Interview: Why Sara Roth Created mySRD
When Sara Roth talks about senior living interior design, she does not start with finishes or furniture. She starts with the operators.
“They’re making design decisions all the time,” she says. “Not just during a big renovation. It happens every week. A flooring question comes up. A furniture issue comes up. Someone is trying to improve a lobby, refresh a dining room, evaluate a vendor, or figure out what should happen next across multiple communities. A lot of teams need experienced design input, but they do not necessarily need a full-service retainer every time.”
That gap is what led her to create mySRD.
What is mySRD?
mySRD is a subscription-based fractional senior living design team created for owners and operators who need consistent access to design expertise without engaging a traditional full-scale project structure.
In Sara’s words, “It’s a way to have a senior living design partner on your team when you need one. Not just for a major launch or renovation, but for the ongoing decisions that shape the resident experience.”
The model is intentionally practical. Instead of waiting until a project becomes large enough to justify a conventional engagement, clients can turn to mySRD for steady support across everyday and long-range needs. That may include questions tied to senior living interior design strategy, design consistency across communities, or targeted updates in assisted living interior design and nursing home interior design settings.
The Market Need Sara Kept Seeing
Sara says the idea grew out of a pattern she saw again and again in conversations with operators.
“There were teams that knew their communities needed attention, but they were stuck in the middle,” she explains. “They did not want to overcommit to a full-service retainer for every need, but they also did not want to make important design decisions without guidance.”
That was especially true for organizations managing multiple properties or balancing capital priorities over time. Some needed help reviewing materials before making a purchase. Others wanted feedback on space planning, furniture selections, or how to improve common areas for residents, families, and staff. Many simply wanted a trusted design resource who understood the realities of senior living.
“For a lot of operators, the need is ongoing but not always tied to one big project,” Sara says. “I wanted to create something that reflects how they actually work.”
Who mySRD Is For
mySRD was built for a wide range of senior living operators, including:
- Assisted living communities
- Independent living communities
- Memory care settings
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Nursing homes
- Faith-based senior living communities
Sara notes that while each environment has its own priorities, they share a common challenge: every design decision affects daily life.
“In assisted living interior design, you’re thinking about comfort, dignity, operations, and family perception all at once,” she says. “In nursing home interior design, the pressures can be even more layered. The spaces have to support residents, staff, safety, maintenance, and long-term performance. These are not small decisions.”
What’s Included in the Subscription
Rather than positioning mySRD as a rigid package, Sara describes it as ongoing design support shaped around the realities of ownership and operations.
That support can include:
- Flooring reviews
- Furniture reviews
- Paint and finish recommendations
- Space planning feedback
- Vendor evaluations
- Capital planning guidance
- Design standards consultation
- Facility improvement recommendations
- Family experience recommendations
Sara emphasizes that the value is not just in the list of services. It is in having an experienced design team available to help interpret options and keep decisions aligned.
“Sometimes a client needs help comparing two finish directions. Sometimes they want to pressure-test a vendor recommendation. Sometimes they’re trying to improve one room, and sometimes they’re trying to create more consistency across an entire portfolio,” she says. “mySRD is meant to support all of those moments.”
A More Flexible Way to Access Design Expertise
Sara is clear that mySRD is not meant to replace full-service design where full-service design is needed. Instead, it fills the space between doing everything internally and signing on for a traditional retainer every time a question arises.
“I wanted to offer something more flexible and more useful for the clients who need regular guidance,” she says. “They may not be launching a major project today, but they still need strong decisions. They still need continuity. They still need a design partner who understands senior living.”
That flexibility can be especially valuable for organizations navigating phased improvements, evaluating near-term upgrades, or trying to raise the design standard across multiple communities without approaching every challenge as a standalone project.
Why This Matters in Senior Living
For Sara, this work is about more than aesthetics. It is about creating environments that support people in a meaningful way.
“In senior living, design shapes daily experience,” she says. “It affects how residents feel, how families respond, how staff move through a space, and how a community presents itself. Good design can support operations, but it also communicates care.”
That belief has long guided Sara Roth Design, and mySRD extends that approach into a format that is more accessible for ongoing needs. Whether a client is refining assisted living interior design, evaluating updates in a memory care setting, or seeking trusted input on nursing home interior design decisions, the goal is the same: help operators make thoughtful choices that hold up over time.
Final Thoughts from Sara
When asked what she hopes clients feel when they engage with mySRD, Sara answers simply.
“Relieved,” she says. “Like they do not have to figure it all out alone.”
She adds, “The best partnerships are the ones where clients know they have someone in their corner who understands the industry, understands the stakes, and can help them move forward with clarity. That’s why I created mySRD.”
Internal Links
- Sara Roth Design Home
- 7 Mistakes You’re Making with Healthcare Interior Design
- Hospitality vs. Clinical: Which is Better for Your Nursing Home
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