AMY NEUNSINGER...an inspired life

photography by amy neunsinger

(it's AMY'S KITCHEN!)

I created this blog

to preserve images and ideas;

to honor the work of my creative heroes

in one lovely place.

A M Y    N E U N S I N G E R

was one of the first heroes

I could not wait to profile because

her lifestyle photography is full of such

lovely simple brilliance.

You can read that post here.

one of the gorgeous rooms in her Laurel Canyon home

I am partial to her imagery of interiors,

and you may be familiar with her work in

Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, InStyle,

or Shabby Chic Interiors.

Recently I caught up with Amy.

It's important to honor creativity because...

"Hmmm, well I really don't know any other way to live. Creativity is living in the moment, nourishing the soul, expressing one's uniqueness, being darling, failing, finding your aha moment. Fortunately, I have been able to make a living at this. Sometimes my cooking is a bit too creative I have been told."

How can we find more lovely

and sacredness in the 'everyday?'

"I think it's the everyday that defines us. Lovely and sacredness is when you become aware of the moment and acknowledge it and say thank you. These moments can not be taken away; they are ours to keep. I try to capture that with my photography...taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. "

'Beauty in imperfection' brings to mind...

"That describes my friend, Rachel Ashwell (Shabby Chic). Torn, wrinkled, faded, vintage, loved, misfit. She has so beautifully captured this with everything she does. I think that's why I love her so much."

omg. Rachel and Amy are a force to be reckoned with.

The role humor plays in life and work...

"Aside from dark chocolate and garden roses, humor gets me through the day. Not that a photography career was enough, I had to go and do a start up (cocodot.com) with my husband during the worst economic climate of our lifetime. Yes, humor plays a big part..... I am still happily married. "

Speaking of cocodot, here is her husband's amazing home office.

Three things inspiring me just now...

1.

The view from my office in the Hollywood Hills.

2.

Remodelista.com

3.

Cafe Gratitude on Larchmont in Los Angeles

..............but tomorrow is another day!

It IS...

and I hope it's another day

of you shooting lovely, Amy!

What an honor to chat with this

wise and lovely photographer.

Familiar with Amy Neunsinger's work?

all images via amy neunsinger and house beautiful

PALE & INTERESTING...for your library

Pale & Interesting by Atlanta Bartlett & Dave Coote

I live in the midwest.

Hence, I understand it sometimes snows in April.

Snow in April frequently

makes it hard to get out of bed.

So when gloomy skies

and winds were howling

the other day,

I simply didn't

(get out of bed OR howl).

All snug and comfy in a fluffy 

down duvet with a favorite

new decor book, I hunkered down in

a nest of goodness.

P a l e  &  I n t e r e s t i n g

(Ryland Peters & Small)

all photography by POLLY WREFORD

Yum.

The title hints at a glimmer of what's inside.

Atlanta Bartlett

and Dave Coote

have a passion for design with

muted subtle shades I adore, and this book

illuminates how the couple create stylish

relaxed family homes.

Atlanta Bartlett's creed:

"Keep it simple,

keep it relaxed,

and keep it real."

The photography alone

(Polly Wreford)

takes one's breath away but what

makes the book such a treasure to own

is the inspiration, suggestions, and cleverness

weaved through the text.

omg i love this styling

These designers have a quirky, easy, effortlessly elegant

style...and the book makes that style more accessible.

Pale & Interesting is also a delightful online shop.

Pretty certain you will appreciate MIXING IT UP

which is a lesson in the bold art of contrast.

Fall in love with...

pale and airy,

decor that won't break the bank,

and tranquil color schemes.

Fall in love with

Pale & Interesting

(Ryland Peters & Small).

Oh and and talk to me...do you find pale

decor interesting and lovely????

gardener and marks

shhhhh.

Hushed 'inside voices' today, peeps.

shoot...that means no exclamation marks.

Whisper hello to Aussie designers

Gardener and Marks

and proceed gently on tiptoes.

all images - gardener and marks

I sort of like me quiet. Better to absorb the stillness, character, and beauty of the G&M vibe.

Do these spaces calm your jets as well?

a special thank you to Rebecca at the ever-chic Sanctuary where i spied these designers

shabby chic couture

Rachel's new stores are open!

Shabby Chic Couture.

The addition of 'couture' means

we won't find anything

in these images at Target.

Yet.

Think quality and heirlooms.

For hopeless romantics who live for comfort

and spending Saturdays at the flea market.

Love Rachel's style?

You must pick up your copy of

SHABBY CHIC INTERIORS.

Trust. Totally dreamy.

A reliable source tells me the divine tufted headboards

all over heaven are ordered directly up from 

Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic Couture.

sigh.

rachel ashwell

No designer has been as influential to my own design aesthetic

(and maybe even lifestyle aesthetic!) as the stylish and chic

Rachel Ashwell.

Her enormously successful business Shabby Chic is not only

a source for beautiful, feminine, simple, vintage-y things for the home,

but Rachel has inspired us to adore all things girly and

reminded us to keep our spaces spare. VERY spare if you're me.

Her books are divine.

Buy them if you love beachy clean style like I do.

In her books, her shops, and design Rachel

shares secrets and her heart in an intimate way.

Be prepared to be breathless.

She definitely possesses that x-factor.

via Shabby Chic

So very grateful for Rachel's willingness to share and teach us all she learns on her journey.