For today's installment of the Curio Spotlight Series, we're bringing you the ebullient Sara Gray of Grayhaus Interiors. Her interior design process is so unique! She brings her heart to every project, and the results speak for themselves. We had the opportunity to speak with Sara about how she uses cosmic intuition to inform her designs, how she classifies her distinguished style, and how she chooses rugs for a space.
Tell us your story! How did you get started in design? How long have you been in the industry?
I’ve always loved design, ever since I was little. Whether it was fashion or interiors, it’s always been a core part of who I am and how I express myself. But I didn’t have a lot of creative influences in my life growing up so I had no idea that this could be a career path for me. My first career was in corporate marketing working for Fortune 100 brands like Nike and Microsoft before transitioning to interior design. But even with a demanding full-time job, I was always dabbling in design on the side -- first for friends and family, then for myself when we built an ADU from the ground up and in 2018 I started taking on clients as a side hustle. Eventually, I had to make a choice and bet on myself with the formal launch of Grayhaus Interiors in late 2019. Designing homes for our clients is an honor I take to heart and I can’t imagine spending my work life doing anything else … at least until my next reinvention. ;)
Design by Grayhaus | Photo by Luke and Mallory Leasure
Can you tell us what's behind the name Grayhaus?
I first started ideating on a name back in 2014 when I was thinking of launching a lifestyle blog which turned out to not be my calling. I was recently married (with a new last name of Gray) and my husband and I bought our first home together. So Grayhaus felt fitting. It’s been through a few iterations over the years, from the name of a potential blog, to an Airbnb business, and now as a full-service interior design studio. And something tells me this won’t be its last iteration. ;)
How would you describe your design style?
We create interiors that transcend the confines of one specific style. Our designs draw from the integrity of the home and the unique essence of our clients. Every decision is made with the utmost intention resulting in thoughtfully designed spaces that truly reflect our clients feeling of home. While we don’t subscribe to a singular style, our designs are a harmonious blend of organic, warm, and purposeful elements that often feel understated and restrained.
Design by Grayhaus | Photo by Luke and Mallory Leasure
We know you work with what you call cosmic intuition. Tell us more about this. What does that mean? How does it guide your design work?
I rely heavily on intuition and my clairvoyant gifts to understand the personalities and values of our clients. This innate talent enables us to create spaces that resonate at a profound level, where every design choice feels like an extension of our clients’ true selves. With intuition as our guide, we often find ourselves asking why, which naturally helps us break free from design conventions, offering a fresh perspective that challenges the obvious. Our hope is that our homes aren’t just visually captivating, but deeply personal, embodying our commitment to substance over superficiality.
What is your favorite part of the design process? What is your favorite room in the house to design?
It’s hard to pick a single part, but I can narrow it down to two. The early conceptual design phase where we’re listening, visioning, and iterating in pursuit of that aha moment when everything feels and functions just right. Curiosity is at the heart of what we do and we believe in the power of exploration and inquiry. It drives us to dig deeper, understand the essence of our clients, and to translate that into unique and meaningful spaces. And then of course the final install and welcoming our clients home. It’s such a special moment and we’re humbled and grateful to them for trusting us with the most sacred of canvases.
As for my favorite room to design, it’s always the one where people are going to spend time connecting … be it the living room where everyone is lounging and laughing, the kitchen where families and friends linger together, or gathered around the dining table sharing a home-cooked meal and a meaningful conversation. It’s all about connection for us.
Design by Grayhaus | Photo by Luke and Mallory Leasure
Let's talk about rugs! How do you go about choosing a rug for a design? Do you start with the rug or add it after the design is complete? How do you decide between vintage and modern rugs for a space?
Rugs are such an important element of making a space feel complete. When we’re sourcing furnishings, there is usually one piece that serves as a jumping off point for the scheme and oftentimes it is the vintage rug if that is part of the narrative. We love to blend old and new in our designs, so you’ll find both vintage and modern rugs in our spaces and it really depends on the story we’re telling and use case for the rug that determines where both will live.
What is your favorite space you have ever designed?
It’s so hard to choose because we love all of our projects and clients, but if I had to pick a favorite it’s probably our Southshore project because it was so deeply personal for me. It’s my sister’s home and designing it for her family was such a gift, particularly during a few really challenging years for us as a family. I’ve always believed in the importance of home and it was an honor of a lifetime to create their safe place. (Photos throughout.)
Design by Grayhaus | Photo by Luke and Mallory Leasure
Is there anything about the design industry you wish was different?
We live in such a culture of urgency and my hope is for people to embrace slow design where decisions can be made with the utmost intention instead of based on how quickly something can be delivered to your door. Thoughtful and enduring design takes time.
What are your hobbies outside of design?
Outside of design, I’m a devoted mom to a spirited 7-year-old Scorpio and Bernadoodle named Miles (after Miles Davis, forever a lover of Jazz) and married to a tall handsome southern gent. In this season of life, I’ve been spending a lot of time outside in nature tending to my nervous system while we balance the demands of work, life, and renovating our 1929 historic home. You’ll always find me at the farmers market on Saturday morning and stealing time for a walk or cup of coffee with my sacred crew. Right now it’s all about the simple things that fill me up.
Thank you so much Sara for sharing your gifts with us! To learn more about Sara and Grayhaus Interior's gorgeous work, visit Instagram, Pinterest, and the Grayhaus website.
