

We have done several projects outside of Baltimore but really love working close to home as well - and want to make an impact locally. We want people to know we are very approachable and create a meaningful connection with our clients - empowering them to make great design choices and have fun in the process!

CONTACT: JOHNSON SOKOL INTERIOR DESIGN

8208 White Manor Dr., Lutherville-Timonium

[email protected]

Harlem Renaissance 100 at the Gallery Hop

During the yearlong celebration of the Centennial of the Harlem Renaissance, the Columbus Arts Community is paying homage to he birth of the African-American creative movement of the 1920s.

This past weekend at the Short North Gallery Hop was the debut of the Harlem Renaissance 100 Murals on High Street inthe Short Noth, sponsored by Short North galleries.  There were performances and exhibits at several Short North galleries.  There was a pop-up gallery, “I, Too, Am Columbus” at the former Roy G. Biv Gallery, where there was art work.