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 Jeana Antle – our Design Architect who plays a pivotal role in translating the personalities, stories and interests of clients and turns around to draw, draft, and render them into life. We are grateful to have Jeana's diverse design skills and kind spirit on the team.
How did you land at AHI/AW?
I joined AHI almost a year and a half ago. What drew me to AHI was two things: the creative design work coming out of the firm, and the awesome group of ladies I would get to work with! The architecture and construction industry is generally a pretty male-dominated work culture and its really fun to be a part of a strong, talented, smart group of women at AHI.
What is your role?
My role varies from day to day and project to project. In a nutshell, I oversee the architectural side of our projects. If you were to tip a house upside down, anything that stays stuck in place is something I'm involved with. Some days I am drawing, drafting, or rendering all day. Some days I am on site solving problems on the fly as questions come up during construction! (They always do, no matter how good you are!)
Where do you find design inspiration?
I get inspired by the personalities, stories, and interests of clients. I love building off of what they get excited about. I follow a number of random and very diverse design related things in the media. The outdoors and natural landscapes are a big inspiration. Interior design mimics the natural world - we simply manipulate the scale and perspective to fit in a different set of constraints.
What was your first job?
Working the lemonade stand outside of Bridger Kitchens on Main Street, back in the day!
Favorite book of all time?
Harry Potter
What's your guilty pleasure song?
The whole Lover album by Taylor Swift. We have it on vinyl.
What's something one might not know about you?
My husband and I gutted our 800 square foot house over 3 years while we were living in it, doing all the work ourselves. You might call it a relationship-building side hustle. You really get to know someone well when you have no bathroom for 6 weeks....
If you could have a dinner with someone who is alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Michelle Obama. She is such a thoughtful and graceful person, and isn't afraid to be be a strong feminine and feminist person. I strive to be more like her in my daily actions.
What have you been up to during this great pandemic?
I broke out the sewing machine and started projecting away! I also am so grateful I live in Montana and am able to still get outdoors and exercise my way back to sanity.
If you were to pick two things to take home with you today from the Architect's Wife showroom, what would they be?
My hubby is obsessed with the 'apres ski' candles so I should be stocking up! I'm also loving all the vintage / antique consoles and wall units that make their way into the showroom.
