12 Brilliant Interior Design Ideas from Sarah Richardson

Canada-based interior designer and TV personality Sarah Richardson has been a favorite creative dynamo of Hello Lovely’s audience for many years for good reason. Today we’ll explore 12 Brilliant Interior Design Ideas from Sarah Richardson.

Yes, she seems Canada nice. But more importantly, she designs intelligently. Though she mixes in vintage and flea market finds, her classic interiors don’t ever feel less than elegant. I have been taking notes for many years now…who remembers a very young and single Sarah decorating apartments on a shoestring on TV? Just listening to her calm voice demystifying interiors was a comfort.

On a personal note, I am feeling very grateful for the American men and women who serve our country and for those who lost their lives while serving. My heart aches for the families who are missing sons, daughters, fathers, and grandfathers around the table. How I wish we didn’t need them to be so brave. I wish they didn’t need to be so strong and so willing to sacrifice. I wish we could all grow in wisdom and evolve in our consciousness faster. This speech has some meaningful thoughts if you have a moment to listen:

<

THANK YOU, AMERICAN MILITARY FOR ALL OF YOUR TIME, TALENTS, AND BRAVERY.

Brilliant Interior Design Ideas from Sarah Richardson

1. Old World Lighting.

The hallway in the farmhouse addition, from Sarah's House 3. #sarahrichardson #interiordesign #hall #moravianstar
Moravian star pendant lights in a hallway with design by Sarah Richardson.

Sarah Richardson loves using these Moravian star pendant lights as evidenced above and below. (And isn’t this bold blue vintage sliding door to the laundry room in Sarah Richardson’s off-the-grid Ontario home charming? Photos: Stacey Brandford. The dramatic French inspired chandelier in her off the grid house adds a beautiful sculptural silhouette to be enjoyed on the first and second floors.

Turquoise blue vintage sliding barn door in Sarah Richardson gorgeous farmhouse style laundry room. #laundryroom #barndoor #farmhousestyle #blue
What an amazing vintage door for this laundry room!

Here’s the exact French Country chandelier, and below it is a much more friendly priced beauty.

2. Layer shades of red.

Sarah Richardson living room with classic decor and traditional style. Red accents. 12 Brilliant Interior Design Ideas from Sarah Richardson. #livingroom #traditional #classic #sarahrichardson
12 Brilliant Interior Design Ideas from Sarah Richardson

I personally have a difficult time living with red, but Sarah is masterful with it. She doesn’t just incorporate pops of a single shade, she mixes burnt orange, pumpkin spice, crimson, garnet, etc. In this farmhouse living room, you can see what I mean with all the delicious reds living harmoniously together.

Warm reds and oranges in Sarah Richardson's farmhouse living room with wood on pitched ceiling. #livingroom #farmhouse #sarahrichardson #red
The unicorn crest above the fireplace is a treasured find for Sarah!

You might think a white linen sofa would be easy to find in the marketplace, but I have never found that to be the case!! Here’s a pretty one.

3. Whispery Color.

HGTV's Sarah Richardson designed this classic bedroom with soft tranquil colors. 12 Brilliant Interior Design Ideas from Sarah Richardson. #bedroom #tranquil #timeless #classic
12 Brilliant Interior Design Ideas from Sarah Richardson.

Sarah Richardson’s tranquil  farmhouse living room features a cozy area with subdued wingback chairs, a rattan side table, and a contemporary leather ottoman. The palette is hushed appropriately for this intimate conversational area. While the architecture and lines lean toward traditional style, modern details like nailhead trim and the patchwork construction feel fresh.

Sarah Richardson's Ontario Living Room with wingback chairs and ottoman. #livingroom #wingchairs #leatherpouf
Wingback chairs and a leather ottoman in Sarah’s off the grid living room.

Check out the EXACT leather ottoman!

4. Reflective Gold Hardware.

Elegant bathroom with round glass bar cart and freestanding tub. Design by Sarah Richardson. #bathroom #elegant #classic #barcart
Love the idea of a bar cart in the bath…how about you?

In this Victorian-era bathroom below, beadboard on the walls, classic millwork, and vintage-style brass bathroom fixtures combine with brilliant design from Sarah for the tile. A mosaic above the chair rail looks classic yet a bit unexpected, and the marble shelf is both functional and beautiful for holding luxurious bath items and decor.

Classic, contemporary bathroom with brass hardware by Sarah Richardson in a Victorian style home. #bathroom #classic #brass #hardware
Brass accents in a classic bathroom.

5. Not Your Granny’s Country Style.

Kitchen with light grey cabinets and brass hardware by Sarah Richardson for her off the gird modern farmhouse in Ontario. #kitchen #modernfarmhouse #lightgrey #SarahRichardson
Sarah’s kitchen with light grey and warm golds.

Sarah Richardson’s own kitchen in her off-the-grid house is brimming with fresh ideas on her vision of modern country style. Most of us imagining a country kitchen with a wood stove would not envision the elegant decor and finishes we see here. There’s no giant harvest table, no rustic farmhouse signs, no vintage corbels or antique plates on the wall. Instead, she has surprised us with sleek custom brass accent panels, a refined breakfast dining area with modern upholstered dining chairs. Even the color palette feels more cool and Paris chic than say bluegrass lovely (there isn’t even a rug in the space…though there is a “stone rug” between the island and range wall).

Gorgeous modern farmhouse kitchen with beadboard ceiling and grey Shaker style cabinets. #SarahRichardson #modernfarmhouse #farmhousekitchen #brasshardware
Brass panels accent the island and above the range hood.

6. Allow Vintage Doors to Steal the Show.

Sarah Richardson's Ontario holiday house mudroom- door color tidewater sherwin williams. #mudroom #vintagestyle #farmhousestyle
The door color: Tidewater by Sherwin Williams.

For long-time Sarah Richardson fans like me, we recall vividly watching Sarah design this farmhouse with its charming entry/mudroom on her HGTV show. On the show, we were taken along on her flea market jaunts to source the home decor and furniture, and it was such a learning experience, wasn’t it? The rosy red of these doors on twin closets, the nook for the cupboard, and that vivid striped rug surely make this one of the most re-pinned Sarah Richardson design moments in history. What a welcoming entry! The alder doors in my own home aren’t vintage but are suggestive of age.

Stunning red doors and vintage chandelier in Sarah Richardson's modern farmhouse mud room. #vintagestyle #mudroom #farmhouse #Sarahrichardson
More vintage doors in an entry mudroom!

7. Rugged Tables + Airy Chairs.

Full-height windows give this cottage dining room an abundance of natural light. Photographer: Stacey Brandford | Designer: Sarah Richardson. #diningroom #modernfarmhouse #cottage #sarahrichardson
Love the full height windows!

These airy open weave rattan high back dining chairs(below) in Sarah Richardson’s own dining room, adjacent to the living room add a a rustic yet light layer of casual comfort to this room’s design in her off-the-grid Ontario home. Pssst. Find the exact light fixture in that post too! Where you might expect to see Windsor style dining chairs or even upholstered Parsons chairs for softness, Sarah has chosen a handsome natural option which you might expect to see on a covered porch or in a beach house. For me, they say “vacation!” which is a lovely invitation to elevate both the everyday and special dinners shared with family and friends.

Sarah Richardson designed dining room with modern farmhouse decor in her own home. #diningroom #modernfarmhouse #sputnik #sarahrichardson
Sarah Richardson’s dining room in her off the grid modern farmhouse.

8. Sarah’s Favorite Tranquil Hues.

You’ll notice Sarah Richardson loves incorporating her favorite blues and greens into her projects, sometimes boldly like in her modern farmhouse’s mud room

Bold blues distinguish this mud room with its elongated bench and easily washed tiles. #mudroom #blueandwhite #beadboardceiling #SarahRichardson #modernfarmhouse
Bold blue in Sarah’s off the grid house mud room.

…and other times quietly like in this cottage style bathroom with gorgeous mosaic tile.

Repurposed antique dresser as vanity in Sarah Richardson classic vintage style bathroom in London Flat. #bathroom #mosaictile #aqua #cottagestyle
An unforgettable cottage style bathroom by Sarah Richardson

9. Tranquil Bedrooms.

Beautiful Sarah Richardson boys bedroom! #bedroom #classical #traditional #Sarahrichardson
Classic bedroom by Sarah Richardson.

Sarah Richardson knows her way around fabric prints, and she mixes them with bold genius. While we often see other designers do this adeptly with bold color, you don’t often see quieter, subdued, and more neutral shades mixed as we see here in Sarah’s serene blue-grey master bedroom with European inspired furnishings and home decor. Quiet color need not be bland and snoozy (although what’s so wrong with snoozy in a bedroom!?!) if your personal style is on the more dynamic end of the spectrum.

Soft, simple and serene palette of neutrals and aquas in Sarah Richardson master bedroom with linen and blue grey walls. #bedroom #bluegrey #tranquil #timeless
Blue-grey in the master bedroom of Sarah’s off the grid Ontario farmhouse.

10. Play Up Texture on Walls.

Sarah Richardson. Laundry/Mudroom/Hallway with shiplap walls, black trim, and built-in bench. #mudroom #laundryroom #modernfarmhouse #shiplap
Black, white, and shiplap for a classic laundry and mudroom.

Whether it’s adding shiplap to a hardworking laundry/mudroom or wallpapering a public space like this entry in Sarah’s own family home, she repeatedly demonstrates how to create interest where there was none. The subtle wallcovering below adds an ethereal elegance that feels modern with the more traditional wood flooring and shiplap walls. Sarah Richardson has also not played it safe in her mixing of blues as you’ll spy navy, slate, and turquoise in close proximity to one another. In most cases, homeowners do not seem to feel that same freedom to mix rather than match, and yet for an evolved over time look, it’s exercising such freedom to get a winning look.

Sarah Richardson designed hall with bold blue accents and Moravian star pendants. #modernfarmhouse #entry #moravianstar
Sarah Richardson’s off the grid modern farmhouse in Ontario.

11. Beachy Can Be Peachy.

Sarah Richardson Cottage with cheerful green club chairs, hats hung on wall, and whitewashed paneling. #cottage #sarahrichardson #beachhouse
Beachy cottage style by Sarah.

Hello Lovely readers went nuts and Pin-crazy back in 2010 when I shared Sarah Richardson’s cottage with this little kitchen done in Sarah’s favorite blue-green palette. The waterfront property surely inspired all the watery colors and aqua accents like the marble mosaic backsplash. You may remember Sarah whitewashed all the knotty paneling which she inherited with the property. The pastels in this cottage style kitchen, dining area, and living room made a huge splash with lovers of vintage style and shabby chic!

Cozy cottage kitchen by Sarah Richardson with vintage style cabinets, tile backsplash, and lanterns #kitchen #cottagestyle #aqua #mosaictile #backsplash
The sweetest little aqua cottage kitchen.

12. Encourage Intimacy.

Modern country kitchen with black,white, and grey. Industrial style ceiling lights and reclaimed wood accent on island. #moderncountry #kitchen #blackandwhite
Modern country kitchen with an alternative to recessed lights.

Sarah Richardson consistently places comfy armchairs in pairs, at the ready for face to face conversations. This creates an altogether different effect than tucking a single upholstered chair in a nook with a task lamp for reading. In the kitchen above, there are two little stools rather than just one…a small detail perhaps, but it suggests togetherness. Maybe you see a simple conversational area with a killer view through the window in the image below. What I see in this furniture arrangement is intentional space made for relationship, intimacy, and lovely discussions. Designer Pam Pierce masterfully creates such arrangements .

Beautiful seating area with armchairs in front of window in blue master bedroom designed by Sarah Richardson. #bluegrey #bedroom #seatingarea #clubchairs
Seating area in Sarah Richardson’s master bedroom.

Here’s another example of creating intimacy…

Blue and white cottage style living room with coastal classic decor by #SarahRichardson #cottagestyle #beachhouse
Still so classic – this beachy cottage from years back is a study in blue and white.

Enjoy a few more Sarah Richardson designs, and meet me at the finish line.

Grey and white modern farmhouse kitchen with built-in cabinets and beadboard ceiling. #SarahRichardson #modernfarmhouse #farmhousekitchen #moderncountry
Sarah incorporated a vintage piece with new cabinetry in her dining room.
Modern farmhouse dining room with rustic farm table and statement medallion at ceiling. #SarahRichardson #farmhousediningroom
Lots of stars repeated throughout Sarah’s modern farmhouse.
Turquoise and bold blue in a modern farmhouse laundry room by Sarah Richardson. #laundryroom #blue #arearug
A light-filled laundry room which doubles as an office space.
Classic vintage style bathroom design with hex tile floor and clawfoot tub by Sarah Richardson. #bathroom #classic #marble #whitebathroom
Classic white bathroom with brass hardware.

Hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend and finding plenty of time to slow down and recharge the batteries. I have been a busy bee in the kitchen today, preparing lots of yummy snacks for a party tomorrow night. I hope to share pictures of the shindig with you if I have a chance to snap any! How are you spending the weekend?

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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12 Comments

  1. Marilyn S.
    May 27, 2018 / 6:31 am

    Your post never disappoint -I can linger and learn . Since you are soooooo good at spotting and identifying detail can you tell what the labels on the tops of those lovely Tidewater blue doors are ( they look like those brass label holders you would find on an old desk ) …. I’m intrigued .

    • michele
      Author
      May 28, 2018 / 11:04 am

      I love it when you linger here!! Yours is a keen eye for lovely detail! I too wonder about those labels. I am guessing you are right. That they are vintage finds Sarah collected and used to label each daughter’s closet/cubby door. 🙂

  2. Marilyn S.
    May 27, 2018 / 6:33 am

    Oh and thank you for sharing that wonderful speech by Reagan . We need to hear more of this .

    • michele
      Author
      May 28, 2018 / 11:01 am

      I am so happy you enjoyed it and took the time to visit! You are right, we cannot have too many reminders. xox

  3. Alice Genzlinger
    May 27, 2018 / 7:16 am

    Thank you for the moving video by President Reagan. How soon we forget those gone much to soon fighting for our freedom. Indeed they were boys who gave their life so that we could have the many privileges we share today. May God forgive us for failing them.

    • michele
      Author
      May 28, 2018 / 11:00 am

      Thank you for reading and for the reminder. When we reflect on the reality of WHO the brave are, there is a shift, yes? These are our dear boys and girls we ask to be courageous. As a mother of two sons, it pulls at my heart. xox

  4. July 21, 2018 / 1:37 am

    Great work! These are the awesome interior design ideas. I am so inspired and got some great ideas. Thanks a lot for sharing.

    • michele
      Author
      July 21, 2018 / 7:46 am

      Yay! Thanks for reading.:)

  5. Brenda
    July 21, 2018 / 5:36 pm

    Where can I purchase the Eagan dinning chairs that sara h had in her own cottage

    • michele
      Author
      July 21, 2018 / 7:51 pm

      Hello! I am updating the links in that dining room post and will re-post it soon – in the mean time, here are the chairs: http://shrsl.com/12h1q Hope this helps!

  6. Colleen Jones
    October 15, 2018 / 3:58 pm

    Thanks for all the info! I was hoping to find info on the recessed lighting above Sarah’s desk in the laundry area?
    They are much smaller than the usual and I love the cleaner look!

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing