Meet Dasha Hervey | Interior Designer from the Sea to the Sierras

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dasha Hervey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dasha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process in starting my own business came from a place of reflection and reinvention. After years as a Vice President of Sales and Marketing—working 70 hours a week while raising two small children—I faced a severe back injury that left me unable to work or even sit for two years.

That forced pause gave me clarity. Lying on my belly playing Barbies and Polly Pocket with my girls, I realized how precious time and choice really are.

When I began to heal, I promised myself that if I could start over, I’d build a life and career with purpose, creativity, and balance—on my own terms. I enrolled in an Intro to Interior Design class at the local junior college, fell in love with the process, and set a clear intention: to create a design business that improved people’s lives through thoughtful, functional design.

My first pro bono project for a quadriplegic veteran reminded me that good design isn’t just about how a space looks—it’s about how it empowers and enhances daily living. That became the foundation for my business and the heart of Sea and Pine Interior Design.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets me apart is that I truly care about people—how they live, what brings them comfort, and what challenges they face in their daily routines. I want to know about you, your family, your dog, your community—because great design starts with understanding the lives that fill a home. I design with function first and form second, and the end result is always a reflection of my clients, not me. My mission is simple: to design spaces that make life better.

I’m most proud of bringing Universal Design into the second-home market. During COVID, the world shifted in how and where people lived, worked, and raised families. That opened the door for me to focus on designing for second homes and short-term rentals. One request led to another, and today, I specialize in creating vacation homes that are as livable as they are luxurious—with over 100 happy clients and guests.

The journey has been both easy and hard. I’ve stayed in everything from campgrounds to five-star resorts, and I’m admittedly picky. That shaped my philosophy that your indoor experience should be just as fun and inspiring as your outdoor adventure. Finding dependable trades in mountain towns hasn’t always been easy—when it snows, everyone skis—but that challenge reminded me to slow down and stay true to my original vision of balance, integrity, and quality.

What I want the world to know about my brand is that Sea and Pine Interior Design is personal. I care deeply about every project and every client. I’ve never advertised and work solely by referral, which I consider the greatest compliment. My designs are bespoke, creative, and deeply intentional—and I’ve never repeated a design in my entire career. Each home is as unique as the people who live in it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First, I’d welcome my best friend to Mammoth, California—my happy place. They’d arrive to a cozy, beautiful guest room with everything they need for an incredible night’s sleep. Upstairs, a roaring fire, mountain views, and (I’ll admit) a bit of an understated wowza open-plan living area would set the mood.

I’d hand them a glass of champagne to toast their arrival and tell them to grab their suit, because we’re heading to Hot Creek to soak while watching the sun set and the moon rise over the Sierra peaks.

The next day, we’d stand-up paddle in a secret creek that opens into a breathtaking emerald-green lake, then picnic barefoot on a sandbar surrounded by stillness and scenery. That evening, I’d prepare all the ingredients for a lavender-infused steam shower before heading out for pizza and craft beer tasting at our local brewery. We’d end the night wrapped in blankets on the ridge, watching shooting stars streak across the Mammoth sky.

As the week continues, we’d go horseback riding through alpine meadows, visit hidden waterfalls and wildflower trails, and take a day trip to Yosemite National Park—hiking, exploring, and then spoiling ourselves with a glass of wine at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel. On the way home, we’d stop at the Mono Inn, where one of the region’s top chefs serves dinner with a front-row seat to a glowing sunset over Mono Lake.

And finally, we’d return home to take a walk with my ever-loving American Eskimo dog—fluffy white coat, pink tongue, and black nose—watching her chase squirrels as we reflect on a week filled with nature, laughter, and everything that makes mountain life so special.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband was my greatest cheerleader. When I started the Interior Design program, I didn’t even know how to read a ruler and still counted on my fingers to add. He used to tell me I was the smartest business executive he’d ever known—male or female—and had unwavering faith in my ability to build something meaningful. Through countless late nights of studying and building models until 3:00 a.m. while our girls slept, he never stopped believing in me.

My girls were my daily inspiration. Their giggles, dress-up games, cookie baking, and doing dishes with suds flying everywhere gave me perspective on what truly mattered—joy, creativity, and being present. They reminded me why I wanted to design a life filled with purpose and balance.

I’ll always be grateful to the director of my design program, who believed in me even when I had to redo a project. She taught me that excellence and integrity matter—not just for the grade, but for every client I’d one day serve.

And finally, my greatest inspiration and gratitude go to God. He gave me this gift, the strength to persevere, and the vision to create beauty and purpose through design. After all, He’s the most extraordinary designer that exists.

Website: https://www.seaandpine.com

Instagram: seaandpineinteriordesign

Linkedin: Dasha Hervey

Image Credits
Dasha Hervey, Sea and Pine Interior Design
Mino Pro – pink bench bedroom, black vanity primary bath, office w/wall paper