AJ: How do you approach a new design project?
Sarah Snouffer: We start every project with conversations about what homeowners love about their home, what they don’t, and what changes would make the biggest difference. We ask questions like, “Imagine it’s Saturday morning in your new home. What are you doing?” Understanding how our clients want to live helps guide everything from the overall design to material selections.
AJ: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as a designer?
SS: A few clients have told me they chose me because I came in with opinions and wasn’t afraid to share them. That gave me the confidence to trust my instincts and experience.
AJ: What is your favorite type of lighting to use in your designs?
SS: Layered lighting, always! From overhead lighting to sconces, task lighting, and softer ambient light, every layer serves a purpose. Our spaces need to function in different ways throughout the day, and lighting should offer that same flexibility.
AJ: What’s your biggest design pet peeve?
SS: I joke with clients that I get at least three vetoes during a project. Two are always dated glass block and microwaves over ranges!
AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
SS: By disconnecting from work and my phone. I need time to recharge creatively. My family lives on a lake in Minnesota, and spending time on the water throughout the year is one of my favorite ways to reset.
Photography by Christy Kosnic.
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