Meet Amy Vroom

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amy Vroom. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amy, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

I like to think I’ve always approached life with my glass half full. Professionally speaking, my career leading up to being a designer has shaped that. Prior to switching careers, I worked in the creative marketing industry where ideas were our currency and asking the question “what if” led us to creative solutions for our clients. Being generally optimistic that these creative ideas could change how a business behaves or how customers interact with a brand was always exciting for me.

Pivoting to interior design , that same optimism comes into play with helping clients create a home they could have never imagined on their own. I’m a very curious and inquisitive person, so understanding how people want to live in their spaces — and then figuring out how to solve for that creatively — is exciting to me. As cliche as it sounds, I’m lucky to be in the business of making dreams come true. You have to be an optimist to think of all the possibilities and bring that to life.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

After working 15+ years in the advertising industry, I went back to school in order to make a career change to interior design. I wasn’t fulfilled in my job, and I knew there was something else out there for me. After completing my MFA in Interior Architecture & Design, I started The Residency Bureau where I focus primarily on residential interiors.

I think of myself as a color and pattern enthusiast who brings life to the gray Pacific Northwest in my designs. I tend to attract clients who are not afraid of taking a few risks and who are more than happy to move away from a neutral aesthetic often found in this area. As someone who cut their teeth in advertising, I also know the importance of a good story. I believe listening to my client’s stories provides the best blueprint for successful interior design projects. There is nothing more personal than your home and how it reflects your personality and tells the story of you.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Have Confidence

Trust Your Gut

You get more with sugar than with salt.

Whether I was early in my career or further on, I always had the confidence I could do it — and if I didn’t know how — I’d figure it out. That partially stems from growing up in a home where my parents lead me to be believe I could do anything I set my mind to. When I was faced with a situation where I was unsure, I’d stay curious, ask questions, and figure it out. Or make mistakes and learn not to do that again. I think that can-do attitude and confidence has proven to be invaluable in my career — especially as I switched careers and started my own business.

Trusting your gut might seem like a no-brainer, but I’ve learned the hard way what happens when I don’t. To me this goes beyond common sense. No matter the situation — whether you’re getting a read on a potential client or making a design decision — that feeling or sense you get about the situation is usually right. As I’ve gotten older and have had more years of experience, I know to trust that and I’ve not been let down by doing so.

We all know how it feels to be around people who feel seen and respected. You show up and do a better job because of it. Even though I work by myself, I have to rely on so many people to be successful at my job. If you’re kind and treat people with respect, you’ll get more out of them. A little bit of sugar can go a long way.

How would you describe your ideal client?

I hope to attract clients who want to challenge the norm and take a few risks. Ones who get excited about feeling slightly uncomfortable and pushing boundaries. Someone who is not afraid of colors and patterns, and who appreciates an eclectic approach to design with the mixing and matching of styles. And a client who will trust the process and have a little fun along the way. Those are the ones who really fill my cup.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theresidencybureau.com
• Instagram: @theresidencybureau

Image Credits

Kara Mercer
Miranda Estes
Brent Henry Martin
Brooke Fitts