Amy Lenahan - An affordable approach to interior design

Auteur : Esther | 06-04-2011

Amy Lenahan runs a Chicago/Seattle based business is called «design i» and offers an affordable approach to interior design. She recently quit her desk job to follow her creative instincts in interior design. It started out as helping some friends and has since taken off.

What makes her services different? She offers straightforward design packages with a reasonable flat fee so that clients know exactly what her services cost, thus offering a concrete number from the start and a trustworthy, affordable option to hiring an interior designer.

I love to see examples of designers and homeowners who decorate with a lot of color and/or interesting mixes of color, and those who showcase «real» spaces.  By «real» I’m referring to not overly perfect or styled homes.  I think my beliefs have evolved out of my own struggles with perfectionist demons, but I believe it’s almost unhealthy for us to continually see spotless slick homes with gutted kitchens and baths and for that to be held up as the standard.  To me, it’s akin to the pressure we put on our physical selves in response to all of the images of physical perfection we’re inundated with from the fashion industry.  In interior design, I really love it when I see either a designer or homeowner who has made his or her existing space more beautiful, but without making it so perfect.  It’s sort of a wabi sabi philosophy, but not necessarily the wabi sabi aesthetic.

Do you have a favorite project?
I have lots of them, but you won’t find any of them on my site.  The photos on my site are projects in which I did most of the work from start to finish.  I love doing these because I get to make so many of the decisions (within a budget, of course), but my real favorites are collaborative efforts.  I have never felt comfortable showcasing these, because I feel awkward claiming them as «my» work when it’s more of a mix of the clients’ and my work.  I think most people hire a decorator or designer to take over a project and make all of the decisions.  The way I’ve structured my services, however, allows a client to be much more involved if he or she wishes.  The restult is a finished project that may not be as reflective of my own choices, but it always feels more like my client and I love that!  I’ve had to compromise and include things that wouldn’t always be my exact selections, but I like to say that if you love it – we’ll make it work!

What is the biggest mistake people make when decorating?
It’s a toss up between hanging things too high on the wall and choosing items that are too small for a space.

Moment for myself?
I love to read as much as possible.  I usually get on an all fiction or all nonfiction kick.  So for a while, my mind will be buzzing with ideas about a particular subject, and then I’ll give myself a break and get lost in the world of fiction for a while.

Current projects?
My family recently relocated from Chicago to the Seattle area.  So, I’m still working (via email) with some folks in Chicago and I’m starting to help people here on our little island.  I have to say, I have been so fortunate over the years to work with the absolute nicest people.  Seriously, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve left an appointment or finished a project and thought:  we should really go for coffee sometime!  You really learn a lot about your clients in a short period of time and it’s always an honor to help with something as personal as someone’s living space.