Inside the Montana Motor Supply building – tucked unsuspectingly behind main street in downtown Bozeman, Montana – you’ll find Abby Hetherington and her team. This team consists of designers, saleswomen, operators, project managers, stylists, a token illustrator, a Paul Bunyanesque character that lends muscles to hoist furniture and arrange the showroom floor, amongst others that contribute their unique talents, skills and craft.
For those new to following, Abby Hetherington Interiors (AHI) is housed with its sister company, the Architect’s Wife (AW). Think of AHI as the back of house designers while AW is the the front of house curators.
Here, we share some of the faces behind AHI & AW along with a bit of their backstory. Let us introduce you to Jayson van Wooton—our new lead sales and design consultant! Jayson's a new arrival to Bozeman and the Architect's Wife, so come say hello! His talents are immediately apparent when you walk into the showroom these days—his merchandising and display skills are second to none and with a deep knowledge of the design industry, he's a welcome addition the AW family and a great resource for everyone who comes in.
How did you land at AHI/AW?
I had been coming to Bozeman for the last three years as an outside salesperson for a showroom in Denver. Abby was one of my many clients in the valley and state. While I was furloughed from that job (because of COVID-19) I saw Abby's Instagram post looking for a design & salesperson. We began talking, and a few weeks later I was moving to Bozeman!
What is your role?
I have 14 years of experience in the luxury design industry (fabric and product design, showroom merchandising, creative directing and sales) so I have a feeling my position will evolve over the next year or so, but I'm here to help people fill their homes with well designed and crafted furniture and home furnishings. I will also be focused on keeping things beautifully merchandised and all-around cool!
Where do you find design inspiration?
I'm a highly visual person (as all artists and designers are) so Instagram is where I spend waaaaaaayyyyyy too much time. I follow many designers and artists. However, I am most influenced by French and European aesthetics where antique and contemporary furniture is mixed together, different textures and patterns are layered, and Art is integral to the design.
What was your first job?
My first official job was at a Dairy Queen in Central Kansas where I grew up. After my first summer, I was added to the cake-making team. I loved building up rings of soft serve to create the cake. It was like making a pot out of clay, which ended up being my major in college.
Favorite book of all time?
"All By Himself" was a cloth book from the 50's that tought boys how to tie their shoes, button their clothes and buckle their belt. There was also a version for girls. It was an amazing tactile book!
What's your guilty pleasure song?
Sia's "Chandeliere."
...keeping my glass full until morning light...
What's something one might not know about you?
During my Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibition, I did a performance where I was suspended in the air by eight sculptural casts of my own head that were attached to eight metal hooks that were inserted through my skin.
If you could have a dinner with someone who is alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Andy Warhol. I became fascinated with him when I was a freshman in High School. He had just died the year before, so there was lots of news about him. I loved his early commercial work, and he was the reason I went to art school...to become a "Commercial Artist," now known as "Graphic Designers."
What have you been up to during this great pandemic?
I sharpened my mad sewing skills and made over 100 masks for clinics, friends, and families.
If you were to pick two things to take home with you today from the Architect's Wife showroom, what would they be?
I have an apartment in the Baxter Hotel, so definitely one of our prints of that! (Are you reading this Santa?!?) I also love our tree root chairs. They are these amazing little sculptures...and you can sit on them.
Anything else you'd like to share?
Campari Spritz: 3 parts Prosecco, 2 parts Campari, 1 part Soda