My goal is to create interiors for modern living that are informed by a classic perspective with timeless appeal. In order to design spaces that work for who we are today, I think it’s important to reflect on where we’ve been and how we got here, to think about how we want to live today and into the future, and what we want to live with. This blend of past, present, and future, and the curation of materials, finishes, furniture, and art is what makes a house a home, and inevitably drives the design process and the path that any renovation or redecoration project takes.
I strive to make every home a genuine reflection of its inhabitants and provide a backdrop for the stories that will be told within it. No matter how simple or grand, your home is a sanctuary, and you have the power to define how you want to live in it. Over the course of five television series, I’ve tackled more than 300 rooms, and I’ve been given the opportunity to explore a wide variety of styles, palettes, and architectural influences according to each client’s needs and tastes. My signature style is not always immediately recognizable by a colour or a theme (though I do certainly have my favourites . . .), but I feel there’s a consistent style in how I approach design and the mix of elements I infuse in any space.
If I were to distill my design aesthetic down to the most simple recipe or formula, I would describe the ingredients and the ratio for their use as follows — my favourite rooms are . . .
One part masculine : one part feminine (since I often work with couples and believe in a democratic design process)
One part vintage or antique : one part new and now
One part traditional : one part contemporary
One part bold and exciting : one part calm and reserved
One part colourful : one part neutral
And, of course, one part practical : one part indulgent, exotic, whimsical, or fun.
Breaking hundreds of fully designed rooms down into a succinct list might be overly simplistic, but Sarah Style is my way of sharing what I’ve learned in my design career about the concepts that work and the ideas that endure. Design should be accessible and enjoyable. My goal is to deliver insights and advice, tips and inspiration to help you achieve the best results in your home, and to give you the confidence and enthusiasm to make your home everything you want it to be. Sarah Style is divided into chapters by type of room to allow you to peruse a variety of homes and see which styles and ideas speak to you. I hope you will find helpful suggestions and insider knowledge to make your planning process run smoothly, and make every project you tackle a triumphant expression of personal style — your personal style!