Amy Lau, founder of Amy Lau Design, creates interiors known for their warmth, expressiveness and impeccable attention to detail. Amy has a reverence for the inherent beauty of natural materials, landscapes, and thoughtfully incorporates elements of each into every project. This year, Amy graces our Design & Art Advisory Council, and we took the opportunity to ask her rapid-fire questions about the exhibitors she is excited to see at Salon, her favorite artist to collect, and more.
What exhibitors are you excited to see at the fair?
I am very much looking forward to seeing Galerie Chastel-Maréchal, Maisonjaune Studio, and lastly, Galerie Mathivet.
What’s your favorite NYC museum?
One of my favorites is the Neue Galerie, which features early 20th century German and Austrian art and design and has an incredible Austrian restaurant called Cafe Sabarsky. One of my favorite paintings at the Neue Galerie is Gustav Klimt’s masterpiece, "Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I" from 1907. The lady in
gold surrounded by a gold and silver leaf and the intricate patterns that make up the background and clothing in the painting are absolutely mesmerizing and have sparked a lot of creative ideas for me.
What’s your favorite piece of art/design in your own home or collection?
The Longboard Floor Lamp by Albano Poli for Poliarte. It is a dynamic floor lamp from the “New York” series made in Verona, Italy in the 1970s. It is reminiscent of the New York City skyline with variations of rectangular gold iron stacks and inserted with colorful thick hammered Murano glass. With hints of emerald, ruby, honey and amber, it is a breathtaking piece.
If you were designing your dream home, which pieces would you choose?
I would choose the following pieces for my home: 3 Lustres "Ju-Uon" Uchiua Ingo Maurer set of 3 hanging lights, Claude LaLanne "Bambou" Table, and a Joy de Rohan Chabot Mirror.
What’s your favorite NYC building?
The one I live in, The Alwyn Court, is a Landmark Building of Historic Places built between 1907-1909. Designed in the French Renaissance Style by Harde & Short. The facade is clad with elaborate terracotta ornamentation in the Francis I style. Inside the octagonal courtyard is a Trompe L'oeil painting by Richard Haas as well as a location of the Petrossian caviar bar. The Alwyn is one of several luxury developments constructed along Seventh Avenue during the late 19th and early 20th Century.
Who is your favorite artist to collect?
I personally collect Loetz Glassware, recognized as one of the leading art glass companies during the Art Nouveau era. These highly sought-after works are characterized by their remarkable use of color, iridescent effects and organic shapes, with many pieces being inspired by nature.
What is your most recent acquisition?
A very rare wall panel wood sculpture by the French artist Lucien Bénière carved out of birchwood in 1987.
What’s your advice to an entry level design collector?
Research! I think it is so important to be constantly researching, visiting museums, and traveling to really expand your horizons and find what speaks to you. Once you know the basic history and the greats of art and design you can delve into who they worked with and what inspired them… you can really lose yourself in all the magnificent history the design world has to offer.
What's a recent assignment or project you're proud of?
I am excited to announce the debut of Amy Lau Design Gallery at the New York Design Center. My new gallery highlights a collection of ceramics, glass, metal, textiles, and furniture that spans from turn-of-the-century classics to contemporary handcrafted heirlooms, showcasing the work of both rarified and iconic designers. Each piece embodies timeless elegance, transcending first impressions with exceptional design.