Amarilda (Amy) Vucaj has a design philosophy.
“I’ve always believed that real luxury isn’t about having more, it’s about meaning and intention,” says the founder and principal designer of Amareaux Interior Design (amareaux.com) in Birmingham. “We create spaces that feel effortless and timeless, not trendy. Every choice we make has a reason behind it. I want our clients to walk into their homes and feel calm, not overwhelmed. Beautiful, yes, but also deeply personal and livable. That’s what quiet luxury means to us.”
So when a pair of empty-nesters approached Vucaj’s full-service studio to design their 11-floor space in Royal Oak’s Fifth building, it was a match made in high-rise heaven.
“They needed a home that could handle real life, but still feel elegant and put-together,” Vucaj says. “They didn’t want to sacrifice style for function. They wanted both. And they were clear that they didn’t want anything trendy — they wanted a home that would feel just as beautiful in 10 or 15 years as it does today. Timeless was the word they kept coming back to.”
Vucaj was involved from day one, working through floor plans, elevations, finishes and furnishings. “Our in-house 3D modeling was huge for this project because the clients could see exactly what their home would look like before construction even started,” she says. “That gave them so much confidence and eliminated any surprises.”
The couple also loves to entertain, so having spaces that flow well and feel welcoming was important.
“At the end of the day, they wanted a sanctuary,” Vucaj says. “A place where they could relax and recharge. They wanted it to feel calm, not chaotic.”
For Vucaj, it came down to being intentional about every choice. “We selected materials that are both beautiful and durable — natural stone, hardwood floors, high-quality fabrics that can handle everyday life but still look luxurious,” she says. “Everything was chosen to age well.”
Keeping the palette neutral was key to creating the sense of calm the couple wanted, creating a backdrop of soft, serene surfaces that let the architecture and furnishings — and details like painted custom millwork, paneling and built-ins — shine without feeling busy. In the kitchen and baths, Vucaj used natural stones — marble and quartz.
“I call the design ‘tailored transitional’ with a refined, understated sensibility,” Vucaj says. “The palette is soft and neutral — lots of warm whites, taupes and creamy tones layered in texture, accents in warm metallics, natural hardwood flooring and organic touches like fresh flowers and greenery.”
In the dining room — one of Vucaj’s favorites — custom paneling with refined proportions added architectural interest without feeling heavy or too traditional, aided by soft white paint. Floor-to-ceiling drapery in crisp white linens softens the room, while the warm metallic finish of a sculptural brass chandelier adds a whisper of glamour, grounded by the dark wood table.
“The home feels exactly like what we set out to create — timeless, elegant and completely livable,” Vucaj says. “It isn’t a showroom. People live here. Meals happen here. But it still feels refined and special.”