Designer Stories: Aubrey Ament and Will Glaser of Glam Studio

In our ongoing Designer Stories series, we spotlight the creative leaders shaping how we live, decorate, and experience home. These are the designers whose work is rooted in craft, character, and thoughtful innovation—voices that inspire us and reflect the heart of NuStory’s community.

Today, we’re thrilled to feature Aubrey Ament and Will Glaser, the duo behind Glam Studio, a Brooklyn-based interior design firm known for its transformative approach to historic homes. With a deep reverence for architectural heritage and a modern sensibility that favors clean lines, intentional materials, and elevated structure, Glam Studio stands out as a practice that brings old spaces beautifully into the present.

Specializing in interior design and renovation project management, the studio is best known for restoring gutted brownstones and pre-war residences—homes across Brooklyn that hold history in every beam and molding. Their philosophy is grounded in thoughtful, livable design: using quality materials, rich textures, and elegant compositions that harmonize with a building’s architectural soul.

Aubrey and Will’s partnership—in work and in life—was shaped by two very different but deeply complementary design paths. Will’s background is rooted in hands-on craft. After college, he apprenticed with a woodworker and furniture maker, gaining an early education in construction, cabinetry, interiors, event build-outs, and factory work. These varied experiences sharpened his practical design instincts, teaching him how things are built, how projects unfold, and how creative problem-solving happens on-site.

After an early interest in fashion, Aubrey discovered product and industrial design at the University of Oregon—falling in love with functional creativity and the art of solving problems beautifully. Her early career as a color designer at Nike in Portland, largely in footwear, honed her eye for curation, materiality, and execution. That role eventually brought her to New York, where she later expanded into set design before fully shifting into interior architecture by getting her master’s at Pratt Institute. 

The two first met in a pottery class years ago and have been creating together ever since. Today, they operate as a perfectly balanced team—each leading in certain areas, supporting in others, and bringing a shared vision of thoughtful, craft-forward design to life.

How would you describe your design point of view?

For us, everything starts with simplicity. When I’m composing a room, I reduce it down to pure color and shape—almost like doing a squint test—to make sure the space feels balanced and energized. From there, we start thinking about what can introduce nuance or tension through texture and material. We’re both instinctively drawn to modern styles, but always those grounded in craft or historical context, with some small, special detail that really makes the space sing.

Context is always key. We like to honor the history of a home while still creating a modern flow that works for real families. Our goal is to pull in practical elements without losing that sense of interest, reverence, and connection to the story of the space.

What originally sparked your love for design, and how has your perspective evolved over time?

I’ve always loved making and collecting. When I was young, some of my happiest moments were sewing, baking, or wandering through garage sales looking for things that sparked joy. As I grew older, that passion evolved into a heightened awareness of the world around me. Observing colors, shapes, materials—asking questions about how things are made—those little curiosities fueled my design brain long before I realized it.

For Will, that love came through building. Hands-on craft was his entry point into design and it still shapes how we runs our projects today. 

When designing a space, how do you approach blending tradition and modernity?

Again, context tells you everything. If you really look around a space, you’ll find architectural cues—repetition in shapes, colors, proportions—that can help guide more modern choices. Sometimes it’s a tile color that sparks an idea, or the shape of a ceiling medallion that inspires a light fixture or piece of furniture. There’s always something historic that can inform something new.

What role does craftsmanship play in your work?

Craftsmanship is at the center of everything we do. High-quality work is almost always worth the investment—whether you’re building a kitchen or weaving a textile. You can truly feel the difference. And when you’re investing that much into your home, that feeling of quality is what stays with you. It’s the feeling you want every time you walk in the door.

How does the character of New York influence your design work?

New York is endlessly layered and surprising, and that energy shows up in everything we design. The city is in a constant state of use, reuse, reinvention, and rebirth—you’ll pass a building that used to be a restaurant, built on top of something even older, with a half-worn sign still clinging to the brick. That kind of visual history is everywhere, and it creates this incredible churn of inspiration.

As designers, we love that we don’t have to go searching for ideas—the city hands them to you. You can walk into a bodega and notice some unexpected detail that sparks a thought, even if it doesn’t make sense right away. Eventually it shows up in the work somehow, nudging an idea forward. New York keeps our gears turning, and that constant surprise is a huge part of why we design the way we do.

When selecting a rug for a space, what do you look for first?

It always starts with color. Then pattern. Then material. But truly, all three are equally important. Rugs anchor a room, so whatever you choose needs to support the entire vision.

Is there a NuStory rug you’ve used or admired that speaks to your sensibilities? Why?
The Gallery Rug immediately resonated with us—the high quality wool, the subtle shifts in tone, the beautifully balanced shapes. We recently put it in our new living room and feel like it really ties things together. 

I (Aubrey) am also taken with the Dune Rug. The high–low pile, the natural materials, and especially the color—it’s elegant but still graphic in a way that feels modern and grounded.

And I (Will) love the Woodland Moss Rug, which has this quiet, textural story woven into it. We love pieces that feel good underfoot but also spark conversation—something you can tell your friends about, like “this was inspired by the woods upstate.” Pieces with a narrative always hold a special place for us.

What’s a recent moment that reminded you why you love what you do?

We recently received an email from a consultation client who was so grateful for our design advice—it was incredibly touching. Moments like that remind us how intimate this work really is, and how special it is to help people shape the spaces they live their lives in.

Looking ahead, what design ideas or trends are exciting you most?

We’re genuinely thrilled that burl wood furniture is making such a quick comeback. I (Aubrey) worked at a lumber yard after undergrad, and that’s where I fell in love with it. The three-dimensional effect—what we call the figure—is often prized in fine instruments like guitars and violins. It’s such a beautiful material.

Who is your design “ultimate ultimate”? Who are the makers or studios you love supporting?

We love so many different folks who make amazing things here in NYC! We're constantly impressed by our peers Sin, Tantuvi, Callidus Guild, Fort Standard and Everydays to name a few.  My all time design inspirations are Georgia O’Keefe, Donald Judd and Charles and Ray Eames - they were multi-faceted creatives that were groundbreaking in their time.

About Designer Stories 

Designer Stories is an ongoing editorial series by NuStory that spotlights the creative leaders in the home industry. Through candid conversations and behind-the-scenes insights, we celebrate designers whose work is defined by creativity, craft, and character.

By amplifying these voices, NuStory aims to sustain and support the vibrant NYC design community—offering a platform for connection, inspiration, and shared growth. These stories not only honor the individuals behind the work, but also deepen our commitment to a more thoughtful, collaborative, and craft-driven design culture.