Clean Lines, Smart Design: Why White Shaker Cabinets Still Work with Amy Barrickman
White shaker cabinets might seem overdone—but not in Amy Barrickman’s world. In this insightful conversation, Amy, a seasoned interior designer, breaks down why design standards endure and how to innovate within them. She shares actionable strategies for developers to infuse warmth and uniqueness into homes without risking market appeal. From mixing wood tones thoughtfully to maximizing mudroom storage for sports gear, Amy covers the details that matter. The episode also dives into the reality of AI-generated renderings, the balance between beauty and function, and how developers can avoid costly mistakes with early collaboration. If you’re building or designing spaces that need to sell or rent quickly—and beautifully—this episode is full of practical gold.
Guest Bio
Amy Barrickman is the founder and principal designer of Barrickman Design, a Seattle-based interior design firm known for thoughtful, livable, and elegant spaces. With over 15 years of experience, Amy blends creativity with practicality to deliver interiors that feel both timeless and uniquely personal. She is the author of The Living Room Design Formula: Style Your Home Like a Pro, One Room at a Time, a guide that helps homeowners and developers alike design with intention and clarity. Amy’s work spans from high-end custom homes to investment properties, and she’s particularly passionate about the emotional impact design can have on everyday life.
Episode Highlights and Chapters
00:01:00 — Why white shaker cabinets still have value for investors and buyers
00:02:30 — How to modernize a classic kitchen with warm accents and mixed materials
00:04:00 — “Do the thing that works, but make it feel different” – Amy’s design philosophy
00:05:30 — Building design avatars and why narrowing your audience works
00:07:30 — The value of functional design, especially in overlooked spaces like mudrooms
00:09:00 — Sorting inspiration from AI, Pinterest, and Instagram without getting overwhelmed
00:11:00 — How to dissect what clients actually like in an image
00:13:00 — Amy’s book, Living Room Design Formula, and the process it offers
00:15:00 — Eugene shares the chaos of designing his own home without a professional
00:16:30 — Navigating dynamics between architects, designers, and contractors
00:19:30 — Budgeting smartly with design intent vs. expensive specifications
00:20:00 — The tile trick: large format porcelain instead of real marble
00:22:30 — Designing for the future by focusing on how a space should feel
00:25:00 — When to bring in a designer for maximum impact with minimal cost
00:26:30 — Trusting the process and your professionals
00:28:00 — AI tools in design: use for inspiration, not execution
00:30:00 — Why real-world site visits still matter in construction and design
00:32:30 — The value of fully coordinated construction sets and cross-discipline meetings
00:35:30 — Ego and communication in the field between contractors and designers
00:36:00 — Amy’s biggest tip: add sconces and gallery walls to elevate any space
00:38:00 — Where to find Amy’s resource: gallerywalltips.com
00:39:00 — The emotional payoff of great design and why it matters
Contact Information
To learn more about Amy Barrickman and her work, visit her website at gallerywalltips.com or connect with her on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/amybarrickman. For more episodes and insights from host Eugene Gershman, visit giscompanies.co/podcast.