Tastemaker Spotlight: Amy Elbaum

Designer Amy Albaum knows how to think outside the box when it comes to art and design. A long-time fan of ArtStar, Amy has paired many of our most bold and daring artworks with clean design to give her contemporary interiors the final touch. Find out more of her sources of inspiration in our exclusive interview.

Instagram handle: @ae_design_

 

You are based in LA- what is unique about LA’s design scene and how do you describe the LA style?
 
Having grown up on the east coast and studied design and worked in New York City, LA certainly has its own feel. There is definitely a relaxed, casual vibe and people tend to gravitate towards more natural, lighter materials which makes sense considering the weather here. I also think in conjunction with the casualness there is an ease about design - I find people have a sense of humor about their homes and take more risks on whimsical pieces, especially art.
 

What is your favorite neighborhood for shopping? Do you have a favorite local coffee spot or restaurant?

 
I love to go to West Hollywood for shopping - furniture, clothes, everything! My hairstylist is located there, too. It’s really the hub of the city for me - I like to grab lunch at Zinque which is conveniently located across from the PDC (Pacific Design Center).

 

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

 
I would probably pursue art more directly - possibly animation and in my free time abstract painting. I love to draw and have considered getting more into painting. It’s really where my creativity stems from and it has always been a big part of my life.
 

What is your dream collaboration?

 
I would love to collaborate on a textile design with one of my favorite vendors, like Lee Jofa - I think it would be so fun to turn some of my pattern sketches into a tactile product and see them in different color ways and materials.
 

Who is your ultimate design icon and why?

 
My biggest design icon is my grandmother - she was a fabulous interior designer and I learned so much from her. She was very bold - she loved textiles and mixing patterns. She spent so much of her life traveling and collecting antiques and it made her spaces truly one of a kind. She always encouraged me to take risks in my work and she was a firm believer that there are no rules when it comes to design. She passed away 3 years ago but I still find myself looking to her for encouragement and inspiration.
 

What era are you inspired by?

 
I am really inspired by the pop art movement - I love graphic, bold art and incorporating them into residential spaces. I also love mod furniture pieces that incorporate curves and bold colors. I am seeing a lot of that lately and am loving it!
 

Favorite room to design and why?

 
Kids rooms, hands down! There is so much creativity and freedom involved with designing kid’s spaces. It’s also so interesting to try to think like a kid and come up with a flow for the space that makes the most sense for them. I feel people are most relaxed about their kids’ rooms and are open to doing something fun & different.
 

What’s the One Design Project You’ve Always Been Scared to Try?

 
I haven’t really dipped my toe into commercial design yet - to me it is an entirely different ball game with totally different rules. I think an office space for a cool, young company could be fun and might be an easy transition from residential as those spaces tend to be more comfortable and relaxed.
 

What materials are you currently loving?

 
I am loving all the indoor/outdoor fabrics from Perennials & Schumacher. I always gravitate towards black & white and stripes which I am seeing a lot of right now. Pops of pastel are great for spring as well.
 

The art you include in your settings are always show stoppers. How do you go about connecting an artwork with the rest of the room?

 
I am very drawn to bold art. I love the contrast and the pop - most people are timid about using color in their home so I get really excited when we get to the art sourcing and people are more receptive to bolder pieces. I also work with mostly white walls in my interiors so I look for pieces that will break that up.

 

Describe the most creative way you incorporated a piece of art in a space. 

 
In one of our latest projects my clients had a lot of amazing photos from their trip to the Amazon so we blew up a detail of one of their shots of the grass meeting the water and had it framed. It looks like a piece of abstract art!
 

What are your top 10 favorite artworks on ArtStar right now?