Susannah Holmberg has over 13 years of experience in the interior design industry. After graduating with a BFA from Barnard College in New York, she received her MFA from MICA in Baltimore. She relocated to Salt Lake City, where she has integrated her background in fine arts to thoughtfully design spaces that are both unique and timeless. Her work has been featured in a range of publications such as Architectural Digest, Clever, Rue Magazine, Living Etc., Surface, AD Spain, AD Italia, Elle Decor Netherlands, Domino, and Dezeen. She lives in Salt Lake with her husband and two children. Learn more about Susannah’s design eye in today’s Designer Friday.
Andrew Joseph: What inspired you to become a designer?
Susannah Holmberg: I have such early memories of traveling and eating at restaurants and always giving every space a makeover in my head. I remember wanting to open a restaurant called Goldfinch when I was really little. I remember the logo — it was your classic open-air bistro. In fact, I’d still love to design that space!
With sculptural chairs and a slim pedestal table, the full curve of the banquette flows uninterrupted, echoed by the movement of the chandelier and greenery. Photographed by Malissa Mabey
AJ: Can you describe your design philosophy in three words?
SH: Layered, layered, and layered. Kidding. I just think a design falls flat when it’s one note, so we feel really strongly about layering eras and aesthetics to keep things from getting pigeonholed and thus dated. Three words? Layered, soulful, authentic.
AJ: How do you approach a new design project?
SH: We do a deep dive into our client’s favorite everything: restaurants, books, movies, etc. and then incorporate elements of each into the specific framework of the home, the setting, the land, the architecture. It creates a very individualized recipe that we then spin into the design process.
AJ: Can you tell us about a design trend you are excited about?
SH: I’m really excited about color drenching and hope it never leaves. That being said, we just painted my daughter’s room cream on cream (which is, I guess, a form of color drenching) and I re-remembered how lovely a white space can be. Oh, and handmade — I love a piece that feels very handmade — where the hand of the artist and the mess of the process are evident. Hope this is a trend that never passes.
AJ: What design trends do you think will be popular in the coming years?
SH: I’ve noticed that an awareness of more obscure vintage furniture creators is taking hold — that there’s an appreciation for and cachet in knowing these makers. I imagine this will continue to evolve as we unearth lesser-known creators.
Leather chairs with a timeworn patina meet a shaggy wool rug and smooth oak, all stitched together by artwork that turns texture into geometry. Photographed by Malissa Mabey
AJ: Can you describe a project that you’re particularly proud of?
SH: Oh man, that’s like asking someone to choose their favorite kid! I truly love them all. I do love designing public spaces that I know are going to welcome a wide array of people. I love the idea of creating community through design.
AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
SH: Travel, read, connect with family and friends, go outside, make things. Right now, my meditation is needlepointing, and I can’t get enough.
AJ: What is your favorite place to find inspiration?
SH: I used to love this quote by Philip Guston when I used to paint. “When you start working, everybody is in your studio — the past, your friends, enemies, the art world, and above all, your own ideas — all are there. But as you continue painting, they start leaving, one by one, and you are left completely alone. Then, if you are lucky, even you leave”. I try to keep myself open to absorb all kinds of influences throughout the day as much as possible, but then I find that the being left alone element of that state of mind is ultimately the most important.
A vignette that stops you in your tracks for all the right reasons. Photographed by Elliot Fuerniss Photos
AJ: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
SH: Creating spaces for people to live out their lives. It’s truly an honor that we take seriously.
AJ: How do you approach designing for different types of clients?
SH: Designing for different clients is exactly our M.O. Some firms have an established style, and I suppose we do too, but really, we like to design to the specific recipe determined by the client, the architecture, the land, etc. My mom worked at a theater when I grew up, and I loved seeing how each play determined a completely different stage set.
AJ: How do you incorporate sustainability into your designs?
SH: We are always conscious of sustainability and try to incorporate sustainable practices when we can. Above all, we focus on working with local makers when we can and using vintage pieces as much as possible.
Headshot by Malissa Mabey.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.