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Friday Five with Amy Lau

Arizona native Amy Lau, who is based in New York City, founded her interiors firm in 2001. Lau received a Master’s degree from Sotheby’s in New York, after which she worked for Thomas O’Brien at Aero. In 2005 she cofounded the Design Miami Fair, which runs in conjunction with Art Basel Miami Beach. In addition to her work in the arts and as an interior designer, she designs the Amy Lau Studio product line, which includes curtain and upholstery textiles manufactured by S. Harris—Fabricut, a wallpaper collection for Maya Romanoff, a rug design for Doris Leslie Blau, a limited edition line for Showtime, and a rug and pillow collection for Kyle Bunting. In 2011 her first design book, Expressive Modern was published. Now, let’s find out what inspires this design powerhouse in today’s Friday Five. 

F5-Amy-Lau-Sante-Fe

1. Sante Fe, New Mexico
For its glorious sunsets, rich history and culture. I’m enchanted by Santa Fe’s architecture, unique art, festivals, New Mexican Cuisine and the amazing massages at Ten Thousand Waves.

2. Green Juice
Each morning I wake up to a freshly made green juice as it makes me feel so healthy and vibrant. It’s like my body thanks me every morning.

3. Oia, Santorini, Greece
I love nothing more than staying at a traditional cave house on the cliffs of the volcanic island of Oia and looking out onto the magnificent caldera, it is breathtakingly beautiful.

4. Abstract Expressionism
The abstract expressionists did not depict forms found in the natural world but emphasized freedom of emotional expression, technique and execution. Their style of painting with highly articulated use of color, strong brushstrokes and textures fascinate me as does the moods it can evoke.

Photo by Jacques de Vos via National Geographic

Photo by Jacques de Vos via National Geographic

5. Scuba Diving
There is nothing more exciting than exploring the underwater world; the coral reefs, fish and other sea creatures. The natural wonders of the ocean amaze and delight me. It’s truly like visiting another planet.

Portrait by Mark Seliger.

Marni Elyse Katz is a Contributing Editor at Design Milk. She lives in Boston where she contributes regularly to local publications and writes her own interior design blog, StyleCarrot.