Sarah Stacey Interior Design is a US based residential interior design studio who has been in business for 10 years. Working on mainly residential projects and small commercial projects like a vegan ice cream shops. Their goal is to create homes that are not just pretty but also meaningful to their clients.

Okay, lay it on us, 3 songs your morning playlist must contain. 

Anything that gets me moving a little bit and are easy to listen to. All time favourites for working are: Incidental Boogie by US Girls, Million Dollar Doll by Britta Phillips, Comeback Kid by Sharon Van Etten

Okay, now pleasantries: tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?

I’m a US based residential interior designer who has been in business for 10 years. I do some very small commercial as well, like a vegan ice cream shop, but mostly I do furnishings and remodels. Our goal is to create homes that are not only pretty, but are meaningful to our clients. 

What did you want to be when you grew up? 

I remember making a little booklet in kindergarten about what you wanted to be when you grew up. I drew a cheerleader, which is funny because that’s not my personality! Haha. But when I was in high school my parents hired a designer to work on their new build. As soon as I learned what this profession was I had my heart set on it.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? and the worst?

Best advice is one I recently received from my business coach, which is to not to hide behind my superpower! Your superpower is essentially what makes you different from others. I was told to stop promoting my white kitchens since everyone designs those and that I should promote work that is authentic and different because that is what makes me unique. 

Worst advice was to take a job because I need the money. I’ve learned that by taking projects you don’t want will increase the likelihood of getting burned out. It takes a while to recover from burnout and I try to avoid it now. And there is usually a reason why you don’t want the job, it could be the scope or a bad vibe. Listed to your gut!

What is your favourite creative outlet to get the juices flowing?

Spotify! I love listening to my Discover Weekly to hear songs from bands I’ve never heard of. I love music and it is a great way for me to clear my head and get into the zone. 

Jump in the Tardis and fast forward 5 years – where are you and what are you up to?

I hope to collaborate with brands to create products like tiles, rugs, light fixtures and furnishings. Also to work in cities throughout the US and some abroad. 

What’s one thing other people may not know about you?

I am a big softie and feel hard. I cry at commercials, especially ones about animals. Also my close friends know this, but I don’t show it much, but I am very political. 

What resource would help you in your work that you don’t have right now? That one thing that would save so much time and stress. 

Having an office where my employees worked next to me. Right now everyone works at home and it is challenging to communicate ideas efficiently over emails and texts. 

You can only follow 5 people and 5 brands on your social media forever on, who are they?

I find a lot of inspiration from these accounts! Pierre Yovanovitch, 214 Modern, Travel and Leisure Elle Decor, Jen Talbot

What are your main sources of inspiration? Are there any outlets you reference regularly? 

I look though Instagram and Pinterest a bit. I have a folder saved in IG where I collect things that inspire me over the week then post them every Sunday. I also save images that are inspiring me on projects, so people get a little peek into things I’m working on. I also ask clients to give me inspiration images of items that are unrelated to interiors, it gives you a different perspective when designing a space. 

Complete this sentence… Life is about…

Having options. When you have options you can make better and more interesting choices.