we are

rooted in philosophy, psychology, + science.

Our strong grasp of people + place, and a foundation in neuro-aesthetics, allow us to create spaces that improve the lives of those who inhabit them.

we focus on

small businesses in a state of transition.

Our clients are people with a need for change. Whether moving from online-only to your first brick + mortar, taking a leap out of a coworking space, or expanding your footprint for team growth, we will guide + empower your best real estate + design decisions.

we believe

great design improves lives.

We understand the true value that great design provides. We also understand the reality of budget constraints. We offer various packages to get you the services you need within the budget you have.

what our clients think

  • Nina Tandon CEo/EpiBone

    “As the CEO of a regenerative medicine company, I’ve always valued innovation and collaboration. Working with Marathon Day has been a delightful and refreshing journey. Their approach is not only professional but also brimming with creativity and intentionality.

    Every step of the way, they have showcased agility, seamlessly blending our ideas with their expertise. The end result is a space that truly reflects our vision and the experience of co-creating it with them has been nothing short of fun.

    I wholeheartedly recommend Marathon Day for any and all design needs!”

  • Soo-Young Kim Abrams owner/SYK Skin

    “Marathon Day was the ideal firm to work with for my new business venture—a skincare studio. I had a vision, a brand, and business objectives. However, with no experience in interior design, I didn't know how to translate my ideas into a physical space. Marathon Day brought my business goals to life with their decades of experience, discerning taste, and expertise in space planning & design. They were patient, did a lot of hand-holding, and provided me with options for designs with varying price points.

    I really appreciated their attention to detail and the location of items that could be reused, such as lighting and electrical components, as well as their constant communication with the contractor to ensure the work was executed properly. My clients constantly remark on how great my space feels, and I am so glad they notice because every choice we made was intentional. I hope to work with marathon day on future projects and cannot recommend them enough!”

  • Sabri Sundos manager/kinfolk

    “When it came time to redesign the space we knew the feel and emotion we wanted our guests to feel but lacked focus on how to translate that physically. Marathon Day was with us every step fully embracing and focusing our vision in a way that fit our requirements (budget, timeline, limited construction) without ever limiting the design integrity.

    The options presented by Marathon Day exceeded expectations by really understanding and expressing our brand in a creative way. They created a space that gave the exact vibe we wanted to portray for our multi-use space. More importantly, we felt heard and respected throughout the entire process. As creatives ourselves, it was critical that this be a collaborative experience, and upon the first meeting we had nothing but full trust.

    We look forward to working with Marathon Day in any and all future projects.

  • Alex Bruehl / owner cove acupuncture

    “Marathon Day was able to create a sophisticated color palette that was a variation of my branding and took all of my requirements into consideration. I was trepidatious at first because it was out of my normal color zone, but went with it and loved it the moment I got the paint on the walls. My patients constantly comment about how beautiful and calming the space is—I couldn’t be happier!

    Marathon Day was also great about working within my budget, offering three different tiers of options for furniture and fixtures. They were available for questions along the way and made the whole process as stress-free as possible (when you’re opening your own small business). They have an excellent eye, are super creative, and are all-around great to work with!”

about our founder

photo by Eva Sakellarides

kRISTA SAMMONS

she/her
founder + principAL

ncidq | iida

throughout my 23 years as a designer + strategist, i have transformed environments throughout the US, Asia, UAE, + UK. my extensive experience spans workplace, civic, tech, retail, residential, + hospitality sectors. i work closely with my clients to create spaces that reflect who they are, helping to define their vision + strategic approach, while giving a voice to those who inhabit spaces the most- the user.

my understanding of psychology, strategy, neuro-aesthetics, + design provides unique + innovative insights into the creative process + most importantly, the built environment. design for me is innate- when I walk into a space, I am immediately moving walls, raising ceilings, + altering lighting + finishes in my head.

While this has been an incredibly rewarding career, it is so much more than a job to me. I am beyond grateful to get to do what I do.

“Design is the art of merging form + function - a collaboration of the head + heart.

motivation

my relationship with space began at age 7 when my parents enclosed our patio- outside was now inside? my mind was blown. soon there was a large hole between our living + family room* - what was once a strict divide was now an open, airy connection- allowing for effortless hellos + goodbyes - this was too much. my mom always taught me never to settle + this was the truest expression on the physical plane that i could imagine.

*side note- if ever there was a more useless space in my youth it was the “living room”. reserved strictly for vacuum marks + the annual christmas tree. As a new york apartment dweller the thought of so much wasted square footage is enough to bring me to tears.

2 years later they settled on a model home nestled vaguely between the beach + everglades. as the contractors broke ground, I was in awe of the dramatic changes with each visit. the transformation that both our home + my perception took inspired me. as i toured the site, my parents’ vhs camcorder in hand, i understood the magic of interior design- carving space from nothing, an almost inverse stone statue.

moving into my teen + young adult years I was enthralled with psychology (specifically as it related to serial killers). my understanding of experience impacting behavior was reinforced, eventually leading me to merge my 2 passions. as someone who was so affected by bad design (poor lighting, improper scale, bad proportions, lack of balance, etc.) + had grown up seeing the positive impact of good design, i made my move. with just a change of major, city, + university, I was on my way.

fun facts

  • marathon day is my favorite day of the year.

  • i hate to run.

  • i live with my partner + 2 kids (5 + 15) in greenpoint, Brooklyn.

  • I whole heartedly believe in a free palestine.

  • i was goth in high school.

  • i am a certified labor doula + have attended several births.

  • i originally majored in criminal psychology bc i wanted to be a homicide detective (until i learned i had to be a cop).

  • i swam a race in the east river.

  • i gave birth to my youngest in a tub in our kitchen.

  • i hate birds + frogs + sudden loud noises

  • i love horror films.

  • i believe every color works together- clashing is a construct.

  • my first crush was michael jackson.

  • i saw nirvana in concert.