A seasoned designer with a refined approach to creating inviting, family-centered spaces, Hayley Servatius blends her lifelong passions for fashion and interior design into every project. Growing up in a creative household, Hayley’s weekends were often spent visiting farmer’s markets and fashion studios with her mother and grandmother, experiences that cultivated her keen eye for style and detail. Her early exposure to high fashion—including a transformative visit to Coco Chanel’s iconic studio at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris—solidified her love for beautifully crafted aesthetics and her dedication to elegant design.
Before founding Vintage Lane Interiors, Hayley built an impressive career in the fashion industry, holding roles at major brands such as Gap Inc., Levi’s, and Stitch Fix. These experiences in fast-paced, design-driven environments provided her with a strong foundation in understanding clients’ stylistic needs and preferences, eventually leading her to transition from fashion to interior design. Her work in interiors carries forward the same dedication to quality, creativity, and personalization that defined her fashion career, translating trends and timeless design principles into spaces that are both functional and captivating.
Today, as the founder of Vintage Lane Interiors, Hayley specializes in creating residential spaces that are visually distinctive, warm, and uniquely tailored to each client. Her designs merge aesthetics with practicality, considering the nuances of family life and the comforts of home. Based in Greenwood Village, Colorado, Hayley brings her passion for design to every project while balancing life as a mother of three young children. Outside her work with clients, she serves as Co-President of the Colorado Ballet Auxiliary Board, volunteers within her local community, and enjoys skiing, hiking, and gardening.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day is meeting with clients and visiting job sites that are under construction or in an installation. I begin my day with prayer every morning, take my kids to school, walk my dog or get a workout in and visit clients or attend meetings in person until lunchtime. I try to be home by 1pm latest to get work done at my desk until I pick up my kids at 3pm. My day has to be highly productive and organized since I need to get so much done in a shorter span of time. I do love it and when I feel overwhelmed, I try to just slow down and take a few moments to be thankful that I have so much going on. Mom mode sets in from 3pm until about 9pm. I do love this time to drive around my kids to their activities, make dinner and spend time with my family. At 9pm, I log back in to ensure that nothing pressing needs to be attended to. I am co-president of the Auxiliary Board for the Colorado Ballet and I am an active member of the Board of Trustees for the Colorado Ballet. I love giving back to the arts and supporting the dancers in the ballet community. These meetings and running the board are priorities of mine and can take nights and weekends to ensure that I am planful and attentive. These boards play a huge role in my desire to give back to the community that gives me so much in my life.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I create boards on Pinterest or through a photo album on my icloud. I am very visual and I need to see all the examples in my mind on paper. My first step after I have a clear point of view is to build a color palette. I love getting my base colors set and playing with layering colors or textures. I always reference back to what the client has asked for…leather, monochromatic color schemes and adding art. My next step it to create design boards for the project. I organize all of my ideas and try to create boards that walk the clients through my thoughts and plans to achieve the outcome they desire. Budgets are so important to me. Once I have my design boards created, I add a budget to the boards. I try to be realistic with allowances for furniture, any construction or any extra decor that I want to add. I do show the clients where they will spend more of their money and where we can layer that expense down the road.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Color! I love how we are layering color right now. Color is showing up in unexpected places. Doing two tones cabinets in a kitchen or master bathroom. Wallpaper playing off a pop color vanity in a powder bathroom. Bringing in fun through a bright colored pillow or throw accent. Color is just showing up in such unique and fun ways. My clientele on average looks for a more timeless look with monochromatic paint and cabinetry, but I have been able to play with color in unique ways and add wall paper that just excites a space when you walk in.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I wake up every morning at 5am to spend time with the Lord and thank Him for my blessings. I will also answer emails and respond to anything that may have come in at the end of the day. I stay very organized with my time throughout the day. I do at times have to miss personal events, but I always make my clients a priority. I make lots of lists. Lots! I always have a good snapshot of what needs to get done and in the timeline. But, I also LOVE what I do. I stay productive because my job is fun and I am accountable to myself and my family. I love making my clients happy and bringing them joy in their personal space at home.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be strong, don’t let anyone take advantage of you and stay focused on today and what needs to be done. I have learned that some clients will try to take advantage of kindness but if you stay strong and clear on the project expectations and your accountability, no one can take advantage of you. Be strong…it gets so hard. That is life. Life can be uncertain and hard, but there are so many blessings and joy in life. Focus on what matters, family and being an honest person. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Not everyone is going to like you but when you find your people, even if it is a smaller group than you ever anticipated, you will always have the love and support you need.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Trust your gut. My gut is never wrong and sometimes it is hard to hear it but if you listen you will hear what your intuition tells you. Spend on lighting. Lighting is the place where you can really elevate a home from nice to spectacular. Lighting can take a traditional home to contemporary.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I like to test out paint colors on whiteboards before putting them on a wall. I really think if you apply 2 coats of paint to a solid white foam board or matte board, you can see how the color will look on your walls. It really shows true and can be moved around a home in every light. I recommend designers do this so a client can sit with colors for a little while without the mess on the walls.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I turn to God. I give all of my stress and anxiety to Him and I pray for a clear mind, simpler schedule and to remove the headaches from my life. I have a deep faith and I have always turned my anxiety to the Lord. I also work out, take my dog for a walk and giggle with my kids. I find that kids are so easy and carefree that it just lightens my mood and puts things into perspective.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Being genuine with my point of view, showing up for meetings and working my hardest no matter what and being transparent with my clients and bosses. I have always believed that it is better to be as open as possible than to try to cover up anything. People may get mad, but it will be short lived if you have an action plan and remedy any situation. I have always been a hard worker. I don’t mind waking up early or staying up late for a big meeting. I can dig in and be action focused for the better part of a day. I love what I do and I love to make my clients happy.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
While working at Old Navy corporate, I was passed over for a big promotion. I was so upset and the feedback as to why I passed up, didn’t seem accurate. I sulked for a day…then, woke up, showered and picked myself up. I know that God has a plan for me and I trust that while I can make decisions for myself He ultimately has the plan. I got an even bigger promotion the following year and my boss’s feedback was how positive I had been and how hard I was working. My lessons are to be patient, my time will come. Take a day to sulk…feel sorry for yourself, but then pick yourself up and come back harder and stronger. Belief in yourself is the best lesson.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Invent a pan, similar to a washing machine, for under-ice makers. They are notoriously bad appliances and seem to leak after about 3 years of service. Okay, but seriously…I have always wanted to do an online box subscription service for seasonal decor. You could pay a subscription cost and get a decor box for the holiday, season or month that highlights whatever occasion. I would include door mats, a wreath, a couple small tablescape items and a banner for fireplaces. Just a real simple box that would help with updating for the next holiday.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Houzz is amazing platform. I love managing all of my clients, projects and billing in one place. I do use Morpholio for the design boards and that is an incredible app.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Personal – a pair of wide-leg jeans at Gap. Having worked at Gap Corporation for so long I have such a love for the brand. I bought a super cute pair of baggy wide-leg jeans with studs. I love them with flats or heels and I feel so on trend when I wear them. They just make me feel powerful and pulled together. Professional – a couple of new pillows for my sofa. I love getting a couple of updates for each season and the cow hair tan pillows took me into Fall with the color and texture of the pillows.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
My favorite podcast is Tucker Carlson or LIpstick on the Rim. Tucker Carlson because I love his laugh and his view on the country. Lipstick on the Rim because I love the fashion and beauty advice of Molly Sims. She is so funny and enduring. I love that she is a mom juggling so much.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
My favorite series are Emily in Paris and Ted Lasso. Emily in Paris is just so fun for the fashion scenes of Paris and it is a cute romantic comedy. I feel good when I watch it. Ted Lasso is hilarious because it is English humor and I love watching football scenes too. It is hilarious and I always end up laughing so hard.
Key learnings
- Use visual tools and clear organization to communicate ideas effectively and align with others’ expectations.
- Structure your day with moments for both productivity and personal recharge to maintain focus and energy.
- Approach challenges with resilience and authenticity to foster meaningful growth in your career.