Hard to believe our final Follow Friday of 2011 is here! To end the year with a bang, we caught up with the incredibly talented Amanda Parker, a local designer, yoga instructor and roller derby phenom. Amanda may be guilty of leaving her white Christmas lights up year-round, but we won’t spoil the rest of her tips – here’s what Amanda has to say:
SV: As a designer, how does your design style translate into your home décor style?
AP: I’m always finding new things that inspire me, but they don’t always initially go together. I think being a designer has helped me make sense of it all. I’m inspired by music, my grandma’s wallpaper, gritty concerts, old oil painting, artwork from friends…I love to mix styles. Half of the stuff I get the most compliments on I found in dumpsters or on curbs and just made work.
SV: Where do you find design inspiration? 
AP: I spent quite a bit of time with some very talented and creative artists. Seeing them work, seeing what they put together – that has stayed with me. Sometimes I’ll be inspired by a movie, a photo, or even a song. I like dramatic spaces, but I like those spaces to feel comfortable, too. I want people to walk into my home and feel like they have gotten away from the world outside. I also want them to feel like they know me better.
SV: Tell us about your workspace:
AP: When I’m working, I have to have a clean space! I like to occasionally clip “inspiration” pieces on the wall, really get into a certain mood, and I don’t like stacks of things in the way of that. I keep lots of pens and different kinds of paper around for quick scribbles, but I try to keep things pretty comfortable and simple. When I’m working long hours, I need my office to be a place I want to be.
SV: Which room in your home is your favorite, and why?
AP: I love my living room! The tall ceilings and natural light are what sold me on my current apartment. I have a working fireplace, so it can open and be airy during the day and cozy at night. I have also filled that room with some of my favorite things: artwork, little gifts, and plants.
SV: What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? How have you made your home festive for the holidays?
AP: One my favorite things to do each year is to decorate cookies with my Dad. We’ve done this for years and we really get into it! As a designer, it’s fun to change things up, get messy, and work on something that has no rules.
Another favorite holiday tradition is putting garland and lights up around my apartment. I love how it changes the whole space. Sometimes, I might be guilty of leaving the white lights up year-round…
SV: What do you love most about living and working in Columbus?
AP: I love the variety. Each part of town has something different to offer, and I feel like there is always something new to discover. I’m always surprised at the things I kind of stumble into because I never imagined to find it here in Columbus!
Can you relate to Amanda’s design style? See what project she’s up to next by connecting with her on Twitter or reading her blog.
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