Decorating Guides
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.