meet andy yates, principal designer
More about andy
Andy was raised in a simple, country home in Kentucky, where his family and community modeled the tenets of working hard and being kind. The charm of southern hospitality still informs many aspects of his work. There is a modest pace and easiness in that culture that he has embraced in professional life. It is important to balance the stresses of construction with a sense of camaraderie and levity. He advocates for an enjoyable experience for you, and the entire team. Andy states that, “Everyone should enjoy the process of design, embrace the unexpected, and leave everything (and everyone) better than when we began.”
Andy worked in media for a decade before transitioning into interior design. Being a journalist aligned perfectly with his naturally inquisitive nature. He relies on these skills when designing for you - doing the research, asking a lot of questions, taking meticulous notes, and combining all of the relevant information to provide custom, creative solutions to your design challenges.
Andy is a degreed, NCIDQ Certified Interior Designer, has won multiple awards, and held several leadership positions in his industry. That isn’t a “humble brag”; he wants you to know that he balances the fun and creativity of his work with ethics and professional obligations - which he takes very seriously. He has high standards, and rarely accepts mediocrity for himself or his clients. Andy understands how to balance the practical and emotional demands of custom design, and creates authentic environments that improve the human experience.
When he is not designing, Andy loves to travel the globe, seeking out new cultures and experiences to expand his understanding of humanity. He writes about art and design for select publications, works with ASID and the HBA of Greater Grand Rapids to propel the profession forward, and enjoys time at home in Grand Rapids and Saugatuck- Douglas with his husband, Eric, and beloved mutt, Gabby.