A designer’s work often focuses more on the journey than the finished product. For Amber Lewis, the true significance lies in the choices, uncertainties, and defining moments that shape a space long before it appears in photographs. Her new book, Interiors: Curated Spaces from Start to Finish, released today, outlines nine projects through her framework of the “Six P’s”: Ponder, Play, Procure, Patience + Panic, Pull It Together, and Pride. The result transcends a mere collection of completed rooms, offering instead a transparent look at how design actually unfolds.
Lewis’s professional path began unexpectedly. In her early twenties, she worked in retail but found herself drawn to arranging displays rather than selling merchandise. Clients began asking her to style their homes, and one commission led to another. By the time she recognized interior design as a viable career, she was already immersed in the field. She developed her technical skills independently—painting walls, learning Photoshop during evenings, and launching a blog—without formal design education. The business developed naturally, not through a singular defining style, but through years of adapting to real-world projects, budgets, and challenges.
Many assume her firm’s success stems from a distinctive visual identity. The reality, however, is far less polished: it reflects fifteen years of problem-solving, iterative adjustments, and team growth alongside the workload. Outsiders observe the refined end result, but the foundation lies in the unglamorous, evolving process behind it.
Designing for Lived-In Serenity
Lewis rejects the pursuit of flawless design. She strives instead for spaces that feel serene and inhabited, where neutral foundations contrast with deliberate layers—a weathered vintage piece or an unusual texture. The objective is not to create something precious, but something that resembles a home, even when it is new. “If a room feels relaxed but still interesting, I’ve done my job.”
The book’s structure mirrors this approach. Rather than presenting only finished interiors, it dissects the emotional and practical progression of each project. Readers gain access to the unfiltered stages: the mental preparation before selecting the first sample, the moments when plans shift, and the searches for specific materials. Practical elements, paint colors, fabrics, finishes, recur throughout, making the book both instructive and motivating.
Writing the book revealed how much of her process operates instinctively. “I realized how much of the job is invisible, I’m basically building the finished room in my head months before anyone else can see it, and I’d never had to put words to that part before.” Getting to slow down and explain the “why” behind decisions, instead of just making them, was the real surprise.
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History Over Grandeur in Spaces
For Lewis, the most meaningful components of a room are those carrying history, a vintage object, a textured surface, or anything avoiding a brand-new appearance. Grandeur is irrelevant; depth matters. “It doesn’t have to be a big statement, even one object with some soul in it keeps a room from feeling flat.”
Design, in her view, extends beyond aesthetics. It encompasses how a space integrates with daily life, the comfort it provides, the inspiration it sparks. In an era where homes function as workplaces, relaxation areas, and multifunctional hubs, thoughtful design holds greater importance than many recognize. “I’ve always believed a home should give you comfort and a little bit of inspiration at the same time. That’s not vanity, that’s just quality of life.”
The book captures lessons from her journey, but her next steps prioritize organic exploration over rigid planning. While her firm has expanded into multiple ventures, the design remains the core focus. This approach preserves creative control over projects, even as the business evolves. Clients frequently remark on the personal feel of her spaces, as though tailored specifically to them, though Lewis attributes this to the iterative process documented in the book rather than deliberate crafting.
From Retail Displays to Design Career
The designer’s entry into interior work began unintentionally in retail, where arranging displays became more engaging than sales. Clients noticed her eye for styling and began requesting home projects, turning informal efforts into a professional path. Without formal training, she built skills through hands-on experience, painting walls, teaching herself design software, and documenting work through a blog.
A common assumption about the firm’s success is that it relies on a signature visual style. In reality, the business evolved through practical problem-solving over fifteen years, adapting to project demands and team development. The polished outcomes seen today reflect an iterative process rather than a preordained aesthetic.
Her approach to design prioritizes real-world functionality over rigid planning. The firm’s growth has been organic, shaped by immediate needs and creative curiosity rather than long-term blueprints. This method ensures projects remain responsive to the people and spaces they serve.
