At home with Sarah Pickersgill-Brown.
We chat to Sarah Pickersgill-Brown, stylist and mother to gorgeous twin boys. We find out more about her and get an understanding on how she designs and styles.
| Topic | At Home With |
| Photography | Kit Haselden |
| Share | Email Facebook Pinterest |
We chat to Sarah Pickersgill-Brown, stylist and mother to gorgeous twin boys.
We sat down with Sarah to find out more about her and get an understanding on how she styles and designs.
Three words that best describe you?
Creative. Conscientious. Down to Earth.
What’s your ideal day?
My ideal day would always start with cuddling my boys in their pjs first thing. And of course, coffee! My dream work situation is tackling creative projects within a team environment. I love to have creative control on little details but collaborating on a shared vision is so much more exciting than doing things entirely on my own. In saying that, I do love alone time to reflect and recharge.
What’s your favourite colour?
White
Do you live in a house or apartment?
House
What’s your favourite room and why?
Quill’s bedroom. It’s got beautiful big windows and the view looks out on tree tops. It’s light and cosy.
What are the 3 most important things that make your home feel like a home?
Warm tones. Cosy textures in the furniture. Light filled. The open fireplace.
What was your biggest splurge when designing your home?
Sheer Curtains. The filtered light absolutely transforms the atmosphere in any room.
What is your most cherished possession?
Although not a possession, my children! If I were to choose a “thing” it would be a diamond and coral ring I own that took me months to save for when I was 16. I lost it on a trip home to New Zealand and my husband surprised me by buying me another one when he knew how devastated I was. It has so much sentimental value now.
What lesson(s) did you learn when you designed your home?
I try to avoid trends. I’ve gone back over the pieces of furniture I’ve never tired of in the past and these are now the things I build a room around. For example, I love high quality timber pieces such as our custom dining table, therefore I now choose similar wooden items in other rooms because I know I’ll love them forever too. I’ve also learnt to trust my gut with the people I bring into this house reno.
What’s on your interiors wish list right now?
An En Gold “Big Roky” Leaning Mirror
What’s your interior style? Minimalist, over the top or somewhere in between? Colourful or neutral?
I love tonal rooms. I find it difficult to contrast colours outside of bed linen combos. I’m drawn to earthy colours and lots of texture. When I choose colour, I love pops of super bright pastels!
“"I’m drawn to earthy colours and lots of texture. When I choose colour, I love pops of super bright pastels!"”
— SARAH
When it comes to designing a home, what does your design process look like?
This is our first home and therefore I envisioned how we were likely to use it as a family, putting functionality first. A major focus for the big reno we are planning in the next few years is to have flow between rooms and also to include tons of storage as it makes family life so much less cluttered and stressful having places to store everything properly. I want spaces to “feel” good, not just look good. This takes patience living in a room for a while and figuring out what layout will work best for family life.
What are your top 3 design/style tips for building or renovating a house?
Do mood boards. I still make the mistake of buying exciting pieces of furniture that I’ve fallen in love with before planning the whole room. The room never comes together the same way as the ones I plan right from the start before buying anything.
You’re given a limited renovation budget; how would you spend it wisely to transform a home?
I have yet to do a proper renovation so I’m not sure I have the answer to this! I will say paint makes a HUGE difference for the amount you spend on it.
What’s the biggest interior design mistake you’ve ever made?
I’ve realised just how much I’ve learnt from the mistakes I’ve made so I don’t see them as a negative thing anymore. It’s all been part of finding my style.
What qualities do you look for when choosing materials, furniture and accessories in your designs?
I love the quality and vibe of Scandinavian design. Although I’m no longer drawn to greys, I love the general vibe of Scandinavian decor best. It’s clean and sturdy but inviting and homely. Winning combo. I also love layering textures rather than colour generally.
Are you a Curtains, Blinds or Shutters person?
Depends on the home! I’ve chosen Blinds and Sheer Curtains in this house and couldn’t be happier.
What products did you choose from dollar curtains + blinds?
Eggshell Blockout Blinds with Sheer Curtains. The bay windows have Sheer Blinds.
How did our products transform your home?
Hanging the Sheers just under the cornice has given the illusion of higher ceilings. The rooms have a dreamy feel with the beautiful filtered light through the Sheers.
Some people find it difficult to decide what to do with their windows. Any tips?
It’s a process! I struggled a lot too trying to decide the best options for each room but dollar curtains + blinds was so helpful.
How do you find inspiration?
I use Pinterest a lot for inspo.
What design project(s) are you working on at the moment?
I’m starting to think about the home office next.
“I’ve realised just how much I’ve learnt from the mistakes I’ve made so I don’t see them as a negative thing anymore. It’s all been part of finding my style.”
— Sarah
