Meet Amy Klosterman | Owner and Principal Interior Designer, AB Design Elements

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amy Klosterman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amy, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work life balance is a popular catch phrase right now, especially with more work-at-home jobs. It’s important and tricky at the same time and I think it’ feels right when you are in alignment with business pursuits, passion projects, and personal connections. When my boys were young, I prioritized and scheduled-in sports and school things as if they were meetings and I made up my design work at off hours. Now that they’re grown, I work more consistent hours, travel with my husband for some of his business trips (since we’re in the same industry), but I am also careful to allow time for self-care to maintain physical and mental health. Wellness (and the prevention of bad health) is critical to running the marathon of small business ownership and preventing burnout! Apparently, I’m an ‘extroverted introvert’ so while I love being with people in social situations, I refill my energy tank by having quiet and peace at home. Sometimes, graciously declining invitations is a way to carve out time for my own re-charging.
p.s. I recommend one of my favorite books, ‘Gift From the Sea’ by Anne Morrow Lindbergh that eloquently describes how we move through the stages of life with kids, work, love, etc

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
AB Design Elements is an award-winning residential interior design firm focusing on new custom homes, luxury renovations, and furnishings. I believe that the home is a place to connect, relax, find refuge, and also work. It is a place made up of paths (areas we move through) and places (areas where we pause and ‘live’). Interior design is a balance of function and aesthetics and with each client we find unique ways to deliver beautiful and livable design for interior spaces.
I know that the process of designing a home can seem overwhelming to a client and so we try to have some fun and to be flexible with ideas and the design process in general, while still delivering comprehensive drawings and a high level of detail in our documents.
In terms of the process of getting to this point, after graduating in interior architecture, I worked in commercial design, doing tenant improvement for offices, then transitioned to residential when several past clients asked me to help them with their homes. I started AB Design Elements in 2004. I balanced work and family by working at home–I could be there for the kids but still grow my business and meet project demands and deadlines. There have always been challenges for working parents with young kids. I recall those years as being pulled in many directions and very ‘full’, but also very fun. As far as AB Design Elements, our website is a good representation of our portfolio, design awards and published projects. I am proud of our many 5-star reviews on houzz.com because they speak to not only our team’s design skills and experience but also who we are as people and what it’s like to work with us –we love to design homes that are a reflection of our clients’ passions, pursuits, and family life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A day exploring the beauty of Sedona, a beautiful drive up to Payson or a hike in ‘Aspen Corner’ in Flagstaff in autumn, a spa day at Montelucia’s Joya Spa to enjoy the relaxing “Whisper room” in between a massage and a facial, dinner outside in the fireplace courtyard under the tree lights at the historic and charming Hermosa Inn, a hike up one of the mountain trails at Camelback Mountain or Pinnacle Peak, and a trip to the Grand Canyon if it’s summertime.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My parents get a standing ovation–for being creatives themselves (my dad is a retired architect, and my mother was an art consultant when I was growing up) and just being positive, kind supportive parents! My first two bosses in my 20’s taught me a lot about space planning and sketching–one of them was from when I first moved to Arizona, Clint Miller, who still works in Scottsdale and is a skilled architect. My husband, Jay, is my biggest fan and supporter and always calms me and inspires me with his optimism and kindness.

Website: abdesignelements.com

Instagram: abdesignelementsllc and also abdesignelements (this acct got hacked in May and I’m still working to retrieve access to it but it’s still visible to viewers!)

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyklosterman

Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/amybubier/ab-design-elements-llc

Image Credits
Eric Kruk Photography, Chris Loomis Photography, Original Proofs Photography, Laura Moss Photography