At Sarah Cain Design, we don’t just create interiors—we craft experiences. Signature spaces that reflect individuality, elevate daily living, and empower our clients to live their best lives

We offer turn-key luxury design experiences, streamlining the process so our clients can enjoy a fun and exciting journey—free from the stress often associated with renovations and construction.

Design is personal, and so is our process. We treat our clients like family, ensuring every project is built on trust, creativity, and collaboration. Our core values—family, positivity, creativity, determination, and empowerment—guide everything we do.

SARAH CAIN

Sarah possesses a contagious enthusiasm and vibrant energy that fuels her innovative and solution-driven approach. She thrives on new challenges and works closely with her clients to create spaces that reflect their individual lifestyle.

“We tailor fit our design to our clients lifestyle which takes into consideration all they are and all they aspire to become, and how they want to live and experience life.”

Since her youth Sarah displayed a keen interest in art and design. She began her design career at a very early age, drawing floor plans and designing buildings and homes with her crayons by the age of eight.

Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University in 1986 and received her Master in Interior Design degree from the nationally acclaimed Interior Design program at the University of Florida in 2007.

Sarah also studied design at the Vicenza Institute of Architecture located in Vicenza, Italy. Studying the works of artisans and architects such as Palladio, Carlos Scarpa, Michelangelo and da Vinci further ignited her passion for art and design and her appreciation for fine craftsmanship.

Sarah Cain brings a diverse and unique background to the world of Interior Design. A former multi-unit restaurant & bar owner, including a couple of national franchise concepts located across North Central Florida.

In addition to Sarah Cain Design and her University work, Sarah is involved in many local charities, including Stop! Children's Cancer, The Kiera Grace Foundation and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Gainesville. 

NCIDQ #026455

FL License ID #5928

PAOLA V PEREZ

Paola is the Senior Interior Designer/Project Manager at SCD. She began her studies in Architecture in Puerto Rico and earned her bachelor’s degree in Interior Design from University of Florida in 2016. She re-joined the team in 2022 and is currently working towards her NCIDQ certification.

Paola was born in Puerto Rico. She started traveling after a few years in Architectural college to pursue inspiration and growth until she settled in Gainesville, FL to complete her bachelor’s in Interior Design. She joined SCD and earned her Interior Design Degree in 2016. She left SCD in 2019 to embrace her new role as a mother to Camila.

Her fascination with the world of design and all things creative started at an early age, driving her to pursue a career in Interior Design. Paola has experience in many aspects of the industry including designing for commercial as well as residential settings. Her attention to detail and drive to create beautiful and functional spaces makes her a huge asset here at SCD. She loves the process of problem solving, creating personalized and unique projects, and the relationships we cultivate with SCD clients.

Nestor, their daughter Camila, and fur daughter, Lula complete Paola’s lovely family.

JERRALYN MCDONALD

Jerralyn is the Business Manager at SCD. She started her career in bookkeeping when she moved to Gainesville, Florida, in 2002 and assumed the responsibilities as office manager for a local rental property. Her multitasking, time management, and organizational skills led her to becoming part owner of the business where she continued her duties in overseeing its operations, until she divested her portion in 2007.

Beginning in 2008, Jerralyn was introduced to the field of interior designer when hired into a firm alongside Sarah Cain. Jerralyn loved the creative aspect of design and enjoyed learning the profession through the lens of bookkeeping. When Sarah established her own interior design firm, Jerralyn worked intermittently for her before briefly stepping away to pursue other passions, including spending time with her growing family. Jerralyn returned in 2022 to join Sarah Cain’s team and resume her interests and skills developed over the past 20 years.

Jerralyn loves spending time with her husband, kids, and grandchildren. She enjoys reading, the beach, and traveling.

Kassie Trimble 

Kassie is the Associate Designer at SCD, joining in March of 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida.

Kassie is a Gator and Gainesville native who found a passion for decorating and design at a young age, decorating her home and shaping exciting floor plans. Beginning for friends and family, she has grown to design multiple businesses and homes around Gainesville throughout her life. 

With a strong background in communications and client relations, she seamlessly blends creativity with functionality bringing her client’s ideas to fruition. Kassie attributes her ability to connect on a personal level and build relationships to her strong communication skills, empathy and genuine interest in helping other people. 

In her free time, Kassie loves spending time with her family, adventuring with her fiancé and two dogs, reading, baking, connecting with nature, and researching new design ideas. 

Luna Restrepo

Luna joined SCD in January 2025 as an intern and became the team’s Technical Designer in June 2025. She earned her degree in Architecture from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Colombia in August 2025.

Born and raised in Gainesville, Luna moved to Colombia in 2011 to be closer to her extended family. She later returned to Gainesville with her parents and younger brother to pursue new experiences and complete her degree requirements.

Luna has always been passionate about design, drawn to the creativity it allows her to express. This passion led her to study architecture and later pursue an internship in interior design. Over the years, she has gained experience using design software for drafting, 3D modeling, and rendering. She is eager to continue expanding her knowledge in interior design, gaining hands-on industry experience, and contributing to high-end projects through collaborative teamwork.

In her free time, Luna enjoys reading, watching films, singing, going on walks, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends. She also loves going out for coffee as a way to relax and recharge.

EMSLEY THORNTON

Emsley is the current Social Media and Marketing Intern at SCD, joining the team in August 2024. Currently, she is a Senior student at the University of Florida studying Media Production with a specialization in Digital TV/Film Production.

Emsley’s passion lies in telling authentic stories through photos, videos, and social media content. During her time at Sarah Cain and UF, she’s found a passion within the digital marketing and social media. She’s loved learning about the interior design world and being apart of the Sarah Cain Design team.

Outside of school and work, Emsley enjoys reading, trying out local coffee shops, and going on walks with friends! Her hometown is Ponte Vedra, FL.

FOREST & DEACON

Always looking dapper, these two bundles of boxwood stand on high alert at the front of the firm ready to greet clients and vendors alike. They love to join us on the occasional staging job where they may be left behind to watch over the home. Their names pay homage to Sarah's alma mater, and they are as quiet as they are cute!  Deacon has mastered the art form of looking debonair, while Forrest is our silent critic.  We can always count on them to welcome us at the door like a ray of sunshine in the morning and bid us adieu at the close of day.