Guest Curation: AuctionNinja x Cozy Creative Living

Not only is Amy Billy a talented art teacher, but you may also recognize her as the interior design talent behind the IG account @cozycreativeliving. We had a chance to chat with Amy about her creative journey, design advice and of course, her favorite picks from the AuctionNinja marketplace.

Growing up, Amy's mom was an avid collector of many things and loving to decorate their 1930’s Dutch Colonial home with vintage and antiques. Over time, Amy developed her passion for home decorating and thrifting. 

“When I was a little girl I spent a lot of time fixing up my Barbie house that ran the length of my small bedroom, as I was always adding to it. I made pillows, magazines, food, you name it!  I didn’t play with the dolls, I just liked making their house feel like a home," shared Amy. "As I got older, in high school, I would stay up all night painting my bedroom and changing it around.” 

Once Amy got married, she found the house in the country she always dreamed of. She and her husband began fixing it up. “It was a three bedroom cape cod with a wrap-around porch. A lot of potential but the interior lacked the open space that we had always wanted.” 

“Our first renovation was the kitchen and it quickly became an entire home makeover. We added a master bedroom but the rest we finished ourselves.  Luckily, I married a handy husband that can build and make almost anything,” said Amy. “We knocked out walls, dry-walled, installed hardwood floors from a lumber mill, renovated two bathrooms, and more.” 

“It’s been almost 23 years in this same home and we are still making changes and improvements. It definitely took us a lot longer than most would have been able to stand. But we saved a lot of money adding the features that they truly wanted.” 

Although her home is now finally looking like she imagined, she didn’t start with a finished home. “I was feeling kind of stuck, and couldn’t move forward,” Amy explained. 

“The inspiration from so many talented decorators really helped me to focus on what I really wanted and they matched my style. Hopefully I can inspire others to get out of a decorating rut or move forward with the tools they need to create that cozy home they so desire.”

Amy's AuctionNinja Picks of the Week

1. Country Farmhouse Long Pine Dining Table (Modern Day Auctions)

2. Copper and Brass Spirits Scoops - Rum, Whiskey, and Brandy - and 1 Copper Scoop with Wood Handle (Avant Garde Estate Sales)

3. Vintage Anchor Hocking Hobnail Milk Glass Pitchers (Yetis Attic)

4. Hampton Bay Pavlen 5.5 In. 1-Lights Brushed Nickel Sconce with Clear Glass Shade (Waterbury Auction Gallery)

5. Vintage MCM Danish Style-made in Yugoslavia Wood Chair (All American Tag Sales)

Rapid-Fire Q&A

What got you started collecting vintage?

My mom’s collecting definitely had an influence on me. We always saw home collections as giving a house charm and character but also they had to be things we really loved. There’s a certain amount of charm that you can only get with the vintage stuff that you can’t with the new stuff.

What two things are you always looking for when shopping secondhand?

I go in phases, two years ago it was urns and baskets, last year it was antlers and ironstone. This year it’s copper items and wood bowls.

Your favorite item bought at an estate sale or auction? `

A farm table

Tips for newbies?

Try to only buy quality items or items that have some worth.

More About Amy: Amy and her husband live in Hershey, PA with their son, daughter and two Aussies. Her first choice in occupation out of high school was to become an interior designer, but she quickly learned that the job market was not the best at the time. She pivoted to art education and has been teaching for 28 years.

Interested in becoming a guest curator? Apply here. And don't forget to share your latest scores with us on Instagram by tagging your photos with @auctionninja and #ANFinds -- we'd love to feature you!

Written by:

AuctionNinja Staff

January 13, 2023     Updated 01:06 PM

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