5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Patio This Year

After making it through a very cold, very long winter, we have loved being able to open our windows and doors to let in some fresh air and sunshine.

Our next step? Preparing our outdoor living spaces so that they are inviting, layered, and liveable. By blending comfort, style, and durability, the patio becomes a bonus room where all are welcome and where you’ll find yourself and your guests lingering–from a peaceful early morning coffee pause to an all-ages evening get together with friends.

Here’s how we make the magic happen:

 

Consider your crew, and be intentional with your design.

Not sure where to start in the design process? Imagine an ideal day on the patio and think about who will be spending time there. Do you want one area where everything can take place? Or do you want to create different zones that can accommodate multiple activities like lounging, dining, and gathering?

If you have little ones who need constant looking after, the former may make more sense. If you are entertaining a larger crowd that spans teens and adults, the latter might better serve you. An interior designer can help you envision and implement a patio that serves multiple needs.

Situate your space within the greater outdoors.

Let the natural setting guide some of your design choices. Perhaps you’ll arrange some chairs so that they face in the direction of a garden in bloom or a particularly picturesque tree…or so that they face away from a neighbor’s giant trampoline. If you are designing a patio in an urban setting, think about adding planters for pops of green and rolldown shades or decorative that adds a little privacy.

The best design plans are ones that can be changed according to your needs (or what you’d like to draw attention to), so consider furniture that can be somewhat easily moved and that all “work” together aesthetically.

Invest in good materials and fabrics.

Restrain yourself from purchasing a patio set that’s on a hot holiday sale because it’ll be “good for now.” You’ll regret it when you get less than a season’s use before it starts to fall apart. Choose materials that develop character over time rather than wear out. Teak, wrought iron, and natural stone offer durability while reinforcing a timeless aesthetic.

For outdoor seating options, choose deep seating, performance fabrics, and cushions that hold their shape while withstanding the elements. Lounging for hours on the patio can and should feel just as comfortable as indoor living. With all the amazing aesthetic options available now, you can find colors and patterns that match your style seamlessly.

Working with an interior designer can help streamline your choices; designers can rely on past projects and experience to recommend and source from reputable vendors.

Make the patio an around-the-clock destination.

Depending on where you live, the amount of time of year that you can use your patio may be somewhat short. Maximize your outside time by making it appealing day to night. Layer lanterns, sconces, or string lighting to create a warm, inviting glow without overpowering the space. Incorporate side tables so that people have a place to set their iced tea or wine and add cute and functional coasters as needed. Have sunscreen and bug spray nearby so that you don’t have to interrupt the fun and go searching for them. Keep blankets accessible for cozying up when the sun sets.


Get ready to gather and to relax.

Outdoor entertaining is inherently less stressful than throwing a get-together indoors since you don’t need to spend hours tidying up your kitchen or living spaces, kids feel more free to explore and play, and everyone benefits from simply being outside. You can actually feel your cortisol levels drop and the dopamine boost in your brain after a few minutes!

When you create a patio that has flow and space for people to gather and also to reconfigure themselves in small groups, your family and guests will feel at ease to show up and be together just as they are. Knowing everyone is enjoying themselves in a well-designed outdoor space will, in turn, make you feel relaxed and ready to make the most of your patio time.

How Hiring a Designer Actually Saves You Money

Hiring a designer for the first time is a big step no matter what age you are and how many dwellings or houses you have lived in. While many people hesitate because going with a pro IS an expense, we believe that hiring the right person or team actually saves you money in the long term by preventing costly mistakes, streamlining decision-making, and ensuring investments are made wisely.

Read on for five ways in which choosing a designer can be a good financial decision as well as an aesthetic one.

1. We think about the bigger picture and the smallest details.

Finding a deal for a dining room table online feels like a win…until you realize you have to also purchase new chairs, swap out your china cabinet for a new one that accommodates that new table, and potentially change up your art. An experienced designer can help take your project from concept to completion while keeping an eagle eye out for potential bumps along the way.

We take care of critical details like measurements while making sure to consider the style and structure of the space in order to design a space that feels balanced and a reflection of your story and values.

2. Designers keep an eye on your budget and help you make decisions accordingly. 

When you work together with Sara Hillery Interior Design on creating your vision, we can help you determine where your priorities (and potential splurges) lay and where you can or should spend more conservatively.

For example, a bedroom redo for a teen could include prioritizing a  welcoming bed and accessories to encourage good sleep hygiene, a comfortable desk chair for hours of homework, and a closet to accommodate all the latest fashions, while focusing less on expensive wallpaper that will inevitably get covered up by short-lived art as tastes evolve.

By working through the project from the start, we can craft a budget that considers upfront costs as well as others that might pop up along the way. 

3. Designers have the inside scoop (and often insider pricing) for sources.

We have done dozens of home and space renovations and transformations, and we are constantly looking at new vendors, trends, and designs. We’ve also spent years cultivating relationships with design sources, and we know which ones create and deal in trustworthy, quality products that stand the test of time (and which ones are not worth the price tag and will likely result in you having to spend more money down the road). These relationships also mean that we may get better-than-retail pricing and that we can make specific requests or changes to their typical array of offerings.


4. Time is money, and yours is very valuable. 

Coordinating the purchase, shipping, handling and placement of each piece in a design takes time as does collaborating with contractors and architects.

Our designers serve as project managers, which means your days (and precious free time) are not spent poring over tracking notifications or trying to get a hold of busy tradespersons.

5. We have a well-trained eye and an open mind.

Over the years, we have worked with clients at all ages and stages of life: single retirees, young families, empty nesters, and everything in between. We’ve also designed spaces that range from traditional to modern to eclectic. We understand that the fabric choices of an urban dwelling, 50-something who loves to host post-pickleball wine tastings is going to vary quite a bit from that of a suburban couple with two kids under the age of three and a menagerie of pets!

Our mission is to bring comfort, functionality, and joy to your living spaces, and we’ll offer expert design advice to help you best honor the lifestyle phase you are currently in while also planning for the future.

First-time hiring a designer? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. Let’s chat.

Contact Us!

Designing with Antiques: The Stories Behind Our Favorite Pieces

When people picture antiques, they often imagine fragile family heirlooms that have too much sentimental value to be used on a regular basis. Think: Grandma’s tea set, a loveseat that no one is actually allowed to sit on, or an embroidered tablecloth that you just can’t bear to throw away but wouldn’t dream of putting out for regular use.

We firmly believe that using antiques this way misses the point: just as they have stood the test of time, most antiques can withstand some dings (that just adds to their charm!). We want to share the stories behind 5 antiques incorporated into a variety of different designs (including Sara’s own house). By giving them a new coat of paint or modifying their purpose, these antiques look and feel perfectly at home..and they’ll help you and your guests feel that way too.

 

From Heirloom to Statement Piece

When you have something good, like these 18th-century Chippendale chairs that were passed down through the family, it’s hard to give them up. Luckily, sometimes a little glow up is all that’s necessary to make them feel fresh and modern. While the chairs held sentimental value, they weren’t necessarily loved aesthetically so we revived them with bright pink paint. This refresh allowed the clients to honor their history while giving the chairs a new and even more long-lasting life–they’ve since accompanied the family through three moves.

Windows Reimagined

This mirror went on a novel-worthy journey before finding its way to its current home in Sara’s house. Crafted from antique Parisian windows, it was discovered (and promptly acquired) during a trip to Round Top, Texas. We found a place for it in a dining room that combines antiques, classic pieces, natural flooring, and neutral wall colors–the perfect space to highlight its patina as well as the blend of European architectural history and the spirit of American collecting.

Aged to Perfection

Sourced from New Orleans, these antique doors flank the fireplace and immediately add texture and drama. Strong architectural elements like these break up walls and give a sense of place to the room. By resisting the urge to repaint and refurbish them, the doors make the space feel lived in and classic.

Curated with Care

The trick to a life well-designed and well-lived is to incorporate details that make even simple, quotidienne acts (like washing dishes) feel inspired. We hand collected Portuguese tiles, many of them one-of-a-kind, over almost an entire year. In order to avoid duplicates across the entire backsplash, the curation process was slow and careful, but ultimately worth the effort: the arrangement of fruits, vegetables, and animals feels playful yet intentional. The project was even featured in Southern Lady.

Globally Inspired

Travel is and will always be one of our foundational design inspirations, and we love when we can incorporate pieces found from afar into our clients’ current living spaces. This Howdah elephant saddle chair was acquired during the homeowners’ time abroad, and it carries personal memories along with a global sensibility. By anchoring the space with lived experience rather than passing trends, we ensure our clients reside with furnishings and accessories that honor their journey as well as celebrate the present.

Collected at the Expo

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of serving as a designer guest at the inaugural Virginia Antiques Expo. We designed an antique-forward booth centered around a charming Swedish desk, which became the heart of our “Designer’s Study.” Creating a space rooted in our love of antiques and celebrating alongside fellow collectors and dealers from across the East Coast was both inspiring and grounding. It was a reminder of why antiques continue to play such an important role in our work. They bring history, personality, and a sense of depth that cannot be replicated in new pieces alone.

In the end, good design is not just about how a space comes together. It is about the stories that live on within it, and the meaning those stories bring to the way we live today.

For those curious about incorporating antiques into their own homes, our Antique Sourcing Guide offers thoughtful tips and resources to help you begin.

Get your free guide here!

Designing for the Season of Gathering: 5 Cozy Ideas for Your Home

Start planning your Thanksgiving meal, taking stock of your holiday decorations, and making your naughty and nice lists: it’s officially the holiday season. Despite this time of year’s reputation as being extremely busy, it’s also, in our opinion, the coziest. 


Whether creating a post-work/post-school family space that feels like a deep breath after a long day or making sure guests feel welcome at your annual holiday party, we want to help you embrace this season of gathering. We’re sharing 5 ideas from past projects that will hopefully inspire you to put a premium on coziness, whether that means getting together with friends, intentionally setting aside time with family members, or reveling in restorative solo time. Spreading love and light to everyone in your life: that’s the real spirit of the season!

 

1. A library or reading nook

The antidote to the shorter, colder days that make the outdoors less inviting? Books! We love this library, complete with a reading nook and custom built-ins, for picking an old favorite from the shelves, settling in with a new book, or hosting an intimate book club. Add blankets and throw pillows, and you and your guests may decide to simply hibernate here through the worst of winter.

2. The quintessential fireplace 

While it may tap into a primal urge, there are few sights as comforting as a warm and inviting fire. One exception: a fireplace that has plenty of cozy seating to entice others to gather and beat the chill of winter. Guests will naturally be drawn to snag a spot, making it an ideal place for card or board games, post-dinner digestifs, or (if you’ve got the right crowd) a sing along. Even without a party, there’s no better place to relax at the end of the day or on a lazy weekend morning. 

3. A welcoming and well-designed dining room

The more the merrier! A well-designed dining room is inherently welcoming and shows that you value time spent eating and gathering together. Making sure everyone feels like they have a literal place at the table sets the scene for connection and conversation, and these dining rooms are often where the most important memories of the year take place.


4. A bar niche

A well-stocked bar niche makes guests feel welcome, wanted, and (most importantly) cared for. When you offer a variety of tippling options (including some for teetotalers), you are showing how much you want your guests to be there celebrating the season with you. The beer fridge makes for easy-grab-and-go, alleviating a little of the hosting load while also achieving a sense of casual comfort.

5. Warmer tones 

We won’t lie–sometimes the winter doldrums creep up on us (especially during the post-holiday letdown). We help lighten darker days by using warmer, buttery tones in soft furnishings and decor. This room is a ray of sunshine and makes the most of natural light during available hours, creating an inviting glow even as daylight fades. Cushioned furniture, natural flooring, and pliable pillows all contribute to an inviting space no matter what season you are in.

Want some expert advice to create the coziest version of your home? Contact SHID for a consultation.

Contact Us!

6 Design Details Your Guests Will Never Forget

As we barrel towards the holiday season, we naturally start assessing whether our home is ready for entertaining, whether for family-friendly Halloween get-togethers or adults-only New Years Eve soirees. While we love a good total reno and the chance to transform a home into a drastically different gathering space for friends and family, sometimes such a big change isn’t in the cards (or the budget).

Over the years, we have also identified the power of making smaller changes, swaps, and upgrades to create an inviting, appealing atmosphere. Here are six design details from past Sara Hillery Interior Design projects that will make an unforgettable impression on your guests and will hopefully give you a happiness buzz whenever you walk in that space as well.

 

Showstopping Foyer

Make a big impact on your guests from the moment they walk in with a fresh, tidy, and intentional foyer. This space incorporates both bright and soft whites and adds greenery to ease the indoor/outdoor transition. A playful blue and white striped wallpaper plays well with the lighter, peaceful blue shades of lighting fixture and side table.

Entryways often get clogged with shoes, coats, and bags, but making the effort to create a curated foyer translates to more space in the home to truly express your style and will set the stage to showcase your home to guests. Another plus side: you’ll enter your home after a long day and feel instantly refreshed and welcome.

Custom Architectural Details

One of our favorite ways to bring texture into a space without drastically altering it structurally is to add architectural details. Incorporating moldings instantly makes a room feel intriguing and elegant, and we love the diversity of options and that they can be added from floor to ceiling depending on which area you’d like to highlight.

To add depth to this room with a largely monochromatic color palette, we incorporated panel wainscotting and fluted pilasters around the fireplace, crown and baseboard molding at the ceiling and floor, and casing around the door.

Unique Powder Room

Powder rooms are among the most fun to play with since we like to be daring in small spaces! They are often the perfect room to try dramatic paint colors or wallpapers, but putting some thought into smaller details goes a long way here in general.

Little touches such as a whimsical mirror, funky light fixtures, an interesting faucet, a small bouquet of flowers, even a decadent smelling hand soap can have maximum impact and will have your guests stealing these ideas for their own powder room.

Bar Niche

For consummate entertainers and wannabe mixologists, a stocked bar is a necessity. Why not make every celebration feel just a little more festive with a splashy bar niche like this one? The vibrant color, abundant gold details, crisp marble countertop, wallpapered ceiling, and glam beaded light fixture will make every martini feel like a party! Multiple cabinets contain bottles, glasses, and other bar accessories for when the party is (at least temporarily) over and keep the space looking clean and organized.


Pops of Wallpaper

Wallpaper can get dismissed from design plans because of its past reputation for being fussy and costly to install. There are now easier-to-apply options available, and we’d also argue that the visual impact is worth a little struggle: wallpaper can make guests feel like they are inhabiting a work of art!

Wallpapers come in myriad patterns (we especially love floral and botanicals) and textures. Depending on the size and color of the print, patterns can really bring a “wow” factor, or they can create a soothing, repetitive visual. If wallpapering a whole room feels intimidating, we recommend using it for an accent wall or two.

Curated Art Collection

Many of our clients have spent years if not decades amassing a collection of artwork. Because these collections grow over time, the pieces are often added to an open wall or squeezed into a cabinet. For maximum visual impact, we recommend curating art that is connected by style or form into a specific area or space for display. When entertaining guests who might not know others (or even your family) very well, these collections create an immediate entrypoint for conversation and connection. Who knows? They may even have a unique collection of their own!

Want more design tips? Download our FREE Seasonal Guest-Ready Checklist below to get our curated tips and tricks to prep your home for guests this holiday season. Happy entertaining!

Download the Checklist

Renovation Regret Is Real - But It’s Entirely Avoidable

We love a good renovation–it’s an opportunity to transform a space that no longer serves its original purpose, make changes that support a homeowner’s evolving family situation (such as becoming empty nesters or having additional children), or give an intentional glow up after a long period of residence.

Renovations aren’t to be taken lightly or quickly, however. While we understand the excitement and anticipation surrounding the renovation process, this excitement can often lead to skipping the planning phase, or considering your emotional needs around the space.  But here’s the truth we’ve learned over 20 years of design: renovation regret is real, and it’s almost always avoidable.

 

The Trouble Begins When Planning Ends Too Soon

Excitement is natural. It’s tempting to dive in, pick paint colors, and start knocking down walls. But skipping the planning phase—or overlooking the emotional needs tied to your space—can lead to costly detours. We’ve seen it happen: electrical lines laid right where a future pool was dreamed. Oversized loft-sized sectionals purchased for cozy cottages. Sentimental elements removed without a second thought. These aren’t just logistical missteps, they’re missed opportunities to make your home feel like you.

Designing With Intention Means Designing With Longevity

A thoughtful renovation starts with a master plan. One that considers not just square footage and finishes, but how you live, how you gather, and what you cherish. It’s about preserving heirlooms, honoring memories, and making space for new ones.

This is where an experienced designer becomes invaluable. We help you fine-tune your goals, anticipate roadblocks, and create a roadmap that reflects your lifestyle—not just your Pinterest board. We’re your sounding board, your advocate, and your guide through the process.

Avoid the “It Looked Good Online” Trap

Furniture regret is one of the most common post-renovation woes. That dreamy oversized sofa? It might overwhelm your living room. A furniture plan and accurate dimensions aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. They save you time, money, and the heartbreak of realizing something doesn’t fit (literally or emotionally).

When done right, a renovation enhances your home’s value, supports your lifestyle, and brings joy for years to come. It’s not just about what’s new—it’s about what’s functional and true to you.

If you’re considering a renovation—or already knee-deep in one—we’ve created a free Renovation Readiness Checklist to help you start with clarity and confidence. Download the checklist below and then give us a call!


DOWNLOAD THE CHECKLIST

Through the Designer’s Lens: Highlights from Recent Design Events

As we begin to usher in the Summer season, we wanted to take time to reflect on some of the events and fundraisers we were fortunate to take part in this spring.

 

First up was a Virginia Garden Week luncheon. Our friend and PR expert Austin Mill assembled a “Romp Around the Old Dominion” tour of houses, bringing together architects and designers. Following a tour of the historic abode, which was shipped over from England and reassembled in Richmond, we hosted a delicious and scenic get together on the terrace overlooking the gardens. With a spring palette of citrusy yellows and oranges and pinks and beautiful blooms, our tablescapes also included a floral Christopher Farr Cloth Richmond print that had been pulled from the archives and was originally used for the royal family’s home.

 

Next, we were thrilled to participate in the annual Little Hands fundraiser, held at Tredegar Iron Works. With a children’s storybook theme as inspiration, we selected perennial favorite “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein, a fitting choice since Little Hands shines a light on the importance of giving. The book also provides a natural match for Sara’s love of nature, which was abundantly on display: a batik green printed tablecloth, bamboo cutlery, woven baskets of apples in each guest’s seat, and Mottahedeh Apple Lace dinnerware featuring butterflies all added to the sensation of bringing the outdoors inside. At the table’s center, was an apple tree in a white planter, loaned by Capital Garden Products. China loaned by Fraiche.

 

And just a few weeks ago, we participated in a Design Leadership Network panel celebrating the Network’s impressive and wide-traveling first book, The Living Room.

Moderated by DLN Director of Editorial and Community Engagement Hadley Keller, the panel covered the evolution of living room design, touching on the influence of Nancy Lancaster as well as Richmond’s own Wilton House among other trends throughout time.

After the panel, which featured Sara, architect Dan Ensminger, and Bond Millen Gallery Director Ashley Millen, participants enjoyed a guided tour of Maymont’s Japanese and Italian gardens.

 

More behind the scenes

Spring Into Style: 5 Interior Designer Approved Home Decor Tips

Warmer weather, finally! As we open the windows to let in the fresh spring air and take pleasure in swapping out our winter wardrobes, we often find ourselves also wanting to refresh our home decor. These updates don’t need to be dramatic but they do wonders for our mood and take advantage of the natural, seasonal cycles taking place outside.

As interior designers, here are some of our favorite easy decor tips you can use today to get your home Spring ready:

 

1. In bloom

Go beyond the dining room or kitchen floral “centerpiece” by adding fresh, seasonal floral arrangements all around the house.

Stick a bloom or two into a bud vase and pop it on the bathroom vanity and delight houseguests with a mini bedside bouquet from your backyard. Scented or not, these flowers instantly give off fresh spring vibes!

2. Curated layers

Refresh and rearrange coffee table decor, and any other surfaces. In addition to incorporating floral arrangements or plants, you could select a beautiful tray, unique antique pieces, and bring in a candle with a refreshing scent (such as citrus or jasmine).

Adding coffee table books that depict themes of gardens, warm weather escapes, or spring fashion will also add seasonal flair.

3. Pastel palette

Add decorative or spring themed artwork to each room. While there’s no need to redo a room entirely, think in terms of spring colors and bring in decor to reflect this palette. Topiaries and ferns add whimsical spring flair to a room, and swapping out darker paintings or photographs for more vibrant hued artworks will do wonders to enliven a space.

4. Textile touches

Make seasonal accessories swaps. Put away the cozy, heavy blankets, make space for lighter throws or quilts, and don’t underestimate the power of simply trading out decorative pillows.

Selecting pastel colors and spring prints for these accessories will add another layer to the overall spring effect.

5. Tablescapes

Let the “lightness” of spring guide you around the table. Bring out your cheery, patterned place settings, add a floral table runner, and incorporate more fanciful and decorative glassware. We also love using flatware with bamboo or colorful handles.

Even if lingering cool weather means you can’t dine outside just yet, you could get into the picnic mindset with a checkered tablecloth. This season brings out our more playful side, and, after a long winter, we happily embrace that in as many aspects of our daily lives as possible!

Looking for more design tips, or have an interior design project in mind? We are here to help, contact us today!