Mood Board: 5 Things That Keep Designer Ami McKay Inspired

1. My Deck

It was one of the last things we added when we renovated, but it’s truly a piece of heaven. I literally can’t wait (for Don) to power wash it at the start of the season so we can spend our time out there: it’s become this incredible garden with over 30 plants and trees, including olives.

2. Travel Home: Design with a Global Spirit by Caitlin Flemming and Julie Goebel

I love this coffee table book, filled with collected items from the travels of international designers. It’s clean, eclectic and interesting, and it gives the reader great ideas on how to curate different spaces with found items.

3. Tiles of Ezra

The woman behind this Australian brand, Georgia Ezra, works directly with families and factories in Morocco. The palettes are earthy; the tiles are handmade, mottled and imperfect; and the gorgeous colour of the clay comes through the glazes.

4. Travel

My trips to Italy and all over Europe have completely elevated my design aesthetic. We’re about to launch tours in Puglia too, and I can’t wait to share some of my finds from a designer’s point of view: dinner in a church, accommodations in farmhouses and caves, trips to flea markets—it’ll be pretty magical.

5. Palazzo Bontadosi

This hotel is in a tiny village in the hills of Umbria and the rooms themselves are exquisite, but it’s also home to one of the most incredible spa experiences of my life. There are saunas, steam rooms and a saltwater pool in an underground cave right under the hotel, and it’s all yours for the hour.

6. Flea Markets

We’ve found the most interesting things on our travels, almost always at flea markets. Most recently I brought back a miniature gilded oil painting for the bathroom, and an eight-inch brass fly with hinges on it. We really couldn’t figure out what the latter was—I thought it was a door knocker. Turns out it was an ashtray (we don’t smoke!) but it’s a wonderful little piece of art.