Montclair Interior Design Firm's Q and A with the founder Sarah Elizabeth

Sarah Elizabeth started her interior design company in New York City over 10 years ago, practicing in the field for over 15 years and having trained with some of the interior design greats including Muriel Brandolini - a regular in Architectural Digest and other publications. Today we thought it would be fun to sit down for a lightning round of fun facts about the designer herself, pulling back the curtain, and delving into her world in and outside of running her Montclair interior design company.

Lets start with your background:

I was born and raised in a tiny coastal town in the redwood forest in Northern California (think almost to the Oregon border). Redwoods were in our backyard and all around us. There’s something magical about the trees, and it seems to be in my veins and has shaped me a lot. At 18 years old I moved to San Franscisco where I studied fashion design, before moving to New York City to persue interior design after a mentor suggested it. The profession wasnt nearly as known - there were definitely no shows about interior design then, lol. In New York City, I lived on Riverside Drive on the upper west side for 10 years almost to the day. Until I was over 8 months pregnant with my son, whereas I read an article about Montclair, New Jersey and decided to make the jump.

What things Do you do to relieve stress:

Im a total nut… I can get big important things done, but if I have to be serious for long you might as well just check me in to the nearest (fill in the blank here).  Taking a run makes me so happy, and have my high school soccer teacher to thank making us run up the steepest hills she could find where I thought I might pass out, or worse... I also dont leave the house without doing a meditation, even if its just a few minutes, but hopefully longer! My kid knows this and while i used to try to sneak away to do them, I am glad he sees this ritual and how adults can gain clarity and regulate their emotions.

What are you currently listening to:

Sia is my number #1, has been for years. Love everything she puts out and who she is as a person. Also loving the greats like Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, but also try to keep current with new artists. Taylor Swifts is by no means new but love her new album!

Favorite colors?

Never met a color i didnt like… Though right now I’m drawn to emerald green which is more vibrant than forest green, as it feels energizing. Also dusty pinks never get old and really any pink out there… Pink forever as you might have noticed on our Instagram stories a time or two…!

Vices?

Dark chocolate (85% or more please!) and dried mangos (with no sugar). I eat them both daily the way some might pop potato chips. I dont eat sugar so these snacks help me with those cravings without feeling I’m on a roller coaster.

Some things We might not know about you:

I love our town and am hyper local - from our upholsterers, to stationary and office supplies, to clothing and our dentists, 90% of business is done in town and even within walking distance of our office. Supporting local businesses is very important to me and make sure to cast a wide net trying new places for anything we might need, exploring new shops and businesses that open, and constantly spreading the word on businesses we love!

If you werent an interior designer:

If I wasn’t an interior designer I'd be a fine painter hauled up in a studio all day (without my phone). Or an art historian, another passion of mine, and where you find me on weekends if i can sneak away - mostly to the MET as there is always a world class exhibit going on there, not to mention their endless rooms of their permanent collections.

Pet Peeves:

Wrinkles in fabric, whether on furniture, pillows, drapes or clothing, I just cant… Thats why I don’t specify linen in our designs often, unless a client would really like it, I don’t want them or I to have to stare at anything that looks like it was pulled out of the laundry bin, you get the idea! I do have a portable steamer in my car just in case though!