CALM RESTORATIVE LUXURY

In the 14 years since Sarah Dippold founded her eponymous interior design firm, one thing has remained clear—the demand for brightly tailored, carefully textured, neutrally toned, and luxurious yet livable interiors never wanes.

From luxury residential to branded commercial, Dippold takes great care to deliver unique design environments that are both tailored to client tastes and shaped to last. “We anticipate how client needs will grow and change over time and spend a lot of time listening, interviewing, planning, and organizing to develop each design project with that in mind,” says Dippold.

Dippold says client requests are often quite similar. They seek “restorative, calming environments with neutral palates,” she observes. “Warm, inviting spaces that are luxurious, livable, and timeless. We often say that we like to elevate the rituals of everyday living by creating spaces that celebrate natural materials, aid in seamless daily routines, and offer a calming retreat.”

Sarah Dippold Design (SDD) draws from a toolbox of well-developed and finely honed ideas. Quiet palettes, ones that are full of earth tones set against neutrals, cultivate calm. Layered lighting elements and dimmers set the mood. Use large-scale area rugs rather than wall-to-wall carpeting to add warmth underfoot while allowing a border of wood or stone flooring to peek through for a more open feel. Textured wallpapers, handwoven fabrics, natural wood, and organic forms add depth and warmth while treating surfaces with textured papers, natural wood, or plaster adds character.

Working with project architects, build teams, associated trades, and landscape designers, SDD contributes to design and material decisions throughout. “To establish design direction, we consider the architecture of the home—new or old, geographic location, and natural surroundings,” explains Dippold. “Client preferences, passions, and lifestyles also play a large role.” As part of the process, computer drawings are used to ensure important design principles of axial symmetry, balance, focal points, scale, and proportion are in place.

Recent SDD projects pay testament to these principles. At a French Provincial home project in Glencoe, an oddly angled cooking area in the kitchen was transformed from a flaw into a feature with the addition of a mirrored backsplash and a bright plaster hood. An outdated fireplace was reimagined with architectural stepped details that pulled the height of the wall forward with a honed and carved marble surround providing the anchoring focal point.

Another Glencoe client, whose home is located on a ravine, wanted enhanced views and a connection to the natural surroundings. SDD’s use of light, bright interior treatments, natural wood, and interesting lighting satisfied the wish list. An avid cook, the client also wanted to accentuate the kitchen’s natural light. To deliver, SDD selected handmade Zellige tiles that have a beautifully reflective glaze and irregular, textured finish.

SDD’s work on a new construction country estate that Dippold likens to “a European villa in the countryside” was extensive, including the main house, pool house, garage, and guest house with pool centered between. “The client included me in decisions beyond the interior design of the home. I consulted on choices ranging from exterior paint colors to paver selections to shutter styles, etc.,” says Dippold. “It was wonderful to be included in all facets of the design both inside and out.”

Objectives for the estate were that it be tailored but casual and comfortable, modern but timeless, inviting but calm, quiet, and devoid of clutter. Looking to warm the bright white home, Dippold used natural stone and selected rich wood tones with deep, dark finishes. “In the bedrooms, we kept things minimal but used layered textures on the beds and incorporated wood furniture with multiple wood finishes to add interest.” Layered lighting added character and a soft glow in the evening without overpowering the various spaces. As SDD does for many of its projects, it designed much of the furniture for the estate and had it fabricated and built locally.

Dippold, who trained in interior design at the Harrington College of Design, says it’s an honor and pleasure to continue working with clients on vacation homes and, when they move, on their new homes. Repeat clients or referrals comprise 95 percent of SDD’s business. “When a client comes to us, they have often either experienced a home that we’ve designed firsthand or have been referred to us by someone familiar with our firm, our process, and our aesthetic,” she observes.

“It’s a great compliment. Clients appreciate that we don’t follow design trends or ‘colors of the year’ but rather, take an intuitive, fresh approach to each project to create serene spaces, one timeless interior at a time.”

For more information, visit sarahdippold.com.