Inspired Design
from Amy Troute
Design that advocates for both clients & builders
by Noah Nelson
Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design, or ATIID, works with homeowners to understand their lifestyles and curate customized home furnishings inspired by them. Whether the conversation starts at the outset of a new build or renovation, or begins with furnishings, ATIID is well versed in learning and refining each client’s vision, and guiding the process to ensure it comes to life.
“We have honed a fun and efficient process of presentation, selection, procurement, and installation that allows a homeowner to see their vision come together on budget and on time,” Amy says.
“As the daughter of a finish carpenter, I quite literally grew up with a hammer in my hand. I appreciate what it takes to build quality structures and craft creative yet functional spaces.”
–Amy Troute, Owner & Principal Designer, Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design
For Amy, life was steeped in design from a young age, “As the daughter of a finish carpenter, I quite literally grew up with a hammer in my hand,” she shares. “I appreciate what it takes to build quality structures and craft creative yet functional spaces.”
Amy’s professional journey began in the world of communications and marketing, where after a whirlwind decade, she was running her own agency. With twin daughters on the way, Amy decided to make a shift.
“I knew I’d want to continue my career after they arrived, and that following my passion while raising my daughters was the path that would bring me the most joy,” she says. “Those first few years as my babies grew, so did my business. Three years in, I was approached by an accomplished Portland designer with an opportunity to take on her residential clientele locally, while she worked on large commercial projects. I learned an immense amount during that time about what I didn’t know about running an interior design business, so I went back to school to get my Interior Design degree, and the rest is history!”
Amy thanks her tenure in marketing for providing experience in, “asking the right questions and gathering information, then developing personalized, inspired results for my clients.” She can look back at her now 20-year design career without a shred of regret. Following her passion was the right choice.
There are many factors that have driven Amy’s success, but a keystone element is her collaborative, focused approach and a greater emphasis on communicating with builders and construction teams from the onset, advocating for her clients every step of the way.
This emphasis on early-stage collaboration is a bit unique to the industry. Early in her career, Amy recognized that contractors and trades were often wary of a designer’s involvement. “I set out from day one to be the designer that contractors, architects, and tradespeople were delighted to see walk in the door,” Amy says.
Michael Lilly, Lead Designer with Sun Forest Construction, says Amy has succeeded in that goal. Amy and Sun Forest have completed projects together in Brasada Ranch and Caldera Springs, and are collaborating on two new custom homes in Juniper Preserve.
According to Michael, “Amy has proven to be an excellent communicator and a team player. She adeptly understood the architectural design and was able to interpret and build upon it with her design for the interior. Our clients asked that we work together on the exterior materials and color palette as well to arrive at a synergetic whole. Amy quickly learned the community’s architectural guidelines and, together, we created an elegant mix of materials and colors to suit the architecture and fit comfortably within the existing fabric of this high-end residential community.”
Part of what impressed Michael is the way Amy guides her clients through the design process. “Amy created a comprehensive display of both interior and exterior materials, textures, and colors for our clients to review,” Michael says. “She set the stage and tone of her design intentions with a multitude of creative pairings of soft and hard surfaces alike, guiding our clients, who have never been involved in the design of a custom home, toward a cohesive package that complements the building as a whole.”
“I set out from day one to be the designer that contractors, architects, and tradespeople were delighted to see walk in the door.”
–Amy Troute, Owner & Principal Designer, Amy Troute Inspired Interior Design
On this note, Amy asserts that even when the builder is adept at facilitating, having her assistance in understanding the client’s vision and then narrowing the world of options to a manageable set, is tremendously helpful. It allows the builder to focus on the build as Amy guides the clients through the process and, with the help of her team, documents every element.
When asked when it’s ideal to get Amy involved in a custom build or renovation, she says, “The sooner the better! Participating in the entire process allows us to maintain a holistic view of the project and envision the finished home – from finishes to furnishings – for clients who cannot.”
While contacting a designer can be intimidating at first, the main goal at ATIID is to invite open conversation and provide structure, creativity, and order to the complex design/build process, which puts clients at ease. Amy becomes their advocate with the builder, collaborating on the best solutions and checking boxes to align with the overall vision.
According to Michael, “The collaboration amongst ourselves and our clients was seamless, expedient, and resulted in a remarkably coherent and consistent design.”
These services are great for anyone looking for expert interior design, but Amy’s service does have some specific benefits when it comes to people who are new to the area, unsure of their budgets, or engaging from a remote location.
The pandemic lockdowns forced everyone to pivot their business practices to accommodate remote work. For a cohesive home furnishings project, Amy’s process is condensed into five key parts: Initial intake and Q&A, scope and concept presentation/investment discussion, design plan presentation and selections, invoicing and purchasing, and finally, installation and reveal. Other than the reveal, everything can be done virtually as necessary, resulting in beautifully turn-key interiors installed the moment construction is complete.
On top of that, clients will appreciate Amy’s dedication to the local makers scene; she is excited to connect her client’s vision with local artists, fabricators, and craftsmen, adding unique flair to any project while also supporting her local artist community.
Homeowners looking for inspired interior design should consider Amy Troute and her team at ATIID. With a litany of five-star reviews across the board from clients to builders, the challenge is finding a project Amy and her team haven’t knocked out of the park.
For more information and to contact Amy, please visit amytroute.com.
