When someone loves what they do, it shows in myriad ways. Take Amy Johannsen, owner/operator of Studio Ressource, for example, who bubbles with knowledge, enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose. She could be described as the queen of one-of-a-kind finds, and her booming business reflects her success through the veritable treasure trove of hand-picked European antiques, architectural materials and unique objects she sells in her Scottsdale store. 

“It’s hard to believe, but I actually wanted to be a schoolteacher at one time,” declares Johannsen, who is originally from northwest Ohio. “I came to Arizona in 1989 to attend ASU, where I studied architecture, and I’ve been here ever since. I love the heat and the sun, and I have family here, too,” she notes.

While working for a local architect in early 2000, Johannsen had the opportunity to travel to Europe with clients to shop for products to be used in their homes, and to work on projects that incorporated antique materials. This enabled her to further her interest and knowledge in the industry, and over time led her to think about founding a company of her own.

“The year before I opened Studio Ressource, I was considering going into child therapy. I’ve always loved children and animals and feel that both are the purest of souls with the smallest of rights. But I ended up going in a completely different direction. People kept telling me I should open my own business, and in 2015, that’s what I did.” 

Johannsen is involved in every aspect of the business, from buying to selling, invoicing, accounting, working with clients and traveling to Europe—primarily France and Belgium—to acquire more inventory. She will soon be heading to the Netherlands for the first time. “They are true curators of antiques,” she remarks. “They are also fabulous at finding the unique things that just don’t come on the market anymore, and now we have access to them.”

Studio Ressource is open only to trade professionals; however, builders and designers are encouraged to bring their clients into the showroom with them. “We love having the opportunity to see how the homeowner responds to different materials. It’s wonderful when they see a piece and exclaim, ‘That’s the one,’” Johannsen enthuses. “We want everyone who makes a purchase to love what they’ve selected as much as we do.”

Builder John Schultz speaks highly of Studio Ressource. “Amy has been working with our company and taking great care of our clients for many years,” he says. “She is passionate about what she does and a pleasure to work with. We would recommend her to anyone looking for beautiful antiques and reclaimed products.”

Interior designer Laurel Pfannenstiel agrees, stating that Studio Ressource offers a thoughtfully curated collection of antique and savaged pieces, each selected for its individuality. “The pieces we acquire through Amy naturally complement our designs and help make every project feel one of a kind,” she adds.

Johannsen notes that the antiques they carry are mostly from the 16th to 19th centuries, and inventory at their Scottsdale store, as well as a 10,000-square-foot ancillary warehouse near the airport, are filled with everything from fireplaces to doors, cabinets, firebacks and more, with large stone basins and wood flooring currently among the most sought-after items. “We also have 12th-century cobblestone flooring from the streets of France and tons of pots, from small to ginormous,” she elaborates. Studio Ressource is the U.S. distributor for handmade terracotta and white clay pots by Ravel, a company that was founded in 1837 in Provence and has continued through five generations. “In addition, we’re now bringing in newly made items from Morocco that we can offer at a lower price point. It’s been very successful, especially the limestone flooring and huge stone wheels,” Johannsen says.

The main attributes Johannsen looks for when selecting products to purchase are character, patina and history. “You can’t fake hundreds of years of wear,” she points out, citing such examples as large stone basins with a dip at the front edge made over centuries by animal heads grazing them while feeding, and stone wellheads with grooves worn into the stone from a rope dragging across them.

“People always want to know how old everything is, but we cannot always determine a piece’s exact age,” she says. “However, there are certain antiques—such as doors and fireplaces—that cannot be permanently removed from France without an official export certificate stating the documented age of the piece. Without this, they stay in Europe.”

Johannsen’s reverence for antiquities and love of architecture are two of the things that make what she does so enjoyable. “I also love it when people ask my advice,” she adds with a smile. “But honestly, it’s the relationships that are by far my favorite thing—the clients who follow me, the builders and vendors I work with. My vendors in Europe are like family. My shipper is one of my best friends. I’m truly blessed.”