Designer of the Week: Emma Saliba on hosting

Emma Saliba Interiors is a luxury residential interior design firm based in Boston, Massachusetts. As a former Fortune 50 executive, Emma was focused on serving as a banker and advisor to entrepreneurs, founders, and executives across the technology and venture capital ecosystems.

With a life-long love of design, Emma merged her business acumen with her passion for creating beautiful spaces when a well-known developer approached her to enhance his growing business. Her experience in project management and design complemented his New England homes, transforming what started as a side passion project into a full-fledged career.

Emma is a firm believer that life’s best memories happen in your home and is committed to designing spaces that are both elevated and timeless while being functional for you and your family. Whether working with a developer on a full-service renovation or simply transforming a space in your home, each project is approached with intentionality in design, attention to detail, and thoughtful execution.

Why do you love interior design?

I’m a firm believer that life’s best memories happen in your home and I get joy from designing spaces that are elevated and timeless — but also functional for you and your family. My goal is to create environments that are not only visually appealing but also enhance the everyday lives of families, allowing them to truly unwind and enjoy their time at home.

Describe your style in three words

Intentional, elevated, and timeless. Our approach involves deeply understanding a client’s lifestyle and aspirations. From there, we focus on elevating the space by blending modern and traditional elements in a harmonious way. Design is all in the details, and I believe that thoughtful execution and intentionality lead to the most exceptional outcomes.

Where do you find inspiration?

I draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including travel, architecture, and nature. Each of these influences provides unique perspectives and ideas that help shape the designs at our firm.

Name a current trend that you love.

While trends can be fleeting, I appreciate seeing classic design elements make a comeback. For instance, the resurgence of herringbone patterns in flooring and tiles brings a timeless quality to both traditional and modern spaces. This cyclical nature of design allows us to incorporate elements that feel both fresh and enduring.

What's a trick of the trade that you live by?

I believe in sticking to a concise color palette while layering different textures. This approach creates a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere, making a home feel both inviting and sophisticated.

Share the story of your project with Ernesta. How did the custom-sized rug make an impact? Any memorable reactions from your client? We'd love to hear the details.

For this project, we selected the Truman Rug from Ernesta for a client’s dining space. Our goal was to anchor the room with a touch of softness while ensuring practicality. With a toddler and a baby in the household, it was crucial to choose a material that could endure daily wear and tear (including the inevitable messes from mealtime!). By opting for a custom-sized rug made from 100% wool, we knew it would add a layer of comfort but also maintain its appearance and quality for years to come, making it a valuable investment for our clients.

Share your approach to custom sizing rugs for a space. What factors do you consider to ensure a tailored fit and aesthetic harmony?

Custom rugs allow us to tailor a rug to the exact specifications needed for a space—whether that’s size, pattern, or material. As designers, we consider all elements of the space, including the placement of windows, lighting, furniture, and traffic flow. Custom rug manufacturers, like Ernesta, use higher-quality materials and craftsmanship, providing our clients with a product that will stand the test of time and is uniquely suited to their space.

What is your idea of great design?

To me, great design is where you can walk into any room in the house and have it feel cohesive – yet distinct. I love creating elements that draw the eye, whether it be a statement piece of artwork or unique lighting. It’s about achieving a harmonious flow throughout the space while ensuring each room has its own unique character.

With holiday hosting in mind, what design elements do you focus on to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests?  

When designing for the holidays, I love to focus on creating warmth through layering both light and textures. Layering textures is key to creating a welcoming, yet visually interesting environment and with holiday hosting, using rich textures such as a pigmented velvet or wool can instantly change a space. With lighting, I always begin by establishing soft ambient lighting as a basis for a lighting plan. For holiday decor, you can layer in more intimate light sources, such as floor lamps or candles, to highlight certain areas and create pockets of warmth.

How do rugs contribute to the overall feel of a space during the holiday season, especially when entertaining family and friends?   

Rugs are much more than decorative elements during the holiday season — they set the stage for how people interact with a space. When you're entertaining, a well-placed rug can encourage movement through a room or create an intimate conversation zone. They’re especially useful in defining different areas, such as separating the dining area from a space where guests might sit and chat. By utilizing natural, timeless materials like wool in a soft, neutral color palette, you create the perfect foundation and anchor to allow for the introduction of seasonal textures and colors.