Artist Collections: AMANDA HAMILTON

Amanda Hamilton is the founder and creative director of Amanda Hamilton Interior Design and Palette Archives. An award-winning entrepreneur and Interior Designer based in Calgary, Alberta and working across Western Canada, Amanda is celebrated for her tenacious entrepreneurial spirit and vibrant persona. Her bold and unorthodox approach to design and business has made her one of the most sought-after creative minds in Canada. 

Amanda has been featured in numerous national publications including House & Home, Style at Home, Western Living, Montecristo, Avenue and FLARE. She has appeared on various broadcast programs, such as The Marilyn Denis Show, CTV, Global and Breakfast Television and was a collaborator for two episodes of The Property Brothers. A gifted and spirited speaker and storyteller, Amanda has delivered keynote presentations, acted as the Master of Ceremony, moderated panels and has sat on various panels covering a broad range of topics ranging from design to business. 

Notable accolades include the 2021 Western Living Interior Designer of the Year, 2020 WXN: Top 100 Most Powerful Women of Canada, 2020 Calgary Influential Women in Business Emerging Leader Award, 2019 Women of Inspiration Trailblazer Award, 2018 AWE Entrepreneurship Upsurge Award, 2017 Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 under 40 Award, 2017 Silver Stevie Female Entrepreneur of Canada, 2017 Calgary Herald’s Most Compelling Calgarians, 2013 Western Living Magazine’s One to Watch and 2012 Mount Royal University Alumni Award. 

Committed to supporting and elevating the voices of entrepreneurs, Amanda recently launched a number of internal initiatives including Hard Bar Friday, After Hours Podcast and Office Hours: Open Source Learning. Her satirical memoir, Not That Likeable: And Other Stories I Told Myself is set to release October 2021. 

Amanda received her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Interior Design from Mount Royal University, received her status as a Licensed Interior Designer through the National Council for Design Qualifications and is also a Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design Accredited Professional. She is a mentor for the Harry G. Schaefer Mentorship Program and chairs the Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta World of Choices event. In 2016, Amanda launched a Travel Scholarship through her Alma Matter to promote design exploration. 

 SHOP AMANDA'S COLLECTION HERE

1. How would you describe your decor aesthetic, either now or for your ‘Dream Space’ style:

My personal style has been an evolution. As an Interior Designer, I’m exposed to so many varied aesthetics working with our clients and like fashion, style trends are constantly changing, resulting in the expansion of my appreciation for many avenues of creative expression. In addition, global travels have been a huge inspiration and show up in my personal aesthetic, as I introduce pieces that I have purchased abroad or that remind me of a certain moment in time or place. I would say I have two distinct styles that I’ve managed to merge together with success: I love vintage 1970s Italian furniture, lighting and decor which brings in mixes of metals, bold pops of colours + artful furniture AND more of a muted, global palette which feels earthy, lux + grounded with monochromatic hues, textured plaster walls, layered neutrals + sculptural elements. 


2. What impact do you think art has on the visual profile and vibe of a room:

Walls need art. It’s common for clients who may have started their own project to wonder why their house isn’t feeling pulled together and it’s often because their walls are bare and they are usually lacking adequate decor + styling. As an easy comparison, it’s like dressing for a formal event and forgetting to pair your ensemble with the appropriate jewelry, handbag, shoes, etc. Art and decor are the jewelry in the room that finish and polish a space. Art also has the ability to transform and tie together a room, set a tone and be a focal point that ground the room. 


3. What correlation do you see, if any, between your fashion and decor preferences? We often find that fashion influences design, and vice versa… do you see that creative fluidity as relevant in your own personal style:

It's always been my belief that many of us express our personality through our clothing and that the home can be very much the same way. Whether it’s our garb or our interiors, we have the opportunity to share with the world what we value, what our experiences are and who we are. Both have the capacity to be quite transformative in this way. There is a huge correlation between how I dress and how I design my space. My closest is fairly organized with timeless classics and neutrals with pops of wild colour, texture + pattern. It’s not uncommon for me to rock a classic white tee, denim + pump with a boldly coloured sequined blazer.  


4. Do you feel like a space can alter someone’s personal style, or does someone’s sense of style work it’s way into any space:

Both are true. For those still discovering their style, creating an aspirational space that they could see themselves living in creates a deeper passion for the value of Interior space. We’ve seen many clients become impassioned with the industry after sharing in the experience of creating their home or business. For those clients with a strong sense of style, it's our goal to help guide them in a way that creates a space greater than they could have imagined. We also find that many clients' styles also evolve over the years as they dig deeper into the types of environments that work best for live, work and play. 


5. When adding to your own art collection, what do you look for? Do you like to mix mediums or do you tend to stick more strictly to either photography or paintings, etc

I’ve run out of walls. I have art in storage. It’s becoming very problematic - ha! Like my preference in music, my art collection is very diverse. I have everything from inexpensive prints to original works that are more investment pieces. I love mixing photography, prints, mixed media, oil, etc. all together in one space. Art can be highly personal and I invest in pieces that move me to figuring out how to find more wall space. :-)

6. How did you make your selections for this curated AMANDA HAMILTION X DUENDE Collection? Can you share what you love about each piece you chose?

1. I love the simplicity + chalky vibe of Vessel on a Pedestal by Dina Gonzalez Mascaro. I love adding black into a space to ground other elements + create a focal point.
   
   
2. A sucker for abstract, sculptural pieces AND anything in pinks + purples (matches our company branding!), I really love Balance 02 by Erin Harrison.
   
   
3. The colour + vibe of this totally reminds me of the 80s and I’m here for Ember by Florence Solis.
   
   
4. Digging this bold piece and colour blocking. Studi in Green by Keren Tolendano is a great statement piece for a wall needing to make a statement.  
   
   
5. Loving the use of scale and colour blocking Held by Rachel Harrison as it makes a statement in a subtle, quiet way.
   
   
6. Palm Springs by Rhonda Dent brings all of my 1970s inspired boho dreams to live. I think I might need this piece in my own collection… alongside Empty Seven.
   
   
7. I need this jacket AND this print, The Fastest Girls Alive, by Sabrina Fester.
   
   
8. Nudes? Yes please. Bouquet by Sara Khan is a must.
   
   
9. I’m digging the playful, mixed media vibe of Tiko Kerr’s A Year of Kindness: October.