Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Cullimore.
Hi Sarah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always had an appreciation for beautiful things. For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to the arts and learned early on to express myself through those various outlets.
Growing up, I can recall repeated attempts at authoring books, oil painting canvases, creating fonts, jewelry making, furniture building, floral arranging, piano music writing, and room decorating, all in attempts to find that title, label, or profession that would belong to me and represent what I did best.
I eventually discovered that I loved doing all of those things so much that picking just one to focus on exclusively would’ve been impossible. The title that I recognized best fit me was going to be… A creative. At 20, I lucked upon the intern position at a popular local interior design firm with an owner/boss whose attributes included being a “builder of confidence” and “potential seeker.”
She saw something in me that I had yet to see in myself and within a year my responsibilities grew from dumping trashes and answering phones to doing design work for clients of my own. I sifted through fabrics and learned about rubs and durability. Trim, welt, tassel, patina, wainscot, clawfoot, dovetail joinery, and other fun words became staples in my daily vocabulary and I discovered why there were headaches associated with lead times and freight complications.
I vividly remember our firm working on a home for The Parade Of Homes and my boss asking me to put together ten custom floral arrangements to use throughout the house. When I told her that I didn’t feel qualified for the task, having never professionally done anything like that before, she put her hand on my shoulder and firmly said “Sarah, have enough confidence in yourself and in your talents to be able to fake it until you make it!”
Those words changed my life and instilled a genuine belief within me that there is nothing I can’t do with the right amount of preparation and determination. I would spend the next twenty years at home raising my kids, independently taking on design jobs for friends/family, and helping out with decor for the occasional wedding or bridal shower.
I dabbled in “officially” starting my own design business for years but ultimately pulled the trigger in 2021 and SORAH Design was born.
SORAH has been incredibly fortunate to have had an overwhelmingly successful first year. We ADORE our clients and love all of the projects we’re currently working on. We’ve had some fantastic design opportunities present themselves and are really looking forward to the magic that 2022 will inevitably bring!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Although I feel as though the universe has continually cleared my path for me along the way, it hasn’t been a struggle-free process to get where I am today. I’ve battled with finding a balance between motherhood and a career and regularly worry that I’m falling short in various areas of my life.
Additionally, I’ve heard a lot of references to Imposter syndrome in recent years and I would absolutely say that I can relate to those insecurities. I still find myself feeling surprised at my success because I naively assume that everyone can do what I do and that design ability are just innate within all of us.
I’ve worked hard to honor my talents and I’m more consciously practicing gratitude for my individual gifts. I wholeheartedly believe that not acknowledging our strengths is a weakness!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Utah-based Interior Designer who specializes in residential and commercial design.
I enjoy traditional design mixed with eclectic vibes and intentional accents. I really love when my job feels meaningful. I work hard to have each project reflect the individuality of each of my clients.
I’m a people person! I’d consider my ability to authentically connect with others one of my greatest strengths and I treasure the friendships that I’ve gained through years of design.
What were you like growing up?
With my father traveling the majority of the year, and my mother having a successful full-time career, I was extremely independent at an early age.
Our family lived in Europe when I was a child to which I attribute my lifelong love of art, antiques, history, museums, fine foods, travel, and appreciation for other cultures. I was a loud, rough and tumble, adventurous kid and often found myself in trouble for unruly behavior.
I loved sports (played soccer competitively all growing up), danced through high school, and participated in various clubs and social groups. I have always been very musical and have enjoyed writing piano music for as long as I can remember – I still consider my ability to “just sit down and compose” my most treasured earthly talent.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@sorahdesign.com
- Website: sorahdesign.com
- Instagram: @sorahdesign
