About

 Our Story

At Salty Oak Home, our mission is to bring new life to spaces that need a little love—from thoughtful design updates to hands-on renovations and construction. Emily founded the business to turn her passion for interiors into a way to create beautiful, comfortable homes throughout our community. What began as a love for decorating has grown into a husband-and-wife business where design and craftsmanship come together.

Emily brings the creative vision and love of interiors, while her husband, Clark, brings his experience as a licensed contractor to bring those ideas to life. Together, they approach each project with a shared passion for creating spaces that are not only beautiful, but functional, lasting, and truly feel like home.

Inspired by the natural beauty of the Gulf Coast, our work blends timeless design with a relaxed, welcoming aesthetic that reflects the place we are proud to call home.

Whether you’re refreshing a room, updating finishes, making repairs, or taking on a larger renovation, we offer design and construction services tailored to your space and your needs. From the initial design vision through the hands-on work that brings it to life, our goal is to make the process feel seamless and the finished space feel like you.

 Meet The Team 

Emily Gerken is the owner and lead decorator of Salty Oak Home, LLC. As a Gulf Coast native, Emily draws inspiration from the natural beauty and relaxed elegance of coastal living—an influence that can be seen throughout her designs.

A graduate of Auburn University with a background in visual merchandising, Emily brings a trained eye for artful design, thoughtful placement, and cohesive styling. She has a talent for uncovering unique vintage statement pieces and blending them seamlessly with transitional elements to create spaces that feel timeless, balanced, and inviting.

Emily believes every home should reflect the personality and lifestyle of the people who live in it. She works closely with her clients to create spaces that are not only beautiful, but functional, personal, and tailored to their individual style and budget.

Clark Gerken brings the construction side of Salty Oak Home to life. As a licensed contractor, Clark oversees the hands-on work behind each project, from renovations and repairs to home improvements and custom updates. His attention to detail, craftsmanship, and practical approach complement Emily’s design vision, allowing the two to work together from concept through completion.

Together, Emily and Clark bring a unique combination of design and construction to every project. Their shared goal is to create spaces that are thoughtfully designed, beautifully executed, and made to feel like home.

Rooted in a passion for design, craftsmanship, and community, Emily and Clark are proud to help homeowners transform their spaces into places that feel uniquely their own.