Let Go of Aunt Sue's Chair: Patina's Amanda Mertins on Designing a Home You Love

Amanda Mertins, co-owner of Patina Polished Living, Old Town Alexandria’s beloved home goods and interior design shop,  joins The People You Meet in Old Town podcast to talk about a life spent making spaces feel like home. From setting the table at elementary school dinner parties and rearranging furniture in her tiny bedroom, to building a thriving retail and design business alongside her partner Kim, Amanda shares how passion, persistence, and a head for economics turned a lifelong instinct into a 14-year-old business.Amanda breaks down her signature approach to editing a home, how she walks through every room before touching a thing, spots the hidden gem gathering dust in a guest room, and gives clients permission to finally let go of Aunt Sue’s chair. She shares her philosophy on mixing vintage and new, high and low (in both interiors and fashion), the two things you should always spend money on, why you should never buy a sofa online, and the design rules she loves to break. She also talks about the reality of running a retail store in Old Town: the joy of installation day, the grief of broken deliveries, and the partnership that has kept Patina thriving for over a decade.Timing:00:00 What Makes Home01:32 Amanda’s Design Origins04:42 Launching Patina06:38 Retail Reality Check08:21 Editing Homes Superpower13:29 Inside the Storehouse16:48 Paint Color Shortcuts18:53 Retail Joy and Client Reveals23:52 Installation Day Magic27:44 Client Reactions and Referrals28:22 Sourcing Trips and Vintage Finds29:41 Estate Sales and Market Hustle30:26 Retail Grunt Work Realities33:00 Designing for Family and Heirlooms34:42 When Husbands Drive Design37:09 Investing in Quality Furniture38:07 Old Town Lightning Round41:55 Personal Style Over Trends44:14 Designing Semi Permanent Choices46:59 Podcast Praise and Farewell Around Old Town and beyond:Patina Polished Living: 111 S Columbus St | patinapolishedliving.com | IG: @patinapolishedlivingIndochen: 1615 King St | indochen.com | IG: @indochenvaMonogram Logistics: monogramlogistics.com | IG: @monogramlogistics Let’s stay in touchEmail us at [email protected]. To stay up to date with The People You Meet In Old Town, and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.The People You Meet in Old Town AlexandriaThe People You Meet in Old Town Alexandria is a podcast that explores the people, places, and ideas that shape the historic district. Hosted by Jane Khodos Beyer, the show features wide-ranging discussions with local leaders and experts who bring practical ideas on how to preserve our heritage and build a vibrant community.© 2026 The People You Meet in Old Town Alexandria. All rights reserved.