High Design, Low Pressure: How Cury Design Studio is Opening the Doors of Design on Asbury Avenue

In Ocean City, Asbury Avenue is more than a street; it is the heartbeat of the community. At 743, a new name is etched into the local landscape, but the face behind it has been part of Ocean City’s fabric their whole life. Samantha Cury, the owner and principal designer of Cury Design Studio, is redefining what it means to work with a premier design firm by blending elevated aesthetics with a deeply personal, “open-door” philosophy.

 For nearly 50 years, the space was known as Interiors by Joann, a cornerstone of local design established in 1976. Sam began her journey there in 2014, learning the “roots and bones” of the business under Joann’s mentorship. Although she has quietly owned the firm for the past five years, the formal transition to Cury Design Studio in November marks a bold new chapter.

 “I can’t believe my name is on a building on Asbury,” Sam says. “My mom, when I was a toddler, walked through Interiors by Joann with my sister and me and told us not to touch anything, not to break anything.” Fast forward 30 years, and I have the honor to acquire it and put our stamp on it.” Fast forward 30 years, and Sam’s philosophy about the store is quite different and readily apparent.

One of her primary missions is to dismantle the idea that a design is an intimidating, “members-only” club. While Cury Design Studio handles complex new constructions and renovations, the retail storefront on Asbury Avenue is a purposefully welcoming destination for everyone. “We’ve always wanted it to feel approachable and fun,” Sam explains. “You don’t need an appointment to walk in, browse, or find a great gift. Whether someone needs a quick housewarming gift, a new lamp, or just wants to see what’s new, we want everyone to enjoy themselves and the experience.” 

 \When you walk off Asbury Avenue and into the showroom, the goal is for you to “instantly feel like you can exhale.” The space is a curated mix of:

• Unique Finds: Furniture, unique lighting, and custom upholstery that are selected with intention and won’t be seen everywhere else.
• Thoughtful Gifts: Curated candles, puzzles, coasters, and frames that offer a “small slice” of the shore vibe to take home.
• Personal Connection: A vibe that is warm, happy, and inviting, encouraging guests to linger and be inspired at their own pace.

 Though Sam formally entered the design world as an adult, the “sparks” were there long before she realized it. During the studio’s recent rebrand, childhood stories resurfaced. One of her best friends reminisced about middle school afternoons spent on a computer game, designing house layouts. Her stepmom recalled her as a little girl building miniature furniture out of model clay, and her mom remembered her constantly cutting out design pictures to rearrange her bedroom layout every year.

Despite these early signs, Sam’s path was not linear. She majored in communications and finance, worked in public relations, and even ran a roofing company in Florida before returning to Ocean City. It was then she entered Joann’s family, helping on the retail floor and eventually mastering every facet of the design business through hands-on experience and community connection.

 The Design Philosophy: At Home at the Shore

Growing up in Ocean City, the beach was never a vacation for Sam; it was home. This lifelong connection influences her unique “timeless shore-loving” aesthetic. This connection to coastal living enables her to capture the feelings and emotions of the shore through sophisticated colors and textures.

 Cury Design Studio’s approach to client work is equally grounded. Sam describes their role as a “guardian” of the process, protecting clients from the “decision-making fatigue” that often plagues large projects. From the blueprint stage to the final furnishing, Cury Design Studio acts as a one-stop shop. “The goal is for you to walk into our studio, dump every worry out, and have us say, ‘We’ve got this. Sip your drink, go hang out with your family, and we’ll handle it from here.’ “

What truly sets Cury Design Studio apart is the culture within its walls. The team functions like a family, often joking that they know too much about each other. This genuine bond translates directly to the client experience.”You don’t just build a home or design a room with Cury Design Studio, you are at home with us,” Sam notes. Her core promise is that clients will look back on the design process with “rose-colored lenses,” remembering the joy of the experience rather than the stress of the decisions.

 As Cury Design Studio grows, Sam’s vision remains focused on community and longevity. She aims to continue elevating Ocean City’s coastal aesthetic, providing year-round residents and seasonal visitors with access to high-quality design that feels personal and enduring.

Whether you are planning a full-scale home refresh or just looking for a thoughtful gift, Cury Design Studio invites you to linger, discover, and, most importantly, feel at home.