Designer Spotlight : Sarah Limbert of Poets Corner Interiors
Some careers follow a straight line, while others take a winding road, gathering lessons and experiences along the way. For Sarah Limbert, founder of Poets Corner Interiors, the journey to finding her true path in interior design is a story of rediscovery, adaptability, and embracing your passions. In this feature, we delve into Sarah’s career, her approach to design, and her reflections on the industry she’s made her home.
An Early Passion Rediscovered
For Sarah, the seeds of a design career were planted early. “I actually wanted to be an interior designer from a young age,” she shared, recalling a work experience placement with Bryant Homes as a teenager. “But they put me in a corner with a computer, and I just thought, ‘No, this isn’t for me.’ It didn’t feel that engaging or exciting.”
The uninspiring first experience ultimately led Sarah to pursuing a more pragmatic path. After studying English at Manchester University, she transitioned into law, where she thrived early in her career. “I did enjoy it,” she said. “I learnt and awful lot and it enabled me to get on the property ladder in London at a young age.” But even as she built a successful legal career, her creative side found outlets. “Renovating and redecorating properties became my hobby. Over time, I thought, ‘I’m in the wrong place.’”
A Leap of Faith
Sarah credits her husband for encouraging her to take the leap. “He said, ‘You’ve been talking about this for years—just start.’” Redundancy from her legal job provided the final push. “It felt like a sign,” she reflected. “I set up a basic website, took some courses in Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp, and started putting myself out there.”
Her first project came from an unexpected conversation. “I was chatting with a lady I knew who worked in a local boutique and she said, ‘Come and do my flat in Brixton.’ She even wrote down her budget on a piece of paper, and I thought, ‘Why not?’” From there, word-of-mouth referrals began driving Sarah’s business. “It’s been a gradual process, but those early projects taught me so much.”
Growing Poets Corner Interior Design
Today, Poets Corner Interiors caters to a mix of clients, from families in period London homes to those seeking accessible design solutions like e-design. “My bread-and-butter business is families, most often with kids and/or pets,” Sarah explained. “But I’ve started offering hourly consultations and remote design services to reach a broader audience.”
Reflecting on her growth, Sarah emphasised the importance of setting boundaries and staying true to her vision. “When you’re starting out, you feel like you can’t say no, but it’s so important to set boundaries. I now make it clear in initial meetings how I work—prioritising quality, functionality, and sustainability.”
Adapting to market shifts has been a key part of her strategy. “Post-COVID, there was a boom in interiors, but 2024 has been a little quieter at times,” she noted. “I’ve used this time to focus on SEO, professional photography, and refining my services to meet changing needs.”
Design Ethos: Timeless, Personal, and Flexible
Sarah’s design ethos is centred on timelessness and individuality. “I want my designs to stand the test of time,” she said. “I love materials like stone, marble, and muted colours. Old design books inspire me—I look at what has lasted over decades and think about how to incorporate those elements into my work.”
One of her go-to inspirations is vintage design books and magazines. “I’ve picked up old World of Interiors books from the 1980s at a local charity shop. I look through them and ask, ‘What elements have really stood the test of time?’ Often, it’s natural materials like plaster finishes, stone, and classic furniture shapes.”
Sarah also embraces flexibility, tailoring her designs to fit her clients’ personalities. “One client loved bold colours like orange and yellow but was hesitant about using them in a major space. We worked these colours into her utility room with bright tiles and orange woodwork. It was perfect for her—a space that felt vibrant and personal without overwhelming the rest of her home.”
Rejecting rigid design rules is another hallmark of Sarah’s approach. “Some say, ‘Never paint a dark room a bright white colour,’ but it all depends on the space and the client. Design is personal—it should reflect who you are.”
Adapting to Industry Shifts
Sarah has seen significant shifts in the design industry over the past few years. “2022 and 2023 were my busiest years, but the past year has been quieter,” she admitted. “There’s a growing awareness of how much design impacts well-being. Clients are seeing the value of creating homes that truly work for them.”
She encourages aspiring designers to focus on both their craft and their marketing. “Invest in marketing early—it’s something I wish I’d done from the start. And focus on practical skills like software tools; they’re invaluable when you’re starting out.”
Looking Ahead
When pressed for which design trends she was happy to see the back of, arbitrary fruit and faux sentimentality were the first to come to mind. “I’m happy we’re moving away from pineapples in interiors and generic ‘live, laugh, love’ type posters,” she said with a laugh. “There’s a shift towards more timeless, sustainable designs, which I think is exciting and necessary.”
Looking to the future, she sees sustainability taking centre stage. “There’s going to be a bigger focus on reusing and repurposing materials. Clients are becoming more conscious about the impact of their choices, and I think that’s really exciting.”
This shift in focus is also reflected in her choice of suppliers. “Quality and functionality are always the first on my list,” Sarah explained. “I’m also looking for sustainability wherever possible, though as a small business, it can be difficult due to limited resources.” She relies on accredited suppliers, such as those with BCorp certification, to ensure certain standards are met. “It’s about taking reasonable steps to know where things come from, even if it’s not always perfect.”
One to Watch
For Sarah Limbert, interior design isn’t just a career—it’s a path she’s found after years of exploration and self-discovery. Her journey from law to design reflects her adaptability and the importance of following your passions. As she continues to evolve her practice, Sarah’s commitment to timeless, thoughtful design certainly makes her one to watch.
To see more of Sarah’s work or get in touch, visit https://www.poetscornerinteriors.co.uk or follow her on Instagram @poetscorner_interiors.
