Sara Miller On Creating The Ultimate (Family-Proof) Hosting Space

In our Staying In With column, we ask the experts of interior design to tell us about their ultimate night in. Here, we speak to Sara Miller, designer, founder of Sara Miller London and the woman behind some of Britain’s most beloved tableware collections, about the open-plan kitchen/dining room at the heart of her family home and why entertaining at home will always beat a night out.

Staying In With Sara Miller

What’s your favourite place to stay in, and why?

It’s definitely our open-plan kitchen and dining space. It’s the heart of the house and where the rhythm of family life naturally unfolds from a rushed breakfast before the school run and homework after school to slow weekend lunches and lively dinners sipping cocktails with friends.

Even though the room is open and airy, it still feels warm and inviting. Deep, moody tones, layered textures and soft lighting give it a warmth that makes it welcoming at any time of day. I love the contrast between the dark cabinetry and the natural materials, which gives the space a timeless, lived-in character rather than feeling too polished or formal.

The room works beautifully throughout the seasons too. Large sliding Crittall doors open straight onto the garden, so in summer the whole space feels connected to the outdoors, while in winter it becomes cosy and atmospheric. There’s a real richness of texture throughout from the exposed brick wall at one end to the dark paint colours that allow all of our colourful accessories and artwork to really stand out.

Is this a space you like to host guests in, or wind down in?

It’s genuinely both. I absolutely love having friends and family over and entertaining, so the space was designed to feel sociable and welcoming, but it’s equally somewhere we retreat to at the end of the day. Some evenings it’s full of conversation and music with friends and family gathered around the table, and other nights it’s just my husband and I, cooking together with a glass of wine.

How have you set it up? 

Everything was planned around comfort, connection and the way we live as a family. The large central island naturally draws people in while someone’s cooking, and the extra-long dining table is really the focal point of the room. It can be extended to seat up to 16 people comfortably for big gatherings, but it’s just as practical for everyday life, we’ll often have homework happening at one end while dinner is being prepared or served at the other. It’s a space designed to bring everyone together without feeling too formal.

The exposed brickwork, dark-coloured walls and layered textures give the room a warm, cocooning atmosphere, while the open layout keeps it feeling light and sociable. We deliberately chose materials and finishes that feel tactile and lived-in, so although the space feels special, it also works beautifully for real life.

Do any interiors trends make an appearance?

I think what makes the space special is that it has been built around how we actually live, rather than chasing trends. Every detail has a story or purpose behind it, whether it’s something collected while travelling or a piece chosen because we knew it would make everyday life feel a little more beautiful. Ultimately, it’s a room designed for connection, entertaining and bringing people together.

Tell us about a ‘wow’ feature that you love to show off to guests.

The table – more specifically, how it’s dressed. My husband loves to cook and I love to style the table, so between us, it’s the perfect combination for entertaining! I’m slightly biased, bu I love using our Sara Miller London ceramic tableware collections whilst hosting guests. Obviously it couldn’t be any more personal but I really enjoy styling a table to give that extra ‘wow’ factor.

For a girls’ tea, I love using our Chelsea collection ceramics with their uplifting pink and green birds designs. Filling our cake stand with fresh flowers and Laduree macaroons, layering mini vases throughout the table, adding pink birds napkins tied with little ribbons – it all creates such a feminine setting. And for summer, I’ve been gravitating towards our new anniversary collection, which features velvety Indigo tones, fresh white and pops of vibrant yellow. I’ve loved laying the table with lots of fresh lemons and green foliage for a seasonal look.

What was your best buy or investment for the space, and why?

Our dining chairs were definitely worth investing in. We knew the table would become the centre of family life, so comfort was just as important as aesthetics. I love the set of traditional dining chairs we bought from eBay, which we sanded and painted in Farrow & Ball, and then upholstered in Sara Miller London velvet prints. They have been so comfortable, practical and make such a statement in the space.

Is there anything on your wish list, or have you been eyeing anything up for the space recently?

I really want to do a gallery wall of family photos, but I’m still figuring out how to fit this into the space!

What does the space say about your personal design style?

It reflects my love of playful prints, vibrant colours inspired by travel, all elevated with an array of textures and metallic accents for a sense of luxury which is very much aligns with the design language of Sara Miller London.

I’m drawn to rich, expressive colour, intricate pattern and decorative detailing that feels both elegant and uplifting, rather than overly formal or restrained. I love to mix and match and many of our collections are designed to be layered together, combining different prints and colours in unexpected ways to create something unique and personal.

There is a sense of visual storytelling with pieces collected from our travels. We have a shelf in the kitchen full of plants, ceramic vases and a collection of small lanterns from our travels which also add a little sense of the exotic making the space layered, expressive and full of character.

Do you see the space changing or evolving much in the future?

I think the way we use it will evolve more than the design itself. As the children get older, I imagine it becoming even more of a gathering place for friends, celebrations and long evenings around the table. I’ve always wanted the space to feel adaptable for different stages of family life, and because the foundation is quite timeless, I can see it growing with us naturally.

Do you prefer staying in or going out?

These days I genuinely love staying in and especially hosting friends over the weekend. My ideal evening is enjoying a few cocktails with friends and eating delicious food – usually cooked by my husband Phil, who is an excellent chef and always loves to experiment with food and cook up a storm in the kitchen. I love that feeling when the kids go down and we can enjoy that moment of calm. Music playing quietly in the background, candles glowing and everyone gathered around the dining table talking and laughing for hours. Entertaining at home feels much more personal to me than going out because you can really create an experience and an environment that reflects your personality and feels totally relaxed.

How do you live a life in balance? Is this reflected in your home at all?

For me, balance comes from creating moments of calm within busy everyday life, and I think our home reflects that. The space is practical and hardworking, but it’s also somewhere that encourages us to slow down and spend quality time together. I’m very conscious of creating an environment that feels restorative, through lighting, texture, scent and comfort, because home should feel like an escape as much as a functional family space.

More From Sara

You can keep up with Sara Miller over at saramiller.london and @saramillerlondon on Instagram.