The Designer’s Journal: Sage Interior Design’s Approach to Timeless, Livable Homes

For the team at Sage Interior Design, home is more than just a place—it’s a feeling. Inspired by the ever-changing beauty of the New England coastline and the laid-back sensibility of California living, their approach blends modern elegance with a deep connection to nature.

“We believe a home should be more than just a space—it should be a sanctuary,” they share. We caught up with the Sage team to chat about their latest transformation, the creative challenges of merging old and new, and the Schoolhouse details that bring their projects to life.

Where do you draw your design inspiration from?

We draw a lot of our inspiration from nature and the ocean. Living on the seacoast in New Hampshire, we have so many amazing opportunities to get outside—from national parks to the shoreline, we’re always exploring. I also spent time living in California and draw heavily from its laid-back yet modern approach to design. One element we always try to incorporate is an indoor/outdoor way of living, which can be tricky in New England, but we make the most of every warm day around here.

What is your design ethos?

At Sage, our design ethos is grounded in the belief that a home should be more than just a space—it should be a sanctuary that invites tranquility and fosters connection with nature. We create modern coastal homes that embody the spirit of an endless summer, where sun-drenched rooms, thoughtfully curated heirloom pieces, and intuitive space planning come together to evoke a sense of calm and serenity.

Our approach is never about perfection, but about creating livable, enduring spaces that feel timeless yet fresh. We embrace the idea of "nothing too precious"—homes meant to be enjoyed daily, where every corner is designed with both beauty and function in mind. By blending natural elements, relaxed elegance, and a focus on comfort, we craft spaces that elevate your mood and become an extension of the coastal lifestyle—inviting, warm, and designed for everyday living.

What are you working on right now?

One of the projects we’re currently working on is a custom timber-framed home in Maine. With every inch of this home being fully custom, it’s been so much fun for us to get creative and try out new ideas and techniques that might be harder to implement in a pre-existing renovation. It also helps that we have the best client, who is totally open to all of our wild ideas. The project should be wrapping up by the fall.

What’s your favorite Schoolhouse product?

One of the many Schoolhouse products we love is the Harlow 3 Sconce. We adore its fun, modern take on a classic light that many are familiar with. We’re also big fans of Schoolhouse hardware, which we use frequently in our projects. The Galley Pull and Edgecliff Pull are two of our favorites.

Can you tell us a little bit about your most recent project?

The featured home is a project we completed for a young family who weren’t using half of the first floor due to an in-law suite that was there when they bought the house. We removed all the walls in the suite and moved their family living room into that space. This improved the flow throughout the home and created an informal sitting room for game nights and dinner party overflow. We also completely renovated their kitchen, installing brand-new cabinetry with organization systems in each drawer, as well as a 12-foot island that doubles as their kitchen table. The Edgecliff pulls and knobs were the perfect addition to this bright and airy kitchen!

Where is the project located?

Amesbury, MA

What was the biggest challenge in bringing this project to life?

The biggest challenge for this project was combining these two spaces in a way that made the home feel like it had always been this way. We ran into some structural issues that we had to consult with an engineer on, but we got it to work in the end and couldn't be happier with the result.

Any fun facts about the project?

Also featured is a peek at our guest bathroom from the 'Surf Shack' project! We gutted the space to create an open layout for our family of 5, adding a much-needed bathroom to rinse off sandy kids after beach days. While we plan to add an outdoor shower eventually, we had fun making this space playful and modern, with custom touches like the galley knobs and a vanity designed with our millworker.