This Minneapolis-Based Designer is a Champion of Regional Design
"People don’t want to travel the world just to have it look the same," Victoria Sass says. "I want to see regional conversations deepened and vernacular styles reimagined for the benefit of the local community." That philosophy is embodied in the name of her Minneapolis-based firm, Prospect Refuge Studio, which she launched in 2015. It reflects an eye toward the outside world (prospect) and the safety of home (refuge).
As a designer known for creating layered interiors rich with storytelling, Sass finds inspiration in travel. She once hitchhiked across the Western half of the United States, and makes an annual pilgrimage to Copenhagen. But she believes insight can be found at home too: "I want clients to feel they could walk into the same room every day for the rest of their lives and discover a little something new about themselves." @prospectrefuge
House Beautiful: What's your favorite kitchen countertop material?
Victoria Sass: Probably laminate, because it feels 'naughty.' But also I have a very visceral emotional response to running my hand over old laminate—the kind in diners or grandmother's kitchens that have been wiped down so many times the finish has been worked into a sort of polished gossamer.
HB: What's your go-to design trick that delivers big impact on a budget—or even for free?
VS: Move all your art around. Every stick. Take it all down and put it all back up in different places—even different walls in the same room will breathe new life into your environment. Art thrives when looked at in a new light.
HB: What current design trend are you ready to stop seeing?
VS: All-white everything. And then, when everyone else is done with that trend, I'll pick it up and love it again.
HB: What emerging trend are you excited about?
VS: There's a retaliation brewing against homogeneous and algorithmic design trends that have come about as a byproduct of global influencers and mega social media voices. I see people craving a return to and exploration of regional design styles that speak to the geographic location in which they actually live.
HB: What’s your favorite … (and why)?
HB: Item to collect?
VS: First Edition Library facsimile books
HB: Design era/style?
VS: Bloomsbury Art Movement
HB: Artist or piece of art?
VS: Lately I've been crushing on a Minnesota artist, Marcus Rothering, who creates fantastic narrative rug art as well as textural ceramics.
HB: Local shopping destination?
VS: Clothing: Hazel and Rose, Idun, Grethen House, Parc Boutique. Home goods: J Atelier, The Foundry, H&B Gallery.
HB: Online store?
VS: Apres Ski, Dora Daar, Kneeland Co.
HB: Travel destination?
VS: Grand Marais, Minnesota. It's a gem on the shores of Lake Superior, there's a folk craft school and a beautiful harbor that is magical in every season.
HB: Decor item you buy from Amazon or Etsy?
VS: Linen cocktail napkins by the dozens—I hate using paper if I can avoid it. Or niche and retro hardware that gets overlooked by the masses.
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