An Inspired Chat with Nohealani Sentenac of East Valley

Nohealani Sentenac shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Nohealani, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Absolutely. I’m so grateful I waited to start my design business when the time was truly right. I began taking freelance design clients back in 2015, but I didn’t officially launch my business until much later—because I knew I wasn’t ready yet. Instead, I spent eight years in the corporate world, gaining the kind of real-world experience that I now lean on every single day.

Those years taught me how to manage projects, communicate clearly, and build efficient systems—all of which I now bring into my design work. Because of that foundation, I’ve been able to build a business that’s not only rooted in creativity and aesthetics, but also in structure and trust. I didn’t rush it—and now, my clients benefit from a thoughtful, well-rounded process that helps them feel cared for from start to finish.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Nohealani Sentenac, founder of Sentenac House Interiors, a boutique interior design studio rooted in the belief that your home should tell your story—and support your lifestyle beautifully. I help busy families and homeowners design spaces that feel both elevated and truly livable, with a strong emphasis on clarity, collaboration, and thoughtful functionality.

What makes our approach unique is how personal and process-driven it is. We don’t just “make things pretty”—we dig deep to understand how you live, what matters most to you, and how to design a home that feels like you. From transparent pricing to customized timelines and communication, I’ve built our systems to take the stress out of the design process and make our clients feel supported every step of the way.

Right now, we’re working on several exciting full-home renovations and launching some new digital and virtual offerings to help more people confidently design their homes, no matter where they live. I believe a beautiful home isn’t just a luxury—it’s an investment in your well-being, your family, and your everyday experience. That’s what we’re here to help you create.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
What a powerful question.

For me, the part that’s served its purpose and needs to be released is the version of myself that felt she had to earn her worth by doing it all alone.

For years, I wore independence like a badge of honor—thinking I had to carry every project, every decision, every emotion by myself in order to prove I was capable. But the truth is, that mindset kept me from asking for help, from resting, and from experiencing the kind of connection that comes when we allow others in.

That part of me helped me survive in seasons where I had no choice but to figure it out on my own. But now, it’s safe to let it go. I’m learning to receive support, to delegate, to trust others, and to believe that my value isn’t tied to how much I can shoulder—it’s found in who I am.

Letting go of that outdated armor is making room for deeper relationships, better work, and a much more peaceful version of success.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me to slow down and pay attention to the parts of myself I was too busy to notice when things were going well. It showed me where I was placing my identity—how much I had tied my value to what I could produce, achieve, or control.

Suffering also taught me to surrender. To let go of perfectionism, of needing answers, and of thinking I had to have it all figured out. It made me brave enough to be honest, soft enough to receive love, and wise enough to know that growth often starts in the dark.

Success may be shiny, but suffering has a way of rooting you in something deeper—faith, resilience, perspective—and those are the things I carry forward, even in the good seasons.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the interior design industry tells itself is that beauty alone is enough—that aesthetics can outweigh function, livability, or emotional resonance. The truth is, a space can be stunning and still feel cold, disconnected, or impractical for the people living in it. Design should always serve the human experience first.

Another lie is that more expensive means better. While quality materials matter, thoughtful design isn’t about how much you spend—it’s about how intentionally you spend it. There’s an unspoken pressure to chase luxury or trends, when real luxury is often found in calm, ease, and belonging.

Lastly, the industry sometimes pretends it’s all about transformation, when in reality, some of the most powerful design work is deeply personal, subtle, and rooted in healing—helping people feel seen, safe, and grounded in their own homes. That can’t be captured in a before-and-after photo, but it’s the most meaningful part.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I’d stop saying yes to things just to keep the peace.
I’d stop delaying the things I’ve always said I wanted to do “someday.”
I’d stop obsessing over how things appear and focus more on how they feel.

I’d stop trying to fit into rooms I was never meant to be in.
I’d stop waiting for the perfect timing.
I’d stop shrinking myself to make other people more comfortable.

Most of all, I’d stop living like there’s always more time. Because there isn’t.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sentenachouse.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sentenachouseinteriors
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sentenachouseinteriors
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SentenacHouseInteriors