Roots

HUMBLE

Inside the home of Amy Romfo, design & lifestyle brand curator of the
Coastal Oak whose signature style tells the story of coastal elegance, thrifted
treasures, and the joys of creating spaces that inspire others to do the same.

Written by Micaela Arnett

Photography by Callie Webster & Kelly Parrish

C
urator of all things coastal, style influencer Amy Romfo invites
readers into her recently renovated Daniel Island dwelling. As
a style influencer, her family home is an ever-evolving creative
canvas where she records most of her content for her world-wide following
of nearly 250K on Instagram, (@thecoastaloak). Charleston’s go-to-gal for
style tips and looks for less, the Coastal Oak goes above mere product
recommendation or links, providing her followers with a number of similar
options available at a variety of price points. Discover how Amy’s journey of
influence is redefining home design in ways that are accessible and comfortable,
one project at a time.

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Going Coastal
From a brand perspective, the Coastal Oak began as an online
Her introduction to the home and design world began naturally as
hobby and wasn’t always Amy’s full-time gig. As a mother of three,
a child with a mom who was super crafty and a grandfather who
she worked as a nurse for many years and decided to leave the
helped her design and build her own dollhouses. As she grew older,
profession after the birth of her youngest child. She recalls, “Being
she took great pride in decorating her bedrooms, one of which
a stay at home mom was the hardest thing I’d ever done, struggling
included bright sunflower wallpaper (a true mark of a design lover).
with postpartum depression and anxiety. I needed a creative
It makes perfect sense how she has become a voice of influence for
outlet so I started thrifting more and sharing my finds for my
thousands of other home and design enthusiasts, but her success
home projects.”
didn’t happen overnight.

Content Shift
Career Shift
Incidentally, this was also the start of the pandemic which itself
After moving to Charleston postgrad, Amy met her husband Scott
presented challenges and freedoms for her family and the growing
who had also just relocated to play hockey for the SC Stingrays
brand. “I was actually thankful for the Coastal Oak then, because so
hockey team. Together, they have three children: Micah (9), Celia
many other people were also at home on their phones, just trying to
(6), and Theo (4). Their family enjoys weekend boating to nearby
survive the day. I think I was able to connect more deeply with my
islands, hunting for shark teeth, and traveling to new places.
followers through a raw and realistic experience,” she says.

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 Roots
HUMBLE

Amy's digital presence grew dramatically
between 2020 and 2022 when she
chronicled her DIY endeavors and style
tips with easy upgrades referred to as
“design band-aids''. Elements like peel-
and-stick tile, repainting walls, and adding
trim and shiplap were some of her first
and peeling back the layers of all that is
involved in being an influencer. “It can
be easy to get swept away in the buzz of
it all,” she says, but her commitment to
authenticity is what sets her apart from
the rest.
At the beginning of the Coastal Oak
out there on the internet requires a solid
sense of identity. This was apparent when
identifying where her own roots grew.
“I’ve always loved oak trees. Their tree
limbs have a wide sprawling canopy that
sometimes come back down to the ground
and reroot,” she says, This imagery carries
Amy and her brand’s purposeful evolution

tasks in conjunction with styling her journey, there were times she found herself to this day.

thrifted reinventions. "working for the algorithm," which quickly

Business Breakthrough
After attending a business leader retreat
on Johns Island about a year ago, Amy
was urged by the spirit to ask herself,
“What am I really after?” Her time at the
retreat involved asking tough questions
robbed her of the joys content creation
once brought her when it was just a hobby.
“I realized how alone I was as an influencer.
The behind the scenes of it all can be really
isolating, and all of those emotions came
out at that retreat,” she shares.
All of the uncertainty of putting oneself
Fast-forward to recently, nearly a year
later; Amy attended a popular influencer
event. She made it her mission to make
other women in the influencer space feel
comfortable and welcome. She invited
them to coffee, lunch, and all of the
moments she wished she could have been
asked to at the start of her own influencing

(below left) The range wall clad in reflective Zelliege tile makes a
statement in this open-concept floor plan. (below right) The dining
room nook is a warm combination of new and antique elements for a
rustic feel. (opposite) The central oak wood island harmonizes with
the brass elements that surround.

career. Not only was her purpose found
in helping others create beautiful homes
without barriers, but to also create a
community for creators who might feel
like they are on their own in their
digital endeavors.
As a business woman, Amy understands
the importance of empowering other
women in business and inviting them
to sit at her table, literally.
Accessible Design
The Coastal Oak’s followers can indulge
their love for design with tips and
products at any price point and DIY
projects at a variety of skill levels. A
large part of Amy’s commitment to
the thrifting lifestyle is because of her
humble beginnings. She hasn’t always
come home to a big, beautiful home
decorated to the nines. In fact, she
recalls moments in time where she was
exclusively shopping at thrift stores, and
not necessarily by choice.
“When we first got married, we were
dumpster diving and all of my clothing
came from Goodwill. I've always tried
to find the good stuff and share it on
my account even then I always do my
research and I really appreciate high-
end design. But oftentimes, you can
absolutely get the look for less,” she says.
“With my brand, I love design and love
nice things. But I always know how crazy
expensive things can be. I really try to not
show the expensive elements over and
over again because I just know that that is
not truly accessible to most people, even
us a year ago,” she shares.
Any redesign in her home will always
include her followers and their resources
first. The light in their breakfast nook
for example, was only shared to her feed
once she was able to provide alternative
options at various price points.
“I always research options for my
followers who might want to achieve this
same look before I even share the space
on my Instagram,” she says. It takes a bit
of imagination to work with second-hand
items and Amy is committed to sharing
her tips and tricks with homeowners and

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 Roots
House
HUMBLE
of
Hymns
(above) Marble countertops sit upon a furniture-style vanity by Steven Shell Living in the primary bathroom. PRD Custom homes worked with
Amy to make the most of this space with a freestanding tub and glass shower.
renters alike. Her deal alerts and looks for
less allow people of all budgets to craft
their own coastal atmosphere, barrier free.
Living Coastal
Amy defines her coastal lifestyle as one
which embraces “slow strolls downtown,
delicious Charleston dining, shopping
local stores, sharing the beautiful
Lowcountry scenery by boating, walking
paths, getting out in nature, looking for
birds and wildlife, and more.” Her faith is
also at the center of her life and is a place
where she is able to grow community
among like-minded women.
The Coastal Oak is all about coming home
to a space you feel comfortable in. That
doesn’t always mean spending your entire
savings on the interior either. Amy shares,
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“I spent weeks wrapping a bed in twine
to mimic a $8k bed. For my son’s little
boy room, I wanted expensive wallpaper
but used a stamp and paint to create the
pattern instead. Our porch planters are
cheap pots that I’ve used lime to age and
mimic expensive pots.”
No matter where someone might be in
their design endeavors, the Coastal Oak
brand works to inspire and encourage
others to create the spaces they’ve always
wanted to come home to.
Under Oaks
In terms of Amy’s design selections for
her home, she shares, “I love to get out in
nature and look for inspiration from local
landscapes, especially marsh settings. I
love to stroll downtown to take in the color
Coastal Charm
Furnishings from Steven Shell
Living and Celadon Home are
layered among vintage finds
for an old-meets-new style in
the primary bedroom.
and texture of all of the old buildings. I
stay very true to a neutral color palette
in my home with blues, warm whites,
terracottas, and shades of brown. I select
items that are in style but not trending. I’m
looking for things that are more timeless.
Function is key also. Yes, I love neutrals
and white, but it needs to be kid friendly.”
This thought process is evident in her
family-friendly home that is anything but
boring though neutral in scheme. Layers
of texture and organic materials work
together to create unique living spaces
that aren’t too precious for her family to
enjoy together. Performance fabrics are a
must-have.
Pops of blue and white mixed with natural
materials and metallic accents contribute
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 Roots
HUMBLE
HUES
BEHIND
of THE
seams
HAPPINESS

(above) The Romfo Family: Amy, Scott, Celia (6), Micah (9), and Theo (4). (opposite above) Celia’s bedroom ties in classic elements in a
way which embraces her current interests and can be updated easily as she grows older. (opposite below) Similarly, Micah’s bedroom is
also more timeless for longevity of the design.

to the Romfo’s charming home. Though the color palette is simple,
Amy takes any opportunity she can
to inject a particular personality in each room with plant life
and antiques.
Take her home office for example which was once a formal dining
room. She refinished a vintage dresser with a leftover piece of scrap
marble to create the home office desk of her dreams. The contrast
create a subtle yet interesting backdrop for the rest of the living
space. Even the smallest detail, like turning the books with
the pages facing out, makes all of the difference for a sense of
dimension and depth. In this cozy coastal design, a mix of brass and
rattan elements work together in warm unison, a hallmark of the
Coastal Oak design scheme.
For paint colors, Amy’s go-to shades are White Dove by Benjamin

of material is a striking centerpiece for a space filled with items Moore which she says is, “The perfect warm white that is so cozy. If

that keep her inspired.
The laundry room also features a mix of old and new with a
reclaimed door found at a thrift store. This is just the kind of
rustic complement to the rest of the space. Marble flooring and
thrifted floral artwork make this space feel historic though a
recent addition.
In the living room, built-in bookshelves lined with thrifted finds
you love a bright white, Chantilly Lace is great depending on your
lighting. Another favorite is Accessible Beige, seen in our cabinetry
in the kitchen.”
Slow-Living
Since Amy’s career has taken off, she hopes to remain what she
calls “humbly confident” as she has moved towards a slower
approach to design, especially when it comes to DIYs. She shares,
“We have decided if it is something that requires plumbing or

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Roots
HUMBLE

4 5
(1) Bookshelf wealth abounds
at the Coastal Oak. (2) Amy’s
daughter’s room is a classic
design to grow up with. (3)
The Romfo’s cozy front porch.
(4) Pendant lights above the
central island brighten the
space. (5) Black and white
marble tile is a timeless laundry
room design. (6) Gallery
walls of thrifted artwork add
character to shiplap. (7) A
cozy bedroom vignette styled
on top of a refinished antique
dresser. (8) Turning vintage
“Creating a home that you love and feel comfortable in is most books inwards is a signature
important to me and I think anybody can do that with any budget.” element in cozy coastal design.

- Amy Romfo
6 7 8

electrical, we consult a professional. Up until this past
project, we did most of our work ourselves but we decided
to hire professionals. If it brings you challenge and joy, I say
do it! If it’s a learned skill with a lot of technical detail, I say
hire it out. For us, we are both working full time and projects
started cutting into evenings and family time.”
Now that most of the big projects at the Romfo home have
wrapped, Amy spends her time browsing local retailers
for accessible design options for her followers, even if she
doesn’t bring the items home. Her popular ‘deals of the day’
and ‘looks for less’ series are fun and interactive ways to
stay connected to her following even now that her home is
complete…at the moment. As an interior stylist, Amy’s
home is constantly receiving decorative updates like a
plant here or a vintage book there.
Followers can always find something on the Coastal Oak for
their own homes that they can make happen on their own
time and dollar. For Amy, she used her growth to focus on
bringing people together right at home.

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