Meet Sarah Walker

We recently connected with Sarah Walker and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I began realizing my purpose when I met an interior designer at a career day event for youth. What resonated was that we shared similar natural aptitudes and a need for creativity. While there are all types of interior designers, I had a unique upbringing with my father as a renowned environmental biologist specializing in conservation and my mother that loves art, travel, but has some health challenges. This convergence helped me find my purpose as a luxury interior design focused on sustainability and wellness. My mission is to enhance our clients’ lives by creating inspiring, sustainable, and wellness-centered designs that blend luxury with everyday livability.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Nuance Interior Design is a full-service interior design studio based in Bellevue, Washington, specializing in large-scale renovations and new construction homes. We create beautifully inspirational, sustainable homes through intentional design, offering a luxury experience that blends seamless service, innovative products, and timeless details. My goal with each home is to enhance everyday living by creating spaces that improve health, productivity, and happiness.

In our showroom, we collaborate with luxury homeowners and professionals to shape the future of home design—from foundation to furnishings. For over 20 years, we’ve curated investment-grade art, designed custom furniture, and specified every detail, down to the grout color. With our clients busy managing careers, family, and travel, we act as their liaison with contractors to ensure their vision is flawlessly brought to life. We design a variety of luxury homes, including primary residences, legacy vacation homes, multi-generational homes, and pieds-à-terre.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Curiosity: I’ve loved studying art and architecture in Italy and traveling widely to learn about the best materials and methods. I’m also fascinated by the rapid technological innovations that reduce stress and promote healing. For example, when designing kitchens, I can specify fingerprint-resistant cabinetry, voice-activated lighting, refrigerators that mimic circadian rhythms to keep food fresher, and faucets with leak detection. Another favorite is the advancements in shower systems that offer steam, aromatherapy, and chromatherapy to promote wellness. I actively participate in workshops and product trainings to ensure I apply the best materials to enhance my clients’ quality of life.

Focus: At Nuance Interior Design, one key aspect of staying focused was niching down to what we are most passionate about: designing luxury, sustainable homes in Washington. The other priority was growing in a healthy way. My approach has been simple—if the goal is to grow, I focus on getting better, not bigger. Growth then follows naturally. This mindset has enabled me to expand from a solo operation to a team of seven, along with a beautiful 3,000-square-foot showroom in Bellevue, Washington. The final key is unwavering focus on the end goal. I knew I wanted to be an interior designer at 12, so I pursued internships, formal education, and every design role with the goal of designing sophisticated homes professionally.

Quality: At Nuance, we are deeply committed to using the highest quality products, finishes, and fixtures. A key reason we travel extensively is to source unique elements and witness their production firsthand. Our showroom houses the largest collection of internationally sourced materials in Washington. We also prioritize efficiency, using the best software to streamline processes for tradespeople, ensuring they have every detail for pricing and installation. Another area we focus on is the precision of our construction documents, which capture all complex design details and specifications. Our goal is to create drawings that clearly communicate the client’s vision while providing contractors and architects with everything they need.

How would you describe your ideal client?

Our clients include business leaders, key decision-makers in major corporations, and retirees focused on building legacy homes. We design homes for active families and individuals who want to invest in their living spaces. They seek us out for inspirationally beautiful homes that feel like sanctuaries for relaxing, entertaining, and creating memories. We craft intentional spaces tailored to their style and lifestyle, ensuring each design tells their unique story.

Our clients want an experienced designer they can trust to capture their vision and act as their liaison throughout the construction process. They value the relationships we’ve cultivated with vendors and artisans from around the world, providing them with unique pieces and materials.

We frequently collaborate with custom home builders and architects to bring these visions to life, using thoughtfully selected finishes, fixtures, and furnishings. Our luxury showroom, seamless software, and streamlined processes also cut the design phase time in half, offering both efficiency and elegance.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

AB Photo & Video, Cozbi Jean

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