Expert Interior Design and Material Insights
I believe in sharing what I know. Here is my unfiltered take on the materials and design choices that actually make a space work, straight from my studio to your next project.
A quick tip for choosing wood-finish laminates. Always go for texture. A flat, smooth laminate looks fake, but one with a grain you can feel will look and feel much more like real wood, adding character and authenticity to your space.
Instead of standard fluted glass, consider wire mesh glass. It involves sandwiching a metal mesh between two panes of glass, creating a unique, elegant look with endless customization options. It's durable, safe, and my new favorite material.
For fluted walls, using fluted veneer panels is a much faster and more consistent alternative to building it piece by piece with wood. It's highly customizable, cost-effective, and provides a flawless, uniform finish.
Looking for a wall covering for a theater room? This acoustic vinyl wall covering looks and feels like fabric but is super easy to maintain and has incredible sound-dampening properties. It's a functional and stylish solution for any space needing acoustic treatment.
This looks like solid metal, but it's actually a laminate called Deco Metal. It gives you the lustrous sheen and modern look of metal but is far more cost-effective and easier to maintain. It's a game-changer for adding metallic accents.
I was blown away when I found this light fitting. It uses a rotating crystal cylinder to project patterns on the wall that mimic the calming effect of light reflecting through ocean water. It’s a perfect example of how lighting can create a powerful emotional experience.
Here are my five rules for hiring a new contractor. We check their references with other designers, visit their sites, assess their rates, understand their team structure, and verify their years of experience to ensure a smooth and successful project.
About this collection
When you are choosing wood-finish laminates, ignore the flat, smooth options. Always opt for textures you can actually feel—grains that mimic real wood. A flat finish will look artificial and highlight every scratch, whereas a textured surface adds character, depth, and longevity, making your interiors feel authentic rather than mass-produced.
Design is not just about how a space looks; it is about how it holds up under real-world use. Over the years, I have stopped relying on trends and started obsessing over the details that actually change the user experience.
Rethinking Standard Materials
I often find that designers and homeowners default to 'standard' choices that cost more and perform worse. For example, fluted glass is popular, but I prefer wire mesh glass. It offers an elegant, industrial look, is incredibly durable, and looks more complex the closer you get to it. Similarly, when you need a metal finish, you do not always need actual metal. Deco Metal laminates provide the same lustrous, high-end sheen at a fraction of the cost and are significantly easier to maintain.
Solving Practical Problems
Good design solves problems before they become annoyances. If you are dealing with a wood-finished fluted wall, do not choose the labor-intensive route of sawing and gluing individual pieces. Use fluted veneer panels. You get a faster installation, a perfectly uniform finish, and a wider range of customization.
Comfort and Acoustics
For rooms that need sound control, like a theater or a home office, forget bulky fabric panels. Look for acoustic vinyl wall coverings. They feel like high-end fabric but are washable, eco-friendly, and simple to install. I always look for materials that bridge the gap between aesthetics and function because that is where the magic really happens. My team and I test everything—if it does not work in a busy restaurant or a high-traffic home, it does not make it into our designs.
Sarah Sham
I am Sarah Sham, and I have spent the last 11 years obsessing over details that most people ignore. Whether I am explaining why real metal is overrated or how to hide ugly AC ducts, my goal is always the same: to help you build spaces that look better and last longer. This cluster is where I dump all the technical stuff and design hacks I have picked up along the way.
Looking for something specific?
Type in a material or a room type to see my approach to it.
More from Hospitality & Entertainment Design by Sarah Sham