Amy - New Orleans, LA

Amy’s sunlit kitchen makes me feel more like myself than just about anywhere. She mixes personal mythology with modern appliances. Her fridge is part photo album and inspiration board. As a busy single mother who started her own non-profit: The New Neighbor Project, she rarely has a moment to herself to have a cup of coffee so when we had a morning to the two of us, I took advantage of the lull. In between working hours and mothering hours, Amy remodeled her kitchen. She painted the wainscoting a deep navy, named Calligraphy. She changed up her flame-ware enamel pieces that used to sit on top of her cabinets and replaced them with copper accents and oversized statement pieces: a tall basket she found at Seasoned and a scale she scored at a Kentucky flea market.

She’s a confident decorator, moving forward with a style that combines Post-Colonial kitchen with a Hollywood bathroom in deep greens and gold. Like most of my thrifting friends, she has the innate ability to conjure up pieces when she needs them.

A dark wood dining table with drop leaf sides? The listing appears on Facebook marketplace within days. If you’re driving with Amy be prepared to break for curbside treasures. She will rescue a piece of architectural molding or a useful shelf. One’s person’s trash is another person’s treasure!

When I asked Amy if I could photograph the inside of her fridge she said: of course! She’s proud of the organized bounty which she said would disappear within the week. While everyone is feeling the higher prices at the grocery store, Amy saves by menu planning and no-fuss lunches. While she may forgo novelty items for herself, she makes sure there’s a constant stream of sunflower butter sandwiches for her son. She’s a wonderful mother and a generous friend. She’s well-read and well-mannered and her stories will make you laugh so hard you’ll spit out your wine. Not to worry, at Amy’s house, there’s always more wine and everything else. She plans for it so you can just come as you are.