Founded on a shared passion for art, history, furniture, and timeless design, Stephanie and Denise have spent more than 15 years exploring antique shops, estate sales, and hidden treasures together. What began as a mutual love of collecting soon evolved into a carefully curated antiques booth, where they brought new life to vintage and collectible pieces. Their eye for exceptional finds quickly opened doors to High Point Market, where they began sourcing and selling distinctive furnishings to the interior design trade.

In 2018, they partnered with Pear Tree Cottage in Vienna, Virginia, creating a thoughtfully curated retail collection of modern, vintage, and one-of-a-kind pieces that clients can shop in person. Their ability to blend old and new with effortless sophistication quickly earned them a loyal following.

Our Story

A bedroom with built-in white shelves holding books and decorative items, a window with white shutters, a large round mirror on the wall, and a gray dresser with books, bottles, and decorative objects.

As they helped clients incorporate these unique treasures into their homes and businesses, it became clear that their expertise extended far beyond sourcing beautiful furnishings. This inspired the launch of Sweetwood Collective in 2018—a full-service interior design studio dedicated to creating layered, timeless interiors that honor the character, history, and individuality of every space.

Today, Sweetwood Collective specializes in both residential and commercial interior design, offering everything from design consultations to comprehensive, full-service design. Over the years, the firm has expanded its portfolio to include custom homes, law offices, wellness centers, banquet halls, and other commercial environments. Known for blending thoughtfully curated antiques with modern design, Sweetwood Collective creates spaces that are refined, deeply personal, and designed to stand the test of time.

White bookshelf with decorative glass bottles, books, and vintage items.

Our Team

  • Denise Eckert

    Owner & Principal Designer

  • Stephanie Freitas

    Owner & Principal Designer

  • Samantha Mohen

    Junior Designer & Studio Coordinator

Denise Eckert

Co-Owner/Principal Designer

Denise Eckert is celebrated for her artful blend of vintage elegance and modern design, creating interiors that are as richly storied as they are livable. She partners closely with clients, helping them express their personal narratives through their homes. Drawing on a passion for art, travel, and history, she layers influences that add depth, character, and meaning.

Denise’s background as a mural artist, combined with her discerning eye for antiques and a trusted network of artisans, ensures each project is tailored, sophisticated, and deeply personal. With each design, she transforms everyday spaces into meaningful environments that reflect her clients’ unique stories and aspirations.

Stephanie Freitas

Co-Owner/Principal Designer

With a career that has evolved from fashion to home, Stephanie Freitas, brings a refined understanding of lifestyle and luxury to every interior she creates. Her background as a top-selling regional sales director for a prestigious fashion house led to a nationally recognized career in antiques and interior design, where her eye for quality, detail, and timeless style defines her work.

Stephanie became passionate about interior design at a young age while learning alongside her mother and her mother’s interior designers. From selecting wallpapers to custom furnishings for their family’s’ homes, she developed an early appreciation for thoughtfully curated spaces, an influence that continues to shape her design philosophy today.

Committed to both beauty and function, Stephanie integrates new pieces with treasures originals to create homes that are as livable as they are elegant; ensuring each space reflects her clients’ personal style while enhancing the way they live every day.

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