Amy Mink - Designing A Life of Love and Connection

By Heather DiPrato (link to article: https://online.fliphtml5.com/yahga/nfhz/#p=6) Photos by Michele Freiling Photography

For Amy Mink, life has been a journey of love, family, and meaningful connections with neighbors. Amy's passion for beauty and keen eye for color, texture, and design has been a consistent thread. As she embarks on her next act, returning to the world of professional design, she does it with an unbridled enthusiasm for helping each and every client create functional spaces that bring them peace, and spark joy!

Family: A Journey of Love and Connection

Family has always been at the core of Amy's life. With three children and two adorable granddaughters, her world is brightened by their presence. "My husband, Rich, and I have been together for almost 40 years. He is my true center, my best friend," Amy shares lovingly. Their love story began in 1984 and led to a beautiful marriage in 1986.

Professional Journey: A Rewarding Career in Speech Therapy and Interior Design

Amy's career has been rewarding. She earned an MA in speech and hearing sciences and has worked on and off as a speech therapist for decades, helping others communicate and express themselves is an important part of her personal journey.

Interior design is both a passion and a creative outlet, and she has been designing interior spaces across Bucks County and the Philadelphia area since 1986. "I've always had a knack for design. It's like creating art in people's homes," Amy tells us with a smile. Her creativity and attention to detail have made her a sought-after designer in the area.

Working with a diverse range of clients, Amy understands the importance of listening to their preferences and desires. "Each client is unique, and I strive to understand what matters to them and what will make their home feel authentic and comfortable, while also reflecting their personal style," she explains.

Creative Pursuits and Hobbies: A Colorful Dimension to Life

Beyond her work, Amy's life is filled with creative pursuits and hobbies. "I make pottery at Earth's Center for the Arts in Richboro. I love to paint and rehab furniture. I love reading, and I love to cook. I am also part of a book club," she shares. "These hobbies add a colorful dimension to her life, allowing her to express herself in various ways.

A Beautiful Life in River Glen

In 2016, Amy and Rich found a well-constructed 1955 Cape Cod home in River Glen and lovingly renovated it, making it their own. From beautiful gardens outside to thoughtfully arranged bookcases, art arrangements, and tablescapes, Amy's design sense is evident. Amy and Rich make a great team; she can visualize a design, and he executes that vision. Recently, he painted their entry doors in a pop of brilliant yellow.

Their neighborhood, filled with friendly faces, quickly became an extended family for the couple. "We love our neighbors. Everyone is so friendly; we walk our dogs, we borrow stuff, we help each other out, and of course, the occasional Friday night drinks," Amy chuckles, showcasing the bond they share with their community.

A Renewed Focus on Professional Design

Amy has taken on ambitious projects, transforming entire homes along the Jersey Shore, in greater Philadelphia suburbs, and throughout Bucks County. She also takes on smaller jobs, like helping moms reclaim sanity by revamping rooms to be both functional and beautiful. She enjoys a hands-on approach and has been known to "dumpster dive" by remaking quality furniture through hand-painting and skillfully rejuvenating seat cushions.

We spent time with Amy in her well-equipped workroom, where she stores samples and trims to embellish Roman shades, curtain panels, and pillows, seamlessly bringing a room's aesthetics together with interesting and meaningful touches. Through design, Amy creates inviting spaces.  Mastering scale, color theory, along with the nuances of the furniture industry and window treatment design," she explains, "is pivotal in orchestrating rooms of tranquility and harmony."

For those clients who want to infuse new life into their spaces, Amy collaborates closely to develop a tailored priority list and a carefully allocated budget. This method ensures that accessories, area rugs, and other design components seamlessly integrate, breathing fresh life into the room. But the rooms she designs aren't just pretty - they need to work for her clients. “Functionality takes precedence in our evaluations of a space,” she explains.

Another growing field for Amy is assisting clients in their transition to downsized living spaces. Her ability to infuse these new, smaller settings with a sense of warmth and comfort helps clients quickly fall in love with their warm and inviting smaller spaces.

Love, Family and Community

Born in Key West, Florida, due to her father's service in the US Navy submarine division, Amy recently fulfilled a lifelong dream of visiting her birthplace. "I finally got to visit Key West. It was very touching to take a picture of the apartment building where my parents lived at that time,” she shares.

One member of the family that stands out is Amy's sidekick, Pippa. "We have had her for almost 8 years. She is half corgi, half yellow lab, and so sweet," says Amy. Pippa enjoys watching her mom work and going for long strolls around their neighborhood.

Vacations have been a time for the whole family to bond and create lasting memories. From local trips to far-flung destinations like the South of France and Paris, Amy's family cherishes every moment spent together. "In 2017, my son and his wife were married in Provence, and we shared a house for one week with family. It was magical," she recalls.

Amy Mink's life is a testament to the beauty of a life filled with love, family, creativity, and community. Her warmth, compassion, and artistic flair have touched the lives of those around her. If you have any interesting design projects, Amy would love to chat. She prides herself on being able to help anyone - even on a budget - and enjoys the process very much! Give her a call and get to know your neighbor!

What Amy’s Clients Say:

Amy did a wonderful job bringing my home back to life. She was understanding, responsive, and most importantly, patient with my requests (of which there were many). My house now truly looks like a home and I have Amy to thank as she truly delivered on her word. Looking forward to working with her again in the future! - Erica G.