CASEY SANFORD INTERIOR DESIGN: CRAFTING SPACES WITH ELEGANCE, FUNCTIONALITY, AND HEART

By: Connor Duszynski

Casey Sanford Interior Design is a renowned interior design firm based in Warrenton, Virginia, specializing in high-end residential projects along the East Coast. Owner and Lead Designer Casey Sanford currently lives just a few miles from her studio with her husband, young son Emery, and their red fox Labrador, Odell. A seasoned interior designer with a passion for transforming spaces into functional and visually appealing environments, Casey’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that a well-designed space can significantly enhance the quality of life for its inhabitants. Her design style encapsulates a casual, yet refined aesthetic with projects ranging from coastal estates along the Florida beaches to historic manors in Virginia’s Horse & Hunt Country. Both Casey and her husband Houston grew up in Mississippi where most of their families reside. Their first date was a Labor Day dove hunt in the Mississippi Delta, held annually by Houston’s family – notoriously coined by many as something you would find in Garden & Gun (in fact, the hunt was recently featured in the magazine and in numerous other publications throughout its fifty years).

Casey’s childhood fostered her early interest in building and design. Her father owned a commercial construction company for over thirty years, with family weekends spent at their hundred acre farm in the country. Casey and her sister grew up watching their father cut down trees and mill the lumber to build their family’s log cabin in the mid 90s. In 2006, Casey began college at Mississippi State University, where she applied a year later for the Interior Design program. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in 2010. “My passion was always centered around one day owning my own company. I was fortunate to have been introduced to interior design by a childhood friend. I knew instantly what I was meant to do,” she says.

Reminiscing on her career and journey through the world of design, Casey explains that experience is key. Upon graduating, Casey accepted an unpaid internship in Knoxville, Tennessee. “I had no real-world experience in interior design at that point, but I learned so much by organizing fabrics, overseeing client presentations, and making myself available to do anything the owner needed me to do. After the first month of my three-month-long internship, Paul put me on payroll and hired me on full-time as a design assistant. Each job after that, I took the opportunity to learn what that role entailed. You can learn so much and create value for yourself by being an able and willing body – never discounting how seemingly ‘small’ a task may be. Continuing education in the field you are working in, and finding one or two mentors to look up to as you grow and expand is so important.” It is this unwavering dedication to her craft and honing of her skills that led Casey to establish her own firm in 2014, just a few short years after graduating from Mississippi State.

Casey Sanford Interior Design offers a comprehensive range of services, catering to a diverse clientele with varying design needs. Whether it's a residential project or a commercial space, the firm is equipped to handle projects of any scale and complexity. When asked about her client onboarding process, Casey shares that complete transparency and understanding are paramount during the initial talks. “We treat the initial conversation between a potential client as an open interview for both parties. We want to ensure they are a great fit with our firm, as much as we want to ensure that we are a great fit for them. The most fulfilling of projects have risen from the more trusting clients, and clients that have designed more than one home with us. We love to work on full room, full home design – with the opportunity to begin working with the team at the beginning when it involves new construction or a renovation. Of course, a healthy budget, the client’s aesthetic, and a project timeline are at the center when setting expectations and ensuring they are not only met but exceeded for our clients,” she explains.

One of the hallmarks of the firm is its personalized approach to design. Casey works closely with clients to understand their unique needs and preferences. This client-centric approach to the creative process has enabled the firm to take on projects throughout the continental United States. Once Casey has the opportunity to meet with the client and understand their vision for the project, she begins immediately on gathering imagery, fabrics, sketches and any other specifics the client wishes to share to begin the planning of their initial visions for the home. “We develop at least one concept board for each space that narrows down the main furniture, lighting, rug, and artwork elements as an overview. To support the concept board, we provide detailed floor plans, elevations, paint, and selections schedules. With clients available to come to our studio, we present the plans with the selections, tangible samples of all the fabrics, woods, metal, and other materials for them to see; this helps them to envision what their home or space will look like. After the presentation, we provide a detailed proposal for their approval. We look to procure and oversee the installation of every element, working alongside our design and install teams. Our goal is to fluff the last pillow, light the candles, and celebrate the arrival of the new home or space with our clients over a glass of champagne.”

The firm's portfolio showcases a wide range of design styles, reflecting Casey’s versatility and adaptability. From modern and minimalist designs to more traditional and classic styles, Casey Sanford Interior Design demonstrates a remarkable ability to work with different aesthetics while maintaining a high standard of design. In addition to pulling inspiration directly from her clients, Casey is greatly influenced by her travels and other designers she’s come to know, both locally and some as far as Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Houston, Texas.

WE LOOK TO PROCURE AND OVERSEE THE INSTALLATION OF EVERY ELEMENT, WORKING ALONGSIDE OUR DESIGN AND INSTALL TEAMS. OUR GOAL IS TO FLUFF THE LAST PILLOW, LIGHT THE CANDLES, AND CELEBRATE THE ARRIVAL OF THE NEW HOME OR SPACE WITH OUR CLIENTS OVER A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE.”

Casey Sanford Interior Design's work is characterized by a careful balance of form and function. The firm's designs are not only visually stunning but also practical, livable, and comfortable. Attention to detail, a keen eye for aesthetics, and a deep understanding of space utilization are evident in every project the firm undertakes. “I will never forget designing a 15,000 square foot home for an Ambassador in McLean in three month’s time. It was the hardest, most rewarding job we have had to date – but the experience, relationships, and the opportunity itself brought us dear friendships and lasting memories,” she reflects. Among the many projects Casey is eager to start on, the renovation and redesign of a large private residence in Lexington, Kentucky for her family friends is at the top of her list. “The project has so much potential, and the idea of being involved with the interior plans, selections, and furnishings is a designer’s dream – especially when it entails working with wonderful people.”

Casey extensive portfolio is a testament to the transformative power of well-thought-out and executed design. The firm, under the leadership of Casey, has carved a niche for itself in the realm of interior design, showcasing a remarkable ability to create spaces that are not only beautiful and timeless, but that allow clients to feel at home and at ease. With a commitment to excellence in design and customer service, Casey Sanford Interior Design continues to shape and enhance the way people experience their living and working environments, one space at a time.

JUMPSUIT: Ella Zahlan

Ring: Federica Rossi

EARRINGS: VERONICA THARMALINGAM

Styled by: Aisaju

Make up and Hair: Daria Matiunina