In Conversation with Alexander Woodcock
The interior designer and founder of Amulet Atelier is one to watch
Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles: When did you first discover your passion for design?
Alexander Woodcock: I always knew I was more of a creative and originally thought I would become an artist. My parents encouraged me to pursue something more practical, but when I discovered interior design, it felt like the perfect intersection of creativity and business. I was 13, YouTube was just taking off, and I became captivated by before-and-after reveal videos. That sparked my interest in transforming spaces. My dad, who is an engineer, taught me how to use Google SketchUp, and I began creating fictitious spaces as a way to explore design and learn its foundations. By the time I was applying to college, I knew I wanted to major in interior design and chose Georgia Southern University because of its program. Being immersed in design classes was thrilling to me, though some professors may disagree with my recollection. I’ve been living and breathing interior design ever since.
AH&L: How would you describe your personal design style?
AW: My personal style is all over the place, but I would best describe it as eclectic. I’m drawn to primitive, found pieces that tell stories of culture and travel, sleek modern pieces that bring a sense of sophistication and luxury, and traditional elements that provide a sense of familiarity and grounding.
AH&L: You launched Amulet Atelier Interior Design Studio in 2020. What aspect of your career do you enjoy the most?
AW: Sometimes, as designers, we are jokingly referred to as therapists because we become so intertwined in our clients’ personal lives. I would describe the role as more similar to a psychologist. Not in the sense of fixing problems, but in understanding the behaviors, habits, and choices that shape how someone lives. I try to create a sense of introspection within every project, encouraging clients to thoughtfully consider how they want to live and, in some ways, realign their daily lives. We curate beautiful spaces all day long, but the goal is always deeper than aesthetics. It’s about crafting a home that becomes a person’s baseline. A place that supports and grounds them in everyday life. That process of understanding a person and translating it into an interior that feels intentional and reflective of who they are is my favorite part of the work.
AH&L: You’ve worked alongside great designers, including Whitney Ray. What is one lesson you’ve learned from them that has stuck with you over the years?
AW: The lesson that has stayed with me most is the importance of integrity and how it creates a positive environment around you. When you lead with honesty, trust, accountability, and respect, you eliminate unnecessary problems while creating space for those same qualities to thrive. That translates into every part of the work by building trust with clients, attracting like-minded people to your team, and creating a sense of partnership with architects and builders. When everyone feels respected and invested in the process, challenges become easier to solve and the entire project feels more unified. I was not only taught this lesson, but shown it through example while working with Whitney. That is something I cherish deeply and have tried to carry into my own daily practice.
AH&L: When it comes to decorating, if you could give the average homeowner only one piece of advice, what would it be?
AW: Don’t be afraid to be bold, but do it in a way that feels comfortable for you. If you want to introduce a bold color, try it in pillows so it can easily be swapped out. Love a funky pattern? Put it on an accent chair or ottoman that can be reupholstered. Want a dark, moody room? Start with paint rather than wallpaper, giving you the flexibility to change it later. I find that this approach allows people to take bigger risks because they know there is a reverse button. And often, they end up leaning into it even more. They live with that moody painted room and eventually come back saying, “Now I’m ready to layer it with a stunning mural.” Sometimes you just have to give yourself permission to take the first swing.
AH&L: What is your favorite room in a home to design and why?
AW: I’m a rebel, so I’m going to compromise and choose a portion of the home rather than just one room. The combination of the foyer, formal living room, and dining room is my personal favorite. For so many of us, these spaces are reserved for holidays or special occasions, while we enter through a mudroom or garage in our everyday lives. I love crafting the experience of entertaining from the moment you walk through the door. When these spaces feel beautiful and inviting, they encourage homeowners to actually use them more often. There is something incredibly meaningful about giving people the confidence to open their homes and invite others in. Knowing that the spaces I leave behind will be filled with laughter, gathering, and memories is one of the most rewarding parts of the work.
AH&L: What’s something every Alexander Woodcock-designed space has to have?
AW: Every space I design has to have a sense of character and personality. That might come through objects from a client’s travels that tell a story, the funky piece of art that no one else understands but they love, or even the signature scent of the space. Those details are what distinguish one home from another. amuletatelier.com
A Day in the Life: Morning to Night with Alexander Woodcock
6–7 A.M. Begrudgingly wake up to a loud alarm and jolt myself awake with a shower.
7–8 A.M. Prep my “go” bag and enjoy my fresh cup of coffee:two sugars, light cream.
8 A.M.–12 P.M. Check my inbox in the home office, respond to project questions, and assign tasks to the team.
12–1:30 P.M. On the road to one of our projects, filling time with calls along the way.
1:30–5 P.M. Presentation of furnishings and fabrics with one client. Site meeting walk-through with the team at another project.
5 P.M. On the road home to see my husband and three dogs. A Real Housewives franchise always included.
This is the ninth installment of AH&L’s Futures of Design. To learn more about the class of 2026, visit atlantahomesmag.com/futures-legends.
