Design that comes from the heart, leaves a legacy, and feels like home.
From an award-winning team of North Carolina interior designers with an approach that’s rooted in collaboration, care, and community.
We’re a close-knit group of North Carolina interior designers who love what we do, who we do it for, and where we do it.
Formerly known as Allard + Roberts, Northside Design Collective brings over 15 years of experience in full-service interior design, project management, and construction coordination alongside clients, trade partners, and artisans rooted throughout the Carolinas.
This experience and well-fostered community allows us to intertwine precision and creativity to make every project a seamless, collaborative experience that helps both our clients and our greater community thrive.
Because exceptional design requires focus and care, we intentionally take on a select number of projects each year. With this approach, each of our clients receives our full attention, our best ideas, and the deeply collaborative experience we’re known for. One that’s as seamless and joyful as the life you’ll live in your home.
Meet the Founder, Talli Robert-Early, ASID, NCIDQ
I’ve always believed in taking care of our team so they can take extraordinary care of our clients.
From day one of our studio (formerly known as Allard + Roberts), I’ve offered benefits and support that most companies our size simply don’t, nurturing a culture where each person feels valued, empowered, and inspired to give their absolute best.
This philosophy guides everything we do at Northside Design Collective. I’m proud of the close-knit, talented group we’ve built here. Every member of our team has a hand in bringing your home to life, from the first sketches to the final styling on reveal day.
Collaboration, care, community, and joy guide every step.
With over two decades of experience and numerous accolades, we’ve cultivated trusting relationships with architects, builders, and artisans across the Carolinas. These relationships, combined with a deep love for the communities we serve, allow us to design homes that are as genuinely meaningful as they are beautiful.
Talli Roberts-Early, ASID, NCIDQ
Childhood experiences often have a profound impact on the course of our lives. This is certainly true in Talli’s case. A childhood battle with cancer meant many long days spent in sterile hospitals and doctor’s offices. So she understood very early the impact that interior spaces have on one’s mood and quality of life.
However uncomfortable, those hours confined to a hospital also provided plenty of time to draw, sketch, and create. It was no surprise to friends and family when she chose a career in design.
Born and raised in SW Florida, Talli received her BFA in interior design from Sarasota’s Ringling School of Art & Design before beginning her career at a large interior design firm in Naples, Florida that concentrated on high-end residential interiors. Talli worked with architects, engineers, builders, developers, and homeowners to bring design and construction projects from conception to completion — a collaborative, hands-on approach that she’s now carried on for over 15 years. She went on to complete the NCIDQ exam to become a licensed interior designer in the state of Florida.
Years later, Talli relocated to the beautiful mountains of Asheville, NC. After working for other design firms and furniture showrooms throughout Western North Carolina, she later founded Allard + Roberts, her own design firm in Asheville, before rebranding to Northside Design Collective in 2025 to illustrate the collaborative nature in which she and her team complete each project they take on.
Ultimately, that challenging childhood experience laid the foundation for a creative design career. Today, Talli Roberts is a professional member of ASID and focuses her continuing education on travel and architecture tours that bring new inspiration to her work.
While still under the name Allard + Roberts, Talli’s studio has received various awards from ASID Carolinas, and Stars Awards from the NCHBA. In 2022/2023, Allard + Roberts was a regional winner for the prestigious Wolf Sub Zero Kitchen Design Contest. The studio’s designs and articles Talli has authored have been published in Carolina Home & Garden, HOME, House Beautiful, Kitchen & Bath Design News, Build WNC, WNC Magazine, Luxe, and Capital at Play Magazine. Today, the team has been awarded Best of Houzz 19 times across various categories.
While the awards and accolades are meaningful, what brings Talli the most satisfaction is creating unique and relaxing retreats for her clients to enjoy with their loved ones. For Talli, home is meant to be a place of rest and she believes that interior design is integral to creating that type of environment. In her words, “Our world has a lot of background noise. My goal is to create spaces where our clients can get away from the noise, and focus on making meals and memories with friends and family.”
In 2023, Talli was diagnosed with breast cancer and spent 2024 in treatment. Having family, friends, and the Northside team behind her has enabled Talli to both get better and continue to dream big. Following her successful treatment, Talli is focused on the expansion of the firm into a larger studio space in 2026, and mentoring the designers on her team.
When she is not working, traveling, or focused on continuing education, Talli enjoys spending time with her family and planning the next renovation project for her own home.
Meet Your Team of North Carolina Interior Designers
Sarah Brewer
Although Sarah is originally from North Carolina, her time living abroad in Germany, Australia, and Thailand sparked a deep appreciation for how people create homes that reflect their stories and cultures. This appreciation inspired her interest in design and the ways spaces can shape how we live. Building on this global perspective, she earned degrees in Art History and German Studies from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and later pursued a degree in Interior Design from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.
Sarah began her career in the furniture industry, where she loved connecting with clients and learning how their personal stories influenced their choices and the style of their homes. Bringing this hands-on furniture knowledge into her design career, she joined Northside Design Collective in early 2021, where she discovered her passion for blending creativity with function to create spaces that feel both beautiful and livable. She started as a Design Assistant, gaining hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of what a career in interior design truly entails. Now, after five years with the firm, Sarah serves as Vice President and Interior Designer, managing multiple projects alongside Talli. She enjoys working closely with the NDC team, continuing to grow both in design and in the business side of the industry.
When she’s not designing, Sarah loves spending time with her husband, their pup, and their beautiful boys, Lennon and Rhodes. Together, they love seeing live music, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.
Brandon Jarrett
Born and raised in Weaverville, NC, Brandon is a true WNC native who has always felt at home in the mountains. From an early age, he knew he wanted to serve his community in a meaningful way — but it wasn’t until later that he discovered his passion for design.
After earning his Associate’s degree in Hospitality Management from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Brandon began a career in event planning and catering. There, he realized his favorite part of every project wasn’t just the event itself — it was designing the experience. Encouraged by family and friends, he pursued that passion by earning his bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from Appalachian State University in 2020.
After returning to Asheville, Brandon gained valuable experience in furniture sales, deepening his knowledge of furnishings and design. He joined Northside Design Collective in December 2021 as a Design Assistant, where he found the perfect environment to grow and refine his craft. Now, as one of NDC’s Interior Designers and Project Managers, Brandon combines his design expertise and furniture background to create thoughtful, functional, and beautiful spaces for his clients.
Outside of work, Brandon loves spending time with his wife, Lindsay, and their son, Theo, exploring all that Western North Carolina has to offer. On weekends, you’ll often find him cheering on Appalachian State (Roll Neers!), hosting game nights with friends and family, or working on home projects. He also enjoys giving thrifted finds new life through creative DIY work. Known for his easy going nature, sharp eye for detail, and genuine love of design, Brandon brings warmth, creativity, and positivity to every project — and to the Northside team.
Miranda Poplawski
Miranda grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina which is just a little over two hours from Asheville. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture and a minor in Sustainability Studies. She grew up visiting the NC mountains often and aspired to move to the mountains one day.
Her parents worked in real estate throughout her life, and as a child she would go on site visits with her dad. She watched as he remodeled homes, transforming them for their new owners to enjoy. At a young age, they even remodeled their family home, and Miranda lived through what turned out to be a very inspiring experience. There seemed to be endless new possibilities for their home, which was exciting for her as she planned out her new bedroom design. That turned out to be her very first space planning and design project — one of many to come. She was often rearranging furniture in her room, well past her childhood bedtime. Design inspiration was, and still is, difficult to turn off!
After graduating college, Miranda worked for several years as a set designer for a photography firm. There, she learned how to prepare construction drawings for building sets, selected finishes, and decorated sets with furniture and décor. All this while working hand in hand with the photographer, to achieve the desired final product for each photography client. The skills she learned in that industry were a perfect foundation for her next position. After working as a set designer, she relocated to the mountains of Asheville, realizing her long-held dream. Now working at a luxury residential design firm, she applied her design and project management skills to a new focus on high-end residential interiors. She brought all of that experience to her design and project management position at Northside Design Collective. Miranda enjoys building on her prior knowledge and experience, and also thrives when taking on new responsibilities and challenges. Each new design project offers opportunities for new experiences, further growth, and new ways to apply her passion for interior design
Outside of the office, Miranda enjoys spending her time with her husband, family, friends, and pets. She’s often outdoors exploring new trails with her dog, Sadie, or traveling. Just as much as she enjoys being busy at work, she enjoys staying busy in her personal life as well. Each trip away is inspiring and brings new ideas and a fresh perspective for the next design project.
Caroline Holland
Caroline grew up in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where an early love for nature, craftsmanship, and creating welcoming spaces took root.
Raised in a small town in Western North Carolina, she was always drawn to the character and charm of mountain homes, as well as the stories they tell. That early fascination evolved into a passion for design — specifically, design that balances beauty, functionality, and a deep respect for place.
After earning a degree in Interior Design from Appalachian State University, Caroline went on to specialize in technical and architectural design, working on corporate upfits across workplace, healthcare, and retail spaces. A background in Building Science complemented this work, allowing her to bridge creative vision with construction know-how.
For four years, Caroline honed her craft as an Interior Design Manager in Charlotte, NC, focusing on prefabricated millwork and wall systems. Despite her success in the city, her heart always remained in the mountains. When the opportunity came to return home, she followed a long-held dream: to blend her design expertise with the slower pace, intentional living, and natural inspiration found in Western North Carolina.
Outside of work, Caroline loves spending time in nature — whether it’s hiking local trails, mountain biking, walking her dog, or camping. She’s also a maker at heart and enjoys sewing, knitting, and diving into creative projects whenever she gets the chance. When winding down, you’ll often find her reading a good book, listening to a podcast, or catching a comedy show with friends. Whether out on the trail or cozied up at home, she finds joy in creativity, connection, and a well-balanced life.
Dakota Zuehlke
Dakota’s connection to design began early, growing up in a mid-century modern home in Raleigh, NC, that was lovingly restored by her family. Surrounded by collected art, vintage furniture, and carefully curated pieces, she developed a deep appreciation for how interiors can tell a story — reflecting personal history, beauty, and meaning.
Her professional background blends creativity with precision. She spent several years at a corporate gifting company, where she managed vendor relationships, curated custom product presentations, and led trend research and content creation. The role sharpened her visual sensibility, organizational skills, and ability to bring together aesthetics and functionality — skills she now applies in a design-focused environment.
She later worked in senior move management, helping older adults thoughtfully downsize from large family homes into smaller retirement spaces. There, she assisted with space planning and styling to ensure each new home felt personal, livable, and full of comfort. She also supported estate liquidations, drawing on her knowledge of antiques and furnishings to assess value and manage the process with care.
Now based in Asheville, Dakota was drawn to the area’s creative energy and connection to nature. Outside of work, she enjoys drawing, hiking with her partner Lou and their dog Roger, tending to her 50+ houseplants, discovering vintage treasures, and going to see live music. She’s also a long-time volunteer with The Vernon Pratt Project, helping preserve the legacy of the late minimalist artist.
Natalie Martin
Natalie has lived in the Appalachian mountains and Tennessee Valley her entire life, calling Johnson City, Chattanooga, and Asheville home through the years.
She attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and shortly thereafter began her career as an administrative professional in the fast-paced real estate industry. During the 6 years she spent in that role, she learned how to balance multiple high-priority items while meeting key deadlines on tight timelines. One of her favorite parts of the industry was being introduced to a variety of styles of architecture with varying floor plans and design aesthetics, as she has always had an interest in design.
In her current role as Northside Design Collective’s Financial Administrator, Natalie enjoys being immersed in the creative world of interior design while using the administrative and organizational skills she’s honed over the years to assist the design team and our clients. She supports many aspects of the business, including purchasing, bookkeeping, accounts receivable, accounts payable, benefits administration, advertising, and assisting Talli with business planning for each phase of the company’s growth.
Outside of work, Natalie can usually be found with her husband and their two dogs, Blue and Henley, exploring and enjoying the great outdoors. Her favorite hobbies include traveling, hiking, kayaking, reading, and attending concerts. We are grateful to have Natalie’s organizational and project management expertise to help bring each client project from conception to completion.
Anna Laman
Originally from Washington state, Anna graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio and spent a decade in New York City before settling in Asheville in 2010. She now shares a cozy home with her husband, daughter, and their sweet pup, Hazel.
Over the past 20 years, Anna’s career has woven through many roles: from grant writing for nonprofits to content strategy for digital marketing agencies to consulting for small businesses — all centered on helping organizations communicate clearly and work with purpose. Along the way, she discovered a true passion for designing systems that make creativity flow and business operations run smoothly.
She brings that focus and care to her role as Design Studio Manager at Northside, keeping the studio running seamlessly from day to day. From greeting clients and coordinating vendors to tracking inventory and supporting both the design team and leadership, Anna helps ensure that the studio stays welcoming, organized, and one step ahead.
When she’s off the clock, Anna can usually be found cooking, crafting, shopping for throw pillows, labeling everything with her trusty label maker, or spending time with friends and neighbors. She loves a good project, a shared meal, and any opportunity to make life a little more organized and beautiful.
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