Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Rice.
Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a young girl, I always found myself drawn to interior design – wanting to change my childhood bedroom all of the time, whether it be the paint color, the furniture, or just the artwork and decor. I hoped to go to college for design, but after some thought and consideration, I chose nursing – my other passion in life. In 2015, when I was pregnant with my first daughter, I found myself designing her nursery and remembering how much joy it brought to my life. After her nursery, I found myself designing and DIYing many rooms in my own home.
This is when I realized that I, myself could use power tools and create the house of my dreams without asking my right-hand man, my dad to bring my crazy ideas to life. I would share them on social media and get great feedback. Multiple friends and family asked for help with their areas, which again brought so much joy to my life. In 2018, while I was on maternity leave with my 2nd daughter, I decided to take the leap and start a blog/business offering design help to local people as well as sharing ways to DIY things on your own. The blog lasted for about 8 months, but I have continued with my business.
It has carried multiple side ventures as well – Sign & Wine classes at local bars/breweries, homemade wooden signs, e-design, room design, and room design with the building done by myself. I continue to have a full-time bedside nursing job, while chauffeuring a 7 & 5 year to multiple sporting practices/events, being a wife, a dog mom & designing/creating for my clients. I am busy, but I am very passionate about design (& nursing).
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Nothing worth having is ever smooth, right?! Since 2018, there have been many times when I wanted to throw in the towel, but then I remember that I created this business because it brings me joy. I enjoy using the creative side of my brain, so when I would go months without anyone hiring me, it mentally took a toll, but I continued to create beautiful rooms at my own house and share photos to build up my portfolio.
My other biggest struggle was a change in nursing jobs, I went from working 68 hours every 2 weeks to 80 hours, which left me less time to physically get into the client’s home and create. I have started to set boundaries and create spaces in my schedule for my clients, which has helped my work/life balance. My business is a priority in my life but so is my family.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Grace Interiors?
Grace Interiors is an interior design business. I specialize in room design – helping with paint colors & furniture placement to building custom accent walls & mudroom units. I offer e-design, room design, or room design with custom woodwork. I feel I am known for my custom mudroom units as well as my accent walls. I feel what sets me apart is my genuine want to help you create the space of your dreams.
I am doing this because I am passionate about it – so I want to give you the space you hoped for. I enjoy the custom woodworking aspect of the job, but not all things I feel comfortable doing myself. I am not afraid to tell you when I can help you “create” that beautiful space and source the products for you, but I would also recommend hiring someone else/doing it yourself to bring the project together because it’s not in my wheelhouse.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My daughters. My family. They are my pride and joy. They keep me humble and grateful every day.
On a professional level, helping others makes me happy, which I feel aligns with my 2 career choices – nursing and interior design. Whether I am helping a patient through surgery or creating a client’s dream living space, I am touched to be a part of their story.
Pricing:
- E-Design – $200
- Room Design – $300
- Design & Build – Supplies + $50/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://graceinteriorsmn.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grace.interiors/
