Sarah Barnard is an interior designer who works consistently to meet her clients’ need of interior consulting. Local and national publications have regularly uploaded her work. She has also come out with flying colors in contests like, the Selamat Designs 1st Annual ‘Create a Classic’ Design Challenge, New York’s Environdesign sustainable design conference and the Source One Wallcoverings Design Contest to name a few.
Barnard is also a member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), which has awarded her the distinction of Associate Certified Kitchen Designer. She qualified the California Codes and Regulations Exam (CCRE) for Interior Designers with high marks and has spoken about the design field at American Intercontinental University (AIU).
Recently, we had this opportunity of having her interview on our blog, which we took via mail, scroll down to take a view of it:
1. I feel your apprenticeship with your father was a kind of stepping stones towards designing. How far do you agree with me?
Sarah: Although my father was certainly not a “decorator” of any sort, he instilled in me a deep appreciation for fine craftsmanship, beautiful natural materials, and the value of salvaging and rehabilitating both furniture and building materials.
2. You were a merit winner in the Source One Wallcoverings Design Contest, what was this for and how was this kind of recognition benefited your career?
Sarah: The Source One Wallcovering Contest was an excellent opportunity for me to gain recognition not only as an interior designer but also as a product designer. My wallcovering was inspired by the inner workings of an automobile and the idea of balance in our environment.
3. Sarah, I’m curious to know how you designed a chair using salvaged automobile parts, the one that won ‘Best in show’ at New York’s Environdesign sustainable design conference.
Sarah: I have always loved vintage cars. In fact, my first interaction with renovation was as a teenager, when I undertook the complete restoration of a 1965 Nova wagon. I spent a fair amount of time searching through wrecking yards looking for the pieces that I needed for my project! When I saw the contest advertisement asking for designers to create something of worth from trash, automobile scrap piles were the first place I thought to look for “valuable” materials. I know the beauty that can be found there, the judges agreed. The chair itself is made up of a scrap metal, a steering wheel from an early American car, side mirrors from a Volkswagen and an upholstered headrest. The added bonus? The seat swivels.
4. Can you walk us through the general steps you take when you’re designing interiors?
Sarah: All of my projects begin with getting to know the client, gaining an understanding for what kinds of hopes and dreams they have for their project. Rest depends on scope of the project and specific challenges at hand. I am very flexible and focus as much as I can on working in a way that is comfortable for both the client and myself.
5. What fuels your imagination that keeps you going on and on?
Sarah: I am inspired by my clients and the ever changing world around me. I tend to imagine that I am designing for myself and design an environment that is truly a piece of art that my client can live in.
6. Sarah, could you please tell us something about ‘Environmental Concept’?
Sarah: Environmental Concept is a green minded landscape design & build firm. They maintain some of the largest private residences in Los Angeles and provide very specialized services, including reclaiming water for irrigation systems and planting organic vegetable gardens. Their website is www.envconcept.com.
7. Would you like to acquaint our readers about S.H.O.T?
Sarah: Save Historic Old Torrance is a small, grass roots organization made up of like minded individuals who care about preserving the charming “original” footprint of the city of Torrance, the “Olmstead District”. The focus is twofold: protecting the historic architecture of the buildings themselves and maintaining the more intangible atmosphere created by the community of shop owners and residents. Their website is www.savehistoricoldtorrance.com.
8. Do you think there’s something you’re most proud of so far, one particular project that came off really well?
Sarah: There is a project that I have been working on for some time in Montecito, CA that is nearly complete. The client has ranch style architecture and was in love with an arts and crafts project that I had done a few years prior. For them, I created “Prairie Modern” a reflection of arts and crafts principles, prairie design lines, and a modern perspective.
9. What are some of the common decorating mistakes made by homeowners? What’s your advice on how to avoid or correct those mistakes?
Sarah: A lot of people are afraid to give themselves over to an idea. Instead of painting their living room RED, they paint an “accent” wall instead, because they believe it to be safer.
I’d like to advise them to be fearless, or hire a professional.
10. What are some of the emerging trends that you see in the field of interior design?
Sarah: Green design is finally taking over, soon there won’t be two categories- traditional or “brown design” and “green” design, there will just be design. All design will be respectful and clean as well as available in any style.
11. Do you have any projects in hand that have hooked your attention?
Sarah: Yes, I am working on a penthouse apartment (AKA “Zen Get Away”) in Santa Monica that has amazing ocean views from every room. My concept is about organic matter and feelings of transparency.
12. Where do you see your work going, is there a particular direction that you’re moving towards?
Sarah: I am moving towards more design freedom. As my clients become more at home with reaching beyond the confines of traditional ideals, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to see many of my concepts realized rather than compromised.
13. Finally, we would like to have your thoughts on Instablogs News Network and all its related sites. Which one is your favorite?
Sarah: Right now, I am really focusing on educating myself more about responsible changes I can make in my life, not just in the practice of interior design, but across the board. The blogs I find particularly interesting at the moment are the eco-tourism blog and the natural therapy blogs.
Now it’s time for a rapid fire round:
1. Describe yourself in one word?
Sarah: Progressive.
2. What is most challenging about interior design work?
Sarah: The success of my art depends on the success of the work of many other specialized trades.
3. How would you describe your personal interior design style?
Sarah: Luxurious, comfortable, and approachable.
4. What are some of your favorite design magazines?
Sarah: My favorites of the moment are House Beautiful, California Homes, California Home + Design, Shelter and DWELL.
5. If given a chance, what would you change about the world?
Sarah: Everyone everywhere would have a place to call home.
I’d like to conclude by thanking Sarah for sparing out time for this fantastic interview and would like to wish luck for all her future endeavors.
