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hi there!

I'M SARAH

I am a decorator, designer, and stylist based in San Diego. I can help you define your style, and then upgrade your space by choosing furniture, art, accessories, picking out paint colors, wallpaper, or choosing finishes like flooring or tile.

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I’m gonna hold your hand as I say this, your house doesn’t feel the way you want it to because of indecision! You need a style consultant or designer to help you make the right choices. I’ve been slowly curating Rosanna’s home with her for over 5 years! This was a slow process but the result is something unique and special and also a reflection of her.

Comment DESIGN below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5W4gI #ltkover40 #ltkhome

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5VBk5 #ltkhome
These @westelm chairs elevated an awkward pass through hallway at Rosanna’s house. Love the pairing with the @cb2 rug! Want to makeover an area of your home? Send me a dm and let’s get started.

Winter weekend in Nashville! I packed this fabulous coat that I got for Christmas and mostly wore my @adidas sneakers, although I brought my favorite western boots too.

We spent 3 nights at the @gaylordoprylandresort - it’s in an atrium with beautiful gardens and waterfalls. It’s got its own climate there so we actually didn’t need warm clothes inside the hotel.

We walked Broadway where we went into different restaurants and bars (kids can get in until 8pm) and heard lots of incredible live music. It’s free! (Of course the establishments hope you stay and order drinks and food).

We had dinner at @listeningroomcafe where it was a songwriter show - very intimate and fun. The food was quite good too.

Then we headed out to historic Franklin for a couple days. We ate at the @thefactoryatfranklin multiple times- tacos, coffee, etc. Go to my link in bio to shop what I packed for 4 days in a carry on. 👆

Follow my LTK @Sarah_Suhonen on the @shop.LTK app to view this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKTravel #LTKOver40 #LTKKids
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/5SKHF

We put our latest property on Airbnb! When I saw this adorable vintage cabin on 5 acres with gorgeous surrounding views to the mountains, an outdoor dining area with twinkle lights, and all the vintage furniture included, I said -this is it! Go follow 👉 @starstruck_29 for last minute discounts and cancellations, and local events and itineraries for traveling to Joshua Tree National Park. We are almost fully booked for February and March (already!) but next week is available! If you go to @starstruck_29 then the link is in the bio to book. I’ll put a link in my stories too. The first time we were there we saw the Milky Way and a shooting star from the hot tub. We were totally star struck! ✨

#joshuatreeairbnb #realestateinvestor #twentyninepalms #joshuatreenationalpark

Confession time- I’m a 45 year old mom living the suburban grind 😬😆 this means I’m living my dream life yet the reality of my every day is that I spend a lot of my actual day meal prepping, answering questions like What is for dinner? When are we eating?? And wondering if we should eat at 4, or 9pm around sports practices. My solutions for romanizing my every day life are to invest in little kitchen upgrades that make this grind more elevated. I start my day in my coffee bar area every day making a sugar free latte with foam and it’s a simple luxury that gets my day started the right way. All these products are tagged in my LTK shop at the link on my bio. 👆

Do you need a whole house of new furniture? Probably not. You could add a few key pieces, de-clutter, re-arrange and give yourself the gift of a whole new space. I do in-home consultations in San Diego where I’ll recommend what you keep, purchase and clear out. Surrounding yourself with an environment that inspires you is the first step living your best life. ✨

A little tour of my home for the holidays 🎄

Tree is up!

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to my favorite ornaments on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5BGmg #ltkholiday #ltkcyberweek #ltkhome

Comment SHOP to see some outfit picks that channel my inner Beth Dutton. 🧲I might wear this to Thanksgiving because it fits my vibe at the moment and I like to be cozy in a maximalist sort of way ✌️

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5zvC2

My gift guides are live! Comment SHOP to receive a dm where you can find them on my LTK. Check under my products tab on the LTK app for unique, inspired gifts at multiple price points. I have lists for her, for him, for the coffee lover, the entertainer and kids!
If you are shopping for something in particular lmk. I’m happy to help 🎅🏼
⬇ https://liketk.it/5ykli #ltkholiday #ltkgiftguide #ltkcyberweek

My honest take on the design - take a first look with me at the investment property we just bought. What I’m keeping (for now) and what I’m upgrading. We bought this place furnished (with all the contents of the home, actually) and I really loved the vintage furniture but it still needs some upgrades!

#designer #realestateinvestor #shorttermrentaldesign #joshuatree

Here we gooooo! We closed on another investment property near Joshua Tree at the end of last month. We bought this adorable studio cabin on 5 acres. It was already an Airbnb and so we purchased it with all the contents inside. This helped with upfront costs. I’m adding a few touches and we need to get wifi up and running and then it’s going to be ready to rent!

#realestateinvesting #shorttermrentals #womeninvestors #joshuatree #wondervalleycalifornia

Hot debate- do you do a real tree or a faux tree? I did a real tree for YEARS but the past 5 years I’m 100% team faux and I’ll tell you why -
🌲 I live in SoCal so our real trees turn into firewood three days after they go up and I’m done worrying about this.
🌲 When you do a faux tree you can put it up and take it down whenever! No short window of when this tree has to come down or go up. More flexibility. One less marital fight as we attempt to tie the tree to the car and get it in the house and in the stand.
🌲Although I have a lot of faux greenery in my house, I usually buy something real too for the smell but it’s usually something smaller, cheaper and easier to transport- like a garland, a wreath, and or a smaller real tree.

Comment TREE below to receive a DM with the link to my favorite faux trees, and other Scandinavian rustic neutral holiday decor LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5vtds #ltkseasonal #ltkhome #ltkholiday #christmasdecor #fauxchristmastree #holidayhomedecor

Comment LINKS to receive a dm with the links to my fall uniform with my go to jeans from @kutfromthekloth Add leopard birks for a little fun and a slouchy sweater when you can’t tell if it’s hot or cold. ✌️ You have to be following me to get the message. 🖤

⬇ https://liketk.it/5qnb1 #ltkshoecrush #ltkfindsunder50 #ltkover40

How do you describe your style? It’s the first question I usually ask clients. Having descriptive words that define the feeling you want when you walk into a space is so important- especially before you start making purchases. Let’s define your style!

Time to make it spooky 👀 tagged my simple Halloween decor that adds a little fun for the kids but fits in ONE BOX in the garage.

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5poIV #ltkfindsunder50 #ltkhalloween #ltkseasonal

Comment LINKS to get a dm of my favorite buys from the past year as a 45 year old mom of 2. You have to be following me to receive it.
💕the dress with a versatile enough floral to wear in the fall and the spring (linked my most worn boots too)
💕 My favorite @able bag that I use when I have to take my laptop to meetings
💕the waterproof birks I have taken on every single trip for two years
💕the skincare that I swear by that is anti-aging but also natural and won’t cause breakouts @clearstemskincare
💕the cute Bluetooth speaker that we keep in our kitchen that my husband even likes (and he’s a music producer) @marshall

⬇ https://liketk.it/5peCf #ltkover40 #ltkfallsale #ltkfindsunder50

Bathroom glow up for a client with new marble tile, statement shower tile, and vanity and mirror. This was a cosmetic makeover without opening up the walls. Love the modern traditional vibe. 👌 Link in bio to shop my sources for this makeover.

#bathroomdesign #bathroominspo #moderntraditionalhome

https://liketk.it/5p6c3

This is my Day of the Dead inspired mantle. 💀 My top tip for holiday decor is this- don’t let it look like a Spirit Halloween set up shop in your house.
💀Use natural elements and decor you already have to add seasonal touches.
💀Work within your existing style and color palette.
💀Have fun with it but don’t fill your entire garage with holiday decorations or spend too much!

Swipe through to see the before 👉
We turned an unused side yard into the indoor/outdoor shower of our dreams. It really opened up the space and added tons of natural light.

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5owPk #ltkhome #ltkfindsunder50 #bathroomdesign #bathroominspo #bathroomreno #bathroomgoals

Comment LINKS to receive a dm with the links to everything I’m wearing. You have to be following me to receive it. I had broken up with jeans the past couple of years. I’m 45 years old and I do have a mom pooch some days and I struggled to find denim that I felt was flattering and comfortable for me with the current trends. I bought these boot cut jeans at Nordstrom Rack recently and they have the perfect stretch 👌 I paired it with adidas sneakers and my favorite Quince crossbody ✌️

https://liketk.it/5owzf #ltkover40 #ltkstyletip #ltkfallsale

Julie wanted a gallery wall. Gallery walls are not always the easiest things to pull off but we ordered these prints on Etsy and they make a statement over her green velvet couch. We made this work by doing all gold frames and by repeating a common color palette throughout the prints. Some prints have more negative space and that helps a gallery wall not be too overwhelming. No more boring seating area.

Comment LINKS below to receive a DM with the links to these exact prints and furniture. https://liketk.it/5o79I #ltkhome #ltkfindsunder50 #gallerywall #etsyfind

Today’s mom outfit with my new favorite sneakers from @adidas and my @onequince leather crossbody.

Comment LINKS below to receive a DM from me with the links to these exact products. You have to be following me to receive it. ⬇ https://liketk.it/5nTyO #ltkover40 #ltkfallsale #ltkitbag

Swipe through to the end see the before 👉
You get an idea of what I kept and what I added in our investment property in Joshua Tree.
🌵 I changed the aspect of the dining table and upgraded to a much bigger one to fill the space but I kept the leather strap chairs
🌵 I added a larger sectional in a modern shape with a statement color but I kept the bookshelves.
🌵I wanted to keep the vintage dining console but the seller accidentally sold it 😕 so I got a new one on Amazon and added a fun art print 🤠
Let me help you upgrade your space. We can decide what to keep while finding some statement pieces to mix in.

Comment DESIGN below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5nOGK #ltkhome #ltktravel

Kid design! Kids want fun, playful well-designed spaces too. There are a lot of options out there now for stylish, kid sized furniture.
1. Our Aframe playhouse in our backyard.
2. My daughters’ room that has grown with them as they have become tweens
3. My daughters’ beachy bathroom

Comment LINKS below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5nK2Z #ltkhome

Transition to fall with these two outfit ideas-
1. a soft chambray shirt (I have it in two colors) I like to do two tones of denim if I’m wearing it with jeans -one gray/ one blue etc
2. Throw a plaid blazer over a summer dress and pair with my most worn western style boot. Comment LINKS below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ You have to be following me to receive the link ✌️

https://liketk.it/5nD4S #ltkfindsunder50 #ltkover40 #ltkstyletip

The devil is in the details! If your short term rental isn’t fully booked-time to add some special touches. Art from Etsy, a vinyl collection, some plants, and a statement dining table all help our Airbnb listing stand out in a saturated market. Thinking these things “don’t matter” is the pitfall. You don’t have to break the bank and you will get a return on this investment with higher nightly prices and occupancy. The most important furniture items to invest in are your dining room table and chairs and the main sofa, rug, and coffee table. Need a consultation? Let me help you up your game on your rental.
Another stream of income? Sell your products in your Airbnb to your guests online and make a commission. A lot of our guests ask about our towels, and we have a link we send and then we make a commission on the sale.
Comment DESIGN below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5n55v #ltkover40 #ltkhome #ltktravel #realestateinvesting #shorttermrental #shorttermrentaldesigner

What is LTK? It is a company that has created an app interface in between brands and influencers. Once you apply and become a creator, you can tag products from most major retailers and make a commission from the links you post. This cuts down on influencers or creators having to reach out to brands or companies individually for partnerships. What this means for you- if you want me to shop for you and help you design a space I can offer a discount (or even waive) design fees if you are willing to purchase through my links - at no extra cost to you. Win/win. Take a look at some of the spaces I’ve designed 👆 If you are looking to purchase a larger furniture item I can send you some suggestions without doing a full design. If you decide to purchase, I’ll make a commission. Let me shop for you! ✌️ If you want to shop my designs or posts, go to the link in my bio and it will take you to the LTK app where all my posts have the products tagged. It’s the simple answer to the question- where did you get that? I’d Like to Know (LTK) get it? 😉I’m here to help! Let me know what you are shopping for. 💗 I’m also happy to answer any questions you have about the app or being an influencer or creator.

liketkit #ltkhome #ltkover40 #personalshopper #stylist #designer

Who is ready for a long holiday weekend? 🙋‍♀️ We love the rustic dining room at our Oregon cabin with this long table that seats the whole tribe. Labor Day weekend is a great weekend to purchase that larger furniture item you’ve been eyeing. Let me help you make a decision. Send me a dm with what you are shopping for ✌️I’ve got this dining table and some other statement dining tables tagged on my LTK post.

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5mn3O #ltktravel #ltkhome #ltkseasonal

Three flexible seating options that I have in my Airbnb.
1. A leather “folding chair” that adds an extra seat that is moveable
2. An outdoor bean-bag style chair that won’t blow away (important feature for outdoor furniture in the high desert) and doubles as a place to stargaze at night
3. Another comfortable yet stylish chair to sit fireside and it comes in multiple colors!

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ You have to be following my account to receive the message 💌

https://liketk.it/5lmnv #ltktravel #ltkhome

How I run an Airbnb in my spare time-
Last year I was really worried about this taking over my life and being a total pain in the ass. But running an Airbnb remotely has been quite easy actually. Let me share some things I’ve done to make this streamlined and painless.
1. I have a local couple I work with that do repairs, cleaning and “caretaking”. These are my boots on the ground people and it would be impossible to run this without them. I pay a bit more to have someone clean and take care of the property but I feel it is worth every penny since I live 3 hours away. I am managing the listing, but if I need someone to show up at the property I pay them.
2. Airbnb has automated a lot of the communication and check in and checkout info. You enter in the information and they message your guest a unique door code, directions, a house manual etc. No need to send repeat messages to guests all the time. I even have an online guidebook so when people ask for local recommendations I can link that easily.
3. I have a binder with all this information at the house. I know a lot of hosts only have online info but I like low tech options too. Anyone at the house can look at the binder that has instructions for the hot tub, A/C and heating instructions and local restaurant info. This way a teenager who is not on Airbnb can see info too. I have the most important info on a one sheet on the refrigerator with emergency contacts, wifi, etc. I feel this cuts down on repeat questions. I have left manuals in the binder (for the record player, electric stove, coffeemaker) so I can refer guests to the binder instead of trying to troubleshoot over text on the app.
4. In a pinch, I instacart something to the house. I try not to do this all the time, but in case something happens, and I need to send a delivery, it’s better than a bad review.

All of this means that I usually spend on average 15 minutes a day managing my Airbnb. If you have questions, I’d be happy to answer! I didn’t know all this before becoming a host and I thought I was going to spend a lot of time messaging the same info to every guest.

Why a side hustle you may ask? (Continuing the conversation from my last post). Well, two years ago my daughter joined a junior Olympics gymnastics team and she has been rising the ranks quite quickly, meanwhile my other daughter was like, “that looks fun I want to join a competitive team too” and so she started doing competitive dance. So if you have kids who do travel teams or sports at this level - iykyk. It starts to take over your life and it’s not inexpensive to say the least. The moms that I think do best in this phase can open their phone or laptop anywhere and start working but I don’t have a regular job like that. So I started looking for options where I could work flexibly from anywhere and make some extra cash to pay for the competitions and travel costs while traveling at competitions. Now I realize not everyone can pivot their life and do something like this and I have lots of complicated feelings about what youth sports and activities in general are requiring of families but that’s a whole other topic. I’m not going to change USA gymnastics or dance culture (even though I continue to speak up as much as I can). For me, it was easier to shift what I was doing a bit to accommodate the season my kids are currently in so I could be there to support them. This won’t last forever. So for me, the side hustle is about what can I do easily, flexibly, and enjoyably that is the most bang for the buck. What most resembles passive income or something I can manage from the sidelines of a gymnastics practice? A lot is being put out there online about affiliate marketing right now and I did a bit of a deep dive on that a year or so ago and in the spirit of no gate keeping I want to share what I found.
Affiliate marketing is basically making commissions on products or courses that are sold online. There are three main ways people make money through affiliate links- a blog or website, through emails, and also through posting on social media that directs you to affiliate links. It’s usually recommended to have a niche and share products within your area of expertise. The thing is, this isn’t as easy as it sounds. You have (cont in the next post)

SIDE HUSTLES- let’s talk about them for a moment, shall we? I have tried lots of side hustles over the past two years and I want to share with you what has worked and what hasn’t been as successful.
1. Influencing- I’m still doing this a little bit but as algorithms and platforms seem to change constantly and I’m an old dog (I’m 44) I’ve found this isn’t for me as a main thing. I have also found that commissions are quite low and you have to sell A LOT of products to make any money that would resemble a salary. I figure I would have to sell 100k a month of products to make 5-10k in commissions so for me, that’s not really viable. I still will post and share a bit but I’m not expecting this to pay the bills anytime soon. It’s pretty easy to make a couple hundred bucks a month so I keep my expectations in that zone.
2. Home Studio Rental - this one has been a surprising money maker. I rent my home on @peerspace and make about $500 a month. Because I only rent out usually on weekdays while my kids are at school this has been pretty easy. The usual booking is someone coming to my house like 10-1pm on a week day for a product photo shoot. This is not a time anyone is usually at home anyway and I work in my studio on the property. It’s an easy $100 an hour.
3. Short term rentals (airbnbs). This is by far the best thing I’ve tried this past year and comes the closest to passive income that I’ve had but it takes more money and time upfront. Obviously not everyone can purchase an extra property or house, but if you can take money out of retirement or whatever, it’s a higher return than most. Our Airbnb is profiting 1-2k a month and on average I spend maybe 15 minutes managing it - some days less. Downside is that you aren’t really free from your phone (but who is?) because you need to be available if a guest messages you or has a problem, but for the most part, if you’re running it well you are not texting with guests all the time or everyday.
Any questions about any of these? I’d love to know in the comments, or know what you’ve tried. I’m now making an extra 2-3k a month working these little jobs and that has gone a long way for us.

A mini vineyard on the ocean with a cute airstream selling cocktails?? 🥂They also serve the most amazing avocado toast. If this isn’t classic San Diego I don’t know what is.

It has been one year since we closed on our home in Joshua Tree! This is now an income producing Airbnb and we are shopping for our next property. The learning curve has been steep this past year and a half and so I’m going to share what I’ve learned and how I’m strategizing my next investment property.
You make money on the buy. Monthly costs add up faster than you think and so you don’t want to pay top dollar. Get a property that has good bones that you can shine up a bit. See potential when others see clutter. We didn’t want a full renovation, but we did have to take some dump runs and do a lot of deep cleaning.
Don’t underestimate the design. Go with something that stands out. This isn’t your primary residence so take some design risks. The most important pieces are going to be your dining room table and chairs and your sofa/rug. Splurge a little there so you can get an eye popping photo and go with budget or vintage finds for art and bedroom furniture.
Find a local cleaner or caretaker that you trust and do not do the work yourself. It’s worth it to pay someone well to do this job so that this income is truly passive and so that you can run this business from anywhere.
Any other questions? Send me a dm!

Follow my shop @Sarah_Suhonen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKHome #LTKStyleTip #LTKTravel
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/5cC8N

Leesa needed a solution to hide her office at the end of her living room. We talked through multiple options- maybe add a wall, or move the office into the guest bedroom instead? In the end she decided a screen was a simple, low cost solution to not have to look at it and not embark on a big project. This screen looks great and isn’t too expensive. A lot of people have asked me how to hide a home office and I think this is an easy option. I have linked this screen on my LTK shop and I’ll link it in stories. As always, I’m happy to send you a dm with a link to anything you are looking for, just let me know. ✌️

Follow my shop @Sarah_Suhonen on the @shop.LTK app to shop this post and get my exclusive app-only content!

#liketkit #LTKHome
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/5atSe

Rug roundup! Actual rugs I’ve recommended for clients lately and bought myself. I tend to like geometric rugs and I also like rugs that are 100% wool or washable BUT designs on rugs are like art on your walls. They are a matter of personal taste! Let’s find you a rug that fits your life and style. Go to my link in bio to shop my favorites or send me a dm and I’ll help you find what you are looking for. I’ve got something for everyone linked on my LTK.

#liketkit #LTKHome #ruglove #rugdesign
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/59lVe

How I took my Airbnb from meh to superhost status. Swipe for the before photos 👉The backstory- I bought this home furnished because I liked some of the items from before and I didn’t want to spend the money to furnish an entire house. The seller forgot and sold off or took most of the furniture so I had to purchase more than I was planning to buy upfront. I did get a last minute credit for this in escrow so it worked out. The main items I suggest you invest in for a vacation rental are the dining room table and the main sofa or sectional. You can see here that I added a much larger statement table and a sectional that allows for more seating. The quirky art and decor are mostly budget finds. I’ve since added some vintage chairs and a lot of used books as I’ve had more time to thrift this past year. Let me help you scale up your vacation property! If you don’t think these details matter, you are leaving money on the table. We are booked almost 100% of the time! You can shop the list of everything I bought for my Airbnb in my LTK shop. Go to the link in bio 👆Or send me a dm and I’m happy to help you find any items you are looking for.

#airbnbhost #superhost #joshuatreeairbnb #joshuatreerealestate
#liketkit #LTKHome #LTKTravel
@shop.ltk
https://liketk.it/57p5V

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@sarah_suhonen

I'M A BLOGGER & INFLUENCER
FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

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I do home styling consultations, online design, full interior styling, and re-style makeovers. I can help you choose finishes for your renovation like tile, cabinets, vanities, and paint colors.

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