Meet Sarah Ash- the talent behind Salt Interior Studio. This chat really warmed our souls as she spoke about all things design and pursuing dreams.
Who are you? Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to become an interior designer.
Like many others, I never really knew what I wanted to do when I grew up. I floated through jobs that held no emotional connection or happiness. I was working in an office job for seven years and when my son was two, I quit, I couldn’t do it anymore. I panicked because I had nothing to go to next. My husband was extremely calm and told me that this was my time to go back to school and study what I wanted to do. I looked at him like he was crazy because I thought I didn’t know what I wanted to do. And all he said to me in response was yes you do. Let me know when you figure it out. It was frustrating! It took me about a week of very deep soul-searching and self-reflection, and when I finally told him that I wanted to be an interior designer he just responded with so now go and do it!
Sarah Ash, founder of Salt Interior Studio
After years of telling this story, I looked back on my life to see where my desire to make things beautiful came from. I used to rearrange furniture in my bedroom and at my friends’ houses almost every week, restyling shelves and walls. My parents also renovated our house when I was growing up and I loved being a part of the process. My dad was a builder and I used to spend my school holidays on the work site with him because there was something about it that made me happy and excited. It was a wonderful experience for me to witness a stunning house being built from scratch, where there was once only a pile of dirt. It made me realise that one of the main reasons I have always wanted to have my own house is to be able to decorate and furnish it in my own unique style.
Looking at your portfolio, it’s clear that you favour a coastal living style. Are there specific influences that have played a significant role in shaping your artistic style and approach?
With social media playing such a huge part in our daily lives I am presented with so many inspiring people doing amazing things. I’ve never held the torch for one particular artist or influence. I would have to say that nature is my one true love and inspiration. Whilst reflecting on my interior design career, nature has always played a role. I have lived by the coast on the Mornington Peninsula all my life and have been surrounded by beautiful beaches and bushland. That’s where the name Salt came from.
Could you walk us through your design process, from concept to completion, and how you decide which inspiration to use?
Once a client has begun working with us, we get together for a consultation to discuss their project at length. It’s here that I write notes, take photos and measure all spaces. Once I have this information, I put together a project proposal with mood boards and information outlining the scope of work and an investment breakdown. We work through a project in three phases.
For a Design project, the process is:
Phase One – Presentation of concept drawings and design
Phase Two – Detailed design and material selections
Phase Three – Working drawings
For a styling project, the process is:
Phase One – Presentation of all materials, lighting, furniture and decor selections
Phase Two – Ordering of furniture and decor
Phase Three – Installation
We are there for our clients throughout the entire project, either to project manage on their behalf or to work with their builder in any way they need.
Sarah working with a client during phase One
Amongst your numerous projects, do you have a particular project that holds special significance to you? If so, could you share the story behind it?
21 years ago, my husband and I met at this little coastal cottage shack, on the Peninsula. Since that day we’ve been inseparable and just by chance, seven years ago we bought our very first home and it was that same little house. With our two-year-old son, we moved in and started on the massive renovation. Fast forward seven years, we now have two boys, nine and four years old and we have just completed the renovation. I am so proud of everything we have put into this project and am so proud of us for doing it all together as a family.
Sarah in her newly renovated home with her family
A room often evokes strong emotions and thoughts. How do you hope viewers connect with and interpret your work?
I hope for people to connect with and interpret a room in a deeply personal and meaningful way. Each space I design is crafted to evoke a range of emotions and inspire a sense of comfort and belonging. My ultimate goal is to create environments that resonate with individuals on an emotional level, fostering a sense of joy, tranquillity, and authenticity.
I hope that people feel a sense of alignment with the spaces I create, finding comfort, inspiration, and delight in their surroundings. By fostering a deep emotional connection between individuals and their environments, I believe that design has the power to enrich lives, elevate experiences, and cultivate a greater appreciation for the beauty and significance of the spaces we inhabit.
Last year you released an exciting product for the budget-conscious DIYers out there! Can you explain what it is?
Your Digital Designer is what we like to call the ultimate companion budget-conscious DIY for renovators. We have handpicked all hard finishes and selections for an entire coastal-style home and put it all in one downloadable document. All selections are from trusted suppliers that offer excellent value for money, Australia-wide. This document has a selection schedule that can easily be shared with your builder and trades. It’s a one-stop shop for someone who no longer wants to spend endless hours scrolling through catalogues or browsing online stores. We’ve done it all for you!
Your Digital Designer
Every designer faces challenges. Can you discuss a specific challenge and how you overcame it?
I would say my biggest challenge as a designer and business owner would be some of the clients I have worked with in the past. Our values didn’t quite align; therefore, the projects didn’t run as smoothly as they should have. I have a very solid process and systems in place now to eliminate anything like this happening again. I start the client journey with a questionnaire, followed by a discovery call before meeting in person. These two steps are crucial for me to determine if we are a good match to collaborate on a project together. Our collaboration is extremely significant, and we must start it off on the same page. Sometimes, we may be in each other’s lives for years.
How do you see your style and approach evolving in the future? Are there new techniques or themes you are excited to explore?
I’m continuously evolving and seeking new inspirations to enrich my style and approach. Whilst I’ve had a strong focus on a coastal style, I’m eager to explore a broader range of themes and techniques in upcoming projects. The projects we’re currently working on have touches of modern coastal but are leaning more towards the classic modern rustic style. Lots of deep, rich tones and textures, which create warmth and add some real soul to each space.
Modern coastal interior styling
For emerging designers looking to establish themselves in the interior design world, what advice would you offer based on your own experiences and journey as an artist and designer?
Work hard and never stop learning. There are so many resources out there now for artists and creatives. We’d be crazy not to utilise them as much as possible.
Be confident and stay true to yourself. I see and hear of too many people, especially women, getting lost in the world of social media and feeling pressured to be something they’re not. I’ve spoken many times about my dislike of trends and how they can hinder our creative side, as we’re always trying to copy something else and wonder if it’s right. If you like it and it seems right to you, someone is going to love it. Be unique, be you and you will absolutely shine in this industry.
Thank you to Sarah from Salt Interior Studio for bringing our March issue of The Modern Muse Magazine to life.
Learn more about Sarah and her beautiful interior design business below.
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