Talk Shop: Sarah Trumbore // ST Studio Inc.
ABOUT SARAH
Boston born and based interior designer Sarah Trumbore creates layered homes that are not only beautiful, but also functional. The path to design is almost second nature to Sarah – she comes from a family of decorators, architects and artists. From a young age, Sarah always loved the world of art and design. She earned a degree from Parsons the New School for Design, interned at Christie’s New York, and is a professional ASID member. Sarah started her career in New York City at Ralph Lauren Home, Jed Johnson Associates and lastly as a Senior Designer at Eric Cohler Design.
In 2014, Sarah started her own firm, ST Studio Inc. As Sarah works on residential projects from New York City to Cape Cod, she draws from her travels and experiences to produce her highly sought-after residential interiors.
Sarah currently lives in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts with her husband and two young boys.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Classic, tailored, functional…but never boring!
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mom has always had a huge influence on me. She is also a decorator and I started working with her during the summers when I was in college. She has a great design sense, very classic and timeless. We always have way too much fun shopping for home and clothing together. We go on trips all the time and I love exploring new and old haunts with her, discussing all the design details and elements we see. She has had a few more design cycles than me and I always love hearing her history and perspective.
I would not have said this a few years ago but nature has had a significant impact on my world and home view. Since leaving NYC almost five years ago and moving to the Boston suburbs in Chestnut Hill. I have started to appreciate nature so much more than I ever have. We did our yard over last summer and our landscape architect, John Haven from Leblanc Jones included an enclosed cutting garden with three raised beds. The garden has crabapple trees, David Austin Roses, peonies, lilacs, lavender and so many perennials. It is truly beautiful, and it has brought me so much joy! This appreciation for nature has changed my home aesthetic in that I am very focused on the exterior view and how seating inside is affected by the view outside. I am constantly asking how we can accentuate the view. When I am at the kitchen sink, what do I see? When I am having my coffee, where am I sitting and what do I see? It has also changed my view with fabrics. I have always been in love with floral fabrics but now they carry new meaning, they have a place and a scent. I think more about the feeling the flowers evoke rather than just the pretty two-dimensional image.
Working for Jed Johnson Associates soon after I arrived in NYC has had a huge impact on how I approach design. It introduced me to so many artisans and I gained a true appreciation for quality craftsmanship. I learned that if you can imagine it, you can create it. That helped me to not limit myself in design. It also honed my tailored interior. Every trim, button, detail needs to be thought of and executed with purpose.
Photo by Sean Litchfield
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I had interned at Christie’s and graduated from Parsons, I worked for Jed Johnson and Eric Cohler Design, and I was ready to do my own thing. I wanted to execute my own vision and have my own clients who were coming to me for my design. So, in 2014, I opened my firm, ST Studio, and worked in NYC for a year before relocating to Boston.
I feel so lucky to be able to work in this field. I love everything about it. I love meeting with my clients and having them trust the process and my vision. I love meeting with my vendors and working through the designs. Going to the workrooms and discussing the exact location of a trim or being on site and working out a detail with the contractor. I love seeing new collections and product. I love doing research and touring old homes. I love going to antique shows and listening to lectures. I love meeting with fellow designers and bouncing ideas off each other. I love going to Brimfield and searching for hidden treasure. I most certainly love breaking for a yard sale and think that one day my kids will tell their kids about this habit. I truly love everything about design and feel so lucky to be able to do what I do with gusto.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
When I was at Jed Johnson, I first worked for a designer there, Robert Kirkland. He is so talented and kind. He has the best design stories. He made design fun and I try to always remember that. The process of getting from vision to install can be a long and arduous one, you better have fun along the way! Arthur Dunnam at Jed Johnson has also been a loyal supporter of mine, he is always there to give a contact or a piece of advice. I am doing a project in the Hamptons right now and he has been so helpful, even letting me stay with him while I work on the house. I truly value that friendship and his generosity and willingness to share his knowledge. My other mentors have been, my design friends I met at JJA and Eric Cohler. They are amazing. We really lift each other up or listen and offer advice when things go wrong.
Photo by Jessica Delaney
What does your home say about you:
I like a home that shows your life. I like an authentic lived-in home. It can look pulled together but I want to see paper and books, trinkets and collections. One candle on a table does not paint a picture.
Where do you find inspiration:
In the garden. Traveling and staying at different hotels. Hotels really have some of the best design details. I take a lot of close-up detail shots when I am visiting hotels. Inspiration can come from simply chatting with friends or strangers. Going on a long drive alone. Reading design books and magazines. Walking aimlessly. Thrift stores. Or really anywhere when your mind is clear, and you are paying attention to your surroundings.
Who are your style icons:
Claudia Schiffer. I love a tailored bohemian look.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
I love to mix up the guest list and introduce people I think would hit it off. Great food, drinks, and music always. Prep as much as you can ahead of time. Do something unexpected or an action activity; making s’more or playing a game. Keep it fun! No one wants to go to a boring party.
Do you collect anything:
Interesting side chairs, shells, majolica, design and art books.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
Photo by Sean Litchfield
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Picasso’s quote always stuck with me “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” I say, if you are doing your work intentionally, push the boundaries
What are you working on right now:
We are doing a number of projects in Boston and west of Boston, and a house in the Hamptons for a long-time client. We also just bought a house in Osterville on the Cape which I am really excited about!
Wardrobe staples:
Floral dresses from Sea New York and Ulla Johnson. Mother denim jeans and a t shirt. Always in slides and mules.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Get the bones right first.
Best career advice you ever received:
Hire a bookkeeper!
Photo by Emily GIlbert
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
If you sit on it, make it worth it. Also, spend on the pieces you see and fall in love with. If it makes you happy, splurge!
Your greatest extravagance:
My garden.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Places off the beaten path because it is fun. I love the hunt.
Most prized possession and why:
My grandmother’s artwork. She was the most amazing artist and I have quite the collection of her work. I remember so many of the pieces from when I was growing up. I have sketches she did of me and ones she did of my mom and dad. We used to paint together as well. It is so special to have these pieces. I am having a series framed right now that she did on Nantucket in the 60s. I am going to hang them in our new beach house. I love a story.
Your interiors motto:
Don’t hold back.
Your life motto:
Live fully!
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Pull out everything you love and lay it in one place. Photographs, special tokens, art pieces, magazine pages. Then describe what you see in as few words as possible. There you are.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Spaghetti Pomodoro
Drink: California Chardonnay, I know I know!
Film: Anything by Nancy Meyers
Hotel: The Biltmore Four Seasons, Santa Barbara
City: New York City
Bedding: Frette
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Extremely hot coffee with skim milk
Playlist: Acoustic laid back, Joni Mitchell, Simon and Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin
Weekend Activity: Playing with the kids, working in the garden, going through the to do list
Design Book: So many but currently Gil Schafer’s A Place to Call Home as research for the beach house bones. Also, Christopher Spitzmiller’s, A Year at Clove Brook Farm.