Sasha Adler Design Founder & CEO, Sasha Adler
What were your early inspirations that set you off on your particular journey?
From a young age I was absolutely obsessed with fashion, jewelry, and interiors. I even asked for new bedding for my 10th birthday. I started off working in the fashion industry in New York after college and did everything from styling to PR to editorial. When I moved back to Chicago (where I am from), I was introduced to Nate Berkus and was really interested in learning more about the interior design process. I started as an intern at his firm and after a month, I was totally in love with interiors. I eventually became the co-design director there and worked at his firm for 14 years before launching my own firm in the summer of 2018.
How did SASHA ADLER DESIGN get started, and what does it look like now?
I started the firm almost exactly three years ago. I basically hit the ground running and learned as I went along relying on advice from people I trust. Interior design I know, but running a business and all that’s involved has been a real learning process. At the beginning, it was three of us working from my dining table and now I am proud to say we have a real office and have grown to a team of 12. We are currently working on amazing residential projects across the globe everywhere from Mexico to Puerto Rico to California and Utah, as well as the Midwest and East Coast. We had an opportunity shortly after we launched to do a few pop-up-stores for Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop and had so much fun with it, that we are working on a few commercial projects as well. We are currently designing a collection of Cannabis Dispensaries and launching their flagship location outside of Chicago this Fall. The design process informing the design for these spaces have allowed us to utilize totally different creative muscles and I can’t wait for the spaces to come to life.
We have also gotten involved in more product design. We have always designed bespoke pieces for our clients, but the idea of doing it on a larger scale has always been a dream of mine. Our first pieces just launched at Cb2 this Fall and we have more coming down the pipeline for future collections.
How would you describe your interior design style?
Thoughtful, detail-oriented, collected, layered, and completely unique. Our interiors are tailored to our individual clients and we draw on a zillion resources throughout the design process, everything from antique dealers around the world, custom artisans, and ateliers to local markets and trades. We really love to work with our clients to build a collection of pieces that compliment each other, reflect their personal aesthetic, and are functional in their daily life.
What are your favorite materials and colors to work with?
I love to work with natural materials such as wood and stone, as well as living metal finishes that patinate over time. To me, pieces that have been crafted by hand are the highest form of luxury and that does not equate to cost. I love to see the brush strokes from the paint or a hand-stitch or embroidery. There is nothing finer!
Where do you find inspiration? How do you stay up to date with current trends and technology?
I find inspiration absolutely everywhere and often in unexpected locations. I am always drawing on fashion and jewelry details and color palettes and there is absolutely nothing that I find as inspiring as travel. I have an extensive library of books I have collected on artists, designers, historical patterns, travel locations etc. that I constantly reference as well, but the internet has definitely made everything so much more accessible. Last year, when we were more or less home bound, we relied on Instagram, Pinterest, and online publications for images we could springboard off for new ideas such as a cool tile layout or color story. However, we really like to avoid anything too of the moment and create spaces that feel classic and timeless. □