Hey there, I’m Steph
Founder & PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
A creative at heart, Steph has mastered the art of elevated yet approachable design. Her journey began at Michigan State University, where she went on to spend the first decade of her design career working for commercial and residential firms, including a nationally recognized luxury interior design studio that has been featured in publications such as Architectural Digest. During those early years, Steph cultivated an appreciation for original art and an ability to seamlessly mix functionality and personality into a space.
Eager to create something of her own, Steph founded North + Birch in 2017 with the goal of designing spaces that embraced the concept of making you love where you live. The name, which stems from her love of Northern Michigan and high regard for the environment and outdoors, serves as a northern star for the brand which aims to source sustainable products and support local artists and trades people at every chance they get. North + Birch’s signature style is equally a reflection of Steph’s personality – bright, approachable, and timeless.
Steph lives in Clarkston, MI with her husband, two kids, golden retriever and a couple of cats. She has a special spot in her heart for helping turtles cross the road and trying to convince her husband to ease up on his two-cat maximum.
Amber Ulasich
LEAD Designer
Amber is a Midwest native, originally from Troy, MI. Determined to chase her big city dreams, she moved to Chicago to pursue a career in design. She earned a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in Psychology from the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Early internships in residential architecture lit the creative spark, but the glitz and grind of luxury interiors truly ignited her passion for design. Prior to joining North + Birch, Amber honed her craft at an ELLE Decor A-List firm before stepping into a leadership role at an Architectural Digest-featured studio. With experience guiding residential projects from concept through installation, she is known for her thoughtful approach, refined eye for detail, and confident use of color.
Travel remains one of Amber's greatest sources of inspiration. Whether studying historic textile archives in London, immersing herself in Milan's design culture, or swooning over the perennial beauty of Paris, each journey has refined her design sensibility. After drawing inspiration from cities around the world for years, she is especially excited to return to her own Paris of the Midwest, creating timeless interiors that uniquely reflect the people who live in them.
When she's not dreaming up material palettes or sketching concepts, Amber can be found perfecting her favorite recipes, discovering new restaurants, and fueling every adventure with coffee.
Brittany Morris
studio manager
As Studio Manager at North + Birch, Brittany is the organizational force behind the scenes, keeping projects moving from concept to completion. She oversees procurement, coordinates with vendors and trades, manages countless moving pieces, and ensures every detail is accounted for long before installation day. Her thoughtful communication and meticulous organization help create a seamless experience for both our clients and team.
After earning her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University, Brittany built a career in sales and marketing before finding the perfect intersection of business, organization, and design at North + Birch. Having navigated multiple home building and renovation projects herself, she understands firsthand the importance of clear communication, realistic expectations, and a well-executed process.
A homebody at heart, Brittany believes the best homes are both beautiful and deeply functional. When she's not keeping the studio running, she's busy chasing after her kids, squeezing in a fitness class, or getting lost in a great podcast.