Versatile vintage: Surface and Shape opens in Barryville

Located in a former record shop across from the Barryville Farmers’ Market, Surface & Shape offers a collection of vintage items—from wire egg baskets to large statement pieces—curated by Feng Shui practitioner and interior designer Julia Sarasola. The River Reporter recently sat down with Julia in her new space to chat about design, the value of editing the objects in your home and what drew her to open her shop in Barryville.

Can you tell us a little about your design background?

Design has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I was surrounded by a family of builders, architects, designers and inventors. Living in homes that were so intentionally created sparked a lifelong appreciation for the relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit.

That foundation led me to study visual design before moving to New York City, where I spent over a decade designing immersive environments and experiences for internationally recognized brands. In 2020, I founded Sarasola Interiors, and today my work brings together interior design, Feng Shui and vintage sourcing and curation. 

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Photos provided by Surface and Shape

What advice you would give to someone looking to improve the Feng Shui in their living environment?

At its core, Feng Shui is about living in harmony with your environment. The biggest misconception is that it’s about following a list of rules or moving furniture in a certain way. Our homes should support who we are today, not who we were five or 10 years ago. One of the simplest places to start is by editing your home. Be intentional about what you choose to live with, surround yourself with objects that you genuinely love and create space for the life you’re trying to build. Small, thoughtful changes can have a surprisingly meaningful impact on how a home feels.

What drew you to Barryville?

I grew up in Northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to New York City 16 years ago. After living in Argentina for about a year and a half, my husband and I returned to the United States in 2022. Friends invited us to stay with them for a month in the Upper Delaware River region so we could get to know the area, and it quickly became clear that this was home. We were drawn to the slower pace, the beautiful landscape and the incredible creative community that exists throughout these small river towns.

Barryville had already become a special place to us long before Surface & Shape. My husband works with Hidden Acre Farm, and for years we’d spend weekends at the Barryville Farmers’ Market. We were always drawn to the warmth, creativity and sense of community. The market brings so much life to the town, and it’s part of what made opening Surface & Shape here feel like the right decision.

After a successful pop-up in Eldred, I knew I wanted to find a permanent home for Surface & Shape. A friend connected me with the owners of Cottage Wines and Rivertown Sound, who thought I’d be a great fit for the plaza. It was exactly the kind of opportunity I had hoped for—one that came together organically through relationships and shared values.

What I love about Barryville is that it brings together longtime locals, weekenders, artists, farmers, designers and people who genuinely appreciate craftsmanship and beautiful old things. There’s a collaborative spirit here, and I wanted Surface & Shape to become part of that creative community.

What type of customer shops at Surface & Shape?

Some people are furnishing an entire home, while others walk in looking for one meaningful object. I have designers, collectors, someone buying their very first vintage piece, longtime locals and weekend visitors from New York City. They’re looking for pieces that feel authentic, spark conversation, and make a home feel deeply personal. I also believe good design should be approachable. Whether someone leaves with a $20 vintage treasure or a statement piece of furniture, I want everyone to feel inspired and discover something they genuinely connect with.

What’s one item you can’t live without?

Greenery, both inside and outside my home. There’s something incredibly grounding about caring for living things. Whether it’s a houseplant, fresh flowers, or even a few branches gathered on a walk, they instantly make a space feel more alive and connected to the seasons. I also think they’re a gentle reminder that the things we want to flourish—our homes, our relationships, and ourselves—all need care and attention.

Surface & Shape is located at 3434 State Route 97 in Barryville. It is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.