D.Rae Studio

There are a lot of ways people measure success in this industry—beautiful portfolio photos, awards, recognition, or financial milestones. And while those things certainly have their place, the truth is there’s no better measure of success than a happy client. Messages like this mean more to me than any of that. 🖤

Most designers won’t admit this out loud, but I’ll level with you—building a home can feel like absolute chaos at times. There’s excitement and anticipation, but also stress, big decisions (so.many.of.them), unexpected challenges, and a lot of trust placed in the people helping guide the process. The reality is, being a good designer is only part of the job. Understanding the build process, knowing how to support both builder and client, and helping navigate the steps along the way is what makes the experience work.

Do I want you to end up with the home of your dreams—everything you hoped it could be? HECK YES!! 🙌 And we’ll absolutely do that. But it’s just as important to me that the path getting there feels clear, supported, and maybe even …enjoyable 😜

If you’re starting a project and want someone in your corner who values a thoughtful process just as much as a beautiful result, I’m Sarah—and I’d love to help!

Dark doesn’t have to mean heavy when you layer tone, texture and contrast correctly. Swipe through for the full breakdown behind this moody wine room. 🍷

With over 1,000 square feet of covered outdoor space, nearly four private acres, and breathtaking views of Mt. Hood, this home was built for year-round entertaining.

One of my favorite products we incorporated into this outdoor project is the vertical cladding by Sylvanix. I’ve finished countless outdoor bars in cultured stone — the more predictable choice — but we intentionally selected this modern siding material to tie back to the black reeded accents used inside the home.

Now... ready for SPRING!

My clients had two functional goals for their fireplace cabinets: closed storage and a place to house their sound components — which meant glass doors were out.

Enter this metal cabinet mesh from TWP Inc. It checked every box while adding a cool industrial edge.

There are dozens of pattern and finish options, and can be ordered in standard sheet sizes or custom fabricated to fit your cabinet openings.

If you’re designing built-ins, this is definitely a product worth considering.

Just when I think I’m over marble-look bathrooms, MSI Surfaces comes along and changes my mind. In this project we used the Calacatta Marbella collection in a 12" x 24" large format with a matte finish — its warm white body with silver and copper veining makes the perfect statement in this earthy primary bath.

I’ve spent the past 14 years working inside new construction, where I learned early on that great homes don’t happen by accident — they happen when thoughtful design and clear building processes work together.

From product-driven speculative builds to deeply personal custom homes, I’ve helped shape hundreds of projects — guiding each through the layered decisions that turn vision into built reality.

At heart, I’m a hands-on creative who can't resist a project. While much of my professional life has been spent in new construction, I’ve always found a different kind of satisfaction in bringing an old home back to life. That instinct to look beyond what’s there and imagine what’s possible is a big part of how I approach design.

Over time, I’ve realized that character doesn’t always have to be found — it can be built.

Whether brand new or thoughtfully restored, modern or traditional, minimal or richly layered — every home can tell a story. I bring creative vision together with the structure of the building process to help that story take shape.

Today, I partner with builders who want dedicated design leadership without building an in-house department, and with homeowners who want distinctive, intentional design backed by real building experience.

If you're building, remodeling, or working in the industry — let's connect!

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D.Rae Studio
West Linn, OR
www.d-rae.studio