Amanda Connolly
Shotgun Co-founder
LSBID, NSDIQ, Former ASID District Chair
I am a local NOLA girl with the typical New Orleans background. I grew up in Metairie, graduated from Mount Carmel Academy a Ragdoll, and followed-up with 2 great years as a Studio Arts major at Loyola University. Somewhere along the way, I knew that I needed a profession to apply my love of art and design and thus made the move to none other than LSU for Interior Design.
With dreams of a life of great style, fame, and fortune I planned to start my interior design career in New York. Fate had other plans and I have spent the past 14 plus years working for a major interiors retail corporation as both an Interior Designer and Project Manager. Not what I had planned for myself, but a wonderful wealth of experience and challenges. Two moves working in both Memphis and Little Rock, three kids (all boys), 1 husband, 2 cats, and a dog later
I am living my dream back home in New Orleans. Because New Orleans always has a way of calling you back.
I knew I wanted to make room for professional growth and change. I wanted to see my clients through all phases of the design process and assist them in finding the best interpretation of their style. Thus, Shotgun Design Group was born from a great partnership with a like-minded designer and colleague, Blake Erskin. We had the same goals and ambition: ”Living with great design and personal style is attainable for every one on any budget.” We want to help our clients make this happen in residential and commercial settings. An Interior Designer is a good investment. Your home and space should be a reflection of you. I like to think my job is to be a good steward for you, your space, and how you want to live within it.
Blake Erskin
Shotgun Co-founder
NSDIQ, Former New Orleans District Chair
I graduated at Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelors of Interior Design and a minor in history. Prior to starting Shotgun Design Group, LLC, with my business partner, Amanda Connolly, I worked as a design consultant for a major interiors retail corporation for 4 years and an associate designer for 2 years for a local firm. I have had the privilege to work on projects throughout the country including California, South Carolina, and the southern Gulf Coast.
I start the design process by learning about how you will live or work in the space. This helps me to make sure that not only is your space beautiful and inspirational in design but it also functions properly to your needs. Then, I create a space with blending textures, colors, styles, and patterns that all flows cohesively throughout the building’s architecture.
My design philosophy is that style and design can be found anywhere. It is how you showcase that style or design that matters. My style varies from ultra-modern to historical interiors. Because of this love of different styles, I am able to create a beautiful interior that is what the client’s tastes are. I feel that every interior space should be different from the next while remaining timeless and not a trend.
Emily Rumney
Associate Designer
Allied ASID
Growing up all over the South, one of my earliest memories is constantly sketching floor plans from a Southern Living book into one of my notebooks. My parents were building a new home in Texas, but I was just focused on the interiors and how rooms should flow from one to another. Fast-forward to 2007, I moved to New Orleans and earned my bachelor’s degree in Economics from Tulane (but still had no idea what I wanted to do with my life…).
Life had a round-a-bout way of leading me to this career. I realized that my degree had little to do with what I really wanted to do. I did a lot of soul searching and ultimately left my finance career, went back to school at Delgado Community College, and earned an AA in Interior Design and my Certificate of Technical Studies in Kitchen and Bath Design. I started with Shotgun Design Group in the fall of 2015.
I enjoy both the technical and creative sides of interior design. I would say one of my best skills is my familiarity with drafting/modeling technologies and creating realistic interior renderings. I love to see clients’ faces when they can truly envision what their home will look like when completed. My personal interior style is quite diverse—everything from industrial to contemporary to French Country to even Art Deco! I believe an artfully designed, styled, and organized home creates a more stress-free life.