Today on The Mag we have Los Angeles-based lifestyle and interior stylist Sarah Buckley. Learn more about Sarah and her work, why she loves designing nurseries for expecting parents, how she works with her clients and much more! And make sure to check back on Tuesday, Dec. 15 for a very exciting giveaway with Sarah (hint: it involves nursery design!).

Introduce yourself, your family and your brand.

Hi everyone - I'm Sarah, a Lifestyle and Interior Stylist, originally from Ireland and living in LA with my husband and little girl, Elliott. I've recently launched a Nursery eDesign service for new parents. I bring the design knowledge of a stylist and the practical knowledge of a Mum together, to give families beautiful and functional nurseries.

What is it about interior design that inspires you, and do you have a preferred style?

I believe that the environments we live in have a big impact on our mental health. That's what inspires me about design - that we can create our own sanctuaries, whatever that looks like to us. With some thought and planning, any space can be transformed into one that functions well for our life and brings beauty to the everyday. I lean towards minimalism, clean lines, and soft palettes.

Why do you want to help expecting parents with their nursery interiors?

For several reasons. Firstly, when I began designing our nursery for Elliott, my eyes were opened to how much “nursery furniture” was marketed to new parents. Whilst there are some great pieces in these collections, sourcing beyond that genre is what allowed me to create a beautiful space. I want to offer that design approach to new parents - thinking beyond the obvious when it comes to designing your nursery.

Secondly, becoming a parent is a big shift in someone's life. It's a really beautiful phase, but it can be overwhelming. There are a lot of hours spent feeding, changing, rocking, and let's be honest, frantically googling solutions to things that you didn't read about, or haven't played out quite like they said it would! Anything that lends itself to a sense of calm in the life of a new parent is something worth investing in, and a beautiful and functional nursery is one of those things. The room is as much for the parent as it is for the baby in year one of the baby's life.

And finally, there is so much researching, preparing and decision making that parents find themselves doing in advance of their baby's arrival. I'd like to take something off their plate, and let them concentrate on staying relaxed and focused on the pregnancy.

What is the process like working with you?

I work collaboratively with clients. For the Nursery eDesign service, we do a deep dive at the beginning of the process where I ask the client to complete a questionnaire so that we can tease out the requirements and measurements of the space. I take away all that information and return a nursery design which includes a mood board, floor plan, 3D rendering, design notes, and a shopping list, allowing the client to implement the design at their leisure.

How did you decide to make your passion your full time career?

I've been passionate about interiors and styling for as long as I can remember. I studied interior design by night when I was living in Ireland and have done various design projects ever since. I always knew it would become my career and the trigger was moving to LA. There is a strong design culture here, and being immersed in that inspired me to set up my own business, Styled By Sarah Buckley. Since then I’ve worked on editorial shoots, studio shoots, and design projects, whilst in between becoming a Mum and figuring out the new shape my life was taking with the wonderful addition of my daughter.

What are some lessons you hope to impart on your daughter through art/design?

That there is beauty in everything when you focus on what works for you.

Name other small businesses that you admire.
Kalon Studios A Los Angeles based furniture studio, who produce beautiful everyday furniture, with a focus on simplicity and sustainability. Their Caravan Crib is one of my favorite nursery pieces.

Lou Lou & Co Founded by a NICU nurse, Lou Lou & Co produce the best swaddles on the market for newborn babies. The fabric they use is super soft and stretchy allowing for a tight swaddle that doesn't come undone, and they have a great selection of colors and prints to choose from. Their Newborn Essentials Bundles is a gorgeous gift idea.

OHH NOO I often find myself looking to European suppliers for pieces that are in keeping with my minimalist approach to designing nurseries. Ohh Noo is a Slovenian company, founded by a female designer, that produces children's toys and decor with a beautiful minimalist aesthetic. Their pieces are the perfect addition to any child's room.