Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Sass.
Hi Victoria , please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Interior design is all I’ve ever done. I’m a complete obsessive. I studied design and architecture at the University of Minnesota and began my career at an architecture firm that eventually dissolved during the recession. Since then, I’ve been working under my own flag. I spent about eight years in the commercial design world, creating retail spaces, hospitality environments, creative headquarters, and event venues. Around 2015, I went through a bit of a life audit and realized I needed more creative impact and a deeper connection to the work I was bringing into the world. That realization led me to residential design and the founding of Prospect Refuge Studio.
The name comes from a design theory I learned about in college: the theory of prospect and refuge. It was the first time I fully grasped the power of design to shape the way people feel and live. That insight has stayed with me ever since. Helping people shape the energy of their daily lives through the spaces they inhabit is a privilege I’ll never take for granted.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been easy, in a way. I’ve only questioned my path once, in 2015. But I came to realize I was put on this earth with a specific perspective and a set of skills, and it’s my life’s work to use them to create the most positive impact I can. So I redirected my ship toward the work that felt most natural—trusting my intuition, making space for beauty and creation, and shaping emotional journeys for our clients. I’ve never looked back, and I’m deeply grateful for that clarity.
At the same time, I’ve faced plenty of doubt and resistance along the way. My high school guidance counselor told me interior design wasn’t a financially viable career, and that message stuck with me longer than it should have. At times, it’s been isolating to build a nationally recognized design firm while staying rooted in the Midwest, outside the usual cultural hubs. But I’ve always believed in the richness of this place and the value of contributing to its creative landscape. It’s been incredibly encouraging to watch the local design community grow and evolve. With the launch of our sister business, Prospect Refuge Gallery, we’re now working to bring collectible design to the Twin Cities as well. There have been skeptics at every stage, and no real secret to pushing through – only the steady commitment to doing the work you feel compelled to do, every day, for as long as it takes.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a residential interior design studio specializing in creating meaningful environments within private homes. We’re best known for our love of “old homes, young families,” and for designing new builds with an old soul. A good deal of our work is located around the lakes, though we’re just as inspired by remote cabins tucked deep into the woods, or urban lofts for cozy city dwellers. And, while our projects stretch coast to coast, we bring a sense of Northern sensibility – quiet confidence and considered craft – to every space we touch.
What defines our studio is a willingness to ask the deeper questions. Why do we own what we own? What purpose does a space serve, and how does it enrich daily life? We’re not here to follow formulas or trends. We lead with narrative, intuition, and vision, and we invite our clients to trust that process. We believe in homes that feel deeply personal, not performative. As I often say, “we sell feelings, not furniture” – because in the end, it’s not just about how a space looks, but how it makes you feel.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
It might be surprising that although I’ve traveled extensively, the places that leave the deepest mark on me aren’t the most polished or high-profile. I’m most inspired by the authenticity of rural communities, vernacular architecture, and the edges of the map – places where design is shaped by need, heritage, and resourcefulness. That unfiltered honesty inspires me and the work we do at the studio, translating into interiors that feel luxurious in a nuanced and complex way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://prospectrefugestudio.com
- Instagram: prospectrefugestudio
