I work with straw, a natural fiber rarely seen in contemporary art. I’ve been drawn to it since the moment I first saw its surface catch the light. The medium is organic and richly textured, yet luminous. It has a natural silica coating that reflects light in a way that feels both opulent and raw—a fascinating paradox that continuously inspires my work.

Transforming straw into art feels almost alchemical, turning something humble into something unexpectedly refined. I split and flatten its hollow tubes into smooth, ribbon-like strips. After selecting or dyeing the straw to build my palette, I meticulously collage each piece onto wood panels. The process is slow, requiring precision, attention, and care. And because the medium itself is luminous and textural, it shapes the work as much as I do.

My compositions are rooted in the language of traditional craft—like Zellige tilework, weaving, and Kumiko—where structure and rhythm guide the eye. In some recent series, I have been inspired by the stepped patterns of Bargello needlework as well as the geometric shapes of traditional quilt blocks.

Through this work, I hope to reimagine what this humble material can become and offer a moment of calm, contemplation, and quiet clarity.

Sarah Barone Schwartz is a Boston-based artist creating luminous, textural work using hand-dyed straw. Her artistic journey had its unlikely beginning in engineering, where she honed her problem-solving skills and love for technical drawing. But it was in textile design that she discovered her passion.

After studying textile design in Berkeley, California, Sarah co-founded Sarah + Ruby Design Studio, celebrated for its hand-painted wallpaper. Her wallpapers have been featured in show-houses, international showrooms, and publications like “Interior Design” and “The Textile Eye”.

In 2021, Sarah expanded her practice to include fine art, drawing on her deep respect for artisanship and structure. Working with straw, she creates carefully composed pieces that reflect the organic qualities of her medium. Her art is often described as mesmerizing and meditative, with a shimmering quality that captures light and transforms its surroundings.

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Selected Fine Art Exhibitions

2026 — The Gallery at the W Hotel, Resident Artist, Boston, MA (upcoming)

2025 — Design Social Pop-up, Trade Show/Exhibition, Darien, CT (fine art presentation)

2025 — The Wandering Path, Solo Exhibition, Sarah + Ruby Showroom, Boston, MA

2023 — Blue, Group Exhibition, juried by Abigail Ogilvy, Cambridge Art Association, Cambridge, MA

2023 — Still, Group Exhibition, juried by Amy Matteson Neill, Art Fluent, Boston, MA (online exhibition)

2022 — Pattern and Pulse, Solo Exhibition, FP3 Gallery, Boston, MA

2021–present — Open Studios, Exhibition, SoWa Art and Design District, Boston, MA, monthly

Gallery and Art Advisory Relationships

2025–present — Front Four Gallery, Stowe, VT

2025–present — Makers Gallery Boston, Boston, MA

2025–present — Meridian Art Consulting (formerly Boston Art Inc), Boston MA

2025–present — The Corporate Art Loan Program at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln, MA (Lending Artist)

Showrooms & Design Exhibitions (Wallpaper & Design Practice)

Showrooms

2024–2025 — Alden LA, Showroom, Los Angeles, CA

2024 — Evars Collective, Showroom, San Francisco, CA

2020–2025 — StudioFourNYC, Showroom, New York, NY

2020–2023 — Solid + Pattern, Showroom, Chicago, IL

2019–2025 — Walltawk, Showroom, Denver, CO

2018–2023 — Karen Saks, Showroom, Charlotte and Raleigh, NC

2017–2025 — Memo Showroom, Toronto, ON (Canada)

2017–2025 — Style Revolutionary, Showroom, East Brisbane, Queensland (Australia)

2017–2019 — Latham Interiors, online showroom

2015–2025 — James Showroom, Houston and Dallas, TX

2015–2022 — Harbinger, Showroom, West Hollywood, CA

2015–2017 — Erik Waldorf, Showroom, Seattle, Washington

Showcase Houses and Exhibitions

2024 — Design Social Pop-up, Trade show/Exhibition, Darien, CT

2023 — Design Social Pop-up, Trade show/Exhibition, Laguna Beach, CA

2021 — Kips Bay Decorator Show House, Dallas, TX. Interior design by Meredith Ellis.

2020 — San Francisco Design Showcase House, San Francisco, CA. Interior design by Nest Design.

2013 — Traditional Home Adamsleigh Show House, Greensboro, NC. Interior design by Lisa Mende and Traci Zeller.

Press & Publications

Fine Art Press

2025 — The Textile Eye, Report No. 26, Fall 2025, pp. iii-iv, 82-83, 151. Straw Marquetry Artwork.

Design & Wallpaper Press (selected)

2024 — The Textile Eye, Report No. 22, Fall 2024, pp. 38, 180, 182. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2024 — Luxe Interiors + Design, "Market Mood Board," Sept-Oct 2024. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2024 — Interior Design, Fall Market Tabloid, Fall 2024, p. 74. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2023 — Interior Design, Fall Market Tabloid, Fall 2023, p. 50. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2023 — The Textile Eye, Report No. 18, Fall 2023, pp. 54, 65. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2022 — The Textile Eye, Report No. 12, Spring 2022, pp. 21, 25. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2022 — Elizabeth Fazzare, AD Home Tour, December 21, 2022. Hand-painted wallpaper installed on ceiling, interior design by Angie Hranowsky.

2021 — The Textile Eye, Report No. 9, Summer 2021, pp. 52, 59, 61, 67, 111. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2020 — AD PRO, "From the Source," July 17, 2020. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2020 — Interior Design, Spring Market Tabloid, June 30, 2020, p. 65. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2019 — House & Home, "Up the Wall," October 2019, p. 26. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2019 — Interior Design, Spring Market Tabloid, May 31, 2019, p. 53. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2019 — Flea Market Style, January, 2019, p. 69. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2018 — Jungalow, "This Just In," August 8, 2018. Hand-painted wallpaper.

2018 — Laura Eckstein Jones, Modern Luxury Interiors, "Wallflowers," Summer 2018, p. 42. Hand-painted wallpaper.

2018 — Interior Design, Spring Market Tabloid, May 31, 2018, p. 76. Hand-painted Wallpaper.

2016 — Custom Builder, "New Products," Fall 2016, p. 44. Tile designed for Clé Tile.

2016 — Interior Design, "Market Collection," October 2016, p. 106. Tile designed for Clé Tile.

2016 — Living Space, "Fine Prints," October, 2016, p. 17. Tile designed for Clé Tile.

2016 — Style at Home, "Layer Up," October 2016, p. 24. Tile designed for Clé Tile.

2016 — Architizer, July 2016. Tile designed for Clé Tile.

2016 — Design Milk, July 2016. Tile designed for Clé Tile.

2015 — Ocean Home, October 2015, p. 28. Fabric designed for Guildery.

2015 — Sunset Magazine, September 2015, p. 40. Fabric designed for Guildery.

2015 — House Beautiful, "The Best," July 2015. Fabrics designed for Guildery.

2015 — Editor at Large (now "Business of Home"), April 2015. Block printed wallpaper.

2013 — Traditional Home, "Dreamy Indulgences," Oct 2013, p. 117 (showcase house with Lisa Mende and Traci Zeller). Custom designed wallpaper.

Art Licensing & Collaborations

2021–2025 — Brewster Home Fashions, artwork for wallpaper

2017–2018 — Clé Tile, artwork for cement tiles

2013–2015 — The Guildery Inc., artwork for upholstery fabrics and home goods

Professional Experience

2012–present — Co-Founder, Sarah + Ruby Design Studio

• Design and creation of hand-painted wallpaper

• Design of patterns for textiles, wallpaper, tiles, and rugs

Education

2011 — Certificate, California School of Professional Fabric Design, Berkeley, CA

1994 — J.D., University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, CA

1990 — B.S. Electrical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA