Contributing to Memories: Stonehill Taylor's Sara Duffy on Experience, Dichotomies, and Confidence

By Julia Gamolina

With over twenty years of experience, Sara Duffy leads the Interiors Division as a Principal at Stonehill Taylor. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and received her Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Before joining Stonehill Taylor in 2008, Sara worked at MTV and later as a designer at Rockwell Group. In her various roles at Stonehill Taylor, she has contributed significantly to the design of numerous award-winning projects—from the renovation of iconic landmarks like the TWA Hotel to the creation of new destinations like the JW Marriott Nashville Downtown.

Sara expertly oversees hotel and restaurant projects, although in her background she has designed everything from residential and entertainment complexes to retail centers. As a manager of designers, she guides her team to work with clients to craft an immersive and unique narrative for each project with a focus on thoughtful, contemporary interior design. In her interview, Sara talks about her discovery of interior design while working in entertainment, growing as a leader, and staying connected to the industry. She advises those just starting their career to have hope and go for things.

JG: Tell me about your foundational years. Where did you grow up and what did you like to do as a kid?

SD: I grew up in New York City on the Upper West Side. I spent countless hours with my mother at museums—the Met, the Guggenheim and the Whitney but most of all at the Museum of Natural History, just a few blocks away from our apartment. I would also go there with my friends. At the time you could pay a nickel or a dime to get in. We'd play tag in the museum and soon the guards would catch on and start chasing us around, which was even better.

Marriot Marquis by Stonehill Taylor. Photography by David Mitchell.

The Camby by Stonehill Taylor. Photography by Gregory Goode.

Ha! That’s amazing. From there, what did you learn about yourself in your studies?

I have a degree in art history, a background that not everyone has in our industry. Having knowledge of artists — both contemporary and historical — and of movements in art, architecture, and design has been extremely valuable in my work. Art is a big part of everything we do — from the formation of our project concept to our collaborations with local artists. The role that art plays in the narrative of each project sets us apart from our peers. But of course, I would be lost without my Master’s degree in Interior Design which I earned at the FIT. It was a great program, and I entered my current profession with an invaluable skill set.

How did you get your start in the field?

After I graduated from college, my first job was in television at MTV. At one point I was involved in the opening of an MTV store. I had to hire the architectural firm and work with the design team, and I knew then that I wanted to make a career in design.

My mother who was an interior designer in the high-end residential realm connected me with a woman she knew who was a designer at Rockwell. The reason to talk with her was to see if I needed to go back to school. I was really hoping I wouldn’t have to, but she said, “You do have to go to school. Don't be ridiculous!" I stayed in touch with her while at FIT, and she wrote to me that Rockwell was looking and asked me if I was interested. That's how the whole thing started. My internship turned into a full-time position at Rockwell.

“Now that I am a Principal, my priorities have shifted from becoming the best designer that I can be, to being a really good boss and focusing on creating the best team. I want to make sure that my team’s needs are met, that everyone feels challenged, and that I create a great work environment for everyone.”

— Sara Duffy

Tell me how your work evolved and you with it.

I joined Stonehill Taylor in 2008. There was definitely an evolution over the years — you become a much more sophisticated designer as you gain experience. You learn to trust your gut and not second-guess yourself. Working on Arizona’s Camby Hotel — formerly a dated five-star hotel that we transformed into a modern property that is both playful and luxe — everything really changed for me. We had a client who allowed us to just go for it. When I finished that project, I felt I had total confidence in my abilities.

Where are you in your career today? What is on your mind most at the moment?

Now that I am a Principal, my priorities have shifted from becoming the best designer that I can be, to being a really good boss and focusing on creating the best team. I want to make sure that my team's needs are met, that everyone feels challenged, and that I create a great work environment for everyone. I am always thinking of how to keep stepping up, get better work, and make our workplace an interesting place for people to stay and thrive.

Looking back at it all, what have been the biggest challenges? How did you manage through a disappointment or a perceived setback?

The pandemic of course was a challenge. Hospitality was hit hard by COVID. We are still doing hotels, but we are expanding into other sectors such as multifamily.

On a personal level, one of the biggest challenges has been juggling motherhood and a career. It was really hard when my children were little, and I had to travel a lot. I would cry every time I got in the cab to go to the airport, but at the same time I loved my trips — a weird dichotomy. My children were two and four years old when I started at Stonehill Taylor. My husband and I were both traveling. We had a Google calendar where we rushed to put in our trips. The one who put the trip in first basically won. Fortunately, we had great childcare, and we knew they were safe while we were gone. Traveling in the States was one thing, but leaving the country was scary. I had to go to Paris when designing the NoMad Hotel, for example, and it was difficult being so far away.

What are you most excited about right now?

We have many new projects on the horizon, including in the luxury multifamily sector, a realm into which we are further expanding. I’m also excited to get back to normal and to go on trips and connect with the industry. Not being able to interact in person with other leaders in the industry was a huge loss for all of us. I was at a client meeting recently, and it was so refreshing for all of us to be in one room presenting our ideas.

“I’m also excited to get back to normal and to go on trips and connect with the industry. Not being able to interact in person with other leaders in the industry was a huge loss for all of us. I was at a client meeting recently, and it was so refreshing for all of us to be in one room presenting our ideas.”

— Sara Duffy

Who are you admiring now and why?

I’m really struck by my children right now. They are turning into these sophisticated young women, and it’s amazing to watch. I’m definitely admiring them. Watching them navigate COVID, which hit teenagers especially hard, was painful, but I’m also so impressed that they came out of it, and they are doing okay.

I also admire my Mom. She started her own interior design business at 78 years old with two partners. It’s pretty amazing. They have residential work, and they are doing well. You wouldn’t know she is 80 when you meet her. She seems like she’s 65. We just went to Europe together, and she traveled all over with us. She is an incredible, spirited, energetic person.

What is the impact you’d like to have in or on the world? What does success in that look like to you?

If a guest has an amazing stay at a hotel we designed, and we contributed to their memories and made that hotel a place of warmth for them then I consider my design of that space a success.

TWA Hotel by Stonehill Taylor. Photography by Eric Laignel.

What advice do you have for those starting their career? Would your advice be any different for women?

It’s such an important moment when you are starting your career. Your beginning years really start to shape you as a designer. My advice would be to just go for it.

Even though the interior design industry is pretty women-centric, the big firms are predominantly run by men. Of course, women are at the top, but it's certainly not 50-50. I do think it’s an uphill climb to get to the top levels of the industry. It’s important for women to acknowledge that they may be at a disadvantage and will have to fight that much harder to get there, but that they can and will absolutely get there.