Photo Essay:  Sanabria & Co. – Home Design Shop on East Capitol Street

Photo Essay:  Sanabria & Co. – the Home Design Shop on East Capitol Street

by Larry Janezich

Melissa Sanabria walked away from a 15 year career in the financial industry and opened up an interior design studio.  She founded the Sanabria & Co. in 2018.  Now she and her team of 7 design associates work out of studio space at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE.  In 2021 she opened Sanabria & Co./The Shop at 409 East Capitol.  Connecting to the community is important to Sanabria and the shop broadens her ability to do that.

According to the website, Sanabria “carries home decor and furnishings that complement the signature Sanabria & Co. style.”  Some of the shop’s offerings include furnishings, linens, tableware, books on design, framed vintage prints, and 100 year old Turkish carpets – all items used by the design team in creating their visions for Capitol Hill homes. 

The shop is a local outlet for luxury candles and body care products handmade by the renowned NYC company, Apotheka.  Design associate Katie at Sanabria says they are one of the most popular items in the store.  

The shop carries two noteworthy local products:  local honey from bee keeper Jan Day and soy wax candles hand poured by the three young Gill brothers from close-in Maryland.  The candles are produced by their company, FRÈRES BRANCHIAUX (Gill brothers).  Katie with Sanabria explained that the boys’ mother inspired them to start their company, telling them that if they wanted money for video games they would have to get jobs or start a company.  They chose the latter.  The Washington Post featured the enterprise in July of 2019 (https://wapo.st/3rbGEvL ) and in February of 2021, an article in Oprah Daily named their candles among the 25 best from Black owned companies.  The company’s products are carried by Whole Foods, Target, and Macy’s among some two dozen outlets.  They donate 10% of their profits to homeless shelters. 

Second Story Honey comes from beehives on or near Capitol Hill and Le Droit Park.  The name comes from the location of the hives at Day’s home two blocks north of Lincoln Park, i.e., the second story of her back porch, 20 feet above the sidewalk.  She also has hives at Congressional Cemetery, on the roof of Union Market, and at Common Good City Farm in NE Washington.   

Sanabria & Co./The Shop is at 409 East Capitol Street, SE.  202.844.2708.  HOURS: THURSDAY 10-6/FRIDAY 10-7/SATURDAY 10-7/SUNDAY 11-6.