Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Amodei.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have had a successful interior design company for the last 20-plus years. I have traveled the world and designed for celebrities and billionaires; it was a fulfilling endeavor, or at least I thought, till 3 years ago,
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My life turned upside down. My sweet father, whom I was very close to, unexpectedly passed away; I unfortunately went through a very bitter divorce, and my closest friends and family turned their backs on me. It shook me to my core. But I decided it would not define me, and I rolled up my sleeves and set out for a new beginning, a Chapter 2 that would be written in purpose and passion.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Hence, I started my latest pursuit, Passion Projects, my own real estate development company. I moved from Southern California to the beautiful Northern California wine country, Sonoma, and set out on a new adventure. My partner in all things, Michael Paul, a fine arts photographer, and I scoured the hills of the wine country for what we affectionately call a fitting passion project. The pitfalls of the wine country are important to get right, as it’s the foundation of a good project. There are three major things to watch out for. Fire, Flood, and roads! Oh my! There are some places that are so ripe for fire that you can’t even get insurance; buyer beware! It actually rains here in buckets at times, so flooding is another major land mine, and of course, roads with good access. Plenty of beautiful properties with one-way streets up windy blind corners!
I discovered a diamond in the rough beneath the weeds and dilapidated buildings; I could smell it! And so the adventure began. I was my own architect, general contractor, designer, landscape architect, and project manager. And I documented this process for an upcoming blog I plan on launching called Passion Projects. It’s not just a home improvement show; it’s a life improvement show because that is what this was for me. I lived a real-life Under the Tuscan Sun; as the property became alive, so did I, and I loved every minute of it. I will be highlighting other artists in the series in the area who are driven by passion, and the wine country has no shortage of them. People who want to live life in a way that makes every sense come alive; it has been an inspiring place to live and to be reborn.
What’s next?
My project is wrapping up, and I have to admit I fell in love. Its wrap-around pouch that frames the rolling hills of the vineyard exudes romance and serenity that can only be found in the wine country. It is called Amber Farms, and it will be a high-end vacation oasis. I have been enamored with Blackberry Mountain and Farm in Tennessee. The focus is on design and cuisine. The son of the owners was trained here in the Napa Valley, so why shouldn’t we have something as special as that here? I planted my own vineyard, where I will be selling my own wine, and I will be making my own lavender products that I produce on the property. My partner Michael is a featured artist at the Celebration of Fine Art, so I am excited to partner with artists there and offer it as an artist retreat. I hope to have many beautiful paintings of the hills that surround it.
We are also working with the Sonoma Historical Society to infuse Sonoma history throughout the project. It’s a wonderful way to honor the land that has given so much to us. The project and the blog will be launching within the year, and I hope people are as moved by the transformation as it was for me to be transformed by such a project.
A week before my dad passed away, we sat in the hospital together. He looked out the window and told me it is our responsibility to make the world beautiful. This is my way of honoring his directive and will forever be the driving force of my endeavors. We don’t take any of this with us, so enjoy the creative process; it is the secret to a happy and fulfilled life.
When I was first getting to know Michael, he showed me a video of himself running toward the lightning for a shot; he said it made him feel alive to chase the lightning. That is where I will be by his side, chasing the lightning and making the world beautiful one passion project at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jenniferamberinteriors.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferamberinteriors/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://amberfarmssonoma.com
