Multi-hyphenate creative (and Lena Waithe’s interior designer!) Amie Mays is sharing tips for showing love to our spaces — and in turn, ourselves.
– KEYS SOULCARE
While we can’t control what our days bring, we can set up the spaces we inhabit to support, empower, and delight us.
It’s all about the details — and that’s where Amie Mays comes in. As a multidisciplinary creative, Amie knows a thing or two about tapping into all the senses. In fact, her recent decorating project for director, writer, and actress Lena Waithe graced the pages of Architectural Digest — and many of our own vision boards.
Amie recently chatted with us about how we can bring more decor harmony to our homes.
Design for you and your vision
Amie credits her success to her ability to tune into not just what clients tell her they want, but what resonates with them on a spiritual level. (In the case of Waithe, she summed up the initial vision as “creative liberation cool.”)
“I’m a writer, producer, and interior designer,” says Amie. “It’s great because I get to exercise all of my creativity, across different modalities, but the thing that’s common about all of them is being a really good listener. I listen to my clients and who they really are, and only then do we create something together.”
Embrace “everyday luxe”
“Instead of saving up for or ‘deserving’ a nice experience every few years, there should be a little something everyday that’s indulgent and just for you,” says Amie, who reminds clients — and herself — that infusing things you value into your day is a worthwhile investment.
“For example,” she adds, “I have a friend who sources Itadi Coffee from Togo, West Africa. It’s so smooth and mellow. I could buy coffee from literally any company, but it’s the one that I love. You know? Anything that engages your [olfactory] senses — from a sandalwood base note to a lavender diffuser fragrance — can make a world of difference [for] the pace of your day.”
Visualize yourself in ritual
“I’m very big on rituals, and calling on them for structure and a reminder of our purpose,” explains Amie, who says that setting ourselves up for pleasure sets us up for productivity, too.
“For me, that means starting my days with my coffee and a Lolly Lolly ceramics mug, and having plants like a fiddle leaf or Zanzibar gem (which are much easier to take care of) in my space for visual interest, inspiration, and life nearby,” says Amie.
Zen out in color
“The color on your walls impacts what you see, but also how you work,” says Amie. Currently, Amie is a big fan of rich hues, including the Deep Reddish Brown by Farrow & Ball, and muted tones, like the brand’s Ammonite. “One coat of nice paint is like putting velvet on your walls, and around your senses,” she adds.
Which acts of love can you incorporate into your space — and in turn, give to yourself?
Image Credit: Tabi Bonney
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