Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Cowles.
Hi Christine, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I think most small business owners can relate to the fact that the path to success is rarely a straight line. My career actually began as a Park Ranger in Yosemite National Park—a chapter that deeply shaped my appreciation for natural beauty, organic textures, and the way environment impacts how we feel. Eventually, the coast called, and I moved to Santa Barbara, where I spent years working as a non-profit fundraising director, event planner, and graphic designer. Looking back, every single one of those roles was a stepping stone that taught me how to manage complex projects, listen to people’s stories, and develop a sharp eye for visual balance.
In 2017, my husband and I took the leap and launched a home staging company. It was an incredible masterclass in space and scale, but through the shifts of the pandemic, I realized my true passion wasn’t in setting up temporary spaces—it was in creating permanent sanctuaries.
That evolution led to the birth of Saltwood Interiors. Today, we focus entirely on residential interior design, helping homeowners refresh and reinvent their spaces. Whether we are helping a client select the perfect paint or guiding them through a full-scale remodel, my goal is always to transform a house into an effortless, tailored home they will love for decades.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some days you’re cruising down a smooth coastal highway, and other days it feels like you’re driving inside a washing machine!
I think the biggest challenge comes down to the sheer weight of decision-making. As a small business owner, you don’t always have all the answers, but you are entirely responsible for the outcomes. Knowing when to scale, when to pivot, and how to navigate growth takes a lot of trial and error.
One of my biggest learning curves has been figuring out how to separate emotion and ego from business strategy. It is so easy to get caught up in the romance of a creative field like design, but building a sustainable business requires anchoring yourself in hard numbers and sound principles.
I’ve found that the best antidote to that pressure is community. Connecting with other local business owners here on the Central Coast, sharing our ‘in the trenches’ stories, and learning from one another has been invaluable.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At its heart, Saltwood Interiors is a full-service residential design firm that specializes in creating spaces that are beautifully tailored yet entirely effortless to live in.
What truly sets us apart is our dual expertise. We don’t just design gorgeous permanent residences; we also specialize in luxury vacation rentals. I am a certified Short-Term Rental Stylist™, which means I approach design through two distinct lenses: high-end, coastal aesthetic appeal and rigorous durability. When we design a vacation property or a high-traffic family home, we are value-engineering the space. We know exactly where to invest in premium, lasting pieces and where we can utilize easily swappable, budget-friendly elements without sacrificing an ounce of style.
Brand-wise, I am incredibly proud of the transparency we bring to the table. Interior design can often feel mysterious or intimidating to homeowners. I want my clients to know exactly what they are paying for, what services I can provide (and those I can’t), and that good design doesn’t always mean expensive.
Ultimately, I want readers to know that Saltwood Interiors is here to build homes you love for decades—spaces that feel deeply personal, incredibly functional, and uniquely connected to the relaxed living of the Central Coast.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I’ve had my share of what some might call ‘bad luck.’ Launching a business right before a global pandemic certainly felt like an unfortunate stroke of timing. But looking back, that ‘bad luck’ was actually a masterclass in resilience. It forced me to slow down, reevaluate, and pivot into residential interior design, which is where my true passion lies. Without that disruption, Saltwood Interiors might not exist in the way it does today.
When it comes to ‘good luck,’ I’ve been incredibly fortunate, but I also believe that good luck is often just preparation meeting opportunity. I feel immensely lucky to have landed in Santa Barbara, and to have found a community that values art, heritage, and nature as much as I do. Being embraced by local organizations, graduating from the Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) program, and getting to write for The Santa Barbara Independent—those felt like moments of pure alignment.
At the end of the day, it’s your ability to grow, learn, pivot while maintaining a sense of humor that actually gets you to your destination.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saltwoodinteriors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltwood.interiors/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/saltwoodinteriors/
