Amber Cagle of Black Dove Interiors has a love for birds (as captured by a wrist tattoo she sports). “Black Dove” was an easy choice of a moniker for her edgy, new interior design company. The dove represents peace and love, both of which describe her work ethos, too.
After falling in love with art at a young age, Cagle majored in interior design at Appalachian State and joined a commercial architecture firm in Charlotte shortly thereafter. Her career began with small tasks such as picking out furniture for restaurants, salons, and libraries. Eight years later, she found herself completing projects from concept to completion, and decided she was ready for a new challenge.
“As I became more and more passionate about architecture and design, I learned that I love being able to take ownership of a project from the very first idea to installing the last accessory with my own hands.”
Lessons from Argentina
She knew that eventually she wanted to start her own business, but the timing wasn’t quite right. So, she and her little dog moved to Cordoba, Argentina, where Amber worked at an architectural visualization firm for two and a half years. Working with a team of extremely talented designers on photo-realistic renderings and animations broadened her design and architecture skills tenfold, and she learned about new construction methods, trends, products, and ideas.
“I saw projects from architects all over the world… Dubai, Qatar, LA, Sri Lanka…”
Opening Black Dove
Cagle came back from Argentina four years ago with a new dream, and hit the ground running with her own firm, a boutique, full-service interior design studio. Today, when designing a space, the brand new Black Dove Interiors regularly draws inspiration from travelling, researching social platforms, reading magazines and art books, and attending trade shows and flea markets.
They often visit local vendors for things like wallpaper, antiques, vintage rugs, tiles, and flooring. The designing process begins by taking a trip to the site, taking pictures, and listening to the owner’s thoughts and ideas. Black Dove, under Amber’s lead, assesses what needs to change and what doesn’t, then creates a project program that is cumulative of the client’s wants and needs, and Black Dove’s professional suggestions.
“We get to know each client and their needs by requesting to see examples of designs they already like. Then, with those wants and needs in mind, we create a concept we think they will love, and then present it.”
Design is a process that can take months or years, as Amber well knows, and Black Dove Interiors believes in creating art out of space for a unique, lasting emotional imprint and a home that’s all your own.
