In our new blog series, we chat to the people that inspire us and get a little peek into the spaces they live and work in. First out is the wonderful US based designer and writer, Amanda Jane Jones, whose effortless yet bold aesthetics, progressive projects and creative mind makes her one of our favourite people on the internet, social media and beyond!
Hi Amanda! This series is about Makers, Creators and Thinkers. What do you do?
I’m a graphic designer and children’s book author/illustrator – I love what I do! I work from a home office and have for the past decade. I design books and branding, products, patterns and wall art! I love to do it all. No two days are the same.
Tell us about your career journey so far. What is your creative process?
I started out as a publication designer for work with publishing houses and then co-created the magazine, Kinfolk. I love publication design and still do it! But having kids opened my eyes to colour and whimsy! My work before kids was very serious and now it’s bright and full of life and colour and maybe doesn’t take itself so seriously, which has been a healthy shift for me in many ways. My creative process is very fluid and organic. I have never been a person that can work 9-5. Creativity and ideas come when I’m on a run or hike, or making art with my kids. Living life is what inspires me in the office to be honest.
Please tell us a little bit about your home
We moved in 2020 from the south side of Chicago to the foothills of the Wasatch mountains, outside Sundance. It was a massive change, but one that brought a lot more space, which has benefited our family. My husband, Cree, had friends in the neighbourhood and they helped him set up our initial visit. I at first said I wouldn’t go, because I was dead set on never leaving Chicago, ever. But he pleaded that it wouldn’t be polite to cancel, so I conceded. And the moment I stepped in, I knew. It needed a lot of work, but it had good bones. The renovation was a nightmare, like most are these days. We ended up redoing every last beam it feels like, but it’s become a peaceful and calm place for our family to live. It has big windows and trees all around…somedays it feels like we live in a treehouse. I struggled with seasonal depression in Chicago, however, that’s not a problem here. We rarely turn on the lights in the summertime.
The home was built in the 1960’s and the woman who owned it had something like 100 marriage proposals. Her family told us she was an interior designer and travelled the world! She welcomed all into her home and we’ve tried to keep her spirit alive by doing the same.
Who lives in your home?
Me, my husband, Cree and our three children, Jane, Miles and Wesley….and their wild imaginations.
Your home is super stylish and minimalist, but with lots of fun, warm elements. What is your philosophy when designing the space and the interior?
As a creative, who works from home, I like my space to feel calm and peaceful. Almost like a cosy museum. We love to decorate with pops of colour and vintage wood furniture and books. We also have a theory that kids should be welcome in every room, so we have toys displayed even on the bookshelves. There is always something interesting for little hands to pick up and play with. I also know if I were to paint my walls a wild colour, I’d no doubt be sick of it in a month. So, my philosophy is neutral for the big things like walls, couches and floors – because I frankly can’t afford to paint my house or get a new couch, but I surely can create a new art piece or buy a new throw and pillow as my colour preferences change.
What are your favourite materials, colours and patterns?
Lately, I’ve been on a real red and blue kick! I love natural woods in all varying tones, also love grey. It goes with everything. And of course, stripes. There is a new TikTok trend going around telling our generation that our stripes are out, but I’ll be using and wearing stripes till I’m 90, I’m afraid. In my mind, there’s nothing quite as classic as stripes!
What are your most treasured pieces in your home?
Besides my kids, I’d guess our vintage furniture and our book collection? We’ve had the goal to wait for the perfect piece, and it always feels so magical when a seemingly one of a kind piece shows up at the local thrift store. And I love books. Children’s books, art books, and vintage books. They are cosy to read, beautiful to look at and the best decor in my book lover’s mind.
Which is your favourite room?
Our front room has an open layout, it’s our kitchen, dining and family room open up onto the deck, which feels like an extension of our home. We pretty much live our lives here! The view is beautiful and the kids like to play and do homework here….it’s our gathering place.
What has surprised you about your home?
We don’t get “bunky” here. In Chicago, I was always desperate to get out but we all have our own space here, we often opt to stay home. I’m a homebody raising a bunch of homebodies.
What do you miss the most about Chicago? What don’t you miss about living in a big city?
Oh! My heart aches for the art and the architecture, and the FOOD! But, here we have space and incredible nature. There are lovely places for both and I can tell my kids feel more free here and less restricted, but in my heart, I’m a city girl. Thank goodness I can visit.
What’s next?
Next is my book called Mother / Founder co-written with Jen Fernandez and photographed by Momoko Fritz. It comes out October 22nd of this year! It’s the stories of 68 mothers who are self-employed, and it’s full of wonderful advice and beautiful stories. All the women are from diverse backgrounds, different education. Some set out to be entrepreneurs, some came about it by accident, but the common thread is they are all doing what they love and it’s so inspiring to me. In America, we don’t have standard maternity leave, childcare is astronomical and frankly unsustainable, the workforce is not flexible and many mothers are often pushed out of the workforce when they have children. We hope our book is a source of empowerment, and each reader can see themselves in some way and be inspired to forge their own path as needed. I’ve been working on this book for years, so it feels absolutely incredible to think October is so close!
Thank you so much Amanda!