SJ Interior Design Studio - Sara Iborra Scott, ASID

02/22/2026

02/22/2026

It’s hard to believe a week has already passed since Modernism Week in Palm Springs.

Spending time in the desert, immersed in the clarity and intention of modernist design, is a powerful reminder that Modernism is more than an architectural movement or a chapter in art history — it’s a way of living. It’s about restraint, proportion, material honesty, and the seamless dialogue between indoors and out.

We toured the beautifully preserved Twin Palms Estate, once home to Frank Sinatra, experienced the quiet sophistication of the Kaufmann House, and visited two thoughtfully composed residences by Staci Munic. Each space offered its own lesson in balance, light, and livability.

Equal parts inspiration and education — and a renewed appreciation for architecture that feels as relevant today as it did decades ago.

Creatively recharged and looking forward to weaving a touch of desert Modernism into our New England projects. (Though we wouldn’t mind importing a little California sunshine as well.)

So grateful to our wonderful hosts and connecting with some new friends!

02/21/2026

Fresh look for the laundry room in Wellesley, MA! ✨🧺
We’ve just finished installing these beautiful white oak butcher-block-style countertops with accompanying backsplash. Finished with a rich walnut stain, they bring a perfect balance of warmth and durability to this hard-working space—proving that laundry day can be high-end, too!
White oak is the ideal choice for a busy utility area, offering the strength needed for folding and sorting, while the custom stain adds a sophisticated touch of design.
A huge thank you to our incredible collaborator on this project:
🎨 Sara at SJ Interior Design Studio for the impeccable vision.
Collaboration is key to creating spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
Ready to upgrade your home’s utility spaces? Let’s design a custom surface that fits your life!

01/01/2026

As the year draws to a close, I'm taking a moment to look back on six amazing years of creating dream kitchens and baths as SJ Interior Design Studio. This year's projects have been truly unforgettable, and I'm grateful for the dedication and partnership that has transformed not only homes, but also lives. Here's a glimpse of some of our favorites and excited for a bright and exciting new year ahead. Let’s start designing your project in 2026!

11/07/2025

A New England mudroom isn’t just a pass-through — it’s the quiet workhorse of the home. From snowy boots to sandy beach towels, this space handles it all.

Designing a functional and beautiful entry means blending durable materials with thoughtful storage: built-in benches for quick changes, closed cabinetry for visual calm, and hooks and baskets to keep the everyday chaos organized.

It’s where practicality meets polish — and where every season starts and ends. 🧤🌿☀️🍂

08/26/2025

🌟⚽️ Big Congratulations to my son Caleb! ⚽️🌟
He’s officially committed to play soccer and the application process at Endicott College 💚! All of his hard work, dedication, and love for the game (plus tackling that whole college recruiting process with tenacity!) his hard work paid off in the best way.

We are beyond proud and can’t wait to cheer him on as he takes on this next big adventure—both on the field and in the classroom. 🏆📚⚽️

Go Gulls!! 💚

08/23/2025

50 Years of Love, Laughter, and Adventure

Today, we celebrate an extraordinary milestone — 50 years of marriage for my incredible parents (and original flower children of the ‘70s, complete with bell bottoms, baby blue tuxedos, and a real daisy chain of flowers in her hair).

From the earliest days of my childhood, I had the gift of watching two people who were truly devoted to one another. Their love wasn’t flashy or dramatic — it was grounded, intentional, and quietly romantic in all the ways that matter most.

One of my favorite memories is traveling through Europe with them when my brother and I were younger — “vacationing” in England (out of a tent, because hotels were clearly for amateurs), and learning the fine art of embracing the unexpected… especially in the form of endless rain. The highlight? The night our tent completely flooded during a storm — gear soaked, sleeping bags floating, and the four of us hardly laughing in disbelief as the situation turned from “quaint family camping trip” to “I will never camp again.”

But instead of losing it, my parents teamed up like pros — soaked to the bone but still smiling, working together to get us packed up, dried off, and into the warm embrace of a hotel (aka - military barracks but with walls! and beds!). That moment said it all: their love isn’t just about romance — though there’s plenty of that too — it’s about meeting challenges with humor, patience, and a united front.

Their story is a love story not written in grand gestures, but in years of quiet commitment, mutual respect, and a shared sense of adventure that’s carried them across countries, decades, and every chapter of life together.

Mom, Dad — thank you for being the best example of what true love looks like: full of laughter, anchored in partnership, and always up for a little adventure (preferably one that doesn’t involve wet socks). Here’s to 50 years of memories, and to many more still to come. 💛

08/11/2025

✨ Designer’s Guide to the Perfect Countertop ✨
Choosing the right surface isn’t just about looks — it’s about how you live in your space. Here’s how I guide clients through the top four materials:

🖤 Marble — Timeless, elegant, and naturally veined. Perfect for a luxurious, high-end feel. Just be ready to baby it a little — it’s porous and patinas with age.
🍂 Wood — Warm, natural, and full of character. Great for cozy, lived-in kitchens. Needs regular oiling or can be sealed with a marine varnish, and ages beautifully.
🪨 Quartzite or Granite — Bold, durable, and full of personality. Resistant to heat and scratches — ideal for busy kitchens that still want a wow factor.
⚪ Quartz — Low-maintenance and ultra-versatile. Engineered for durability with endless color options. My go-to for modern, family-friendly homes.

Every surface tells a story. Which one fits yours?

📐 Need help choosing? Let’s design your space with intention.
📩 DM me for a design consult.

08/07/2025

🫧 Sink into Style 🫧

Sinks may be one of the most hardworking features in your home—but they also offer a surprising opportunity to express style and elevate function.✨

From classic undermounts to statement-making farmhouse styles, and sleek integrated options - there’s a perfect fit for every design aesthetic and lifestyle.

✅ Choosing the right sink means thinking about:
• Your space + layout
• How you really use your kitchen
• Material durability and maintenance
• Style that supports your overall design vision

Whether you’re planning a full renovation or a small refresh, don’t overlook this small but mighty detail—it’s a daily-use design moment worth investing in.

💭 What’s your dream sink style? Let me know in the comments!

06/01/2025

When another rainy Saturday in New England prevents your husband from golfing… it becomes a great day to build some much needed cabinet storage solutions! Sometimes a kitchen designers personal kitchen gets neglected (think cobblers children’s have no shoes kind of thing going on) and when there is that small window of opportunity give my own small kitchen some love, I took it! It’s hard to believe we inherited this kitchen with the house almost three years ago and many of the existing cabinets didn’t even have shelves!! Like many of my clients have… you just move in and make do; but without organization and storage solutions, what tends to happen is chaos behind closed doors. While completely remodeling this kitchen isn’t in our immediate future it doesn’t mean we can’t add some convenience options now! I did show a quick peek to the inside one of the half empty cabinets and then the finished result with *gasp* some empty rollouts in cabinets that were stuffed with stuff! Now it’s easy to see what we have and keep things organized with everything having a logical place, making our routines more easy and less stress for all. I didn’t intend for this to be an exercise in illustrating how effective storage solutions can maximize the space you have, even if it’s small but the photos of empty rollouts speaks for itself!

05/29/2025

Spring in New England calls for a dedicated mudroom space! It is a bonus if we can design in a dedicated laundry or dog wash station into this area as well! We love to cater to our furry friends and make taking care of them a bit easier! *Make sure to notice the custom steps crafted for this particular dog wash station to make it easy for Fido to get into his bath!

🧰 General Contractor: Archambault Construcrion
🏡 Architect: Thomson Architects
📸 Photographer: Patrick Rogers Photography