Interior designer Amy Switzer didn’t take the conventional path into the design world, but it’s precisely that rich, multifaceted background that makes her work so dynamic and heartfelt. After nearly two decades designing mass-market products and licensed collections for major retailers and celebrity brands, Amy decided it was time for a change. What followed was a self-driven reinvention, transforming a long-standing passion for interiors into a thriving design studio based in Dallas, Texas.
From Textiles to Interiors: A Career Reimagined
Amy’s entry into the world of interiors wasn’t a sudden leap. It was a return to something that had always been there. Initially enrolled in interior design at the University of Kansas, she was steered into textile design by a professor who recognized her natural talent with materials and color. That shift led her into a successful career in product design and licensing, creating mass-market goods for major retailers and celebrities alike.
But the creativity that once fueled her began to feel stifled. “It was a beatdown,” she said of the mass-market grind. “I wasn’t feeling inspired.” After the birth of her second child, she made the decision to walk away and start over. She launched her interior design business during maternity leave, rebuilding from scratch, going back to school, and even photographing her own home to build a portfolio.
Designing for the Individual, Not the Algorithm
Amy’s philosophy is grounded in client-centered customization, not trends. “I’m not creating for me. I’m creating for how someone else lives,” she explains. Her portfolio is intentionally varied, reflecting the lifestyles and design goals of each client rather than one consistent aesthetic.
Though her current projects may not fully reflect her personal style, that’s changing soon: Amy and her husband are building a home that will bring her “true aesthetic” to life, an eclectic mix with soul, texture, and meaning.
Crafting Core Memories Through Design
While many designers shy away from children’s rooms, Amy embraces them with purpose and creativity. Her own son’s room, a striking black-and-white space with a burst of colorful artwork, exemplifies her thoughtful approach. “I want kids to have rooms that grow with them,” she says. “These spaces shape core memories.”
It’s a perspective grounded in her own childhood, rearranging furniture in her square bedroom just to see how it felt. That instinct to reimagine and renew still guides her work today.
Community, Collaboration, and Staying Curious
Amy may consider herself an introvert, but you’d never guess it by looking at her presence in the Dallas design scene. From networking events to nonprofit work with Dwell with Dignity, she’s made it a priority to build genuine connections—one coffee meeting at a time.
Her previous experience in product licensing also gives her a leg up in custom design, whether it’s developing original wallpaper or bespoke patterns for clients. And she’s always pushing for more: more creativity, more inspiration, and more opportunities to fully express her point of view.
The Details that Spark Joy
Amy’s love for collecting finds its way into her work. She has a particular obsession with matchbooks, often inspired by restaurant branding or hotel aesthetics. “There’s something about the way a matchbook can capture a moment,” she says. This kind of attentiveness to small, evocative details shows up in her design process too, where layered meaning and memory shape the atmosphere of a space.
Looking Ahead
Amy’s career is a testament to resilience and reinvention. She’s proud of the risks she’s taken, from launching a bedding brand at 28 in New York City to starting over in a new city.
As for the future, she’s just getting started. “I don’t think I’ve reached my full potential yet,” she says. “I’m excited to see what’s ahead.”
