Sarah Sherman Samuel on Building the Home You Never Want to Leave

Rip & Tan: After establishing your design studio during your time in Los Angeles, how does it feel to be back home in Michigan? Do you find yourself newly inspired by the locale?

Sarah Sherman Samuel: The transition was difficult at the beginning, leaving my tribe in LA and the sunshine I grew very accustomed to. I also had an infant and a toddler so that time isn’t easy whether you throw a cross-country move in the mix or not. 

However, once I built my studio and got my stride, it feels like I am exactly where I’m supposed to be. Creating with more space and less distraction—all while tucked right up in the forest surrounded on all sides by nature—has been incredible for my overall well-being and also my work. Nature has always been a main source of inspiration for me and being surrounded by the forest has definitely made an impact and continued to influence my work. 

Rip & Tan: Your interiors maintain such a signature sense of California cool. How do you define your personal style? What elements of a West Coast sensibility tend to seamlessly transition to any home?

Sarah Sherman Samuel: Living in California for fifteen formative adult years from my 20s to my late 30s definitely made its mark on my personal style. It’s very much a part of me. The use of natural materials and a wabi-sabi philosophy. It’s relaxed and natural, but like my interiors, I do like to have some kind of unexpected detail.

In clothing, it might be a puff of a sleeve, a special button, or a peak of an animal print. I do love a flowy dress. In a home using natural materials like stone, wood, leather, unlacquered brass, (raw materials that patina with time), and introducing vintage furniture can bring the west coast sensibility into any home. 

Rip & Tan: This home is truly a sanctuary—we never want to leave. What was the vision for such a dream space? Do you have any tips for creating an interior you’ll never tire of?

Sarah Sherman Samuel: Ah, thank you. That is the exact feeling I was going for! We moved here to slow life down while our kids are so small, to give them the best childhood we could offer them. A place where we are surrounded by nature and can really be present for their little years that go by so fast. 

When we bought the house it was quite dark inside, so while designing it, I wanted to get as much natural light into the spaces as possible. We took down walls, made larger passageways, and installed new windows to give that feeling of a blend of indoor/outdoor.

I took cues from an existing round skylight to introduce more curves which always helps to make a space feel more welcoming. 

When creating a space with longevity, I think it’s important to take cues from the architecture of the home, the location it’s in, and then filling it with pieces that really speak to you.

Rip & Tan: We’re dying for a glimpse into your creative process. How do you usually approach a new interior project? Where do you start?

Sarah Sherman Samuel: The first step is really a research phase—gathering all the information about the project. It’s taking a look at the original architecture and intent, learning everything about the site and location, and then all about the client. Their needs, their personal style, what makes them tick, and how they want to feel in each of the rooms of the home. 

The next phase is where I get started on the design. I usually pull materials first and set the tone of the room with the surfaces. Flooring, tile, fixtures, and so forth.

When it comes to furnishing a space, there’s often one foundation piece that will set the tone for the entire room and I will build off that. That foundation piece can be a piece of art or a special chair, a sofa, or a rug.

Planning out the structure and then the materiality of the space combined with a few key pieces creates a language for the room—layering in the rest of the furniture, art, and accessories is my favorite dance to dance. 

Rip & Tan: What are the must-haves in making of a warm, welcoming home?

Sarah Sherman Samuel: Natural light, natural materials, and comfortable places to gather. 

Rip & Tan: There’s a whimsy and an organic modernity to the spaces you create. Where do you look for inspiration?

Sarah Sherman Samuel: The natural world is my biggest inspiration and the intersection of architecture and nature fascinates me. Cliché as it is I find inspiration literally everywhere. 

Rip & Tan: Do you have a favorite room? A favorite piece?

Sarah Sherman Samuel: Our living room might be my favorite. It’s separate from the family room and kitchen that is all open and it’s this huge room where we did wall-to-wall carpeting in. It has a fireplace and the tall windows make it feel like you are up in the coziest tree house.

The room feels gallery-like but nothing is too precious. We also call it the tumble room as the kids jump, run and dance and play all over the sofas and carpeted floors. It’s where we spread out on the floor and play games and where you feel the most surrounded by nature in the home. 

Rip & Tan: What advice do you have for those who are struggling to define their interior style?

Sarah Sherman Samuel: I’d say just start making a note of anything you notice you’re drawn to and not get too wrapped up in trying to pinpoint or stick with one style. If you surround yourself with pieces that speak to you the definition doesn’t matter it just is and the mix will tell the unique story of you. 

Rip & Tan: What does living well mean to you?

Sarah Sherman Samuel:  Living well is spending time doing what you love with the ones you love and creating the space to do both as much as possible.