Sarah Solis

Sarah Solis is a Malibu-based interior designer whose work is defined by a quiet sense of refinement and emotional depth. Classically trained in interior design, fine art, and art history, she founded her eponymous studio with a vision to create spaces that feel deeply personal, timeless, and transportive.

Her practice is guided by a sensitivity to material, proportion, and atmosphere, balancing warmth with clarity, and tradition with contemporary living. Working across both residential and commercial projects, Solis has developed a diverse portfolio for an international clientele that includes collectors, creatives, and cultural figures.

A devoted traveler, Solis draws ongoing inspiration from her encounters with architecture, landscape, and craftsmanship around the world. Her work reflects a strong affinity for natural materials and a commitment to enduring design, where each detail contributes to a larger emotional experience.

In 2024, she introduced Galerie Solis, a bespoke furniture collection that extends her design language into objects—marking a new chapter in her practice and a continued exploration of form, materiality, and living environments.

1. Could you tell us how your journey into interior design started?

My journey into design began long before I ever thought of it as a career. I grew up following my contractor father through job sites, absorbing the language of construction, scale, and materials from an early age. I was often the only girl in woodshop classes, sketching and building furniture while others made birdhouses. Design school felt like a natural progression, leading to formal studies in interior design, art history, and fine arts.

Before fully committing to interiors, I spent several years working in fashion styling, where I refined my eye for proportion, texture, and visual storytelling. In 2017, I launched my studio, bringing all of those experiences together. Today, my practice reflects a lifelong evolution, grounded in craftsmanship, formal training, and a deep respect for creating homes with soul.

2. Do you think there has been a defining moment in your career?

I do not believe there is a single defining moment. My career evolves with every project. Each home teaches me something new, sharpens my instincts, and marks a point of growth. The accumulation of daily decisions, creative risks, and quiet breakthroughs is what defines my path. I see every project as its own meaningful turning point.

© Michael Clifford

3. What do you think is the key to a successful interior design? And in your business in general?

For me, the key is trust. Trust in the process, trust in the vision, and trust in the team bringing it to life. Challenges tend to arise when the focus shifts to individual pieces rather than the larger narrative we are building. The most successful projects happen when clients feel confident, collaborative, and open to the journey. When trust and kindness are present, the result is always more cohesive, soulful, and beautifully resolved.

4. How do you start your interior design projects? Do you usually start with a certain element of design or a keyword? And how do they develop?

I do not rely on a single formula or keyword to begin a project. My best work comes from living a full and balanced life, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and staying connected to the world around me. That is what keeps my perspective fresh and my imagination expansive.

When a project begins, I am guided by the core pillars that define my work: calm, warmth, and storied materials. I am drawn to reclaimed and antique pieces that carry history and bring depth to a space. From there, the design develops intuitively, shaped by the architecture, materials, and the lifestyle of the client. It becomes about creating an atmosphere and a narrative that unfolds naturally.

5. How would you define your signature style? Do you have “a mantra” that encapsulates your taste in design?

My signature style is rooted in warmth, calm, and timelessness. I create spaces that feel quietly luxurious, grounded in natural materials, layered with soul, and designed to age beautifully. My mantra is simple: create beauty that lasts.

6. What are your 3 favorite pieces from the Philia Collection?

7. Could you tell us about one of the favorite projects that you worked on?

This is always the hardest question because every project holds meaning for different reasons. If I had to choose, my Malibu Point Dume home continues to resonate with me most deeply. It embodies everything I love about design, including a strong connection to nature, a sense of understated luxury, and a timeless narrative woven through every detail.

8. If you could pick one interior design tip that is important to you, what would it be?

Honor scale. Scale is the quiet force that makes a room feel intentional and effortless. Furniture should be proportionate to the architecture, lighting should suit the volume of the space, and every major piece should sit comfortably on the area rug. When scale is considered thoughtfully, everything else falls into place.

9. What was the best advice you have received in your path?

The best advice I ever received came from my parents, who always told me that anything is possible. That belief has shaped my creativity, ambition, and willingness to take meaningful risks. It continues to give me the courage to imagine boldly and build fearlessly.

10. What would be your advice to beginner interior designers?

Invest deeply in your education and build strong technical skills. Creativity is essential, but it is your understanding of drafting, architecture, materials, construction, and project management that allows ideas to truly come to life. The stronger your technical foundation, the more confidently and freely you can create.

11. What was one of the hardest learned lessons in your journey?

One of the hardest lessons has been realizing that not everyone operates with the same integrity, openness, or heart. I naturally lead with trust, sometimes to my own detriment. Over time, I have learned to be more discerning about the people I bring into my orbit and more protective of my energy. While that realization was difficult, it ultimately shaped me into a stronger and more intentional leader.

12. Are there any books/podcasts you would like to recommend to our readers?

I am always drawn to conversations that expand how we think about creativity and the human experience. The Interior Collective is a wonderful design-focused podcast with thoughtful industry insight. Armchair Expert is a longtime favorite for its curiosity and emotional depth. When I need grounding or motivation, I often return to Mel Robbins for her perspective on mindset and momentum.

13. Finally, what are your upcoming projects? Anything you’d like to share or add to the interview?

I recently celebrated the launch of my second Galerie Solis collection, In the Bedroom, an eight-piece collection crafted by master artisans and designed for the most intimate room in the home. Several of these pieces will soon be featured in an artist’s studio and cottage that I am excited to share.

In addition, multiple new homes are nearing completion and will be unveiled this spring. We are also launching Galerie Solis’s first lighting collection this season, featuring our interpretation of traditional shaded fixtures. There is much more to come.