Employee Q&A: Allison Frederick
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 Golden Girls puzzle aficionado and Senior Designer, Allison Frederick.
How did you land at AHI/AW?
I moved up to Bozeman from Jackson, WY to join this amazing team! I had visited AW when I was visiting friends, and was so impressed with the quality, the curation, and sense of whimsy involved in the shop. I started following Abby’s design work and was inspired; I knew I would be joining a powerhouse team. I managed the shop and purchased for the store, before moving full time to the firm. I still like to keep my toe in the store side, and am currently the point of contact for the AW designer trade program.
What is your role?
Lead designer; no two days are the same! Design involves a lot more spreadsheets than many people imagine. I would say 50% is staying organized, and the other half involves site visits, client meetings (LOTS of time on Zoom these days), and actual design. Our projects swing from architecturally heavy design – floor plans, beam placement, selecting interior finishes, exterior siding, flooring, tile etc, to the softer design – lighting, furniture fabrics. It’s always nice when I have a few projects in different phases so I can have a balance of both to my day.
Where do you find design inspiration?
I’m a sucker for print media; I am old school and still have cork boards galore. AD and Dwell in my mailbox make for a great day. We also are lucky enough to (normally) travel to trade shows. Seeing the amazing new furniture and lighting designers that pop up at ICFF always gets the inspiration flowing.
What was your first job?
My first full time job (besides babysitting, filing, yard work) was when I was 16 and worked at The Flying Tomato. It was a grocery delivery service; the clientele was primarily tourists staying in some of Jackson Wyomings most amazing rentals. I would get to see these amazing kitchens when I was putting groceries away, and my awareness of great space planning developed. It was so fun to have such an insider look at all of these amazing private residences.
Favorite book of all time?
Sometimes A Great Notion, Ken Kesey
What’s your guilty pleasure song?
Good As Hell – I know its basic b*tch, but dammit, I love Lizzo.
What’s something one might not know about you?
Quarantine has taught me that I just don’t like to cook. It feels like something shameful in this day where chefs are celebrities, everyone would love to cook more if they had the time…turns out, I wouldn’t love it. Ironically, I do love watching cooking shows.
If you could have a dinner with someone who is alive or dead, who would it be and why?
Tina Fey – How could that not be a good time?
What have you been up to during quarantine?
Thankfully, I’m a pretty good hermit. Reading a lot, running, and just finished the Golden Girls puzzle from AW. Yea, its getting pretty wild in my house.
If you were to pick two things to take home with you today from the Architect’s Wife showroom, what would they be?
The moss green New York Chair from Saba Italia, hands down. The Terrazzo candles to put all over my house.
We 🖤you Allison Frederick
