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Expressive Modern: The Interiors of Amy Lau
In her first book, designer Amy Lau reveals some techniques behind her signature look
Amy Lau's stunning interiors have a way of standing out. Whether the home is a simple Manhattan loft or an upscale country cabin, she has an impeccable way of blending color, pattern and texture. She uses classic products with clean lines, but blends them in an artistic style to create a look truly her own.
Lau's first book, Expressive Modern: The Interiors of Amy Lau (Fall 2011, The Monacelli Press), explores the techniques behind her style and shows homeowners simple ways to incorporate her eclectic look.
Lau's first book, Expressive Modern: The Interiors of Amy Lau (Fall 2011, The Monacelli Press), explores the techniques behind her style and shows homeowners simple ways to incorporate her eclectic look.
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by Amy Lau Design
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| The book is divided by what homeowners need to know to design a home that's functional, beautiful and one-of-a-kind. Chapters on color and pattern, function and flair, and craft and soul encourage homeowners to take risks but also stay true to what they love. At the end, Lau includes a list of her design muses and mentors — design ingenues from the past and present who have influenced her stunning work. This is a shot from Lau's room in the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse in 2007. Lau customized almost every piece in this room. The bold and abstract palette was inspired by the sea, sand and sky, and a painting by Josef Albers. |
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by Amy Lau Design
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| This living room is part of a 2,500-square-foot apartment in Manhattan. The homeowners had a beautiful abstract painting by Rex Ray, and Lau found a stunning Tibetan rug that was done in one of the artist's graphics. The rug and hand-embroidered pattern on the pillows inspired the room's color scheme. The sculptural pieces on the wall are enameled Boi lamps by David Weeks. The heads of each lamp turn to light different bits of the room at night. Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work? A: Creating timeless interiors for my clients and designing “bespoke” one-of-a-kind pieces is the most rewarding part of what I do. I tend to think about the lifespan the pieces will carry and how they will become family heirlooms that can be passed down from generation to generation. |
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by Amy Lau Design
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| This soothing bedroom is part of the same Manhattan apartment from the living room in the previous shot. Textiles designed by artist Judy Ross blend beautifully with hand-blown glass pieces in the bed frame. An elegant custom pendant lamp designed by Michael Anchin reflects the same peaceful palette. Q: What do you hope people will get out of this book? A: I hope the readers will understand the importance of personalizing their own space. It can be as simple as painting a wall in a color they are drawn to, showcasing a vase they’ve picked up on their travels, using vintage furniture they’ve collected throughout the years, displaying artwork from the country of their ancestors, or a pile of their favorite books on a coffee table. |
by Amy Lau Design
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A sitting area in this Miami home plays with warmer colors in a bold but restrained style. A collection of bright glass is displayed in Silvo Cavatora shelving unit and a Gió Ponti sideboard. The red chaise by Osvolado Borsani adds more color without overwhelming.
Q: You often work in apartments. What kind of space-saving solutions do you implement to keep things streamlined?
A: The easiest way to keep your life streamlined is to only keep the objects that you absolutely love and, more important, use. When I go through the editing process with my clients I ask them, "Do you enjoy this object? Does it enhance your life in any way? Have you used it in the past year?" If the answer to all of the questions is "yes," then we keep it. It is important to do this in your own home to keep the clutter at bay.
Q: You often work in apartments. What kind of space-saving solutions do you implement to keep things streamlined?
A: The easiest way to keep your life streamlined is to only keep the objects that you absolutely love and, more important, use. When I go through the editing process with my clients I ask them, "Do you enjoy this object? Does it enhance your life in any way? Have you used it in the past year?" If the answer to all of the questions is "yes," then we keep it. It is important to do this in your own home to keep the clutter at bay.
by Amy Lau Design
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Lau created an elegant 3D motif of branches and magnolias out of exquisite wallpaper from Maya Romanoff for the 2009 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse. The leaves are made of seven paper patterns — Maya Romanoff's studio custom colored and cut the branches and hand-painted the leaves. Artist Jo Lynn Alcorncut the petals down by hand, putting it all together.
Q: What are 4 things you'd tell homeowners decorating their house for the first time?
A: This is a great question, because I organized my book so that homeowners could easily follow them and make their homes unique.
1. First, I would say that color and pattern are a big way to make a statement in your home. It is important to not be afraid of color and mixing patterns because it makes a huge impact to any space. If you can’t paint, I would suggest bringing in some throw pillows with a great pattern and getting some great artwork for the walls.
2. My next tip would be to conceal and flaunt. Every home has its quirks; try to make them work in your favor. Once, in a client’s home, I made an awkward column in an entryway into a beautiful, leather-clad, curving wall with a hidden powder room behind it.
3. My third tip would be to get great functional items that add flair to your home. A beautiful hanging cabinet would be a great way to add storage to your home while adding visual interest.
4. Act as a curator when decorating, and to find pieces that are crafted and have soul to them. When you collect furniture or accessories that you love, the space immediately becomes your own. I think it is important to look for timeless pieces that are of good quality. I also like to look for pieces that have a hand-crafted feel because they add personality and warmth. Try looking around local flea markets and collecting things from your travels to make your space uniquely your own.
Next, more photos of Lau's interiors from Expressive Modern
Q: What are 4 things you'd tell homeowners decorating their house for the first time?
A: This is a great question, because I organized my book so that homeowners could easily follow them and make their homes unique.
1. First, I would say that color and pattern are a big way to make a statement in your home. It is important to not be afraid of color and mixing patterns because it makes a huge impact to any space. If you can’t paint, I would suggest bringing in some throw pillows with a great pattern and getting some great artwork for the walls.
2. My next tip would be to conceal and flaunt. Every home has its quirks; try to make them work in your favor. Once, in a client’s home, I made an awkward column in an entryway into a beautiful, leather-clad, curving wall with a hidden powder room behind it.
3. My third tip would be to get great functional items that add flair to your home. A beautiful hanging cabinet would be a great way to add storage to your home while adding visual interest.
4. Act as a curator when decorating, and to find pieces that are crafted and have soul to them. When you collect furniture or accessories that you love, the space immediately becomes your own. I think it is important to look for timeless pieces that are of good quality. I also like to look for pieces that have a hand-crafted feel because they add personality and warmth. Try looking around local flea markets and collecting things from your travels to make your space uniquely your own.
Next, more photos of Lau's interiors from Expressive Modern
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by Amy Lau Design
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| The bedroom in this Miami Townhouse is restrained in color and style. To keep the space open and clean, Lau replaced the usual bench with two Charlotte Perriand stools at the foot of the bed. A graphic but soothing duvet echoes the same colors and patterns as the floor rug from Niba. |
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by Amy Lau Design
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| For this home, Lau wanted to combine the husband and wife's different styles — she wanted a contemporary loft feel; he wanted a more cabin-like look. Lau based the color scheme off of the beautiful foliage outside, and chose timeless furniture in soft and curvy mid-century pieces to offset the hard angles of the home's construction. |
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by Amy Lau Design
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| Lau decided that the windows in the living room of this Greenwich Village apartment needed color and drama, so she added these long floor-to-ceiling curtains. The graceful and simple curtains quickly transformed the look of this warm room. Working again with Judy Ross, Lau had the textiles custom designed on simple wool panels. The result is a simple but graphic accent. |
by Amy Lau Design
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The kitchen in Lau's lake house project opens up entirely to the outdoors. Like the living room, the kitchen was designed as a simple and elegant combination of a more contemporary style and a natural, cabin feel.
by Amy Lau Design
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Based in New York, Amy founded Amy Lau Design in 2001 and designs projects nationwide.
Book: Expressive Modern: The Interiors of Amy Lau, written with Linda O'Keefe (Fall 2011, The Monacelli Press).
Lau's portrait by Mark Seliger
More Book Tours:
Katie Ridder Rooms
Decorate by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick
Salvage Secrets
Book: Expressive Modern: The Interiors of Amy Lau, written with Linda O'Keefe (Fall 2011, The Monacelli Press).
Lau's portrait by Mark Seliger
More Book Tours:
Katie Ridder Rooms
Decorate by Holly Becker and Joanna Copestick
Salvage Secrets
Comments
Nanette Baker of Interiors by Nanette Hi Vanessa, I love this ideabook. Amy Lau's work is beautiful and I'm also a big fan of Judy Ross Textiles. They're both great designers! Nanette
16 months ago · Like
nicole1661 Amy is an incredibly beautiful person, both inside and out. Her interiors are a true reflection of her character. Great ideabook. Bravo!
16 months ago · Like
sunnyc I love Laus bedroom color. Could you please tell me what it is?? Thanks. Just beautiful!!!
16 months ago · Like
Mortise & Tenon Custom Furniture Store Great work, the use of color, texture flow is wonderful. Thanks!
16 months ago · Like
Corinna What a great find! Thanks for opening up new windows for me :)
16 months ago · Like
itsteresa Every room truly unique. Love the designs. Great ideas!
16 months ago · Like
Ajithaa The designs are one of a kind. Wonderful!
16 months ago · Like
jimaeriko Some ideas are nice, however, some are just trying too hard and not sophisticated.
16 months ago · Like
Jaclyn I have to agree with jimaeriko. A bit too purposely "quirky" and matchy-matchy for my taste.
16 months ago · Like
dzinegurl Love her work. She pays homage to great design and doesnt ask it to conform. I like that.
16 months ago · Like
eLe eMe Interiorismo Inteligente I agree with jimaeriko and jaclyn.... With one exception I feel the rest as "too much" and maybe later the residents will feel overwhelmed by the excess.... Not a tranquil ambiencd.... maybe good for the Aha! Idea of one or two picks but not for being calm and "yin" ....
16 months ago · Like
ttricia23 I have the book. I just lover Amy's designs. She uses some really uniques pieces that are good conversation pieces.
16 months ago · Like
hjohnstone Not a big fan. :(
15 months ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Jan. 26, 2012.
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