We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amber Lyn Horwitz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amber Lyn below.
Amber Lyn, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
When considering the impact of self-care on my effectiveness, as well as how I’ve persisted through challenges with mental illness, I realized these two ideas are deeply connected. Anxiety and self-doubt have been constants in my adult life. At times, my anxiety has felt overwhelming, affecting my relationships with friends and family. Other times, I’ve managed to keep it under wraps so well that I’m fairly certain no one noticed.
Self-doubt, however, is much harder to anticipate. It can surface at the most unexpected moments—while working on a piece I’ve done countless times, preparing a live video tutorial, or even heading to lunch with friends I’ve known for years. Suddenly, my mind is flooded with doubt, shaking my confidence in my skills, abilities, and relationships.
It took me a long time to face these challenges directly and start exploring how to cope more effectively. That’s where self-care came in. I wish I could say I found a straightforward plan that solved everything, but my journey was more complex. It’s been a process of trial and error, identifying what genuinely helps me and letting go of what doesn’t.
My list of self-care practices is uniquely mine, but the principle is universal: seek out what brings you peace and joy. If something doesn’t, let it go. While this sounds simple, it’s often difficult—especially when it involves stepping away from people or habits you didn’t realize were contributing to negativity.
For me, learning to prioritize myself was a turning point. By removing sources of negativity, I’ve been able to protect my peace, nurture my joy, and, in doing so, heal. This shift has also allowed my creativity to thrive in ways I never expected.p
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My company, Urban Isla is all about transformation—breathing new life into furniture through creativity, color, and craftsmanship. As the designer and artist behind the brand, I specialize in creating one-of-a-kind furniture pieces that reflect my clients’ unique tastes and stories.
Based just outside of Atlanta, my work draws inspiration from the contrast of bold, urban sophistication and the serene beauty of the coast. I have a passion for using vibrant colors and rich textures to craft furniture that evokes emotion—whether it’s a dramatic centerpiece or a subtle, calming accent. No two pieces are ever the same, because I believe every project should tell its own story.
Beyond my furniture designs, I love connecting with the creative community. I collaborate with brands as a content creator and host bi-monthly live segments on my Facebook page to share techniques and inspiration. These moments of teaching and connection are just as rewarding as the pieces I create.
At its core, Urban Isla is a reflection of my belief in the power of transformation. Whether I’m restoring a treasured family heirloom or giving new purpose to a thrifted find, my goal is always to create something meaningful, beautiful, and truly unique.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
If I were sitting down with someone tomorrow who wanted to start a similar business, I’d tell them they need three things to be successful: vision, color theory, and patience.
Vision is crucial because part of my daily process involves combing through online marketplaces to find just the right pieces to bring into my workshop. Most of the time, these pieces are in rough shape and need significant carpentry work, from rebuilding drawers to replacing major components. I have to be able to “see” what the piece once was and visualize its potential transformation before deciding if it’s worth the investment. Without this ability, I’d waste valuable time and money.
Color theory is just as important. Whether I’m working with bold, statement colors (my favorite!) or creating something more neutral and understated, understanding color theory is key. Color theory is the study of how colors interact, including which colors complement each other and which should be avoided. This knowledge helps you guide clients toward choices that suit their tastes and their home while ensuring your work looks polished and cohesive. Even subtle adjustments in tone can elevate the overall result.
Finally, patience. Building a successful business doesn’t happen overnight—not your knowledge and skillset, and certainly not your growth or exposure. If this is something you’re passionate about, stay committed to practicing and perfecting your craft. With time, effort, and consistency, you’ll see the progress and recognition you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
I love working with all clients to bring their furniture pieces to life, but the ideal collaboration for me is when someone brings me an amazing, unique piece of furniture and gives me a theme, feeling, or concept to work with. From there, I love to have the freedom to let the piece and theme guide the transformation. The best projects are the ones where I’m given space to create and where the vision evolves organically as I work—allowing the design to unfold in a way that feels true to both the piece and the story behind it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://urbanisla.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanisladesigns
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094508650918
Image Credits
Jessica Roberts with Jessica Faye Photography
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