SIMPLY SARAH
Reporter Alanna Smith recently spoke with Richardson about her rise to fame, design tips and what to expect from her presentation at the Ottawa Fall Home Show.
Award-winning designer and TV personality Sarah Richardson began her career as a prop stylist almost 25 years ago.
Since then, she has hosted eight HGTV shows including: Room Service, Sarah 101, Design Inc., Sarah’s House, Sarah’s Cottage, Real Potential, Sarah’s Rental Cottage and her newest, Sarah Off The Grid. She’s known for her keen eye for timeless and unique designs and does it all with an easygoing attitude.
Richardson is the featured speaker at this year’s Ottawa Fall Home Show from Sept. 27-30.
Q You are an award-winning designer, a television personality, the owner of a high-demand design business and a mom of two children. What drives you and how do you juggle the demand of it all?
A It probably sounds like a cliché, but I love what I do. The creative world is a constantly stimulating force. Every day there’s a new challenge, a new opportunity, or a new idea to be explored. Being presented with opportunities to expand in new directions is rewarding, and while being an entrepreneur is hard work, doing the work you choose and charting your own path is an exciting career.
I’ve never been an employee, so this is really the only job I’ve ever known, and juggling is a huge part of the life of a selfemployed person. After 25 years, I’m still trying to get the balance just right, but hopefully I’m getting better every day.
Q What is something you had to learn or overcome throughout your life or career to become the designer you are today?
A Being a successful designer is really about trusting yourself, your instincts and your creativity. You need to believe in your ideas or no one else will, and then you have to be willing to stand behind them and see them through, no matter the results.
Integrity and accountability are two of the character traits that are most important to me and the success of my business. Learning to listen to your own voice and trust your gut are empowering lessons.
Fortunately, my gut and my voice usually guide me well. Plus, I have a great husband and partner who helps me navigate the tricky parts — never underestimate the value of surrounding yourself with people you trust and admire.
Q In your many years of experience as a designer, what makes a project successful in your opinion?
A I believe in fresh ideas and new directions. I like to take chances and try things I’ve never done before — but that is sort of the nature of making TV.
I wouldn’t still be making shows after hundreds of episodes if I always did the same thing over and over. I like to think about “what’s new, what’s next” and, thankfully, I often get to explore and indulge in my ideas.
Q What is one of the most memorable projects you’ve completed in your career?
A I think building our country house, off the grid, with my husband and kids for Sarah Off The Grid is probably the most memorable because we did it together, as a team and as a family against the odds of location, weather, timelines and size.
It just proves that the harder you try, the luckier you get.
Q What is your biggest piece of advice for Ottawa homeowners who are looking to transform their homes?
A Step one in any successful room transformation is editing. Go through every room and get rid of the clutter and the unused items, or as William Morris, a 19th century founder of the Arts and Crafts movement, said far more eloquently: “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
Two centuries later I live by these principles and think it is a brilliant mantra for living and design.
De-cluttering and painting are the best first steps for small scale projects, but doing your homework, researching and getting to know your personal style are the best starting points for a large scale project.
Knowing what you like — and what you don’t — is a critical launch point for any big project.
Q What will you be speaking about during your presentation at this year’s Fall Home Show in Ottawa?
A Whether you’re inclined to contemporary style or something more traditional, there are lessons in design and tricks that can help every homeowner navigate their project and get to the finish line feeling happy with the end result.
I will be sharing insights about how to tackle projects big and small, how to think about budget and style, and keep a positive attitude along the way.
You can attend Richardson’s presentation “Inspiration for Every Room – Sarah Style” on Friday Sept. 28, at the Ottawa Fall Home Show from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the EY Centre. For more details visit ottawafallhomeshow.com.
Whether you’re inclined to contemporary style or something more traditional, there are lessons in design and tricks that can help every homeowner.