Principal Designer, Sara Cukerbaum, received her B.A. from New York University before returning to study interior design at the Harrington Institute of Design in Chicago. After graduating, Sara worked as a designer at firms in Chicago, New York, and Dallas, where she contributed to various published projects. In 2012, Sara launched SLIC Design.
Sara's design aesthetic is rooted in her genuine appreciation for how one's environment can shape their lifestyle. This perspective places the client at the center of their own design, with innovation, originality, and functionality serving as the driving forces behind SLIC Design.
SLIC Design has gained recognition through features in several notable publications, including Architectural Digest, Design Milk, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, My Domaine, Rue Magazine, Domino, Austin Home, and Tribeza. Sara is supported by a team of talented interior designers and project managers.
We had the pleasure of sitting down with Sara and discussing a few key details about the Monroe project that she and her team just completed.
Can you give us a quick overview of the project?
"This modern new build in Austin's Bouldin neighborhood was inspired by our client's upbringing in Japan & Argentina. The colors and textures that defined her life became the palette for this house. We honed in on a set of warm neutrals, grounded by a desert stained white oak and white macaubus quartzite. These neutrals were utilized in different ways to give dimension to the house."
1) Did you have a specific type of stone in mind when you began planning this project, and if so, did you ultimately select that particular stone or did your choice evolve during the design process? "We knew we wanted a natural stone and we were leaning towards quartzite. The client was a bit apprehensive to install marble in the kitchen, so we decided to stop by Encore stone studio and check out their selection of quartzites. Once we came across the stunning White macaubus we knew it was the perfect stone for the project" 2) How has the chosen stone positively impacted the overall design and functionality of the space? "The richness and variation of the quartzite added depth to our organic palette without compromising functionality." 3) Tell us about your experience collaborating with Encore Stone Studio. "After scheduling an appointment at Encore, we gave them our requirements for the stone, including slab size, budget, stone preference, colors, etc. They then led us to several slabs that were all great options. Ultimately, our client fell in love with the white macaubus but it was a hard decision, given the selection." 4) What emerging trends or developments in the stone industry have caught your attention and sparked your excitement? "I think there are a lot of great products in the market you can use to seal your natural stone, allowing us to utilize marble or travertine in spaces where we previously would not have felt comfortable with the application."