Elite Decorating Academy
Create a curated sanctuary of beauty & function.
Introducing Elite Decorating Academy!
A self paced, online course that you can access from anywhere in the world! Creating an elegant home is a skill you can learn & use for a lifetime From simple room refreshes to furnishing an entire home,
let me show you how to . . .
PURCHASE NOW
• recognize excellent design
• create floor plans
• gather swatches
• make design boards
• shop second hand
• navigate the world of DIY
• mix colors, metals, woods & patterns
• style vignettes
• choose the perfect rug, lighting & artwork
• communicate with professionals
• hang artwork & window treatments
• choose upholstery fabric & paint colors
• feel confident in your choices
• make it all pet & kid friendly
• Plus, so MUCH more
One
You want to learn the design process
You have expensive taste
You want to charge for your design services
Need continuing education as an independent decorator
This programme is for you if…
Two
You can't attend our live events
You're on a limited budget & short on time. You need bite size classes
Only have 10 mins a day
Three
You have unfinished projects, a cluttered house
Don't want to have people over
Lack vision , motivation & intimidated by DIY
You have no design experience
I know right where you are
Even after design school. . .
I, too, have regretted splurging on the wrong trendy decor
Botched DIY projects an embarrassing amount of times
Been overwhelmed with where to start
Struggled to find simple, repeatable methods & formulas
Through 20+ years of learning, intensive research, improving my home, working with clients & students and investing A LOT of money. . .
I have developed my
• 7 Layers of Design
• Color Formula
• Method for Mixing Patterns
• & Much more!
I would love to help speed up the process & get you to calmness, clarity and confidence this year!
So ask yourself
Have my dreams been on hold for too long?
Is ten minutes a day reasonable?
What if I could learn to design better?
"The Elite Decorating Academy is engaging, clear, and concise. Sarah creatively explains the principles of good design, using many examples from her own experience.
She conveys her knowledge in a common-sense manner that is accessible to all.
After completing this course, I felt capable of designing my own projects or consulting with other people on theirs. I enthusiastically recommend Elite Decorating Academy to anyone seeking to improve their design skills and create beautiful, livable environments"
Janet
I got my interior design degree over 20 years ago, and stepped away from the industry for several years. I wanted to take the Elite Decorating Academy Course before stepping back into residential design for clients.
This course was everything I was hoping for and more. Sarah has such a gift to teach a inherently difficult subject, because so much of great design is learned through experience and over time. Thank you Sarah, for pouring so much into this course, it gave me the confidence to take a huge leap forward in my business.
Saneth
I have absolutely loved taking this course! Sarah is so thorough! The first thing I find very special about this course is that Sarah’s teaching is very strategic. She presents the big picture of design, but she also gives processes, formulas, details, and how-tos, and walks you through step by step. I'm walking away from this course feeling very equipped to design my own home with a professional look thanks to the great details Sarah shares here!
The second thing that makes this course special is the warmth of Sarah’s teaching. She has so many years of experience and wisdom to share, but she's so down to earth and makes design very approachable for the beginner. Learning from Sarah feels like learning from a friend and I LOVED THAT!
Emma
You know that excitement & hopeful anticipation feeling you experience when you arrive at an antique mall as you are searching for that perfect treasure? Every day when I would sit down at my computer to watch a lesson was like that for me because I knew I would walk away with the addition of a timeless tools for my decorator’s toolbox . . .
If you have a passion for home decor, creating a beautiful space, or would prefer to invest your money into you rather than an interior designer before remodeling or redecorating that next room- this course will equip you with far more now and in your future decorating endeavors.
Brittany
I absolutely loved taking Sarah’s Elite Decorating Academy course! I learned so much more about interior design from editing my home, ideas for decorating every room, the history of design, and tons of tips and tricks like learning how to use speciality paints, and even upholstering a tufted chair.
The step-by-step instruction modules, guest speakers, and workbooks included are fantastic. The EDA Tutorials instill the confidence to passionately conquer all your design dreams and help your home reflect your unique style.
Highly recommend!
Kelli
This is the most comprehensive decorating course that I have ever taken. The detail is tremendous, over 28 hours of material, but Sarah is fun to watch and has a relatable way of teaching.
I picked up some great tips for things that I didn’t even think I needed to consider (such as my mindset), and came away with some concrete tools I can apply (such as the 7 layers of decorating). I have always been someone that designed by how something “feels”, but now I have a concrete roadmap to refer back to when I feel stuck.
Thank you, Sarah!
Mariah
Our Students
"Quality Design is not a bargain, but it is an investment in something of value."
-Leah Richardson, Interior Wisdom
within the modules you'll learn
within the modules you'll learn
Module One
How to Lay the Foundation
Learning about the Decorators Mindset, Preparing your Canvas, Budgeting, The History of Interior Design, Common Design Terminology, Using Pinterest to your Advantage, Blending Design Styles
Module Two
The Building Blocks of Design
The 7 Layers of Design, Flooring, Fabrics, Wall & Window Treatments, Furniture & Lighting
Module Three
Creating the Master Plan
Floor Planning, Creating & Using Your own Mood boards, Common Measurements, Color Theory , Undertones & Mixing Patterns
Module Four
Making Changes
Painting Furniture, Upholstery, Hiring Contractors, All about Wall Decor, Vignettes & Shelf Styling
Module Five
Room by Room
Kitchens, Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Offices, Creative Spaces, Laundry Rooms, Living & Dining Rooms, Extra spaces - Entryways, Hallways & Stairways
Module Six
Common Problems & Solutions
Seasonal Decorating, Awkward Spaces, Temporary Solutions & Advanced Thrifting
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I join if I don’t live in the United States?
Yes! I’ve had students from all over the world! All you need is an internet connection. The course is presented in video, podcast and written formats and housed on a platform called Teachable.
When does the course begin and end?
Do I get support, community or 1:1 access to you?
How long does it take to get through the course?
My style is different from yours. Will I still benefit from this course?
What if I’m hearing impaired?
What if I'm already in Your Behind the Scenes School?
Can I join if I have no design experience?
Will I need to buy extra supplies?
Can I get a refund?
Can I join if I don’t live in the United States?
As soon as you enroll you’ll gain access to the course area where the entire course will be ready for you. It is self paced and you have access through the entire life of the course.
When does the course begin and end?
Do I get support, community or 1:1 access to you?
How long does it take to get through the course?
My style is different from yours. Will I still benefit from this course?
What if I’m hearing impaired?
What if I'm already in Your Behind the Scenes School?
Can I join if I have no design experience?
Will I need to buy extra supplies?
Can I get a refund?
Can I join if I don’t live in the United States?
If you are having technical issues or if you have follow up questions, you can email admin@sheholdsdearly.com; but otherwise, this course is intended to be for independent learning. Community support and 1:1 access are found in my Behind the Scenes Class &/or by scheduling a Power Hour .
When does the course begin and end?
Do I get support, community or 1:1 access to you?
How long does it take to get through the course?
My style is different from yours. Will I still benefit from this course?
What if I’m hearing impaired?
What if I'm already in Your Behind the Scenes School?
Can I join if I have no design experience?
Will I need to buy extra supplies?
Can I get a refund?
Can I join if I don’t live in the United States?
The course is designed to work at your own pace, but I've broken the material down into 6-8 sections to take you step-by-step through the process without overwhelming you. An average pace would take about six weeks to complete the material.
When does the course begin and end?
Do I get support, community or 1:1 access to you?
How long does it take to get through the course?
My style is different from yours. Will I still benefit from this course?
What if I’m hearing impaired?
What if I'm already in Your Behind the Scenes School?
Can I join if I have no design experience?
Will I need to buy extra supplies?
Can I get a refund?
Can I join if I don’t live in the United States?
Absolutely. This course will walk you through the necessary steps to figure out YOUR style (and you won't have to choose just one!) Once you've defined your style, you'll learn how to apply it in any room to get a look and feel that works for you and your family.
When does the course begin and end?
Do I get support, community or 1:1 access to you?
How long does it take to get through the course?
My style is different from yours. Will I still benefit from this course?
What if I’m hearing impaired?
What if I'm already in Your Behind the Scenes School?
Can I join if I have no design experience?
Will I need to buy extra supplies?
Can I get a refund?
Can I join if I don’t live in the United States?
There is a typed text version of each class. It is not a word for word transcription/closed captioning, but it includes all of the information from each class in an easier to read, more conversational format.
When does the course begin and end?
Do I get support, community or 1:1 access to you?
How long does it take to get through the course?
My style is different from yours. Will I still benefit from this course?
What if I’m hearing impaired?
What if I'm already in Your Behind the Scenes School?
Can I join if I have no design experience?
Will I need to buy extra supplies?
Can I get a refund?
Can I join if I don’t live in the United States?
The material that is taught in EDA is the same material that I teach over a 3 year period in the Design School portion of my BTS class. Students are welcome to enroll in both, but there will be overlap in what you are taught. The Behind the Scenes class contains additional things not included in EDA, such as Live weekly teachings, Accountability for Home Editing, Grace Week/Bible Study
Your Turn Consultations, A Fun Online Community.
So it really just depends on what you are looking for in this season
When does the course begin and end?
Do I get support, community or 1:1 access to you?
How long does it take to get through the course?
My style is different from yours. Will I still benefit from this course?
What if I’m hearing impaired?
What if I'm already in Your Behind the Scenes School?
Can I join if I have no design experience?
Will I need to buy extra supplies?
Can I get a refund?
Can I join if I don’t live in the United States?
Yes! Beginners are absolutely welcome. This will give you a solid foundation to begin designing your own spaces, and can even propel you towards one day taking on paying clients.
When does the course begin and end?
Do I get support, community or 1:1 access to you?
How long does it take to get through the course?
My style is different from yours. Will I still benefit from this course?
What if I’m hearing impaired?
What if I'm already in Your Behind the Scenes School?
Can I join if I have no design experience?
Will I need to buy extra supplies?
Can I get a refund?
Can I join if I don’t live in the United States?
Nope! Though we do encourage you to purchase an optional Design Binder to use as a way to organize your teaching materials & future home project information.
When does the course begin and end?
Do I get support, community or 1:1 access to you?
How long does it take to get through the course?
My style is different from yours. Will I still benefit from this course?
What if I’m hearing impaired?
What if I'm already in Your Behind the Scenes School?
Can I join if I have no design experience?
Will I need to buy extra supplies?
Can I get a refund?
Due to the digital nature of this product, Handmade Holidays is non-refundable
