About

Sarah is a genuinely new voice in the international interiors field.

Starting professional life as a scientist, and with further academic studies in design, her unusual background gives her a unique approach to the subject. She turns her curious and analytical eye to interiors, dissecting them to discover what does – and doesn’t – work, and has the ability and experience to transform them.

She first came to international attention with Captains Rest, her shack on the west coast of Tasmania. As well as becoming one of the most successful Airbnbs in the world, and widely published, it also helped launch her teaching career. After many requests from people for help with their projects, she started consulting, but soon realised she was essentially taking each one through the process she had developed for her own use. She needed to create a system, blending her scientific and design knowledge as well as her experience of hosting an Airbnb, that could be modified and adapted for anyone. Her approach works for all budgets, and is not interested in trends; it creates unique results rather than imitations.

From her system, she has developed a series of highly successful in-person and online masterclasses and workshops. They have been attended by thousands of students, who have been encouraged by her emphasis on individuality and diverse beauty, as well as her nurturing manner and ongoing interest in their work. In turn, these students have gone on to dominate the covers and pages of Australian design magazines. In a recent ‘Dream Stays’ edition of Country Style, for instance, ten of 15 houses featured belonged to Sarah’s students, as well as listing her and her school as the expert in the field.

Her first book, Principles of Style (2021), which highlights elements of her design system, was an international success. She is currently working on her new show based around renovating one of her properties per season – a farm, a church and a hunting lodge. She is also about to launch her own podcast and is working on a number of book and interior projects.

Her properties, her schools, her book and her work has quickly gained cult status and worldwide recognition. She lives in a remote part of Tasmania on the sea, but travels globally almost constantly. She can be found online at @thehostingmasterclass, @sarahandrews.co and @captainsrest.