Joy Junket

Welcome to our very first Joy Junket Style Tour-  we plan to profile the fashion and Interior Design Sensibilities of fabulous humans seeking JOY!  We were so fortunate to stumble into Amy,  who generously shared her home with us-  and her thoughts.   We LOVE Amy’s obviously sensual and comfort based  approach to living in her space-  candles, using her couch as an “office”, enjoying the proximity to the sea.   After reading it all -  it makes us want to move right in!  Her ability to find items on Craigslist and combine them with gifted pieces and EDITING IT all is obvious!   She shows restraint by not having too much “clutter”-  and the peacefulness shines through- reminds us of the Diana Vreeland Quote:  “Elegance is restraint”.  Amen (Not that we always practice it!)

Name: Amy

Approximate square footage:  approximately 900

Where you live (city, country): Marblehead, MA

How long you have resided there: 3 years (rent)

Describe your style in 2 words -or if you know your STYLE STATEMENT (ala the book by Danielle LaPorte)- even better :

how about…”found neo-modern”?

Describe your living space (approximately 3 paragraphs is lovely- but feel free to write whatever you would like to say!):

I live in a one bedroom apartment in a beautiful coastal northeastern town. The house is right across from the beach, so there’s definitely a resort-y vibe. This is one of 4 units in a large house. I’m on the first floor. I rent, so it’s important to note that I haven’t made any changes to the interior of the house. I haven’t done any painting, or invested in window treatments or anything like that. I will wait until I own my own place to do those things. If I owned this place, I would make several changes, like removing the (horrible) drop ceilings, new kitchen and bathroom cabinets and hardware, flooring, interior painting, etc. I am also an artist working with a limited budget, but all that said, I’m happy with what I’ve done.

I’ve tried to keep things fairly uncluttered, so I have boxes of things stored away, and I’ve focused on a smaller amount of items that I think work individually and together. The layout of the place is somewhat strange, but you enter into a sizable room, which I guess is the dining room, a large living room off of that with a non-working but pretty brick fireplace, and off of that is a smaller utility room (currently housing office files and keyboard). A micro-hallway leads to the bathroom, kitchen and bedroom. There are porches off of the front and back doors.

I’ve bought some large items (furniture-wise), but I’ve also used Craig’s List fairly often, I’ve used second hand stores, and I have been given some very nice things that have all contributed to my collection. I am fond of the mid-century aesthetic, so I have several things that either are from the 50s or look like they are, without – hopefully – going overboard on that. I like to mix modern and vintage. I have refinished several pieces on my own, and sometimes more than once (if I get bored with it). I have paintings by family members, vintage postcards of places I’ve lived, a lot of books (many also still in storage), and two cats.

If you were (for some odd reason)) forced to start over and could only keep one object in your current home what would it be?  (family photos etc. not withstanding)

Why is this object so dear-  what does it mean or represent to you.?

The mid-century sideboard that my friend Andrea gave me. It was part of her parents’ original dining set. It is absolutely stunning and makes me happy every time I look at it. It embodies that beautiful crossroads between Jetsons-modern and elegant. What I love is that she had no interest in it. She just needed space for her dining room set, but I love it. So it gets a new home where it’s always appreciated, and she gets her new dining set! (SUZI AND SARAH:  AMY MAKES A FABULOUS POINT-  WHAT YOU MAY NOT LIKE/FEELS LIKE CLUTTER IS AN ABSOLUTE FABULOUS GEM TO ANOTHER-  SO DIVEST AND SHARE-  BRING BOTH OF YOU SOME MORE JOY!)

What do people frequently say when they come into your space?

If they’ve seen my other places, which were often microscopic (this is a very expensive area – not quite Manhattan-expensive, but up there), they comment on the size and the light and how much they like it. In fact, I had some people over last night and the first thing they said when they came in was how much they liked the place. (SUZI AND SARAH-  WHAT GREATER COMPLIMENT CAN YOU GET- WHEN PEOPLE ENJOY YOUR SPACE AS MUCH AS YOU DO!)

Where do you find yourself most drawn in your space when you have moments for yourself?

I work from home, so I’m most often working on the couch, laptop on lap (as I am now). Because this is an office as well as a home, that’s another reason that I wouldn’t want my surroundings to be overly precious (well, I wouldn’t want that anyway!). Cats (there are 2) come and go, people walk by outside going to and from the beach, the ocean smell comes in the windows (when they’re open). I rarely sit or work at my desk. I also love my bed!   (SUZI AND SARAH:   LOVE THAT YOU ARE FABULOUSLY COMFY AND EVERY INCH IS LIVEABLE- FOR ENJOYMENT-  AND THAT YOU DON’T NOT FEEL LIMITED TO A “DESK”- YOU ARE WORKING COMFORTABLY-  AND DON’T GET US STARTED ON OCEAN BREEZES-  WE…..DIE….SOUNDS FABULOUS!)

What or where are your 3 absolute favorite sources for shopping?

Well, I use Craig’s List a lot, but it takes a good amount of time and patience to find things that are good quality and affordable. So I never assume I’ll be finding anything the day I start looking. (SUZI AND SARAH:  SOMETIMES WHEN THE CHALLENGES ARE GREATEST WE BELIEVE THE MOST CREATIVE OUTCOME IS BORN)  I like antique stores and secondhand shops as well. Chain stores like Pier One, Macys, Ikea and Marshalls can be good sources. I like to support local businesses whenever I can. Given increased funds, I suspect my shopping choices would be (will be!) somewhat different. For example, there’s a custom couch maker [http://ecocouch.wordpress.com/] that I love and would love to have make me a couch or two! And designers/decorators should – I’m not kidding – make a trip here to go to the legendary Zimmans [http://www.zimmans.com]. It’s 2 floors of sumptuous fabrics and two floors of furniture. I want everything in there. (SUZI AND SARAH:  OOOOO  YOU HAVE OUR DESIGNER HEARTS ALL AFLUTTER…….FABULOUS FABRICS ONLINE-  PLUS A SHOP IN MASSSACHUSETS!)

What are your favorite sources for design and style (media sources, designers, artists, musicians ,  places, objects, movies, plays, visual displays etc -  sky is not even the limit here…)  and why are they so perfect for you?

I generally have my ear to the ground when it comes to fashion and design of all kinds. I pay attention to everything from the sets on movies (recently watched “The Wizard of Oz” and closely paid attention to the sets – they are stunning) and TV, to the homes of friends, to various online resources. I used to have a few subscriptions to home decorating magazines I absorbed every month, and they unfortunately both folded. I miss them (SUZI AND SARAH:   WE HAVE A HUNCH ONE OF THEM IS DOMINO-  WE MISS THEM TOO!) . Most of my friends and family’s taste is very different from mine, but I mentally file away what I like and what I don’t for possible future use. Elle magazine, Lucky Magazine, Wired and Esquire for their extraordinary and groundbreaking design. Wes Anderson’s movies are a huge visual influence. There’s something about his aesthetic that just WORKS for me (esp. “The Royal Tenenbaums”). The color palette in “Breaking Bad” [http://www.amctv.com/originals/breakingbad/]. Charles Schulz’ pen lines. Frank Lloyd Wright. I’m a musician, so all kinds of music. Rocco’s (my cat) colors (see images). The wardrobe on old school “Sex And The City”. “Grey Gardens”. Las Vegas. The color of pomegranates. The changing ocean. I try to incorporate a little of everything that strikes me.   (SUZI AND SARAH:  AMAZING TO SEE HOW MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES DESIGN INSPIRTATION CAN COME FROM-  PLACES, FILM, FRUIT, BODIES OF WATER-  BEAUTFIUL)

What do you do in your space to engage the 5 senses (smell, touch, sight, hear, taste)?

I like to change things up fairly often, adding and taking away, keeping things fresh. A little change here or there (new pillow, re-purposed table) can go a long way. I never use overhead lights – only lamps or sunlight. I like to cook and eat, light candles, pine incense, listen to music, sing, watch TV (or half-watch while I’m working, more accurately), play guitar, pet the cats, smell the ocean, visit with friends and neighbors. (SUZI AND SARAH-  WOW-  THIS SOUNDS SO FABULOUS-  YOU ARE REALLY TREASURING YOUR SPACE, YOURSELF AND ENJOYING THE SEEMINGLY EVERYDAY-  THIS IS SO INSPIRING AMY.

What do you want your space to communicate or tell people who enter it?

I want it to be comfortable, convey a sense of quality and style, with some whimsy and a lot of visual interest without overwhelm. I want it to be clear that it’s MINE – that I’ve utilized the art of friends and family, that it reflects all the things I do and like (high-brow and low), that I haven’t adopted any person or institution’s style wholesale, nor have I outsourced my design. Not too cluttered, unfussy, clean but not obsessively so. That you’re welcome to hang out. (SARAH AND SUZI:  LOVE HOW YOU OWN IT AND YET YOU CLEARLY WANT TO SHARE IT)

How did you figure out your own personal style-  or when did you begin to recognize you had your own viewpoint?

Probably fairly young. Maybe 10? I liked to decorate my room and make things just so, and took a lot of pride in that. Met my friend Pam at age 15, and her (parents’) house was so beautiful and…curated, it was a whole new experience for me. I learned what I liked (tasteful, beautiful things), and what I didn’t (having a house that’s too museum-like). Thus began an interest in interior design and architecture that’s continued to the present. Chose Kenyon for college (where I met the fabulous Miss Sarah! (THANKS AMY!)) partially to be surrounded by the beautiful architecture. Now, many years on the east coast have fulfilled my need to be around the old and the historic, but have also awakened my interest in everything modern and clean. It’s probably high time for a new location, new visual immersion.

List any resources of the items in your home you’d like to share (brand or catalog or website etc)

http://ecocouch.wordpress.com

http://www.zimmans.com/

http://www.bassettfurniture.com/

http://www.luckymag.com/

http://www.craigslist.org

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/

http://www.westelm.com

http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/

http://www.smartbargains.com

http://www.sellmeyouritems.com

http://www.friedglassstudios.com

Thanks Amy again for sharing your lovely sea breeze filled “found Neo-Modern”  WE LOVE IT!!

Here are all of the images…