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An Interview With Candice Georgiadis

Keep your space as updated as possible. Even if you can’t afford a total remodel, you can integrate smaller, more current pieces into your space such as a new rug, coffee table, or accessories. This will keep you feeling like your space is up to snuff when you walk into a beautiful restaurant or store.

As part of my series on the “5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Amy Youngblood, Founder and Lead Designer, Amy Youngblood Interiors.

Amy began her career in interior design over 20 years ago. She’s worked for several interior design firms, both residential and commercial. With a strong background as an accomplished artist, Amy fused her creative abilities along with her business and design experience to launch Amy Youngblood Interiors in 2009. Both Amy’s artwork and design commissions have been featured over the years in both local and national media. Amy’s appreciation of all styles has made her known for her clean lined, yet comfortable, sophisticated look.

Thank you so much for joining us in this series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

As a Communications major in college, my initial career path was more on the “safe” side as I took several jobs in sales and marketing for larger corporations. After several years doing this, I realized my creative juices from my younger days weren’t being fulfilled and I was in love with decorating my apartments at the time, plus reading interior design magazines. After some serious thought I decided to reinvent my career and combine my business skills with my strong art background and get my degree in interior design. I worked for a few different design firms after graduating, both residential and commercial based. It ironically wasn’t until 2009 during the last recession that I took the leap to launch my own arm!

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?

Well there have been a few. One that really stands out to me is from 2005 when I worked for a beautiful furniture store/interior design studio. It was my first real job in the residential sector. The owner of the store had great taste and beautiful things on the showroom floor. I was 6 months pregnant at the time with a 2 year old at home and struggling with the work/life balance. The problem with my job was not only that the store was struggling, but I was working aside another designer much older than me who was extremely demeaning, competitive and territorial. After going to the owner on several occasions to address the issue, I finally decided to leave what I felt was a toxic work environment. Ironically the store went out of business about 6 months after I left from faltering sales (the economy was ironically good then) and a lack of initiative and leadership in the business. It was one of my smartest decisions to walk away when I did and pursue other opportunities.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

The funniest mistake that I can recall is mis ordering an expensive sectional for a client. I had my assistant at the time lay it out in the room using auto cad, but when we went to deliver it the parts were reversed and didn’t fit exactly as we had drawn them in. Luckily the room was very square and the sectional ironically fit fine. After confessing our error to the owner they were actually okay with the layout. I avoided a very costly mistake and learned to always double check my order numbers when submitting them to vendors!

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

Well, probably the most exciting right now are my own residence and a new 8,500 square foot home. Both are very contemporary high end projects. For my residence, it’s a major remodel of a large 3,000 square foot condominium. One thing designers experience when they’re doing their own space is harder decision making. This seems to be a known fact in the design world. It’s so much easier to select items for your clients than it is for yourself! I try to keep that in mind and not over think it!

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

My favorite quote is probably “Karma is a bitch”. I know that might sound a bit rough, but I strongly believe that when you don’t treat others well and act ethically, life always comes back to bite you. It’s like the universe knows when you are not living your best life.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I have two people. My father Mark Youngblood came from little means and started his own company from nothing. He was successful and hardworking in everything he did while still being altruistic to others. I remember as a kid I was always asking him questions about working for himself and how he did it. I’ll never forget his quote of “Everybody thinks they should be in charge but the truth is most can’t and really are better off working for someone else.” This always inspired me and my desire to work ultimately for myself. I also credit my business and life coach David Wood, who I’ve been working with for three years. David not only has helped me achieve greater financial success, he’s helped me become a more intuitive and effective person when dealing with personal situations and issues.

Thank you for that. Here is the main question of our discussion. What are your “5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy” and why. Please share a story or example for each.

  1. Invest in great artwork that you love for your walls. It will only spark happiness and creativity.
  2. Light your space well with a variety of lighting, from overhead recessed lights to lamps. It’s proven that well lit spaces improve one’s mood.
  3. Create a great conversation area in your home. This could be anything from a large living area with two facing sofas, or a smaller area with a round cocktail table and surrounding club chairs. This is especially fun for the holidays and special events.
  4. Choose a color palette for your space that you personally love. Don’t just follow the trends! For example, if you don’t like gray but like color, choose colors that reflect your personal tastes.
  5. Keep your space as updated as possible. Even if you can’t afford a total remodel, you can integrate smaller, more current pieces into your space such as a new rug, coffee table, or accessories. This will keep you feeling like your space is up to snuff when you walk into a beautiful restaurant or store.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

I have thought a lot about what I want to do in my later years and with my legacy As a past victim of sexual assault, I am very passionate about helping women (or even men) who have or are suffering any type of violence or abuse in their relationships. Not only does it hurt women, it hurts their children and everyone involved with them. I would love to start a foundation to help women escape harmful relationships, counsel them, and help them get back on their feet. Obviously there are organizations out there that do this now, but I feel it’s still not enough.

We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this, especially if we tag them 🙂

Oprah Winfrey or the Notorious RBG! If Ruth Bader Ginsberg was alive I would love to meet her for all that she has done for women over the years. She was a true trailblazer and I even have an RBG tank top that I work out in! I also adore and admire Oprah. She has become such a major influence in our culture, and I agree with all of her causes and beliefs. She’s also become so successful on her own terms. She does things because she loves it, and not just for the money!

How can our readers follow you on social media?

Readers can follow me on Instagram @amyyoungbloodinteriors of our web-site at amyyoungblood.com.

Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational!


Amy Youngblood: 5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.