We have a little something special today! Our friend Amanda Schwab, crystal lover, super creative interior designer + owner of Designer Soup, is sharing advice and guidance on how to style crystals in your home.

We love her fun approach - I can't wait to hear how you start bringing your crystal beauties center stage after learning from her tips! 

Want to learn more about Amanda? Local to the DC area and need an interior designer with an innovative approach and love for crystals? Look no further than our Q&A with her, which is nestled below the video. 

Without further ado, we are excited to share Amanda's tips for styling your crystals: 

We were so excited to learn about Amanda, who exudes fun and creative energy! Where does all that vision and passion come from? Read on to learn more! 

Where did your passion for design begin?

From the beginning-beginning. CLOTHING. I always was looking for cool clothing when I was younger, very drawn to clothing, it was a struggle to deal with how much clothing made me feel a certain way very early. It was so important for me wear clothing that I loved, and it gave me so much more confidence. Because I was textbook shy.

My passion for interiors then began when my dad was in Real Estate and we would sometimes get to see open houses and I found out what a floor plan was for the first time ever and just thought that it was so cool and interesting. Then I would relentlessly draw my versions of floor plans for my dream home.

What kinds of projects do you typically work on and where? Residential, commercial? Primarily in DC?

My studio is based in Alexandria, VA and has mainly worked within residential spaces in Washington, DC and Northern, VA. Though I am trained and have experience working in both residential and commercial projects. My current projects are mainly in Washington, DC and I love working within the architecture styles found in DC. They are fun but tricky!

How do you approach designing a space - what are key factors that you start thinking about with a new project?

I approach a lot of designing a space through certain types of observations. A lot to do with psychology. I have always used this method at the very start of a design with clients, it was very natural observation and it led to my studio mantra ‘Keeping Out of Character’. I wanted to bring ideas to the table, not so much as to project ideas onto my clients. Therefore, I as a designer keep out of character in the design and am extremely flexible with design pallets. Some key questions I ask either verbally or mentally at the start are “who are these people?” “How do they use their space?”, “How do they naturally interact with things in their surroundings?”, “How do they live and how do they aspire to live?”, “How do they describe living, and how do they dress themselves fashion wise in life”. A lot of the answers to the design solution is the How’s that that they answer, and I help strengthen.

What are some unexpected ways to elevate the design of our homes?

 Go with the idea or ideas you don’t think other people, or everyone, will like. Because, when you start design in that way you start design for yourself, which is an elevation of your self-expression.

Another element of expression and elevation in a home is lighting; so structural, so subjective, the endless possibilities, the temperatures, materials, interactives, inactiveness... it’s a guide again to showcase the spirit of who the homeowners are; or the space owners.

Why do you love designing with crystals?

They are also so subjective and one of a kind, even within the same stone group. You can easily achieve the unexpected, like what was talked about in the previous questions too, with crystals. They are basically limitless in style, influence, energy, sculpture, color, size, -- they are so personal and interactive. The thing I love most about them is they are always evoking something. It’s hard not to look at a crystal, haha. The lighting just dances on its surface. Best pet rock ever!