BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO

In today’s economic climate, supporting local isn’t just a feel-good gesture, it’s a powerful act of resistance and community preservation. As corporate chains tighten their grip and small businesses navigate rising costs and shifting priorities, choosing to invest in local makers and entrepreneurs has never mattered more. It keeps money circulating within our neighborhoods, sustains the character of our cities and uplifts the people who live and work among us. Rogala Design, a woman-owned gem now nestled inside Birdsall & Co., embodies that ethos wholeheartedly. More than just a design studio, it’s a celebration of local artistry and a platform for underrepresented voices. Founder Amy Rogala has made it her mission to spotlight Colorado-based creatives, offering a space where sustainability, individuality, and community come first. In a world that often favors convenience over connection, Rogala Design reminds us why local matters and what’s at stake when we stop paying attention.

Since we spoke to you last, you have moved Rogala Design Gallery inside Birdsall & Co.—what inspired the shift, and how has the new location shaped your vision for the shop?

The move felt like a natural fit. Aesthetically, we align with Birdsall’s love for nature and biophilic design, and the extra space has allowed us to expand our vision. The atmosphere here is calm and inspiring—it gives our pieces and artists room to breathe and be appreciated. It’s not just a gallery; it’s a space that feels alive.

You’ve made it a priority to showcase the work of several local artists. Why is it important for you to create a platform for other creatives, and how do you go about curating that mix?

Honestly, it started by chance—I met a few local artists and fell in love with their stories and their work. From there, framing their pieces became a passion. Now it’s something I feel strongly about: highlighting talent in our own community. We prioritize artists whose work we truly love, and we aim to support both established and emerging voices. Michael Dowling has been so complimentary to our framing design. He provides the perfect black and white large-scale drama and is a beloved Denver artist. Courtney Griffin and Kristen Abbot complement our love for nature and bringing the outdoors to art. Brook Proctor is an all-around anything goes, abstract or realistic colorful artist whose work makes our gallery pop. We also have a special section for unframed prints. Local artists, Sarah Fitzgerald and Kimberly Wolff keep us stocked and selling grab-and-go prints.

Rogala Design has become a go-to destination for other interior designers. Was that part of your original vision, or something that’s grown organically?

That was definitely part of the vision. I’ve always wanted the gallery to be a hub for designers, a place to find vintage, one-of-a-kind and locally made pieces that feel collected and soulful. Seeing other designers come in and find inspiration here is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do. We offer products that add to a designer’s vision, often adding the layers that come in later in the process. We have the products that can fill the shelves, offer one-of-a-kind textures and speak to the personality of the home owner.

As both a furniture designer and interior designer, how do you balance creating your own line with spotlighting the work of others?

Furniture design was my starting point, it’s where I first fell in love with the process of shaping a space. Even now, I still create a few pieces for the gallery, not out of necessity, but because it’s a part of who I am creatively. That said, Rogala has never been just about me. The joy comes from curating a thoughtful mix: pieces that feel right together, that speak to what’s current but also timeless. Whether it’s something I’ve designed or something I’ve found, if it tells a story and adds soul to the space, it belongs here. I am trying to dedicate more time this fall to offering fallen tree designs, marble remnant work and creations from natural objects in nature.

Sustainability is central to your work. How do you integrate eco-conscious practices into your sourcing, design, and overall philosophy?

We try to make sustainability approachable. A big part of it is giving existing pieces a second life with refinishing, reupholstering, reimagining. We work with local partners like Styled by Austin and Vintage Gems Denver to restore furniture instead of buying new. It’s about being thoughtful with our choices and encouraging our clients to do the same.

Community seems to be at the heart of everything you do. What does “supporting local” look like for you, day to day?

Supporting local means showing up for each other. Whether it’s collaborating with other women-owned businesses, hosting pop-up events, or featuring new artists, we try to create space for connection. We want the gallery to be more than a shop, it’s a mutually supportive space where people can meet, share ideas and grow together.

We are working to build our newsletter audience so our events will get bigger and involve a greater portion of our community. We will be hosting an outdoor market with Birdsall in August. We will have Hip Pops, a petting zoo, and a vintage vendor Earthly Threads Art. These types of events help our neighborhood thrive and we hope to host more in the future. Meeting our neighbors and other small business owners is invaluable. When you know and understand the makers in your orbit, it makes it easy to support local.

The pieces in your gallery feel both soulful and elevated. What’s your process for creating a space that feels intentional, yet inviting?

We build everything around the vignette. It’s about storytelling—how pieces interact, the textures, the framing, the finishes. There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work: upholstery, custom framing, editing until it feels just right. The goal is for people to walk in and feel something—comfort, curiosity, maybe even inspiration.

What advice do you have for fellow entrepreneurs—especially women—who want to build a business rooted in values, creativity, and collaboration?

Start before you feel ready. You’ll figure it out as you go. Lean on other women, ask questions, say yes before you know how. Not everything will work—and that’s okay. My dad always said if you throw enough mud at the wall, something will stick. Give yourself grace, especially during slow seasons, and keep going. Don’t worry about the mistakes. It is ok to say “I don’t know how to do that yet, but I will figure it out.”

How do you see the role of brick-and-mortar evolving in the design world, especially in a city like Denver?

While everything is shifting online, there’s still something powerful about walking into a space and seeing things in person. Design is tactile. People want to touch, feel, and connect with the pieces they bring into their homes. Our space allows for that deeper, more human experience—and that’s not something you can replicate with a click.

What’s next for Rogala Design—any upcoming artist showcases, collaborations, or events we should mark our calendars for?

We’ve got a lot on the horizon! We’re vetting artists for upcoming shows, planning a few hands-on classes, and hosting an outdoor market this August. The best way to stay in the loop is through our Instagram or newsletter—there’s always something exciting around the corner.

Thank you, Amy, for being a continued source of inspiration for Denver creatives and entrepreneurs alike. If you’d like to be part of the Rogala family, join the newsletter by sending your email to amy@rogaladesign or visit her in person at 2880 S. Broadway in Englewood.