1. Around the House and On the Table,
By Melanie Furlong
Photo by Stacey Brandford
SARAH RICHARDSON
Keeps It Fresh, Simple
& Creative
If you love watching HGTV
star Sarah Richardson’s home
makeovers on TV, you’re
bound to enjoy her latest
book, At Home: Sarah Style.

2. F
ollowing the success of last
year’s Sarah Style, the new book
takes readers into Richardson’s
various properties. Her family
home in Toronto, before and after major
renovations; her country-style retreat; the
family’s Georgian Bay island cottage; her
rental property on another Georgian Bay
island; her first country retreat; and her
mother’s house, which is in a converted
Methodist church. While you may have
seen many of these properties on her
TV shows, the book offers hundreds
of design tips and never-before-seen
photos that are nice to browse through
for inspiration.
The book also offers 45 delicious recipes
divided into spring and summer, and
fall and winter categories. The latter
includes comfort food dishes such as
Roasted Sweet Potato Salad, Comfy Cozy
Carbonara and Mustard and Za’atar
Roasted Chicken. The reader can easily
imagine dining on these very meals in one
of Richardson’s spectacular homes.
Fine Lifestyles writer Melanie Furlong
interviewed Sarah Richardson about the
newly released At Home: Sarah Style.
FL: What was the impetus for your
new book?
SR: When I wrote Sarah Style, I knew I
wanted to do a second book and thought
it made sense to draw a distinction
between the design projects executed
for clients and those that were more
personal. The first book was designed
to let readers find their style from a
collection of rooms divided by category,
and At Home: Sarah Style takes you on a
full guided tour of complete homes.
FL: Do you have a favourite project in
the book?
SR: I love each one for different reasons
because they represent different
journeys and experiences from a design
perspective. I’m excited to share new and
never-before-seen images such as our
city home and my Mom’s home, which is
a converted 1906 church.
FL: Which of these properties was the
most difficult to design?
SR: I never think of projects in terms of
difficulty because the design process

3. engages me and captures my imagination,
and the process of watching a renovation
unfold is thrilling, exciting and fun. Every
project also has its challenges, but they
are what ultimately shapes and guides
the renovation. Remote locations such
as the island properties can be tricky
from a logistics perspective, but that
is ultimately balanced by the rugged
natural beauty, making it all worthwhile.
I will admit that our city home required
a lot of planning and prioritizing, as we
wanted to be sure we made the right
choices for the long haul. We don’t plan
to move, so every choice needed to be a
forever choice.
FL: In the book, you mention that you
and your husband have different tastes
as far as palette is concerned. Do you
find designing your own homes more
challenging than working with clients?
SR: Not at all. Everyone has different
tastes, and it’s important to celebrate
the opinions, likes and goals of everyone
living in a house in order to create a space
that works for the entire family. Alexander
has always loved a bright palette, but
after years of exploring and renovating
together, I would say we know how to
make sure we are both represented
in every room. Sharing a home and
a life should focus on collaboration,
and thoughtful design can incorporate
something for everyone.
FL: What influences your designs?
SR: So many factors influence me. The
architecture of the building and the
natural surroundings guide the overall
character of the interior, as I want it to
be sympathetic and connected. Like a
person, every home has a character, and
I like to find that and bring it to life. But
the biggest influence by far for me is
about the human experience. I design
houses to be used, enjoyed and shared,
so I’m motivated to design spaces that
are not only beautiful but also welcoming,
comfortable, functional and practical.
FL: Do you have any new TV programs
planned for the near future?
SR: I’m currently working on a new show
for HGTV that will air in the spring and
developing some new ideas for a brand
new series. I’m always planning and I’m
excited to tackle another challenge.
ABOVE Sarah
Richardson with
husband, Alexander
Younger RIGHT At
Home: Sarah Style
takes readers into
Sarah Richardson’s
various properties.