Mi Casa | Sarah Yates Mora

Sarah Yates Mora is an artist, interior designer, and photographer. We sit down and discuss her love for motherhood, and the adventure of redesigning all whilst staying authentically connected to creativity in a consuming digital world.

SHOP THE LOOK

1/ Esther Made to Order Rug 2/ Joshua #9 Fine Art Print 3/ Monte Cushion #3 4/ Duo Candle Holder 5/ Monte #14 Cushion 6/ Luna Mini Rug 7/ Puna Llama Throw|Natural 8/ Monte #1 Pom Pom Cushion

Tell us about your home, was it love at first sight?

We found our home online and it was in unliveable condition, but we saw that the bones were amazing and that it had so much potential. So it was a special kind of love at first sight- one based entirely on potential. We put an offer in without seeing it in person and were under contract before we had the chance to visit it. In hindsight, we were naive to what it would take to restore it but that’s probably a good thing as I don’t know we would’ve been brave enough to make the leap otherwise!

What does home mean to you?

A home is a shell for memories, a container for all of the beautiful and brutal moments that happen in a family. It’s a refuge, a place of safety, a comfort. It means a lot to us as a family, but ultimately we also realise that it could be gone and we’d still have so much to be grateful for. A home is a container but it’s the contents that matter- the love, the moments, the memories, the lives lived within the walls. We’ve created beautiful memories in all kinds of different spaces.

What room do you spend the most time in and why?

Our main room and the kitchen. It’s the centre of everything for our family, with lots of space for our kiddo and his friends to play. Cooking is one of my passions so I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, for fun and necessity. I love that I’m not isolated from my family or friends during my kitchen time.

Describe the adventure of remodelling and how that experience was for you?

Remodelling was a series of high highs and low lows. There’s nothing more thrilling then seeing things we dreamed up come to life, and ending up in what is truly our dream home. And of course nothing more disheartening than delays, terrible contractors and unexpected expenses. The typical cliche remodelling story I suppose.

Were there any rooms in the home that transformed into something different to what you originally planned?

We planned on the third bedroom being a guest room but during the pandemic we converted it to a little family room to make better use of it. The plan now that we’re hosting guests again is to swap out the couch for a daybed so that we can utilise the space for both purposes!

How would you describe the style of your home, and how did your Pampa pieces compliment your style?

I’d describe our style as organic modern minimalist. Pampa’s beautiful textiles fit our style perfectly- the natural fibres, neutral colours, modern designs align so seamlessly with our vision. The softness of the wool helps bring warmth to all of the white and wood in the home and the textures bring interest without busy-ness.

Tell us how you stay connected to creativity in a consuming digital world?

I’ve been reading Julia Cameron’s The Artist Way. I’m at the beginning of the journey but the morning pages are already proving to be a gift to my creative self. I also spend as much time as I can outside- hiking with friends or family. And staying offline. I’ve spent less and less time over the past few years on social media and I’ve noticed that less online time equates to more offline life, which in turn is fuel for my creativity.

What is inspiring you right now?

The spring bloom! We had a tiny bit of rain this year, hallelujah, so the flowers are exploding and the colours/textures are just the best! I am convinced there will never be anything humans can create as magnificent as what already exists in our flowers.