Remembering Amy Lau: Celebrated AD100 Designer’s Impact on Interiors  

A Life Woven with Color, Texture, and Meaning  

Amy Lau’s work was never just about aesthetics. It was about creating an atmosphere—one that whispered stories of craftsmanship, evoked emotion through color, and linked the past with the present in a way that felt quietly profound. Her design philosophy wasn’t rooted in fleeting trends but in an enduring appreciation for art, history, and the human experience within a space.  

Born with an innate sensitivity to texture and form, Lau transformed interiors into living canvases, each filled with intentionality. She understood the subconscious effect of a well-placed curve, the power of a hue drawn from nature, and the way tactile elements could shift energy in a room. Her spaces didn’t demand attention through excess. Instead, they encouraged immersion, subtly inviting one to linger, to touch, to feel.  

Her affinity for mid-century modern craftsmanship was not about nostalgia but about preservation. Lau brought historical pieces into contemporary settings, not as relics, but as voices that still had something to say. She was a curator of time, stitching together different periods into a seamless conversation. Through her work, she reminded us that great design is not static—it breathes, evolves, and carries meaning beyond its visual appeal.  

Sensory Richness as a Philosophy  

It wasn’t just about how a room looked. It was about how it felt—the way light moved across different materials, the way a fabric brushed against skin, the way the scent of natural wood could ground a space. Lau’s approach to interiors was sensorial, ensuring that every encounter with her work left an imprint deeper than the visual.  

She favored materials with history: handwoven textiles with an irregular stitch, wood that still carried its natural grain, metals that weathered with time. There was a raw elegance to her choices, a belief that the imperfections of natural materials weren’t flaws but marks of their journey. This made her spaces feel not just sophisticated, but alive.  

Color was another tool in her hands, wielded not with restraint but with absolute mastery. Lau had an instinct for unexpected combinations—earthy ochres set against deep teals, muted violets softened by warm neutrals. Her palette was drawn not from passing trends but from nature, from art, from personal intuition. Each selection was imbued with a kind of psychological depth, ensuring that her interiors never felt stagnant but continuously shifted with light and movement.  

The Intersection of Art and Everyday Living  

For Lau, art wasn’t an afterthought—it was the foundation. She worked closely with artisans, believing that the human touch could never be replicated by mass production. Her interiors were often punctuated by ceramics, intricate textiles, sculptural furniture, and hand-blown glass, each carrying the unmistakable mark of its maker.  

To walk into a Lau-designed space was to enter a curated world where everyday objects took on the significance of fine art. Cabinetry wasn’t just storage but a crafted statement. A simple chair wasn’t just seating but an object of form and balance. She elevated the ordinary into something worth noticing, ensuring that interacting with her interiors was always an experience, never just a routine.  

Her collaborations with artists were not mere transactions; they were partnerships built on mutual respect. She didn’t just source pieces—she integrated them into the narrative of the space, allowing them to breathe, to belong, to tell their story in a new context. This approach created homes that didn’t just reflect personal style but personal values—spaces that celebrated artistry, craftsmanship, and the beauty of individuality.  

A Legacy That Continues to Shape Interiors  

Amy Lau's influence will not be measured solely by her completed projects but by the way she reshaped thinking about interiors. She challenged the notion that luxury was about excess, demonstrating instead that it was about intention. Her designs were imbued with meaning, reminding us that the finest spaces are those that reflect the fullness of life itself.  

Her philosophy lingers in those who were fortunate enough to experience her work—designers who carry forward her reverence for materials, collectors who see furniture as more than function, homeowners who seek more than just beauty but depth in their environments. Though she may no longer be adding to her impressive catalog of work, her approach remains an indelible part of modern design, continuing to inspire those who understand that great interiors are not just built; they are felt.