Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Walker.

Hi Sarah, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Growing up in Dubai and traveling across Europe immersed me in stunning architecture, art, and interior materials. These experiences deepened my appreciation for well-designed spaces and their transformative impact. I was naturally drawn to unique designs and environments that felt like sanctuaries. Over time, I realized I had an uncommon ability to visualize spaces in different configurations and designs.

This passion led me to pursue a BA in interior design and business, with a focus on art. My education included a semester in Italy at an accredited interior design university, where I gained foundational knowledge of material characteristics, code requirements, space planning, and design principles.

After graduating, I joined a luxury interior design studio in Utah specializing in vacation homes. There, I honed skills in selecting fine materials, designing custom casework, and curating furnishings. A few years later, I moved to Washington state and launched Nuance Interior Design, focusing on luxury residential projects. At the same time, I worked at Nordstrom corporate headquarters in Seattle as the lead interior designer for stores nationwide.

At Nordstrom, I oversaw every aspect of interior design, from material selection to decorative lighting and furnishings. Notable projects included designing custom tile in Modena, Italy, for the Seattle flagship store and custom carpets in Georgia for dozens of locations. Over seven years, I designed 142 stores from concept to completion, as well as their spas and restaurants.

Eventually, the success of Nuance Interior Design allowed me to transition to my business full-time. One challenge I faced in the Seattle area was the lack of a centralized design district, with showrooms scattered across a 50-mile radius. In 2020, I addressed this gap by creating the design showroom I had always envisioned—a 3,000-square-foot space featuring luxury finishes, sustainable materials, and custom cabinetry. With access to hundreds of additional vendors, the showroom streamlines the design process for clients and trade partners.

This space allows us to craft innovative, personalized designs, incorporating unique pieces sourced from our travels. Our goal is to create sanctuary-like homes that clients are excited to return to every day.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

The journey to building Nuance Interior Design has been rich with learning opportunities, particularly about the value of strong partnerships and intentional growth. Several vendor relationships I established during my time at Nordstrom carried over, and through some trial and error, I learned what makes these collaborations successful.

One notable challenge came from a new partnership that initially seemed mutually beneficial but turned out to be fraudulent. While it was an expensive lesson, it reinforced the importance of working with vendors who stand behind their products, take responsibility for mistakes, and honor their commitments. These values are now foundational to how we choose and maintain partnerships.

Opening a large showroom filled with luxury items was another significant risk—one that no other business in Washington State had taken. To ensure success, we invested time and resources into researching the best approach and hired consultants to help establish a sustainable business model. This planning has allowed us to deliver exceptional value to our clients, builders, and architects.

By creating effective systems and processes, we’ve been able to focus on what matters most: serving our clients and crafting beautiful, innovative designs.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

Nuance Interior Design is a luxury interior design studio based in Seattle, Washington. We specialize in streamlining the design process for builders and architects on complex renovations and new construction projects. Through advanced software and detailed design documentation, we ensure seamless collaboration from foundation to furnishings.

Clients appreciate how we take the stress out of home projects with our unique one-stop showroom and clear, consistent communication. With over 20 years of experience and formal education, we know how to prevent costly mistakes while delivering exceptional results.

We are passionate about sustainability, smart home technology, and wellness, elevating our clients’ quality of life. By traveling extensively, we source innovative finishes, fixtures, and furnishings, ensuring each home reflects the client’s personality and offers thoughtful, tailored solutions.

At Nuance, we prioritize listening to our clients and staying actively involved in every project from start to finish, creating spaces that are both beautiful and functional.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?

I firmly believe that luck happens when opportunity meets preparation. At Nuance, we focus on always being prepared for future opportunities by delivering an exceptional experience for our current clients and trade partners. This includes creating stunning luxury designs and maintaining consistent, transparent communication.

Our meticulous attention to detail sets us apart from other interior designers, ensuring that every project exceeds expectations. We also feel incredibly fortunate that the perfect showroom space became available just as we were searching for a brick-and-mortar location—it was truly a serendipitous moment.

Above all, we feel lucky to have such wonderful clients who trust us and refer us to their friends and family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nuanceinteriors.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nuanceinteriors/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NuanceInteriorDesign
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahplattwalker/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nuanceinteriors
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/nuanceinteriors/

Image Credits

Photo Credit: AB Photo & Video