What was your inspiration for creating Room for Tuesday and Tuesday Made?

Room for Tuesday, my blog, was a happy accident. My husband and I had just bought our first home, and I wanted to share our renovation journey with friends & family- I was a designer elsewhere at the time, so it was an after-work project. It slowly gained traction, and here I am a few houses later, still blogging, sharing educational home resources, fun interior finds, and our latest projects. It's my happy place and preferred way to connect with others who enjoy design.

Tuesday Made, my shop, was actually born during the pandemic. I had always wanted to collaborate with artists and creatives and dabble in product design & curation. When life as I knew it shifted, I reevaluated what I wanted my business and work life to look like. Creating the shop has been fulfilling in the best way. I will never get used to seeing the beautiful goods from our shop styled in the homes of such wonderfully stylish, lovely people! It's my honor to curate a collection and connect in that way. We're a tiny team of four, and let me tell you- when someone chooses to support our small business, it's the most meaningful.

How do you go about sourcing materials?

As an interior designer, I'm lucky to have learned of many fantastic brands over the years. From discovering small businesses at design markets to shopping larger retailers online, I love well-thought-out, natural, handcrafted, and unique materials. It also depends on what the room I'm designing requires. I'm most attracted to classic materials and finishes that will withstand the test of time - classic and good quality - things like marble, a good brass or polished nickel finish, classic shapes, and things we see repeated in history. Building materials and architectural elements make up the foundation of a room, and I think they're the most important. Accessories can always be changed or replaced, but the materials should be designed with longevity in mind.

What is your favorite part about doing home updates and renovations?

Three phases in my design process are my favorite:

1. The initial excitement of designing a space. There are so many choices, opportunities, and ways to be creative- that feels so fun to me, and no two spaces are the same!

2. Seeing my design vision come to life. Each project has a notable turning point where things *click*. The mess is nearly cleaned up, something big gets installed, or the paint totally transforms the room- that moment is always magical. I also enjoy when other people can finally (physically) see where I'm going with a room. There are usually some doubts until that point, so seeing the "Ahhh, ok!!" moment is fun.

3. Styling & photographing the space. This phase appeases the blogger & photographer within me. I love adding the finishing touches to a room, hanging art, adding textiles, layering, showcasing pretty accessories, and spending time with my camera examining each corner of a space. Seeing interiors through a camera lens also makes me a better designer. Something about mentally styling in 2D and 3D creates a well-rounded, functional room. Anyway- the fun, last-touch portion of the project brings me immense joy. The "Wow- we actually did it" is the remaining puzzle piece.

What is your least favorite part about doing home updates and renovations?

Definitely the mess- specifically if we're updating drywall. We live in our home while simultaneously renovating, which can be challenging. Sometimes that means everything is covered under a thin layer of drywall or demo dust, no matter how well you clean or tape the construction area. I'm also not the most patient person, so if the messy phase of a project drags along in our home, I'm easily irritated.

How has your style evolved over the years?

We began renovating so young- I was fresh out of design school and was learning what I liked and didn't like by experimenting in our home. I think many of us do that- designer or not. Over the years, my style has become more traditional and, hopefully, more classic. I still enjoy inserting eclectic elements, unique finds, and surprising moments throughout our home, but I hope it feels more grown up and curated and less big box or cookie cutter. I'm always trying to mix high, low, and vintage. It's a tricky balance to get right!

How has Room for Tuesday evolved over the years?

What began as a selfish outlet for myself to be creative and solely document our process to share with friends has become an educational resource. I have hundreds of posts in my archives that people still reference and message me about- that feels like the biggest compliment for a couple of reasons. I love that many posts have withstood the test of time. I began blogging over a decade ago, and the fact that posts are still relevant is something I'm proud of. I also enjoy passing along knowledge and resources to those who are renovating or are simply passionate about interiors. My blog become a welcomed multi-faceted conversation and community, rather than me chatting into the darkness of the internet with no response. I'm so thankful for those who take the time to read, comment, and share, especially after all these years!

What have been some of the highlights of your career so far?

I've been so lucky to meet incredible people along the way who have become wonderful lifelong friends. Aside from friendships and personal fulfillment, I'm proud to have completed projects I still look back on and love. I'm also thankful for opportunities that have allowed me to give back in some way- like a makeover for the Humane Society or renovations for deserving neighbors. I'll never get used to seeing my work in printed publications like Elle Decor, Domino, or House Beautiful.

What have been some of the biggest challenges so far?

One of the biggest challenges is more related to blogging and sharing than interior design. It used to be much easier to connect and share, reaching interested people. Now, a big challenge I'm constantly navigating is social media algorithms and engagement, which is not my forte, passion, or area of expertise. I want to make sure my work and resources show up for those who want to see them, which has been increasingly difficult.

What are your favorite types of projects to work on?

My favorite room renovations are kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms. They're the most fun to design! I love choosing plumbing fixtures, and I'm very into cabinetry, hardware, and countertops; I enjoy the unique design challenges they present. Those types of spaces force me to be more creative. I also like tackling architecturally interesting rooms (weird nooks, beams, odd ceilings, etc.). I'd love to design a beach cottage or mountain cabin someday!

What is your current favorite room in your home and why?

I will always love our kitchen because I spend so much time in that space; naturally, everyone gravitates there. It's centrally located, has a beautiful deep color palette that pulls you in, and is just a happy, cheerful room that inspires me. I love spending time in our kitchen, cooking, conversing, and even doing mindless chores- like dishes. It's my favorite.

Anything else you would like to share?

I would like to say thank you. I've been partnering with and using Nostalgic Warehouse & Grandeur Hardware products in my home since 2017! They're top-notch, but aside from that- the people at this company are the absolute best, are passionate about their jobs, and I've had the best 6-year relationship with the same people, which is unheard of in our industry. I could genuinely sing their praises all day, but at the end of the day- it's the creative, kind, and caring people who make a company incredible. They have believed in me, befriended me, and I will forever support their business and highlight their stunning, high-quality products in our projects and home.

Thank YOU, Sarah! We are so pleased to continue our partnership with YOU and are incredibly thankful for your support over the years!