New York–based designer Amy Lau has passed away at the age of 56. Throughout her career, Lau managed to impact nearly every corner of the design industry—whether by creating dazzling spaces for both residential and commercial clients, crafting her own collections, or joining friends and colleagues to form new organizations. Her passing has led to an outpouring of grief and admiration from the design community, providing many with an opportunity to reflect on Lau’s contributions to art and design.

Growing up in the town of Paradise Valley, Arizona, Lau was inspired by the desert landscape, as well as by her grandmother—a painter, mineralogist and ornithologist who nearly influenced her to become an archaeologist, according to Interior Design. But Lau also inherited an artistic sensibility from her parents (who were collectors of art, jewelry and cultural artifacts) and soon decided to study art history at The University of Arizona. Following a post-grad stint traveling through Mexico sourcing works alongside decorative arts dealer Dino Alfaro, she moved to New York to earn her master’s degree from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. There, she embarked on the first leg of her career in the city, eventually becoming director of both the Lin-Weinberg Gallery and Thomas O’Brien’s design shop, Aero.

By 2001, Lau was well-positioned to launch her own creative endeavor: That year, she debuted her interiors firm Forms of Design, later renamed Amy Lau Design. As principal, she earned industry recognition for her use of color—in particular, employing earth-toned shades inspired by the American Southwest. Her unique style grabbed the attention of a fast-growing roster of prominent clients, including collectors like Craig Robins, Clarissa and Edgar Bronfman Jr., and the artist Barbara Gross. Along the way, she added a number of commercial projects to her portfolio, designing for major clients like Baccarat, Elie Tahari, and New York’s Museum of Arts and Design. In 2011, she published her projects in a monograph, Expressive Modern: The Interiors of Amy Lau.

Lau’s contributions to the industry didn’t stop with her own body of work. In 2005, she co-founded the first edition of Design Miami (then called Design.05) alongside Robins and London-based consultant Ambra Medda, setting the stage for an event that would soon become a key venue for exhibiting collectible design. In 2017, she made her mark again by becoming the first designer to exhibit at New York’s Salon Art + Design fair, showcasing a room that depicted the trajectory of the art nouveau movement with a blend of historical and contemporary pieces.

Lau’s background in collectible design gave her a distinct perspective when it came to designing her own furniture and home products, which she completed through partnerships with brands like Kohler, Kyle Bunting, Heath Ceramics, S. Harris and Maya Romanoff. Just last year, she celebrated the opening of an eponymous gallery in the New York Design Center, which offered a curated selection of vintage and contemporary ceramic, glass and metal works, as well as textiles and furniture. “Amy was everything a person should be: kind, generous, gifted, professional and beautiful, both inside and out. But above all, she was a good friend with an open heart,” says Jim Druckman, president and CEO of the New York Design Center. “Everyone I know who knew Amy is so sad and will miss her.”

Throughout her career, Lau was a force to be reckoned with, earning a number of accolades, including an honorary doctorate from the New York School of Interior Design and a place on Architectural Digest’s AD100, Elle Decor’s A-List and Wallpaper magazine’s USA 400. Those who knew her personally say that beyond her design knowledge and expertise, her ability to connect with fellow designers and inspire community was unmatched. “Amy was simply a lovely person,” says John Edelman, president and CEO of Heller and a NYSID board member. “She introduced me to Vladimir Kagan because she knew I was a fan. She did the most luxurious projects and was so beautiful, yet she was always humble and kind.”

Designers Jayne and Joan Michaels further attest to Lau’s ability to establish community, as both took part in the Design Exchange—a group of designers who would gather each month to visit artisan workshops, showrooms and galleries and provide mutual support. Both fondly remember travels with Lau, a founding member, and how she managed to bring a festive spirit to even a simple get-together—including a memorable cocktail party with friends at Jayne’s house.

“I thought it would be a casual affair—but not according to Amy Lau,” says Jayne. “She went straight to work, pulling items out of the basement; digging for plants, flowers and interesting rocks for floral arrangements; ironing napkins; repurposing household bowls into center pieces; prepping food; making cocktails—you name it. By the end, I literally keeled over, but not Amy! She was just getting started! Amy was a tornado of ideas and passions. It was incredible to witness.”

Others took to social media to attest to Lau’s impact, including New York designer David Scott. “How do you begin to mourn a force of nature and beauty? A woman of immense talent, brilliance, heart, and compassion—a dear friend who was one of my greatest cheerleaders,” his post reads. His fellow New York designer Katie Leede also shared her memories of Lau: “She was brave and curious, responsible and generous (thinking about taking care of her employees and clients) and awake and full of love and gratitude even as she prepared for what might be a short but tough road ahead in her final days.”

Despite receiving a cancer diagnosis in late 2016, Lau continued to bring the same energy and spirit to her career, family and personal relationships. “Through it all, her optimism never waned, her dreams never wavered, and her zeal for life never dulled,” reads an obituary published on Legacy.com. “She carried on with her characteristic bright smile, she continued to travel the world, she set new career goals and reached them, and she made eight more years’ worth of memories with friends and family.”

“A true visionary and inspiration, Amy dedicated her life to creating warm and inviting spaces, touching countless lives with her passion and unique style,” read a statement shared by her firm, Amy Lau Design, on Instagram. “We will forever cherish her legacy and the impact she made in the design world.”