Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Rineer.
Sarah, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always had a passion for design. Though I couldn’t see the future, I knew at a young age I would be designing spaces for myself and others – entrepreneurship was always in the back of my mind but I never knew it was attainable.
I decided early on that I wanted to be an architect; it was an easy decision. I went to architecture school, got licensed, and worked as an architect for a large, reputable firm downtown for 12 years. I loved my job designing public schools (elementary, middle, and high) in Maryland where I was hopeful the spaces I was creating were making a difference in children’s lives. I enjoyed the people I worked with, felt respected, and was passionate about the work I was producing. As my time at this firm progressed, I continued honing in on what parts of the design were driving me, so while designing these beautiful buildings, I also began to focus my skills on the interior design of the spaces. I discovered that this was my niche.
Meanwhile, my husband and I found a gem of a property outside of the city and bought an old 1800s farmhouse where we are using our design skills to, over time, renovate our home. (He is also an architect with a good design eye and fantastic craftsman skills). Putting creative juices into this home energized me.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, similar to many other working parents at the time, I was working from home full-time while caring for my two young children. I was not maintaining a reasonable work-life balance, so with a lot of support and encouragement, I left my corporate job as an architect to pursue the passion and dream I had for so long – to create a business designing spaces in homes that cultivated happiness in others.
Sarah Rineer Living was born. My talents and experience as an architect give me a unique perspective when visualizing how a space can be transformed. It is my goal to create sophisticated spaces but also where my clients feel comfortable and at ease.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Having the “guts” to leave my corporate job was a struggle. It was comfortable; it provided for me and my family; it was a great job at a great firm; I was excelling, growing, and gaining trust & responsibility; my path forward was clear. The unknown is hard, being comfortable is easy. I’ve always been confident in my abilities and strong-willed, so while I knew I could succeed as a business owner, the risk was still scary.
Once I mustered the courage to leave the comfort and create my own business, over time things fell into place. It was a slow gain at first, but the lull provided me the time to create my business plan, design a brand, market myself, and develop a focus for the services I would be providing. Opportunities were then presented to me fairly early on for different types of space design and I dove into the challenges head first.
I think we let ourselves hold us back. We have the potential to do and be what we dream of. I am thankful for always being encouraged and validated by friends, family, and collogues so that I had the confidence and courage to take this leap.
We’ve been impressed with Sarah Rineer Living, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Sarah Rineer Living is a full-service design firm specializing in residential interior design, interior architecture, and renovations. From the flow and function of a space to the ambiance and aesthetics, I help to curate spaces that allow my clients to feel most at home.
By listening and digesting, I pride myself on cultivating designs that are specific to my clients. Not everyone’s styles are alike, so I think being an adaptive and flexible designer helps me create spaces that best reflect each client’s needs.
Due to my blended background in practicing architecture and designing interiors, I offer a unique approach when exploring interior solutions. I strive to understand how a space will be used and how that can be reflected through function and aesthetics. My experience also allows me to offer services ranging from space planning and interior layouts to documentation of plans & elevations, to selections of finishes, fixtures, and furnishings, to styling and staging.
Though I am based out of my home in Bel Air, I love that I can provide my services to clients not only in the greater Baltimore area but also all over Maryland, DC, northern VA, the Delaware beaches, and beyond (I’ve even worked with a client in Boston).
I am proud to offer an approachable and thorough design process that elevates the function and aesthetic of living spaces.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love Baltimore and the surrounding areas. It is home to an eclectic group of people, with different cultures, styles, and passions. The variety of landscapes, from city to water to beaches to forests, are a mere few miles from each other. It is a place that fuels creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: SarahRineerLiving.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah.rineer.living/
