Sanctuaire Interiors

Sanctuaire Interiors

Q&A with owners Josh & Kelsey Ormonde

Words by Lifestyle Staff | Photos by Topograph

Kelsey: I’m the lead designer of Sanctuaire Interiors. I started this journey on a path for a creative outlet, and it quickly grew into what it is today. I am so thankful to have a supportive and helpful husband by my side. I quickly needed help early on for furniture installs and Josh took the lead on that. As my plate has filled up, he’s been right there to offer to take over feasible tasks to keep our life and business running smoothly. I am still the client contact and creative, and he helps manage everything else behind the scenes.

Josh: Kelsey is really the creative and artistic mind behind all of the beauty and uniqueness that comes out of Sanctuaire. I come in with more of a business and leadership background, which is really where my own creative juices flow. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial perspective and attitude, and a desire to build and create new things. So the business side is really where I get fired up and focus a lot of my attention. Kelsey’s talent for design is very clear when you watch and listen to her work; it makes me very confident in supporting her and pursuing these goals with her. I have a habit of diving headfirst into things, so when she wanted to build a real design firm from this side hustle, I was in. It hasn’t come without its challenges, but it has been exciting nonetheless.

“It’s hard work. You have to be okay with being uncomfortable and working constantly to be better than the day before.”

Lifestyle: When and how did your dream of opening an interior design shop begin?

Kelsey: In 2020, when my part-time hobby and side hustle of designing spaces for friends and family really started to take off, I was able to accomplish so much work from the comfort of my home and client’s homes. I definitely took up my fair share of coffee shop real estate and lugging samples around. When we decided it was time to seek an office space for us and our growing team, it seemed fitting to have a place to welcome not only existing clients, but also potential new and returning clients! Through social media, we had so many requests for small styling or sourcing requests outside of a full-scale design project, so a shop was absolutely fitting for our business model.

Lifestyle: What inspired you to plant roots for Sanctuaire in Exeter, CA?

Kelsey & Josh: Ever since we began looking for a studio and shop space, it was without a doubt that Josh and I knew it had to be in Exeter. I grew up in Exeter, and we love this town so much. It has a different vibe and personality that we feel is a great fit for us. We love the safe, family-friendly walkability of the town, the familiar camaraderie of locals, and the beautiful blend of old and new. Exeter is booming with so many young entrepreneurs, and we couldn’t feel more grateful to be a part of this beautiful transition.

Lifestyle: Do you offer any design services or consultations to help guide customers?

Kelsey: Yes! We offer in-person one-hour consultations, typically done on-site. During that time, we offer design insights, ideas and see what areas of your home or work you are struggling with. The consultation can also be done in our design studio or via video call if the home is a new construction or out-of-state. We are also excited to announce mini-styling consultations available in-shop to help you find the right items and how to style them in your space. For more information, or to book, we encourage clients to head to our website and fill out our design inquiry form.

Lifestyle: How do you stay on top of emerging trends in home decor, and where do you find your inspiration?

Kelsey: I like to think our team is stacked with design enthusiasts—we live and breathe design! We are constantly seeking new inspiration via social media, YouTube channels, and training courses in addition to looking back at world history and architecture books. We attend the Las Vegas Design Market to stay on top of new items and products available, keep an eye out for emerging trends, and pay attention to the details that separate ordinary from extraordinary.

“Exeter is booming with so many young entrepreneurs, and we couldn’t feel more grateful to be a part of this beautiful transition.”

Lifestyle: How do you curate your collection of products?

Kelsey: I seek items that are unique yet versatile; I want customers and clients to find items they love and will cherish for years to come. Some of it is trial and error, but at the end of the day, if I don’t love something, I can’t expect someone else to. I love to mix vintage and new and find items that tell a story or are handmade by artisans. When possible, I try to use local vendors to help create our rotating seasonal collections. I never want customers to feel like the shop is the same as their last visit—it helps to stretch my creativity as well!

Lifestyle: What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own home interior shop, or just someone wanting to become an interior designer?

Kelsey: It’s hard work. You have to be okay with being uncomfortable and working constantly to be better than the day before. You will fail at something, and it’s a miserable feeling. Be okay with that feeling; lean into it and never make the same mistake twice. Learn how to communicate with your clients and contractors and how to navigate decisions on the fly. Interior design can be very emotional for the client, but guiding them to the final product is so rewarding when they see everything come together.

Lifestyle: Looking forward to the next decade, what are your goals for Sanctuaire?

Kelsey: Josh and I are perpetual dreamers. We love to dream big and then dream bigger! Some of our best conversations are about setting a goal together and figuring out how to navigate and lay down the stepping stones to reach that goal. We would love to share some of the things we have brewing, but you will just have to follow along to find out!

Interior Design Studio & Shoppe 139 N. E St. Exeter, CA Wed-Fri 10am-4pm | Sat 9am-2pm @shoppesanctuaire shoppesanctuaire.com