Meet Dakota & Sophia

A Shared Passion — The husband-and-wife team behind Sacred Space Designs.

For more than a decade, we've worked side by side in the residential construction industry, much of that time alongside Sophia's father through Rick Johnson's GCI. Those years gave us an invaluable foundation in the trades, an appreciation for fine craftsmanship & a firsthand understanding of what it takes to bring a project from concept to completion.

Through that experience, we discovered how naturally our individual strengths complemented one another — Sophia's eye for design, planning & the bigger picture, alongside Dakota's precision, technical skill & dedication to his craft.

Sacred Space Designs grew from that shared experience into a vision of our own.

We wanted to create something that brought together not only the design and construction process, but also our appreciation for vintage treasures, handmade goods, natural materials, personal expression & the way our surroundings influence everyday life.

Today, Sacred Space Designs is a residential design studio, remodeling & craftsmanship business, & curated boutique — all rooted in the belief that creating a meaningful environment begins with intention.

Sophia

Dakota

The Craftsmanship, the Precision & the Hands Behind the Vision

Sophia Coyle is a residential designer, consultant & project manager with over 14 years of experience transforming ideas into thoughtfully designed, functional spaces.

Raised by a master craftsman & lifelong tradesman, Sophia grew up surrounded by the art of building. From plumbing & electrical work to fine finish carpentry & cabinetry, her father's diverse expertise gave her a unique foundation in residential construction — shaping her appreciation for craftsmanship & her ability to connect creative design with the realities of bringing it to life.

Throughout her career, Sophia has developed a passion for bridging the gap between homeowners, designers & contractors. She understands that successful projects require more than beautiful selections — they depend on thoughtful planning, clear communication & an understanding of how each decision influences the next.

Through space planning, cabinetry design, realistic 3D renderings, material sourcing & detailed project documentation, Sophia helps clients visualize possibilities, make informed decisions & establish a clear roadmap before construction begins.

Her approach is rooted in the belief that professional design guidance should be approachable & accessible, whether someone needs a single consultation, a room refresh, or a fully developed renovation plan.

Beyond the technical side of design, Sophia draws inspiration from nature, vintage treasures, textiles, handmade creations & objects with a story. Her appreciation for blending old with new, honoring craftsmanship & finding beauty in unexpected places is reflected throughout the Sacred Space Designs studio & curated boutique.

For Sophia, design has never been simply about aesthetics. It's about understanding the people behind the spaces, recognizing what matters most to them & thoughtfully translating their values, lifestyles & personal expression into the environments they call home.

Her purpose is to help people see beyond what a space is today & discover what it has the potential to become.

Dakota is a skilled finish carpenter, custom woodworker & craftsman whose passion for the trades has been shaped by over a decade of hands-on experience in residential construction.

Beginning his career in 2014, Dakota trained & worked alongside Sophia under the guidance of her father, Rick Johnson, through Rick Johnson's GCI. While Sophia developed her expertise in design, cabinetry & project planning, Dakota immersed himself in the field — learning the intricacies of residential remodeling, finish carpentry, cabinetry installation & custom woodworking firsthand.

Years of working under an experienced, multidisciplinary tradesman gave Dakota a strong foundation in traditional craftsmanship, construction methods & the importance of understanding how every element of a project comes together.

His approach is rooted in patience, precision & a genuine respect for the craft. With an intuitive understanding of wood & its natural character, Dakota has a remarkable ability to transform raw materials into beautifully refined, functional creations.

Whether he's installing intricate cabinetry, creating custom built-ins, refining architectural millwork or crafting one-of-a-kind furniture, his attention to detail is unmistakable. From seamless transitions & precise joinery to exceptionally smooth finishes, Dakota approaches every project with the same dedication to quality.

His expertise extends far beyond the physical act of building. With an understanding of construction methods, materials & the challenges that arise throughout a project, Dakota brings valuable insight to the planning & execution process. His ability to problem-solve, adapt & translate design concepts into functional, beautifully crafted results is an essential part of the Sacred Space Designs experience.

For Dakota, true craftsmanship isn't simply about creating something beautiful. It's about understanding how something is built, how it functions, how it feels & how it will stand the test of time.

His work reflects an appreciation for traditional craftsmanship while embracing the possibilities of modern design — honoring the natural beauty of materials & creating pieces that feel both timeless and personal.

His purpose is to transform raw materials & thoughtful ideas into lasting creations — where every detail reflects the care, skill & intention behind the hands that made them.

Why Sacred Space Designs?

Creating an Intentional Home Experience

Because Knowledge Is Power, & Confidence Begins With Understanding.

At Sacred Space Designs, we believe creating a home should be an empowering experience — one rooted in intention, education, transparency & trust. An experience where you feel inspired by the possibilities, informed about your choices & confident in the direction you're taking.

After years of working throughout the residential design & construction industry, we've seen firsthand how easily the excitement of a new project can become overshadowed by uncertainty. Beautiful ideas get lost in translation, important decisions are made before the full picture is understood, & homeowners are often left navigating a process they were never expected to know how to manage.

We believe there is a better way.

Sacred Space Designs was created to bridge the gap between vision & execution — bringing together creative design, technical knowledge, hands-on construction experience & clear communication to make the process more approachable, collaborative & intentional.

At the heart of our approach is a commitment to client advocacy. We believe the people investing in their homes deserve to understand what they're investing in, why certain recommendations are made & what options are available to them.

Rather than simply telling you what to choose, we share our knowledge, explain the process & provide the resources needed to make decisions that align with your vision, lifestyle, priorities & budget.

From understanding materials & construction methods to navigating design selections, project documentation, timelines & financial considerations, our goal is to replace uncertainty with clarity.

We also recognize that every project — & every person — begins somewhere different. Some have a fully developed vision but need help organizing the details. Others know something isn't working but aren't sure where to begin. & sometimes, all that's needed is an experienced perspective before taking the next step.

That's why our services are intentionally built around flexibility, accessibility & education.

Whether you're seeking a single design consultation, refreshing a room, developing a comprehensive renovation plan, sourcing materials or commissioning custom craftsmanship, we help you access the guidance & expertise that makes sense for your project.

Our experience on both sides of the design & construction process also allows us to extend that same philosophy to the professionals bringing these spaces to life. By partnering with contractors, builders & real estate professionals, we provide design support, realistic renderings, organized documentation, cabinetry solutions & material selections that help create clearer communication & a more coordinated project experience.

We believe knowledge should be shared, good design should be approachable & every person involved in creating a home deserves the clarity to move forward with confidence.

Because the best decisions aren't simply made for you —
they're made by you, with the knowledge, guidance & confidence to choose what's right for you.

Our purpose goes beyond creating beautiful spaces.
It's about empowering people to create meaningful environments, with understanding behind every choice & intention behind every decision.

Our Philosophy

Thoughtful Design. Intentional Living. Conscious Creation.

We believe the environments we surround ourselves with have a profound influence on the way we experience life.

The spaces we inhabit, the materials we touch, the objects we collect & the routines we create all become part of our everyday experience. They influence how we feel, how we connect, how we find comfort & how we express ourselves.

At Sacred Space Designs, we believe creating a meaningful environment begins with understanding the person behind it.

To us, design is not about following trends, achieving perfection or creating a space that simply looks beautiful. It's about recognizing what matters most to you & thoughtfully bringing those values into the spaces and experiences that make up your life.

We believe a home should evolve alongside the people who inhabit it — honoring where they've been, supporting where they are & creating room for who they're becoming.

Our philosophy is rooted in three guiding principles:

Design With Intention

We believe thoughtful design begins with listening, observing & understanding.

Every person has their own rhythms, routines, needs & ways of experiencing their environment. Rather than imposing a particular style or vision, we approach each project with curiosity — seeking to understand what makes a space feel comfortable, functional & authentic to the people who call it home.

By balancing creativity with practical knowledge, we help translate personal values into purposeful layouts, meaningful selections & environments that support everyday living.

A well-designed space should do more than look beautiful. It should make life feel a little more effortless.

Create With Purpose

Our appreciation for craftsmanship is rooted in years of hands-on experience, generations of trade knowledge & a deep respect for the materials and processes behind the finished product.

We believe in honoring the natural beauty of materials, the skill of the hands that shape them & the thoughtful decisions that give something lasting value.

Whether we're developing a design, restoring character to an existing space or creating something entirely new, we approach the process with care, curiosity & respect for the craft.

To us, true quality is found not only in how something looks, but in how it functions, how it feels & the purpose it serves over time.

Live More Consciously

We believe intentional living is less about having everything perfectly curated & more about becoming aware of what genuinely adds value to our lives.

It's appreciating what already exists, recognizing beauty in imperfection & choosing things that reflect our individuality rather than simply following what's expected.

Our love for vintage treasures, handmade goods, natural materials & thoughtfully sourced pieces comes from this belief — that meaningful surroundings are often collected over time, layered with memories, character & personal expression.

We encourage creating with what you have, investing in what matters & allowing your surroundings to tell a story that is uniquely yours.

We believe the environments we create should not only reflect the lives we're living, but support the lives we're becoming.

That's what creating a sacred space means to us.

Not a particular aesthetic. Not a perfectly finished room. Not a collection of beautiful things.

But an environment created with awareness, purpose & a genuine connection to the people who experience it.

More Than a Design Studio

A Space for Creativity, Connection & Discovery.

Sacred Space Designs has always been about more than the physical act of designing or building a home.

It's about the things we surround ourselves with, the stories they carry, the experiences they create & the ways our environments influence how we move through everyday life.

Our studio in the heart of Columbia, Pennsylvania, was created as an extension of that belief — a space where professional design resources, craftsmanship, creativity & consciously curated goods come together.

Part residential design studio, part material selections library & part curated boutique — it's a place where inspiration isn't limited to a particular style, budget or project.

Throughout the shop, you'll discover an evolving collection of vintage décor, clothing, textiles, furnishings, handmade creations & thoughtfully selected goods. Some pieces are old, some are new, some handmade, some are imperfect & some have been given an entirely new purpose.

Each is chosen with an appreciation for its character, craftsmanship, beauty or the feeling it evokes.

We believe a home — much like personal style — should be collected with intention rather than created from a formula. The most captivating environments often tell a story through layers of texture, history, individuality & pieces gathered over time.

There's something beautiful about honoring what already exists. About recognizing the potential in something overlooked. About choosing what resonates with you instead of simply following what's trending.

That same perspective influences our design work, our custom creations & the pieces we bring into the boutique.

Beyond the products & services, we envision our studio as a place for connection — where homeowners can explore possibilities, contractors can collaborate, makers can share their work & our community can discover something unexpected.

Whether you're selecting materials for a renovation, seeking creative inspiration, browsing vintage treasures or simply stopping in to explore, we hope the experience encourages you to see beauty, possibility & purpose in the world around you.

At Sacred Space Designs, we're here to help you recognize the possibilities, understand your options & bring your vision to life in a way that feels authentic to you.

Because a sacred space isn't defined by how it looks — it's defined by how it makes you feel.

Our purpose is simple — to help you create a home, an environment & ultimately a life that feels more like you.

Wherever you are in the process, we'd love to be part of what you're creating.