Are there any designers or decorators whose style resonates with you so much you just love everything they do? Well for me, Amy Butler certainly falls into that camp. I think I read about her work for the first time years ago on decor8 and I have been hooked ever since. I remember the day I purchased a copy of her book Midwest Modern and ran right home to spend the afternoon with a pot of mint tea flipping through each and every page! So I was delighted to find Amy on flickr the other day, her page includes lots of gorgeous photos taken by husband David Butler of their home, studio, and gardens – yum!
I love seeing how Amy has changed and updated her space over the years while keeping many of the big pieces in place and staying true to her style. Above is a view of Amy’s living room, isn’t the light and view into the treetops amazing? In trying to pinpoint what it is I adore about Amy’s style, I think it is the combination of her penchant for midcentury modern and other vintage finds combined with a love of nature, all made fresh by the color palettes she chooses to work in. I love the term “Midwest Modern” because it connotes a look that is fresh and hip yet down-to-earth, which is something I aspire to in my own home. I could happily move into this space, what about you?
I wish I had the courage to be a bit more bold in my decorating choices, though in reality I tend to be a bit more reserved (I do like my white!). The bold wallpaper and vibrant color and layer upon layer of printed fabrics works so well here because it is tempered by weathered antiques and vintage finds, and those clean-lined midcentury pieces – I am keeping these photos in my inspiration files to call upon in the future for sure! Let’s look at a few more views of her space:
Now don’t you wish you could come over to Amy and David’s house to hang out? The open floor plan, huge windows, skylights, and gorgeously weathered looking floors are calling my name :) And let’s not forget the studio…
“It’s not about money or talent. It’s about creativity and love. I put my personality into everything I do, and that makes it both exciting and intimate. When I put on my clothing in the morning, or design fabrics, or choose colors for a room, I want it to be a reflection of the confident and optimistic person I aspire to be.” – Amy Butler, Midwest Modern
Quilts and kitties and vases of fresh flowers and white floors? Yes, please! :) One of my goals this year is to take on more creative & crafty projects (I am starting with a knitted scarf), and I would love to learn to sew (I knew how at one time but it’s been years and years) just so I could use some scrumptious Amy Butler fabrics to create my own home decor. She is such a genius with color, you could build a whole room around a few of her prints, am I right? Go see more of Amy and David’s inspiring home as well as photos of their extensive gardens on flickr, and check the Amy Butler Design website for inspiration photos, information on all of her fabric lines, patterns, books and more.
Happy Wednesday, friends – I would love to hear your thoughts! xo Laura
(all images: David Butler, used with permission)
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I love those Ikea rattan “cushions” – I’ve dreamed of stacking some just as she does in my living room, but can never quite seem to commit to just buying some!
Diana B´s last [type] ..Playing with Picnik
well, it is about creativity and not money, i agree… but money bought that WONDERFUL house as well!!! my mind was blown away with all those open and wide spaces! now i will get back to my tiny one and pick up my heart… broken by these images :) hugs, twiggs
Twiggs´s last [type] ..business ideas… by sellers – little brown pen
ooh I love this… Man, she even makes a slipcover look good. (Any tips on buying/finding one btw?)
gaia• Illustration´s last [type] ..Jillian Tamaki for Penguin Threads
hmmm, It does take money to buy a house but… who knows the condition of this one when they bought it. And I believe it to be late 60′s to early 70′s modern which is not in huge demand for the average buyer so they probably got a good deal on it. I am very inspired by their home not just for how it looks but for the thoughtfullness that has gone into every aspect. Really, though they are having such success, I still see it as an excellent source for inspiration in all income brackets and thats why I love it! Yay! my couch is covered in canvas too!!!