We recently had the chance to connect with Heather Ault and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Heather, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
Relationships.
I’ve always believed it’s rarely wise to work for friends or family, professional lines can blur too easily. That said, over the years, many of my clients have become close friends. As we navigate the ups and downs of a design project together, trust grows, and genuine connections form.
In residential design (and any successful business really), relationships are everything. You become embedded into your clients’ daily lives, witnessing both the excitement and the stress that come with transforming a home. Projects have a way of revealing people’s best—and sometimes their most challenged—selves. As a designer, I’m there for all of it.
That’s why openness, honesty, and transparency are so essential, not just between me and my clients, but with every contractor, vendor, and partner on a project. I often say I don’t want to work with anyone I wouldn’t enjoy sharing a meal with. These relationships are the quiet foundation beneath everything I build. They might not appear in photos or floor plans, but they’re what I’m most proud of creating.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Heather Ault, founder of Del Sur Designs. Born and raised in San Diego, I’ve lived in nearly every corner of the county—and each place has influenced my sense of design and connection to the region. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in Interior Design from San Diego State University.
Before launching Del Sur Designs in 2014, I worked as an art teacher, muralist, and event decorator. What began as a few neighbors asking for design help soon evolved into a thriving residential design firm. I’m deeply grateful to my husband, Brian, and our three grown children for encouraging me to take that leap.
At Del Sur Designs, my philosophy is simple: a home’s design should reflect both the client’s lifestyle and the architecture itself. I aim to create spaces with a timeless quality – warm, livable, and grounded in authenticity rather than fleeting trends.
A fun fact about me: I’m also a classically trained dancer. My early passion for movement still influences how I think about design- how people move through spaces and experience them. I continue to take dance classes today; it keeps my creativity fresh and reminds me why I fell in love with creating beautiful things in the first place.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
That I had to be perfect to be loved or accepted.
When I was a kid, I was a total perfectionist. My high school friends still tease me about how I’d walk into their homes and start straightening the pictures on their walls. I was creative and artistic—I loved decorating my room, painting, singing, and dancing, but looking back, I realize that sometimes I was creating beauty on the outside to hide the fact that I was struggling on the inside.
Over time, I’ve learned that perfection is an illusion; and honestly, not a very interesting one. Today, I’m much more drawn to authenticity. In both life and design, I value warmth, honesty, and spaces that feel lived in and real. I no longer chase “perfect.” I chase truth, and that’s where the real beauty lies.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Oh my gosh, yes! All the time! Every time I take on something new, there’s a little voice in my head that whispers, “I can’t do this.” Projects can be overwhelming, running a business can feel like juggling ten things at once, and raising kids while trying to maintain a strong marriage – that’s a whole different level of challenge.
Self doubt can be a real kicker when you are trying to create something new and different.
There have absolutely been moments when I’ve questioned whether it was all too much. But I’ve learned that when things feel impossible, the only way through is to just keep moving one small step at a time. I love that Walt Disney said, “Keep moving forward,” and of course Dory, in Finding Nemo, said it best: “Just keep swimming.”
When I feel stuck or discouraged, I try to break things down into small, actionable steps. It helps me find my footing again. I’ve realized that perseverance isn’t about never wanting to give up – it’s about learning how to move forward even when you do.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
As the saying goes, it’s sometimes hard to see the forest for the trees, and that’s especially true in design. We’ve all watched trends rise and fall. A few years ago, everything on Instagram was “millennial gray” or white-on-white. Those spaces photographed beautifully; they felt serene and spacious online. But living in them day to day? That was another story. When COVID hit and people were suddenly spending all their time at home, those spaces began to feel cold and lifeless. Now, we’re seeing a return to color, warmth, and sentimentality – spaces that actually feel lived in.
To me, true foundational shifts in design are usually driven by technology or changes in how people live. For example, the rise of large-screen TVs created a need for expansive focal walls. The shift toward remote work has made home offices a priority, sometimes even two (or more) per household. Those changes are rooted in function—they’re not just aesthetic preferences.
Fads, on the other hand, tend to be reactions – responses to scarcity, social media, or cultural moments. For instance, when material shortages led to an influx of inexpensive, mass-produced furniture, it might have looked like a lasting shift. But as people began craving quality and longevity again, investing in better-made pieces or vintage finds, it became clear that the trend had run its course.
In short, real shifts change how we live; fads only change how things look.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
Totally! I like to think I’m tap dancing my way through life:)! I’m a dancer and theater kid at heart, so there’s always a little performance energy in everything I do.
Each new project sets off a spark of excitement, or I wouldn’t want tot do it. At the beginning, I’m all about the possibilities – dreaming about what the space could become and how to make it feel truly special. It’s this excitement that can be a little scary, too. I’m still trying to tame my inner-perfectionist, so I can’t help but care deeply about every detail and how the end result will come together.
Of course, after that initial burst of creativity, reality sets in. There’s budgeting to do, logistics to plan, and all the less glamorous parts: working with contractors, managing timelines, overseeing installations. It’s a lot of hard work and it’s 80% of the job. But then comes the moment when everything finally comes together: the furniture is placed, the art is hung, and the client walks in for the first time.
Just last week, a client stepped into her newly renovated bedroom, took a deep breath, and smiled so wide. Seeing that reaction, to know that people FEEL GOOD in their home, is the best gift I can get. That’s when the tap shoes are back on, and I’m step-hop-shuffle-ball-changing my way into the next project.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.delsurdesigns.com
- Instagram: @delsurdesigns
- Linkedin: Heather Ault
- Facebook: Del Sur Designs
Image Credits
Personal photo: James Furman Photography
Portfolio photos #1, #3, #6, #7: Natalia Robert Photography
Portfolio photos #2, #4, #5, #8: James Furman Photography
