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September 2021 by Martin L.
I got in touch with Sarah to hire DesignBar's services to help with remodeling for a house. In the end, we didn't end up using the firm, not because we don't trust their design expertise, but merely because of the timeline constraints. From my interaction with Sarah, I can tell that she is very professional and friendly. And the fact that they are very busy most likely means that many people trust them for their design needs - and if you look at their sample work on social media, I can see why. Beautiful, timeless designs with responsive ownership.
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August 2021 by M S.
I recently visited Design Bar to find items for two of my homes, one in Lahontan and one in Scottsdale. Specifically, I was looking to have custom bedding made for three bedrooms with king size beds; lamps and accessories and art. My first visit, on a weekend was great. After sharing photos of the projects with the weekend associate, she sent me photos of some possibilities. Two weeks later I went in to follow up and received TERRIBLE service. They were NOT interested in my projects and told me to go look at pre-made bedding in Tahoe City!?!
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July 2021 by Angela S.
Casey is the designer I got in touch with at DesignBar. She's super nice and patient, explained every detail for their contract you need to sign while engaged. As it's the first time to work with designers, we are quite at a loss as for what stage we are and whether we need to engage with soft designs yet. Casey is a junior designer and her hourly charge is quite reasonable, we will definitely use her when we are ready to do all the soft designs. Thanks Casey again for all your time!
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April 2021 by Sonny M.
We worked with DesignBar for nearly two years (2019-2020) on every stage of the design, build and implementation for our Truckee home. While the firm is world class, it was having Holly Galbo Bopp as our lead point of contact and designer that made the process outstanding. Like anything, you can get products anywhere; it's all about the people. And Holly and the DesignBar founders were amazing. From selecting items in our budget and sourcing things that were our style to being adaptable and rolling with the changes of a new build, Holly was communicative, creative, and a problem-solving wizard. Our home is truly a "home" and the look and feel is a big part of that. Highly recco these folks and am personally grateful for the work! We'll enjoy it for a lifetime!
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March 2021 by Angela D.
I am shocked by Leena's review. My experience is a complete contrast to her alleged experience-- to which I honesty question the veracity. I highly recommend the services of Design Bar. I hired them to design and furnish an awkward living / dining room. The senior designer Holly is amazingly talented. At our first meeting she got to know me and my family, took measurements, and provided immediate ideas. She was thoughtful and responsive. Her suggestions were so on point and really captured the style and energy of our family. Although I knew she and her team were very busy, I always felt like a priority. She kept timelines and always had great suggestions in response to my questions. You can't go wrong with this team.
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March 2021 by Leena S.
I had engaged with them to redesign 2 bathrooms and a powder room. It was not a big job and maybe as such low priority for them and not important. Holly who I was working with us definitely not a senior designer based on my experience. Entry level at best would be my evaluation. No attention to detail, no active listening skills, no due diligence, every meeting was a complete waste of time as she remembered nothing from those meetings. billed for every thing but delivered NOTHING based on what I had been shown I would get when I initially met with them. I eventually had to engage with Sarah the owner who at least measured up accurately but I still don't have finished plans or a spec sheet - nothing from a deliverables standpoint I was expecting for over $4000. I'm still waiting, I paid the invoices in hope I would get a final product but alas I must be very small potatoes for them. I would avoid this company like the plague unless you want to waste your money on people with little customer service as a priority and a company that will charge you for every email and still not deliver a final product! They give designers a bad name!!! I wish I had read Catherine's review before engaging as I'd agree with her over budget and under delivered. Holly didn't do any due diligence with measurements! No actual advise or direction on space saving ideas! Really a waste of over $4000 o could have and did most of that work myself! Their taste is old and antiquated! No creativity at all! FACTS: 1. Project started mid-December - it's now almost April and I still don't have a final 'folder' they advised I would get. 2. The owner agreed the work Holly provided as 'final' was not acceptable and stepped in to fix the issue. Yes I got plans with measurements eventually, but 3-weeks after she took over I still don't have a final spec sheet. 3. The owner kept going back to Holly to ask questions, Holly clearly couldn't remember a thing from our meetings and made stuff up so what Sarah the owner was getting was basically made up stuff and nothing that seemed even close to the conversations are agreements we had made. 4. It's also interesting how the owner has so much time to respond to these reviews vs actually finishing the project. 5. If anyone is interested in seeing what I first got from them, what Sarah sent which was better and the spec sheet that was not correct. Let me know I'm happy to share all this. It's nowhere close to what they advertise on Instagram and what they showed me I would get to 'hand over to the contractor'.
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March 2021 by Lynn M.
We worked with Holly and the team to design our home from the ground up. We received such excellent treatment! We worked together for almost two years. They handled everything and never wavered. We were in such excellent hands. Taste, design, integrity, follow through, kindness, quality, patience, access to the best decor. Everything. Holly picked all of our lighting, flooring, cabinets, literally everything in our home. She listened to what We wanted, considered our taste and how we wanted an extremely modern home but still inviting. That is exactly what was delivered. I can recommend Holly and Design Bar with the utmost confidence. I am so pleased with our gorgeous home. Thank you Holly and team!
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March 2021 by Lindsay B.
There aren't enough words to describe the talent of this company. I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for them doing business with vendors who are so behind with shipping due to Covid, but they handled everything so well. Sarah was able to pick colors and fabrics over FACETIME for my house in another state- and it all came together perfectly. I only wish I hired them sooner- I will never use another firm. Worth every penny (okay, lots of pennies, but you absolutely get what you pay for!)
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July 2020 by catherine a.
I have to disagree with the five stars given to this design store. We had them helped with designing our vacation home in Truckee. It was a nightmare! Over budget and under delivered- Holly miscalculated the dimensions and our cost increased. The interior is now awkward and uncomfortable. She did not offer to fix it. It was an expensive mistake working with this team. They have completely lost our trust and confidence.
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May 2020 by Sue S.
Sarah Fay-Ray did the interior design of our Martis Camp home. She was stellar! And made the whole transformation process painless. She's creative, responsive, resourceful, and managed everything from concept to design to completion, producing great outcomes. She was a joy to work with and truly delivered! I'd hire her again and again but no longer live in the area. Sue S.
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February 2020 by Linda O.
We needed help installing new TVs last week. Since Sarah had done our kitchen remodel a couple of years ago, we called her to see if she could recommend a handyman. Lo and behold, as part of their business, her husband, Phil Fay, is doing just that. He did a great job. From now on, he will be our go-to person in Truckee.
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June 2019 by Maria Kiss
Beautiful store and cheery and helpful staff and owners!
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April 2019 by George Newby
I've been a client of Sara and her design staff at Designbar for over a year and a half and love her creative skills, quality products, accommodating service, and her interesting new retail show room. She is fun to work with and is always respectful of my price points....Stop by and see her when you are enjoying your coffee from next door !!.. julie newby
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November 2018 by Allan Hayes
Sarah has a gift for transforming people's style that feels natural and unforced.
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November 2018 by Anna McGee
Holly with the Design Bar was great to work with! Holly was hired by my clients to decorate a unique home near to downtown Truckee, zoned for horses on a 5-acre parcel Holly had a tight budget to work within, a narrow timeline to perform within and did an exceptional job from start to finish. Holly performs well under pressure and is someone you can count on for any design or decorative needs!
