“Living in a busy city like London is fantastic,” says interior designer Sarah Brown. Never far from inspiration, she scours the city’s out-of-the-way museums and historic homes for a bit of this palette, a bit of that detail, and mixes it all together to create surprising color combinations and interiors with a decidedly vintage voice. “I couldn’t design a space that didn’t include an antique or vintage element,” she explains. Perhaps this is why her interiors have earned a reputation as warm, inviting, and refreshingly livable. Read on for her Chairish picks and style tips.
SHOP SARAH BROWN’S CHAIRISH FAVORITES >>>
Tell us about how you launched your design practice. What brought you to designing residential spaces?
I began my career in publishing and graphic design and have always worked in the creative industries. I studied residential interior design at KLC in London back in 2013 and was lucky enough to land jobs with two leading interior designers before starting my own practice in 2017. I really enjoy the process of getting to know my clients and understanding what they want from their home and how they want to live. My aim is to create an environment that is personal and unique to them and isn’t driven by fashion or the latest trends.
You have a distinctly warm, inviting color palette. How does that come into play when it comes to layering patterns, colors, and styles? Any tips for color combos that you love?
I love using colour and unexpected combinations, although there does need to be an element of harmony between them as I’m not a fan of rooms where there is a random mix like a paintbox! The elements for a successful scheme start with a mix of plains and patterned fabrics of different scales, textures and colours. I often like the wall colour to be a backdrop for the colours in the room, rather than the main feature. Burgundy red and pink is one of my forever favourites, but I’ve also been enjoying using purple and lilacs recently and have paired them with buttery yellow tones in a kitchen.
Tell us a little bit about your approach to vintage. How do you like to bring antique and vintage pieces into your projects?
I couldn’t design a space that didn’t include an antique or vintage element as part of the scheme. They bring so much character and interest to a room that, without them, it can start to feel contrived and soulless. When antiques are combined with contemporary pieces, the end result feels much more balanced and visually appealing. The shapes, the patina, and the history of antique and vintage furniture all combine to create a room that has atmosphere and a story to tell. I also enjoy incorporating my clients’ inherited furniture that may have been handed down through the generations. Sometimes when something is a bit ‘off’ or ugly it can add to the look of the room, as it stops it feeling too considered and ‘interior designed’.
Shop Sarah Brown's Chairish Favorites
Craft and bespoke items are a big part of your work. Can you speak a little bit about how you like to incorporate bespoke pieces and the types of craftspeople you love to work with?
Quite often our design ideas go beyond what is readily available, so we work with various artisans and craftspeople to help bring our vision to life. From bespoke furniture makers to specialist painters, we have a trusted team of experts that we work alongside. An example from a recent project is a bespoke mural created by Gracie in New York. It depicts scenes in Saratoga Springs (upstate NY) and includes illustrations of our clients’ children and family dogs. We often create bespoke banquette seating where we see an opportunity to include one in a nook or a bay window. These are produced by our skilled millwork teams. We also work with the best curtain workrooms and love creating testers for bedrooms, as they add height and drama to a room.
Where do your biggest inspirations come from? And how does living in London influence your approach to art, design, and culture in general?
I find inspiration everywhere, but really love to visit historic homes like Kenwood House and Sir John Soane Museum to study the architectural detailing. Living in a busy city like London is fantastic and I try and see and do as much as possible in my free time. One weekend, I might be shopping with my daughters in Borough Market, and the next walking along the river in Richmond with my dog. I enjoy theatre, live music, and art and particularly enjoy the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy for discovering new and up and coming artists.
ON CHAIRISH & VINTAGE PIECES
What do you find most compelling about Chairish?
Shopping on Chairish is so fun, and I’m amazed at the variety of items that I’ve been able to find on the website.
How does sustainability factor into your design choices and love of vintage?
It always feels good to use something that already exists in a home, rather than specifying everything new. Where possible, we will try and re-use or re-purpose clients’ fabrics, lighting and furniture, adding a new shade to a lamp or using a piece of furniture in an unexpected place. Rather than ripping out an entire kitchen for instance, we may suggest re-painting doors, changing handles or adding accessories and artwork to breathe new life into the space.
A FEW DESIGN FAVORITES
Favorite way to create a statement-making moment in a room, or in an outfit: Including a large modern piece of art in a room creates tension and drama when paired with more traditional fabrics and furniture.
Favorite paint color: Little Greene have launched a paint range called Sweet Treats, which combines a palette of warm, neutral shades that are cosy and inviting, perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
Favorite piece of decor in your home: I often get asked where I purchased the black and white painting of a woman that hangs in my sitting room. It was one of the first things I ever bought for my home from a local antique dealer for a very reasonable price. I feel like she’s always watching us, as she is visible through the glazed doors in the hallway and from the dining room. I love her slightly sulky face and 1920’s cropped, bobbed hairstyle. The painting is a reproduction of an original by the Dutch painter, Kees van Dongen.
Design destination every creative should visit at least once: Salvador Dali’s house in Portlligat. It’s amazing to be able to see where Dali worked and live with his wife Gala. The house is packed with interesting objects, velvet upholstery, and antique furniture. The garden is also worth a visit, with an eccentric mix of stuffed animals, an extravagant pool with fountains, and the iconic Mae-West-inspired lips sofa.
A FEW LIFESTYLE FAVORITES
Favorite vacation destination: I love the Ile de Ré in South West France near La Rochelle. It’s a small, very flat island, where everyone cycles and the beaches are amazing. We have many happy memories of spending time there with family and friends when our daughters were young.
Favorite hotel that’s inspired your work while traveling: A few years ago, we stayed at The Sultana in Marrakech, and I have been thinking about it ever since! It’s full of antiques and artifacts from the past, with all the modern luxuries you would want in the heart of the Medina. I felt so inspired by the intricate plasterwork, sculpted wood, and zellige tiles in this wonderful hotel, as well as all the colours and decorative arts. Marrakech is a fantastic place to visit if you love interiors!
Favorite hostess (or thank you) gift: I think you can’t go wrong with something edible or drinkable, preferably homemade.
Favorite flower: I have just had my garden at home re-designed by the wonderful London based garden designers Cargill Sykes, who have planted some of my favourites, including hydrangeas and pink roses.
Favorite entertaining essential: Pretty Murano glass tumblers for Gin & Tonics with giant ice cubes and a Northern Soul playlist.
Lead Image: Design by Sarah Brown Interiors, Photography by Rachael Smith.