There’s No Place Like Home

Treasures Interior Design’s Valerie Sartini talks Kate Hudson, dicey PTA meetings and relaxing with intention.

Valerie Sartini of Treasures Interior Design is a picture of grace and sunshine as she puts the kettle on. She’s preparing afternoon tea and sitting down to chat about what she thinks is important now when designing homes for real, everyday families here in the South Bay.

As she places her steaming tea on a hand-painted ceramic coaster and sinks into a favorite armchair in her living room, Valerie smiles warmly. As if on cue, she says, “One of the things I’m focused on now for my clients is creating tranquil spaces in their homes. When I start designing a space, I look for carve-outs for each member of the family where they can retreat and reset.”

Valerie talks about why this is necessary, especially now. “We live in a fast-paced, high-tech, tricky world. A home should be a refuge from it all—work, school, the 405. Heck, even the occasional PTA meeting gets dicey from time to time!” she says with a wink.

“I love outdoor spaces that blend nature and natural materials.”

So what kinds of spaces is she designing now to meet those needs? What might that look like in today’s home?

Valerie lights up with a so-glad-you-asked look. “In our community, we can be outside a good part of the year, so I love outdoor spaces that blend nature and natural materials. Setting up a comfy seating area with throws near a fire feature where we can relax, visit with each other, or simply check out and read for a bit restores us.”

She knows that a nook with a favorite chair, a window seat, a hangout corner of a bedroom with pillows or poufs, or even a familiar stool at the kitchen counter can serve to center us.

“There is a cute new show I’ve been watching on Netflix with Kate Hudson that, through exterior shots, indicates that the main character lives in Manhattan Beach,” Valerie says. “Her character has a high-stress job as the owner of a professional Los Angeles basketball franchise. Her home is her refuge. She takes time in spaces where she can motivate herself, creatively problem-solve and blow off steam. Her home is another character in the show, and it’s fun to watch.”

Such breaks are necessary for all of us, Valerie believes. From a woman with so much energy and enthusiasm for what she does, it’s hard to believe she slows down. “Oh yes, I make it a point,” she says. “It’s necessary for me to stop and clear my head. It’s an essential part of my creative process.”

She leans back on the chair’s cushions and sips her Earl Grey. “I think that’s true of most people. We need the headspace to come up with new ideas, for our minds to wander a little. My goal with my clients is to create the physical spaces for all of that to happen.”

Valerie places her tea down, relaxes, takes a deep breath and smiles.