In 2021, Amanda Purdom opened Furnish, a home décor boutique on Poyntz, a decade after co-founding her design firm AsterHouse Design. The store, anchored by a neutral color palette, exudes warmth and elegance with a touch of playfulness. Carrying a curated selection of furniture, lighting, rugs, home accents, and more, Furnish features designer, vintage, and custom items that cannot be found anywhere else.
After ten years of leading AsterHouse Design, Amanda realized that the company was only reaching a small percentage of the Manhattan community. She believed that there was a larger audience eager for well-curated home décor in Manhattan. "Not everybody wants to hire a designer, but people still want beautiful things in their homes,” she shares. Her goal was to create an inviting space where the community could shop for high-quality home décor. Whether they prefer traditional, modern, farmhouse, glam, or a medley of styles, each customer can find beautiful items that will transform their house into a home.
Though Furnish has only been open since 2019, its impact on Manhattan has been significant. In 2020, Amanda was able to purchase her current downtown location, which gave the store a permanent home. However, the timing coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, an unexpected challenge for the nascent business. Despite this, Furnish has continued to thrive, and Amanda wants the community to know what the store has to offer. “People often think they have to go to Kansas City or big furniture chains for quality, but we carry the same, if not better, lines, right here in town.” She also highlights that Furnish provides access to designer brands and vintage imports, items that can’t be found at big-box retailers like Nebraska Furniture Mart or Ashley HomeStore.
Amanda’s vision is to make shopping for home décor feel personal. Every piece is carefully curated, with Amanda often finding new items on her travels. The store also specializes in one-of-a-kind items. She shares, “I don’t want my store to feel like something mass-produced. I want it to feel authentic and curated,” she says.
For those who fall in love with Furnish’s aesthetic and want personalized guidance, the store provides direct access to AsterHouse Design’s services. With in-home styling, clients can hire a stylist to visit their home to arrange accessories and complete their desired vision for a space. The in-store styling consultation enables clients to receive help in selecting furniture and décor items that fit their space and lifestyle. The process involves reviewing photographs and measurements of the space to make tailored recommendations. For more comprehensive design needs, AsterHouse Design provides full-service interior design, from the initial planning stages to the selection of furnishing and home accents. This includes reviewing blueprints or existing spaces, and offering detailed design plans. Their designers also coordinate with architects and contractors to make sure the design is implemented correctly.
Amanda recognizes that many people might find the idea of hiring a designer intimidating, and Furnish seeks to break down that barrier. “I wanted to remove that pretentious feeling that can come with design,” she says. “Design should be inspiring and approachable. Furnish is a space where people can see what they love, ask questions, and feel confident in creating a home that reflects their personality.”
When asked about her design approach, Amanda prioritizes timelessness over trends. While she acknowledges the appeal of fast-moving fads, she encourages customers to invest in classic pieces and use home accessories to incorporate trends. “For big purchases, like sofas, go for something neutral and high-quality. Then, have fun with things like artwork and textiles,” she advises. “That way, when trends shift, you don’t have to replace expensive pieces—you just refresh smaller elements.” She emphasizes that, with proper care, sofas typically last seven to ten years, while the lifespan of a rug is highly variable, depending on its material and a household’s lifestyle. For homeowners making major design decisions during renovations, she suggests balancing timeless elements with trendy accents. “If you want to experiment with bold styles, do it with backsplashes, lighting, and décor—things that are easier to swap out over time.”
While Amanda is not one to follow trends, she is particularly excited about the return of vintage décor and “Grandma Chic.” This style blends chintz and floral patterns, layered textures, and antique elements. She also notes a growing interest in dark, moody color palettes, which is a shift away from the all-white minimalism that has dominated design for years.
Most importantly, for those unsure about their personal design style, Amanda offers simple advice: fill your home with things that you love. “So many people feel pressured to follow magazine trends, but a home should be a reflection of you, not a catalog page,” she says. “If a piece makes you happy, it belongs in your home. My biggest job as a designer is to give people permission to fill their home with things they love."
Visit Furnish at 314 Poyntz Ave in Manhattan and furnishmhk.com
"My biggest job as a designer is to give people permission to fill their home with things they love" - Amanda Purdom
“So many people feel pressured to follow magazine trends, but a home should be a reflection of you, not a catalog page."