We’re looking forward to introducing you to Cátia Sander. Check out our conversation below.
Cátia, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
My day starts at 5:00am, and the first 90 minutes are very intentional and quiet. I begin by reading in bed with coffee — fiction on weekends to spark creativity, and non-fiction on weekdays to ground my thinking. I then spend a few minutes journaling to clear my mind and set priorities for the day. After that, it’s breakfast followed by a workout, which helps me feel focused and energized before I step into work.
That calm, structured start is how I design my day before designing spaces for others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an architect and interior designer based in Los Angeles with over 25 years of experience working across the U.S., Europe, Brazil, and India. My background is rooted in architecture, but my work today focuses on creating interiors that feel intentional, timeless, and deeply livable.
What makes my practice unique is the way I blend global perspective with a strong sense of restraint — spaces that feel elevated yet calm, layered but never overdesigned. Being Brazilian has also shaped my approach: I naturally gravitate toward warmth, texture, and a strong connection between indoors and outdoors.
I work primarily on high-end residential and boutique commercial projects, collaborating closely with clients to translate their lifestyle into spaces that feel both refined and personal.
Right now, I’m especially interested in projects that integrate wellness, longevity, and thoughtful design — creating environments that quietly support the way people live, work, and recharge.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My parents, without a doubt. They encouraged curiosity, discipline, and ambition early on — long before I understood how deeply those values would shape my life and career. They gave me the freedom to explore creatively while also instilling a strong work ethic, which became the foundation of how I approach both design and life.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me humility, patience, and self-trust. It showed me how to keep going without external validation, and how to build resilience quietly — something success alone never teaches.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Most of the time, yes. What people don’t always realize when they only see the public version of me is how introverted I am in reality. I’m thoughtful, observant, and recharge in quiet moments. That inner world is actually what fuels my creativity and the way I design — it’s where clarity and intention come from.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop overworking immediately and become far more intentional with my time. I’d shift my focus away from constant productivity and toward experiences that feel meaningful — traveling more, slowing down, and being fully present with the people I love. At that point, time would feel like the most valuable design decision of all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.catiasander.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catiasanderdesign/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catiasander/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catiasanderdesign
Image Credits
Virginia Pitts
Isaac Garcia
