Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Walker
Hi Sarah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In 1997, I moved to Los Angeles from New York City with my first husband, a record producer. At the time, I was running my own special events company in New York and had recently renovated a house in East Hampton, an apartment in the West Village, and another on Riverside Drive. Friends often complimented my taste and asked for advice on their own homes, which gave me the confidence to trust my instincts. Selling those properties for a good profit reinforced that I might actually have a talent for design.
Before I even turned thirty, I had gained a lot of hands-on construction experience from opening several restaurants and nightclubs in NYC. I loved the collaborative nature of commercial and residential renovations. When I arrived in LA, I started looking for a house to renovate and “flip.” I was drawn to Mid-Century Modern architecture, which at the time was still underappreciated. LA had no shortage of neglected homes from that era, and eventually, I found a 1960s post-and-beam house in the Los Feliz Oaks. It was perched on a hillside, and I got it for under $300,000.
A year after the move to LA, my husband fell in love with someone else and asked for a divorce. It was devastating—I had left behind a vibrant life in New York, and I hadn’t yet found my footing in LA. On top of that, my house was mid-renovation, so going back to New York wasn’t an option.
While I worked on the house, I discovered an amazing community of people who were just as passionate about Mid-Century Modern design as I was. This was before the internet made everything so accessible, and MCM hadn’t yet become mainstream. Learning about that era of design required immersing myself in a small, vibrant group of enthusiasts. LA turned out to be the perfect place for someone who shared that passion.
When I finished renovating the house, I decided to move into it instead of selling and starting over. I was still navigating the fallout from the divorce, and the thought of letting go of that house was just too overwhelming. Staying there gave me a much-needed sense of stability. That house, combined with the connections I had through my ex-husband in the music industry and the relationships I’d started building in the design community, created opportunities for me to help others with their homes.
Eventually, I realized I wanted to make interior design my career. In 2006, I officially incorporated my business, and by 2012, I earned my CCIDC certification.
Looking back now, I’m so grateful for the curveball life threw at me. Necessity really is the mother of invention, and if I hadn’t gone through that divorce, I probably would have ended up back in the restaurant or nightclub business instead of finding my true path in design and in love. I met my current husband a few years later and we have been married for over twenty years.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Since my work is a service-oriented profession involving close relationships with clients, contractors, and craftsmen, challenges inevitably arise. People are complex, and there’s always something happening in someone’s life, or something unexpected that hasn’t gone according to plan, requiring careful navigation. I’m responsible for managing significant financial investments for my clients, and I want to ensure their time and money result in something beautiful and causes as little stress for them as possible.
Because of this, I really have to pay attention to the details, and I take my work very seriously. I’m not someone who can just let things roll off my back—I do worry, probably more than I should. That’s why maintaining a healthy work-life balance is so crucial for me, though I’ll admit it hasn’t always been my strong suit. Looking back, it’s clear that when I make the effort to take care of myself, I’m able to take much better care of my clients. You might think the hardest part of running a business like mine would be the financial pressure—making a living and ensuring the people I work with are paid. And while that’s challenging, it’s not the biggest struggle; for me, the hardest part has always been finding that elusive balance between work and life.
Now that I’m older, I’ve come to realize just how precious and finite time is and more than anything, I want to prioritize happiness and joy. These days, I’m focusing on building relationships and opportunities that are both creatively fulfilling and genuinely joyful for everyone involved. What we do is really hard, and exacting work, and the best projects are the ones where we laugh the most with our clients, contractors, and crew, as we create something amazing together!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a small interior design firm specializing in large-scale residential remodels. Our strength lies in transforming lackluster houses by developing a compelling narrative for each project and guiding it through design, construction, and furnishing. We create beautiful, timeless, and functional homes and offices for exceptionally happy clients. Beyond the quality of our work, I am most proud of the long-standing relationships we’ve built with the majority of our clients. For instance, five of the seven clients we focused on in 2024 are repeat clients, many of whom we’ve worked with for over a decade.
Our firm doesn’t adhere to a specific “look” or “type” of project because I’m not interested in repeating a formula. I love designing environments that reflect the unique qualities of the building and the client’s preferences, interests, and needs, which makes every project distinct. I’ve been told that this approach might not be the most profitable business model since it often involves reinventing the wheel for each project. While I understand that perspective, my goal has never been to prioritize profitability. Instead, I value the creative journey each project offers and relish the opportunity to explore the unknown with clients and my team.
That said, one thing that is consistent element across our projects is my passion for incorporating high-quality art. Many of our clients are art collectors, and my husband and I are as well. My husband is also, a contemporary artist and former gallery owner. Art plays such a big role in my life that I bring a different level of undertanding and expertise to it than most designers.
Another distinguishing aspect of our firm is our emphasis on the front-end design process. I strongly believe in dedicating significant time upfront to develop overarching concepts and meticulously refine floor plans with the client. Establishing a clear, agreed-upon narrative and space plan is critical before moving into later phases. A solid foundation ensures that clients feel confident in the direction of the project, and it provides clarity for the entire team of consultants and contractors. Without this alignment, the process can become unnecessarily complicated and chaotic.
To address this, we almost always, create a detailed project concept booklet for every project. This booklet illustrates not only how the finished space will look but also how it will feel. It serves as a reference point for clients, helping to streamline the numerous decisions they face while keeping the focus on reinforcing the agreed-upon narrative. It’s also an invaluable tool for contractors and consultants, offering clear visual references that ensure everyone is working toward the same goals. I’m often surprised by how few designers and architects incorporate this step as a core part of their process. I truly believe they would find that projects run more smoothly and clients feel more at ease if they did.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
In my work life, I’m happiest when we’re installing a project and I can see how much joy it brings to our clients. I also love going back to visit a project after the client has settled in and made it their own. It’s so satisfying to see how the space supports their daily life. Sure, I want to feel proud of the way our projects look, but at the end of the day, it’s really about creating an environment that works for the client. A lot of decisions are made based on their needs and preferences—things I might have done differently if it were my own home or space—but that’s what makes each project unique and fulfilling.
For instance, we have been working on an independent senior community and recently finished the lobby and office spaces. I visited during Halloween and Christmas and loved seeing how the lobby was decorated. On my last visit, they were having a pizza party and serving slices right at the reception desk—it was amazing to see the space being used in such a lively, joyful way.
An architect friend once told me they hate seeing a house they designed filled with the client’s belongings, saying, “People’s things ruin the house.” I couldn’t disagree more. Don’t get me wrong—I love photographing a project so we can capture “perfection”—but I think a house or office that doesn’t reflect the life happening in it feels incomplete and, honestly, a little sad. For me, the real beauty of a project is in how well it serves the people who live and work there every day.
In my personal life, what makes me happiest is being at home with my husband, our dogs, cats, and chickens. One of my favorite things is taking a walk with my husband and our two dogs through our avocado grove.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sarahwalkerds.com
- Instagram: @sarahwalkerdesignstudio
Image Credits
PORTRAIT: John Ellis
Living Room 1: Montse Garriga
Outdoor Living room: Trevor Tondro
Bedroom: Trevor Tondro
Living Room 2: John Ellis
Dining Table 1: Stephen Schauer
Dining Table 2: Sam Frost
White Kitchen: Sarah Walker
Stainless KitchenL Jesse Gillian
